Feasting with Brew in Asheville

June 4 - 5, 1847 Blake House Inn, 150 Royal Pines Drive, Asheville North Carolina. Affordable Fun for a Great Cause in Asheville! Angela McKeller is hosting a culinary event, "Feasting with Brew!" this June that is the biggest "Kooking, Jamming, Brewing" event this summer! Pisgah Brewing will be there & another great brewery to be disclosed. Best beer in town and Asheville is the best in the nation for microbrews! Both afternoons, beer pairings with delicious chocolate truffles on Friday & delicious desserts on Saturday (and yes, you get the recipes to take home!) Live music from Davin McCoy & the Coming Attractions.

WNC Chefs Challenge 2010 continues

 June 1, Asheville North Carolina.  WNC Chefs Challenge 2010  Every Tuesday evening local chefs compete and diners judge. The dinners begin at 6:30 p.m. at The Flying Frog Café, which is downstairs from the Frog Bar & Deli, located on the corner of Battery Park Avenue and Haywood Street in downtown Asheville. Reservations required, only $39 per person. This week's competition: Pomodoros Greek and Italian Café   VS   The Admiral 

Wine and Beer Tasting at Appalachian Vintner

May 29, 3PM - 8PM, Appalachian Vintner, 2-B Huntsman Place, Asheville North Carolina. Wine Tasting includes:
Domaine Claude Branger Le Fils des Gras Moutons Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie- 100% Melon de Bourgogne, from the far Northwestern portion of France, near the mouth of the Loire River.
Artadi Artazuri Rosé- 100% Garnacha. Faithful to Navarra’s tradition, this rosé is made by means of the accepted system of drawing juice from the must, based on the use of gravity after a short period of maceration saignée.
Au Bon Climat La Bauge Au-Dessus Pinot Noir- 100% Pinot Noir. Jim Clendenen (owner ABC) is by far one of the most animated winemakers in California and in our estimation has one of the best hands in regards to Pinot Noir.
Rabbit Ridge Le Lapin Zinfandel- Paso Robles, California. Rabbit Ridge is one of California’s premier value wine producers. Unlike other “value” producers they almost always deliver flavor packed bottlings that seem unreal for the money.

All North Carolina breweries are 10% off on Saturday and enjoy a free pint of Pisgah Pale with every case of beer purchased. Cheers! http://www.appalachianvintner.com/

Beer Tasting Tomorrow at Hops and Vines

May 28th. 5-7pm, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100 West Asheville North Carolina. Brews form Brooklyn Brewing Co.:

Brooklyn Summer Ale - Brooklyn Summer Ale is a refreshing rendition of the the "Light Dinner Ales" brewed in England throughout the 1800's right up until the 1940's Come taste this historic brew while it lasts through the early summer.

Brooklyn Lager - One of our best selling canned beers, this refreshing lager is brewed as pre-prohibition style Vienna lager with English Pale malts and European and American Hops. This is one of the few lagers that is actually "dry hopped" in American brewing.

Brooklyn Brown Ale - This award wining American Brown Ale was once a Brooklyn seasonal but is now a year-round brew. This brown is full of malt character and pairs perfectly with food, especially barbeque. http://www.hopsandvines.net

Asheville North Carolina takes the top honors in BeerCity USA 2010 poll.

The votes are in and counted and Asheville emerged as the clear winner with 7389, 38.8% of  the 19,040 votes cast. Last year's tie with rival Portland Oregon is now a thing of the past thanks to the spirit of local beer enthusiasts.  The BeerCity USA poll coincided with American Craft Beer Week and ended with an outpouring of votes for the relatively smaller city of Asheville North Carolina. Read more about the BeerCity USA Poll...

There are 9 breweries in Asheville, NC according to the Brewers Association’s directory of U.S. Breweries.

• Asheville Brewing Co, 77 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 Microbrewery
• Asheville Pizza and Brewing, 675 Merrimon, Asheville, NC 28804, Brewpub
• Craggie Brewing Co., 197 Hilliard Avenue, Ashville, NC Microbrewery
• French Broad Brewing Co., 101-D Fairview Rd., Ashville, NC Microbrewery
• Green Man Brewing Co 23 Buxton Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 Microbrewery
• Highland Brewing Co 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste H, Asheville, NC 28801 Regional brewery
• Lexington Avenue Brewing - The LAB PO Box 7303, Asheville, NC 28802 Brewpub
• Oyster House Brewing Co./Lobster Trap Restaurant, 35 Patton St., Asheville, NC 28801 Brewpub
• Wedge Brewing Co., 129-B Roberts St., Ashville, NC Microbrewery

Memorial Day Weekent Event: Blue Ridge Rose Society Exhibit

May 29-30  ASHEVILLE  North Carolina.  Asheville-Blue Ridge Rose Society Exhibit: The annual Asheville-Blue Ridge Rose Society Exhibition features award-winning roses of every color and size.  Experts will be on hand to answer questions and provide resources about selection, care and history of these beautiful garden plants.

WNC Chefs Challenge 2010 in Asheville

May 25, Asheville North Carolina.  WNC Chefs Challenge 2010  Every Tuesday evening local chefs compete and diners judge. The dinners begin at 6:30 p.m. at The Flying Frog Café, which is downstairs from the Frog Bar & Deli, located on the corner of Battery Park Avenue and Haywood Street in downtown Asheville. This week's competition: Corner Kitchen VS. Sunset Terrace, Grove Park Inn

Asheville Weekend Events

May 20 - 23  Biltmore's Antler Hill Village Grand Opening
May 21         Downtown After Five
May 21         "Pickin' on the Parkway"
May 22         7th annual Montford Music and Arts festival
May 23-24   Grovewood Gallery’s 11th Annual Charity Sale
May 22-23   Kenilworth Artists Association Open Studio Tour

Alternative Summer Whites Wine Tasting

May 22, 3PM - 6PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100 West Asheville North Carolina.
Free Wine tasting this Saturday:  Alternative Summer Whites. With spring in place and summer on the way, lighter eating and drinking calls for white wine. However, this does not mean that you have to resort to the same old Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio standbys. This week we’ll be exploring three alternative varietals that will be sure to excite both your palate and your friends at the next get together!

Featured Wines:
Peirano Viognier - Fast growing in popularity, Viognier is similar in body to Chardonnay, but offers more distinctive fruit characters such as ripe apricots and honeysuckle.
Sur Torrontes- Argentina's flagship white varietal has a very aromatic nose with scents of exotic flowers and orange blossom. On the palate, it delivers flavors of tropical fruit and spice. Pairs beautifully with Spicy Thai and Mexican cuisine.
Shooting Star Aligote- Second most planted white grape in Burgandy (to Chardonnay that is). It is usually lighter in weight than Chardonnay and has aromas of green apples and lemon peel.  http://www.hopsandvines.net

Vote for Asheville - "Favorite Beer City USA"

Now through the end of American Craft Beer Week on May 23 you can help make Asheville North Carolina the sole winner of the title, Favorite Beer City USA. Last year's vote ended in a statistical tie between Asheville and Portland Oregon. BeerCity USA 2010 is a chance for local beer communities to express their enthusiasm and support for their local breweries and local better beer bars, restaurants, stores and distributors. Most of us now understand the value of buying local for food. Shouldn't it be the same for beer?  VOTE NOW

Asheville currently offers 10 microbreweries,  a rocking beer tour, a world-renowned specialty beer store and five annual beer festivals. Need more? Check out the complete scoop on Asheville’s beer scene. 

Annual pops Concert Unforgetable

May 22, 8PM - 10PM, Diana Wortham Theatre, Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. The Asheville Choral Society and Music Director Lenora Thom present the annual pops concert: "Unforgettable". For Lenora's farewell concert, the choir will perform a lively sampling of America’s best popular music, from the 1930s to today. Songs include: Duke Ellington, Harry Connick, Jr., Nat King Cole, Joe Cocker, Billy Joel, Jason Mraz, The Beach Boys, Michael Bublé, Frank Sinatra, Kelly Clarkson, and more!

The Blue Ridge Orchestra: For the Love of Music

May 20, 7PM, Fine Arts Theater, 36 Biltmore Ave, AshevilleNorth Carolina.  For the Love of Music - a documentary film about the Blue Ridge Orchestra by local film maker Mark Fields. A behind the scenes look into Asheville's own community orchestra, the Blue Ride Orchestra, plus tenor William Martin. Join the director as he leads the orchestra and its musicians through rehearsals to the highlight of the year, a breathtaking symphonic tribute to the late and great tenor Luciano Pavarotti. This look at one of America’s few remaining community orchestras READ MORE...

Annual Charity Sale at the Grovewood Gallery

May 23-24   Grovewood Gallery, Asheville  North Carolina.  Grovewood Gallery’s 11th Annual Charity Sale   Save 10% off all regular priced crafts, including studio furniture and garden sculptures, and up to 75% off on sale items. A portion of all sales from this 3 day event will go towards the development of Mission’s new Cancer Center - a regional cancer center to bring together all Mission outpatient cancer services into one location.

It's a Cake Walk!

May 29, North Asheville Tailgate Market, Asheville North Carolina. $1 - Just like the good ol'days-win something yummy for a buck! Come to the Strawberry [short] Cake Walk, donate a dish or walk and win. Cost per walk is $1. Walk as many times as you like for a chance to win something delicious! All ages are welcome. Funds raised will go to the market and Slow Food Asheville's educational programs.

A note about the goodies for the walk -  Slow Food Asheville is taking food donations for the walk - If you would like to make something to contribute to the walk, please include strawberries as an ingredient. It is our way to celebrate strawberry season! You can bring cake, jam, pie, or anything you like, including strawberry shortcake! It is also your way to let people know about you, your blog, or your dish. Please include at least a note card about the dish and any additional information you wish to provide!

Asheville Restaurant needs your vote TODAY!

ONE DAY VOTING 5/15/10 - Help Asheville restaurant Sunny Point Café win the title of “America’s Best Breakfast” on Good Morning America - ONE DAY VOTING 5/15 - CLICK HERE

 Sunny Point Café offers breakfast, lunch or dinner, with local flavors that come through in creative and delecious dishes with their famous breakfast menu served all day. Enjoy  handmade desserts and al fresco dining on the patio.

Ballads and Banjos at Grey Eagle

May 20, 7:30 PM, Grey Eagle Music Hall, Asheville North Carolina. Tim Eriksen & Riley Baugus perform. Jim Eriksen is "widely regarded as the best ballad singer of his generation" (BBC Radio). He combines hair-raising vocals with savvy arrangements for fiddle, banjo, guitar and banjo sexto. Riley Baugus represents the best of old time American banjo and song. His powerful singing voice and his expert musicianship place him squarely in the next generation of the quality American roots tradition. http://www.thegreyeagle.com/

Hands in Harmony: Traditional Crafts and Music in Appalachia

May 14, 5-7PM, Asheville Art Museum, 2 So. Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. This exhibit of 34 black and white images from the book (W.W. Norton, 2009) along with oral history text panels, continues through October 10th. There will also be events planned each month including films and a music concert at Diana Wortham Theatre.

Wine Tasting: Springtime Italian Wines

May 8,  3PM-6PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100, West Asheville North Carolina. You can see Spring, now come by and taste it!

Palazzone Dubini Bianco - This is a beautiful, lively white wine from Umbria. A blend of Procanico 50%, Verdello 20%, and Grechetto, Drupeggio and Malvasia to round out the remaining 30%. All fermentation is done in stainless steel tanks to create the fresh, fruity floral aromas. Green apple, lime and watermelon flavours with a zesty mid palate. Great on its own, with salads or fish. $9.99

Masciarelli Rosato d'Abruzzo - This 100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo rose has a beautiful clarity, and is dark pink in color. The nose is a fairly intense combination of fruit and flowers. On the palate, delicious hints of red cherry & rose petals. $11.99

Feudi di San Marzano Primitivo Puglia - Deep ruby red color with violet reflections, intense aroma, fruity with notes of prunes and cherry, spicy with rosemary and vanilla scent. A full-bodied wine that is soft, balanced and easy to drink. Great for BBQs! $11.99

http://www.hopsandvines.net

Biltmore Mother's Day Getaway

The Inn on the Biltmore Estate  Asheville North Carolina. Mother's Day Weekend Special Web Rate: $249+ see site for details.

Biltmore   Asheville North Carolina. Moms Visit Free on May 9. We're honoring mothers with free admission on Mother's Day, May 9. Minimum purchase of one adult or youth ticket required. Pick up Mom's free ticket at Biltmore's Reservation and Ticket Center.

Mother's Day in the Mountains: Asheville Juried Arts & Crafts Bazaar

May 7-9 ASHEVILLE Mother's Day Juried Arts & Crafts Bazaar Downtown Market, 45 S. French Broad Ave. The Downtown Market will present its first Mother’s Day Juried Arts & Crafts Bazaar. Select artists and crafters from the southeast will present beautiful spring art, garden treasures and all things “Mother”.

Downtown After 5 Begins 22nd Season

May 21, Downtown Asheville North Carolina. Downtown After 5 Concert Series begins its 2010 season this Friday. The event is located on Lexington Avenue, between Hiawassee Street and I-240 and features biodegradable food and beverage containers, staffed compost and recycling stations, a solar-powered main stage, organic cotton staff and souvenir tee shirts and a complimentary bike parking corral. Proceeds from the Series are split with local charitable organizations who provide volunteers staff. Read more...

Mother's Day in the Mountains: Grove Park's Restaurants Treat Mom

Grand Ballroom and Blue Ridge Dining Room at Grove Park Inn Asheville North Carolina. Huge Mother's Day buffet with incredible selection. Adults $36.95+, children 6-12 $11.95+, under 5 free.
Season's Restaurant, Highland Lake Inn Flat Rock North Carolina. Mother's Day Brunch May 9 - Soups, salads, fresh vegatables, breakfast items, entrees, deserts. $34.95 Adults / $16.95 Children under 12

Mother's Day in the Mountains: Asheville Lodging Package will Rub You the Right Way!

CAROLINA MORNINGS  Asheville North Carolina. Mother's Day Celebrated For The Entire Month of May Special: Massage Package @ your Vacation Rental. You choose your vacation getaway and we will have our certified massage therapists come out to your private cabin. Includes 1.5 hours Massage, 0.5 hr. facial, flowers and chocolates for $125! Valid through May!

Luxury Mountain Vacation Rentals and Asheville Cabins (80)  offer an exceptional selection of the finest vacation home rentals in the Asheville NC area.  These vacation rentals offer spectacular mountain views, hot tubs, fireplaces, WIFI (wireless Internet), pool tables, pet friendly rentals and more.

Ah....Horse Feathers!

May 8, 8PM, Grey  Eagle Music Hall, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville North Carolina. Horse Feathers w/ Barton Carroll perform at Grey Eagle. Horse Feathers' first album, Words Are Dead, received a Plug Awards nomination for Americana Album of the Year in 2007, and their second, House With No Home, sold over 12,000 copies, making it one of Kill Rock Stars' best-selling debut records ever. Read more or get tickets: http://www.thegreyeagle.com/

Mother's Day in the Mountains: Brunch at the Grove Park Inn

May 9, Sunset Terrace at the Grove Park Inn Asheville North Carolina. “Three for Thirty” prix fix Mother’s Day Brunch includes Appetizer, entrée and dessert. Hours: 10AM – 3PM Cost: $30+