It could be the water, the welcoming community or a little bit of mountain magic. But for some reason, Asheville has become a craft brewing mecca. On any given day, hundreds of local craft beers are on tap and sold in bottles and cans around town, and many of them help tell the story of Asheville.

Here’s a 12-pack sampler from among the area’s 30+ breweries that is the perfect pairing with Asheville’s history, outdoor offerings, attractions and culture.

1. The Hills Are Alive

BEER: Highland Gaelic Ale

The flagship beer of Asheville’s oldest brewery pays homage to the early Scots-Irish settlers of the Blue Ridge Mountains, who were drawn to the geography that reminded them of home. We also have these early residents to thank for the area’s musical heritage—Western North Carolina’s traditional sounds have given rise to bluegrass and old-time genres that continue to influence popular music.

1. America’s Largest Homes

BEER: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Once upon a time, a well-known visitor named George Vanderbilt chose to build his BIG house in Asheville. In fact, the 250-room Biltmore is the largest privately-owned home in America. More recently, one of the nation’s BIGGEST craft brewers, Sierra Nevada, also chose the area for a new brewhouse. Sierra Nevada’s flagship beer and Biltmore both have a devoted fan base—more than 1 million people plan a visit to Biltmore each year to enjoy a taste of life in the Gilded Age.

1. From Flights to Flying High

BEER: Hi-Wire Lager

Talk about a high wire! Asheville’s zipline tours boast some of the highest, longest and fastest ziplines in the Southeast. And nothing works up an appetite for a cold beer like flying through the trees amid stunning mountain views. Hi-Wire now has two Asheville locations.

1. South Slope on the Rise

BEER: Green Man ESB

The legendary Green Man symbolizes rebirth and renaissance, and Green Man Brewery’s 1997 opening has certainly brought all that and more to Asheville’s nascent “brewing district,” the South Slope. Green Man has recently added a ‘brewtique’ with top floor tasting room and balcony. This neighborhood is now home to nine breweries plus, bottle shops and taprooms.

1. Take a Hike

BEER: New Belgium Fat Tire

The Asheville area boasts more than 2,000 miles of trails for hiking and biking, quick access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the highest peaks in the East. The perfect place for a post-adventure brew is New Belgium’s Liquid Center, sitting above the banks of the French Broad River. The classic amber ale, named in honor of a bike trip, pairs toasty, biscuit-like malt and hoppy freshness.

1. Arts and Craft Beer

BEER: Wedge Iron Rail IPA

Being named the favorite local IPA in hop-heavy Asheville is a big deal, and so is everything that’s happening in the River Arts District neighborhood that Wedge Brewing Company calls home. The brewery just opened its second RAD location, moving into The Foundation building, with famed barbecue restaurant 12 Bones. The Iron Rail takes its name from the industrial buildings and train tracks that line the French Broad River. But like the Wedge’s popular outdoor patio, the district has blossomed into a vibrant-yet-edgy mix of galleries, restaurants and 180+ artist studios…

Read the rest of our beer-fueled city tour at ExploreAsheville.com.

Media is no longer one dimensional. The good old days of contacting your local newspaper when you had something to tell is long gone.

Of course, newspapers are still important – as are radio and TV – but we all know media has expanded dramatically in recent decades.

Radio now might actually mean a podcast, broadcast only over the internet. Print might mean digital, be it an online magazine or a blog. TV, as we all know, has morphed into online video platforms such as Vimeo and YouTube. And then there is social media.

All these platforms can deliver your beer marketing message to your target consumers. On Thursday, March 30th at the Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference we will will present a breakout session in which a panel of writers and editors will discuss best practices for telling your story on different media platforms, including how to select the appropriate medium and how to maximize your results.

Our panel includes:

Ashley Day writes, edits, and produces food, beverage, and travel content for USA TODAY. She is currently managing USA TODAY Eats. As part of her role she has hosted a video series attending food events around the country, interviewing 50+ chefs, and demonstrating distinct tastes of destinations.

 

Ben Keene is Editorial Director of Beer Advocate magazine, where he leads story development and assignments, copy editing, fact checking and proofing, image research, and project management, as well as a limited amount of writing, blogging, social media management, event facilitation, and public speaking.

 

Matt Kirouac currently serve as the Chicago editor for Zagat, as well as a contributor for national stories. For the past several years, he has also been a freelance food, beverage, and travel writer and copywriter. Matt contributes to Tasting Table, Saveur, Serious Eats, Dining Chicago, DiningOut Magazine and others.

In addition, we will have Zach Mack moderating the panel. Zach is an entrepreneur, writer, Certified Cicerone®, consultant, and beer educator based in New York City. He is the owner of Alphabet City Beer Co. in New York City. He is a writer and currently a beer contributor at Thrillist. He has also appeared on a bunch of podcasts and radio shows, including Beer Sessions Radio with Jimmy Carbone and Heritage Radio Networks roundtable discussions.

In short, this should be an excellent panel!