Wow, it’s been a good year for beer in Asheville, North Carolina. Not too long ago, Sierra Nevada Brewing announced they would build a second brewery in the county seat of Buncombe County. Now a second large craft brewery — New Belgium Brewing — today announced that they, too, have chosen Asheville as the city where they will build an East Coast brewery to brew and distribute their beers.
According to the press release:
The 400,000-barrel brewery and packaging facility will provide New Belgium with additional capacity allowing the Colorado-based brewer to expand into new areas of distribution. Upon completion in 2015, the facility will initially create 50 new jobs in the Asheville area with more than 100 positions expected at full buildout.
“After several years of searching, we are incredibly excited to have landed in Asheville,” said Kim Jordan, CEO and co-founder of New Belgium. “From the deep sense of community to the rich natural environment and the opportunity to revitalize a brownfield site near a vibrant downtown, Asheville has everything we’ve been looking for in a location for our second brewery.”
The 17.5-acre site located in the heart of the River Arts District will accommodate the 150,000 sq. ft. facility. The brewery will feature a 200-barrel brewing system, a tasting facility, and a process wastewater treatment center on-site. Tours will be available to the public. Total cost projections are over $100 million.
“Today’s announcement by New Belgium will enhance the craft brewery cluster that is growing in North Carolina,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “The jobs and investment the company is committing will be a major boon for the region and for the state.”
Construction is expected to begin in early 2013 with beer rolling off the line in early 2015.
There’s at least one every April Fool’s Day. Here’s Marty Jones from the Wynkoop brewpub in Denver, Colorado with a short video introducing their latest style of beer: Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout. Enjoy.
Today is the 39th birthday of Gary Glass, Director of the American Homebrewers Association. Gary’s been with the Brewers Association for many a moon and has become the face of homebrewing in America. One of his recent successes, along with many other people, was getting homebrewing legalized in Utah, one of the five holdout states where it’s still illegal. Now there are four. Join me in wishing Gary a very happy birthday. And relax, drink a homebrew, if you have one.
Gary at Anchor Brewery with his wife Erin after an AHA rally there in 2008.
Today would have been Danny Williams’ 53rd birthday today, having been born exactly two days before yours truly in 1959. Unfortunately, Danny lost a battle with cancer a little over a month ago, and passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 23. For over a decade, Danny worked for the Brewers Association as the beer competition manager for both the Great American Beer Festival and/or the World Beer Cup. Danny left behind two grown children and an 8-year old son, Fletcher. As I understand it, work is still being done to save his Colorado homestead for his family. You can read more about those efforts at my two previous posts, Danny Williams R.I.P. 1959-2012 and Danny Williams Needs Your Help, and consider helping out if you’re able. Join me in raising a birthday beer to Danny Williams tonight. Danny would have wanted it that way.
Danny Williams and a friend at the World Beer Cup dinner in Chicago two years ago.
Tom Nickel (owner of O’Brien’s in San Diego), Nancy Johnson, Director of GABF and Danny at Slow Food Nation 2008 in San Francisco.
Chris Black, who along with his brother, owns the Falling Rock, the best beer bar in Denver and HQ for beer people during GABF, turns 49 today. Chris is a great guy and one of a handful of Publicans across the country doing things right when it comes to beer. Join me in wishing Chris a very happy birthday.
Chris and me toward the end of the night at GABF a few years ago.
Vinnie Cilurzo from Russian River Brewing with Chris at the Celebrator’s 18th Anniversary Party.
Shaun O’Sullivan (21st Amendment), Judy Ashworth (Publican Emeritus) and Chris at Falling Rock during GABF in 2006.
Megan Flynn, of Beer NW (Now Beer West), with Chris at the end of GABF Week in 2009.
Today is my friend and colleague Marty Jones’ birthday, though how old the eternally young Mr. Jones may be is anybody’s guess. In addition to beer journalist, Marty is administrator of the Beer Drinker of the Year Contest, a musician, and much else. Join me in wishing Marty a very happy birthday.
Marty Jones — along with his Brewbadors — entertaining the faithful with his original beer-soaked tunes at the Falling Rock during GABF week 2007.
Marty toasting me at the 2002 Great American Beer Festival.
Marty serenading the crowd during a seminar on marketing for brewpubs that he gave at the 2007 CBC
Today is the 60th birthday of Governor of Colorado — and former Denver mayor — John Hickenlooper. John was also the co-founder of Wynkoop Brewery in Denver’s LoDo District, and in fact is credited with helping to revitalize the whole area. After being a popular and by accounts very effective mayor for several years, he [...]
Today is also the 41st birthday of Erin Fay Glass, Membership Coordinator and Brewery Detective at the Brewers Association. Erin is one of my favorite people in the BA, and the whole beer community for that matter. Join me in wishing her a very happy birthday. Two November 18ths ago, Maya Ryleigh was born to [...]
It was with a heavy heart that I received the news this morning that Danny Williams lost his battle with cancer last night, and passed away peacefully in his sleep. Ben Spencer sent me the word, and had this to say about his friend. “Danny was a great man. He was loved by many. This [...]
Today is the 63rd birthday of Charlie Papazian, one of the most influential persons in modern brewing. Charlie founded the AHA, the AOB and the IBS back in 1978 (which today is the Brewers Association) and organized the first Great American Beer Festival. His book, the Complete Joy of Homebrewing was one of the seminal [...]
If you’re in the brewing industry, and especially if you’ve entered your beers in the Great American Beer Festival and/or the World Beer Cup, then you no doubt know Danny Williams. He’s worked with the Brewers Association at GABF for a number of years, and since 2001 has been in charge of the beer for [...]
Today is Nancy Johnson’s birthday. Nancy is the Events Director for the Brewers Association, which includes being the director of the Great American Beer Festival. She’s been doing that thankless job for several years now and always manages to keep a smile on her face. Join me in wishing Nancy a very happy birthday. George [...]
Business Week had an interesting article in the beginning of the month on New Belgium Brewing entitled New Belgium and the Battle of the Microbrews. It’s lengthy — at four online pages — and features an in depth interview with Kim Jordan and the future of her brewery and the craft beer industry as a [...]
Today is the 50th birthday of Bob Pease. Bob is the Chief Operating Officer of the Brewers Association and has been integral to their growth. He’s been with the BA since 1993 and was made V.P. in 1999. A few years ago he was promoted to COO. Join me in wishing Bob a very happy [...]
The Denver Post has breaking news about a 2-alarm fire at the New Belgium Brewery “in what appears to be a grain silo.” Apparently some of the employees have been evacuated and hopefully no one has been injured. More details will be posted here as they emerge. UPDATE: Dave Butler, a.k.a. Chipper Dave, is reporting [...]
Today in 1876, Colorado became the 38th state. Colorado Colorado Breweries A.C. Golden (MillerCoors) Amicas Pizza, Microbrews and More Anheuser-Busch InBev: Fort Collins Arvada Beer Company Asher Brewing Aspen Brewing Avery Brewing Backcountry Brewery BierWerks Big Beaver Brewing Company BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery: Boulder Black Bottle Brewery Black Cat Brewing Black Fox Brewing Black Shirt [...]
I was one of 42 beer writers who contributed to this big 960-page book telling the stories of 1,001 world-famous beers. The book is now available at Amazon.com and other fine booksellers.
