Monday, April 26, 2010

Pisgah Brewing Company

One of our favorite repeat haunts this winter has been Pisgah Brewing Company's tap room.  Music, atmosphere and great beer give mommy and daddy a place to feel like adults, while the toddlers dance and play (before 9 pm).  Last weekend I finally got a chance to snap some shots of the place before the masses descended to enjoy beer and blues. 
An unassuming front to Pisgah's brewery/tasting room

I'll always remember my first visit to the brewery.  Off Old US Hyw 70, in an industrial park, Mike pulled into a parking lot with half a dozen cars, but no other signs of life.  I tentatively followed him through an office door, into a manufacturing facility, then, finally into what is the warehouse style tap room. 

Belly up to the tasting bar.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a dozen patrons, enjoying music and a pub-like atmosphere.  College students, professionals and families made up and interesting mix and made me feel more comfortable about taking my baby to a bar. The tap room is lined with local artists' work; some for sale to fans.  An upright piano backs one wall, oposite a stage and sound system near two roll-up bay doors. 

When Emma isn't tickling the ivories, she loves to trip the light fantastic.  What a ham.

Now that Spring has sprung, the bay doors have opened, transforming the pub into a beer hall. Picnic benches and a fire pit can be enjoyed while food is prepared on the resident BBQ. It smells like heaven and the price is right. Every once in a while the game room is open, housing a pool table and old school video game.

The back patio.

On to the reason for Pisgah Brewing: the beer.  The greater Asheville area is home to about a dozen micro-breweries and has recently attainted the prestigious BeerCity USA title.  Its easy to become a beer snob after just one season.  Three months here and I lost the last of my lingering interest in commercial beers (with the exception of the ritualistic Natty Light, my FEMBAs), now tasting only chemicals and forced carbonation.  Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives and our consistent favorite is Pisgah Brewing's Pale Ale.  We buy it by the double growler, to enjoy at home.

Bring your empty bottles back for a credit toward your next growler!

Recently, Pisgah released their limited production German Pilsner.  We saw a growler at Earth Fare and snatched it up.  I now regret not having bought every one of them.  The tap room is sold out and the brewery may never make it again.  It was delicious, well balanced and my favorite beer ever!

The tap room carries a few guest brews, including Lambic and Rootbeer.

Pisgah Brewing beers are certified organic.  Currently on tap: Nitro Stout, Pub Ale, Pale Ale, Porter, Solstice, Brown Ale, LEAF Amber, IPA, San Francisco Lager, Vortex I, Vortex II, Baptista Noel, Schwarzbier, Hellbender Barleywine, Endless Summer Ale, Valdez Coffee Stout, and Irish Red Ale.  Limited production brews are added frequently.  A few of the more popular, like the Pale Ale, can be purchased in growlers and 22oz bottles.

So many choices!

My advice to first timers is to sample as many of the house beers as possible, as all offerings are high quality and just yummy.  Brewery tours are offered on Saturday's at 2 and 3 pm; an experience I'm looking forward to in the near future.  Hopefully, one of these days, I can find a babysitter and enjoy the post 9pm entertainment!

A park-like setting near a stream is open on nicer days.

We are looking forward to many more visits to Pisgah's tap room. Houseguests WILL be taken here!

I bought mine from Pisgah Brewing's Tap Room, Earth Fare, & a number of local tap rooms & pizza houses.


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