Event Preview | Sierra Nevada Burly Beer Fest

On Saturday, April 1, Sierra Nevada and the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild are giving us the opportunity to enjoy a variety of beers from around the country as well as food trucks and live music at the Burly Beer Fest. April in the Appalachians means its time to break out your burliest, heartiest, most lumberjack-worthy beers and enjoy them before the heat of summer. So grab your flannel and check out what all is expected to fill your taster glasses.

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Hi-Wire Brewing | Ringmaster’s Reserve Series – Raspberry Wheat Wine

ABV: 13.0% | IBU: 40

I just enjoyed the strongest beer I’ve ever had. Coming from one who actively seeks out high gravity beer, I feel like that’s something of an accomplishment. Even more so considering it’s from North Carolina, a state where the statutory limit of alcohol in beer is 15.0%. And while I don’t see much point in setting a legal limit at all, it’s very much preferable to the previous limit of 6.0% (I mean, really?). Thankfully this was lifted in 2005 when former NC governor Mike Easley signed NC HB 392 into law. I feel safe speaking for beer aficionados across the state when I say, “Thanks, Mike.”

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Asheville Brewing Company | Ninja Bread Man Porter

Somewhere between the huge patio (where vintage airport chairs used to serve as seats), the killer pizza, cornhole and the mini hop infusing baskets, Asheville Brewing Company has become the place that’s often my first stop in a city so full of incredible beer.

When we hit up ABC’s downtown location to grab lunch before heading to some breweries, I thought the biggest surprise was there were enough Big 10 conference football fans in the house to convince the manager to turn the tv to the Minnesota vs. Ohio State game (a rarity in the South, my friends).

But my beloved brew pub had yet another surprise waiting: the delightful Ninja Bread Man Porter.

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Highland Brewing Company Kashmir IPA

Highland Brewing Company Kashmir IPA

(6.0% ABV, 60 IBU)

Ashveille, North Carolina has been put on the national craft beer map as of late with the expansion of large western brewing operations to the east coast. Asheville (and the surrounding area) now calls itself home to New Belgium, Oskar Blues, and Sierra Nevada. However, it is Asheville’s own Highland Brewing Company, who have been brewing in this area since the first craft beer boom in the mid-90s, that gets the spotlight in today’s review with their Kashmir IPA.

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