Just Brew It 2015: I’ll Have a Taste, Please!

Honestly, to many of us living here: Every week is Asheville Beer Week in some form or another. With more and more craft breweries and taprooms opening by the hand fulls, one always has options on where to go for Hoppy libations. But, it’s pretty cool to take advantage of Asheville’s local festivals and events- especially when these events center around tasting BEER.

Just Brew It is a one of my favorite beer festivals. Partially because you get to support a really great and local non-profit organization- Just Economics – who not only hosts this beer festival but also benefits from the $ raised by ticket sales. Well, it’s not just a ticket….it’s a year membership to this organization.  And, Their mission is an imperative one for Asheville. In advocating, organizing, and bringing an educated awareness to our business owners and community on Living Wages, Just Economics works to create and support a sustainable local economy.  As I mentioned: Asheville’s high living cost vs. low wages makes it difficult to ‘Make It.’

So- the festival! A gorgeous and sunny Saturday set the tone to celebrate the 6th year of Just Brew It. This tasting event and competition focuses solely on small batch ‘home brews’ and featured 52 local and regional home brewers. In the shade of the bridge and along the railroad tracks in the River Arts District (RAD), the taps flowed. An array of “tasting tents” lined the parking lot at The Wedge Studios and Brewery where home brewers poured samples of their personal brews and educated the festival-goers on brew methods, ingredients, keg/ storage systems and more. Heck, I was just happy to expand my ‘beer’ taste buds and try new things. From Shandys to Saisons to IPA’s to Ciders and Stouts…..over 136 home brew varieties were available for sampling.

The mood was light and jovial. I guess that would be the case when spending the afternoon tasting delicious hand-crafted malted beverages. Many of the beers/brews had fantastically creative names along with witty displays and signs including a “Single Ladies Express Line” sign.  It was nice to meet new people, bum sun screen off of strangers, “steal shade,” and even bite pretzels off other’s necks. And, I really appreciated that each tent/ booth had a printed out Fact on Living Wages.

Bottom line- I HIGHLY suggest attending this festival next year. It’s a little slice of Asheville’s creative spirit and highlights the depth of local talent this town nurtures. Here are a few tips if you’re going to head out to a tasting festival in the Spring or Summer:

• Wear comfortable shoes
• Bring extra Sunscreen
• Bring or wear a hat or shade umbrella
• Pretzels/ Pretzel Necklace (yup, think pretzel knots strung on yarn and hung around your neck.)
• Get a cab or someone to pick you up
• A Pen to circle your favorite tastes
• Drink plenty of water or at least try :0
• Make Friends!

 My top favs of Just Brew It 2015

• A delicious and citrus-forward hopped brew- Liquid Sunshine: Chad Noteboom
• “Hop Bursted, Brettanomyces fermented Shandy.”- Hipster Shandy: Matt Kane
• A Coffee IPA – Day Maker IPA: John Michael Kledis, Jason Martin & Melissa Kledis
• A Black RyePA-  Rye Noir, Private Eye– Kerry Kenemer / Plan K
• Purple Rain Blackberry Cider – Robert Wise & Kayla Bott

 AND….

 THE OFFICAL WINNERS of Just Brew It 2015…

• Best Use of Hops: @Phil Morris for Jack Jack
• Best IPA: Chris Mills
• Talk of the Town: Shane Belcher and Gary Belcher
• Best Dark Beer: Tim LaBruyere & Trevor Sharp
  
• Best Use of Fruit: Erin Fletcher & Forrest Samuels
  
• Most Creative Beer: Erin Fletcher & Forrest Samuels
  
• Best Table Décor: Aaron Fish
  
• Most Enthusiastic Brewer: John Hudson