AVL Beer Week

Asheville Beer Week began last Friday and so far we've been to 3 events.  That's right, three.  The first was a tap takeover of historical English ales at Zebulon Artisan Ales in Weaverville on Saturday. While there we ran into some folks from Sun n Fun, Sarasota, FL.  The beer was truly outstanding.  Sorry, no pics as I forgot my camera.  Yesterday we went to Sierra Nevada for Spring-toberfest with traditional oompah music, German food and a free mug with the first round of their great Oktoberfest beer.  And today we enjoyed Beer Flavors 101 with Cliff Mori at Barley's Tap Room.  What a treat!

Cliff did an excellent job as he is a very fine speaker:  knowledgeable, animated, enthusiastic and responsive to his audience.  We learned so much that it's hard to know where to begin.
   First off, I earned 2 tickets by volunteering for the Asheville Brewer's Alliance to work at a soccer game checking id's and pouring beer.  And it just happened to be pouring rain, very cold and windy.  It actually snowed in the higher elevations that night!
     He started with the basics:  beer is made from water, malted barley, yeast and hops.  Asheville is so popular with brewers because the water here is mostly free of minerals.  In fact, most local brewers use tap water from the City of Asheville.

Cliff went on to explain how flavors are influenced by malted barley.  He gave us some to sample along with beer to compare to.  Wow!  My taste buds did somersaults!  He also gave me a new way of tasting:  hold nose, take a sip, slosh around mouth, swallow, release nose and exhale.  It was called back something and the flavor explosion was amazing.

Hops are flowers that are grown once a year and are a vital ingredient.  The plants grow to 20' high and like the northern latitudes and dry climates best.  IPA's are usually "dry hopped" which adds flavor without adding bitterness.  And they are the most popular style of beer in the US right now.   We sampled a Highland Brewing IPA which was excellent!
   In 2015 there were 32 breweries in Western North Carolina and today there are 68.  Kendra Penland, the executive director of the AVL Brewers' Alliance will have more than a handful if this trend continues.  I regret that none of my pictures of her were good enough to post.  My compliments to her and Cliff for a great workshop and wonderful addition to Beer Week 2017!  Thank you!

The Spring Concerts

We went to Forest, VA on May 11 for a 5 day visit to attend the band concerts for grandsons Patrick and Houston.  In addition, we also celebrated Mother's Day with a very fine dinner, visited Thomas Jefferson's summer home in Poplar Forest, had lunch with Enka High School class mate Bobbie Lewis Gallo and played golf at Forest Golf Course.  Whew!  What a week!

Patrick has decided to end his band career at this time to devote himself to other pursuits (swimming, boy scouts and pre-college electives).

So this was his last hoorah.  Or is it?

On Friday we went to Poplar Forest to see Jefferson's "summer home".  Although it was a rainy day, we enjoyed the house very much.  It's an octagon designed by him, of course.  It was as fascinating as the man!

Our hosts during this time were daughter Barbara and her husband, Trey.  As always they were warmly welcoming, fine cooks and tolerant of our weirdnesses.  Is that a word?  Now it is!

On Mother's Day we attended church with the Crowder clan and were inspired by a fine message and songs, as usual.  Afterward there were photo ops with some of the mothers of the day with children.

We then went to Westminster Canterbury, aka "the home", where we were treated to a wonderful lunch by Linda and Houston Crowder.  Thank you so much!  It was outstanding!

On Monday we had lunch with Enka High classmate Bobbie Lewis Gallo and her hubby, Frank, at a favorite restaurant in Lynchburg, the Farm Basket.  The time flew by as we thoroughly enjoyed lively conversation and good food.  It was a gorgeous day!  Hope to see you again sooner rather than later!

On Tuesday we went to Houston's concert and it was truly outstanding.  The highlight was George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with Jeanne Backofen Craig on the piano.  She is world class and happens to be a band mom, too.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a single good photo that evening.  But I did share the music on facebook.

We never go far without our trusty companion, Tinkerbell.  She thinks Forest is her second home as she gets to play with Oreo, Patrick's guinea pig, and many of her favorite peeps when she isn't sunning herself on the deck.  Life is good!  Oh yeah!