In honor of my older brothers new nuptials to one of the classiest ladies I know and their incredible Asheville wedding, I dedicate October’s BOTM to Anthony, Shannan, and the amazing town of Asheville.
I’ve written about my love affair with this rocking mountain town before (here, here and here) and the country-crush continues after an unforgettable weekend full of day hikes, firearms, family, friends, and an endless supply of quality brews. Asheville is, after all, Beer Town, USA.
The sheer volume of craft beers flowing thru this French Broad banked city’s veins is intoxicating. We drank our fill, to a fault in some cases, but one brew stood the test of time this weekend and that’s Greenman Brewery’s IPA:
Greenman Brewery IPA
Product Details: 6.2% Alcohol, brewed in Asheville, NC since 1997.
Appearance: Darker than your standard IPA with a warm red glow and thin, lacy head.
Aroma: The brewery late-hops this IPA with a substantial amount of British hops to give it a warm, almost spiced floral profile. If fall had an aroma other than pumpkin-spiced whatever it would be this IPA.
Taste: Matching the color, Greenman’s IPA has a lot of suprises up it’s hippy sleeves. Unlike other sharp and light IPA’s, this variety is bold, round, and full of body. The strong bitterness of British hops are balanced by roasted malts giving the beer a full body and sweet bite. It’s crunchy and soft at the same time, like a ChacoTaco…full of beer. Your move Nestle.
Food Pairings: We killed off growler after growler of this amber buddy while slicing thru aged cheddar, various salumi, olives, and crunchy bread. Matching this lightly bitter pour with some fatty, rich snacks is a no brainer.
Price: A growler will run $10-$12 at your local grocer (if you happen to be in NC that is) and a pint at the brewery in Asheville is $4.
Overall: IPA’s are a tough sell for your average patron. Some are mild and well balanced like Greenmans, but others taste like a mouthful of weed (and not the good stuff). Greenman’s IPA is a great example of micro-brewing done right. Not over thought, not unique for the sake of unique, just well balanced flavors using quality ingredients. That’s brewing my friends, a few local Raleigh breweries could take a note or 50 from Greenman and dial back the crazy. I’m talking to you Fullsteam.
If you’re anywhere near NC I implore you to seek this beer out and find a comfortable place to sip in peace. If there’s one thing Asheville is good at it’s beer, and Greenman’s IPA is one of it’s hottest daughters.
Cheers to Anthony, Shannan and their amazing travels thru Italy. I’ll be crying myself to sleep wishing I was munching my way along the Amalfi with you…Sneak me back a Sfogliatelle please.