Tap Takeover Tuesday

Tap takeovers are the new black.

On Tuesday, April 12, there are two taking place in town. The first consists of multiple taps and a specialty cask, all from Stone Brewing Company of California, at Jack of the Wood. The second will offer taps from Founders Brewing Company of Michigan, just across the street at The Thirsty Monk.

The Stone Brewing Blowout will include at least nine Stone beers on tap plus the cask of Simcoe dry-hopped Arrogant Bastard (which I’ll have the honor of tapping at 6:00 p.m.). Other kegs include a double dry-hopped Sublimely Self Righteous, a 2010 Double Bastard with chipotles, Levitation, Smoked Porter, IPA, Cali-Belgique IPA, and Ruination IPA. Chef Jason Brian has prepared a menu of small plate food specials from local farms, including onion rings with Arrogant Bastard beer batter and a burger with a Smoked Porter marinade. Music will be provided by Greg Cartwright. Beers will be tapped starting at 3:00 p.m.

The Founders Tap Takeover will offer 12 beers, including the Kentucky Breakfast Stout, Nemesis, Double Trouble, Cerise, and Centennial. Brewery founder and co-owner Dave Engbers will be on hand. The festivities will begin at 6:00 p.m. Also, at the Monk will be a Founders “prefunk” meet and greet with Hildegard Van Ostaden, owner and brewmaster of Urthel Brewery in Belgium. That will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. downstairs and feature six Urthel beers and free glassware while it lasts.

There’s also a sold-out farmhouse beer dinner at Bouchon French Comfort Food featuring Van Ostaden and her Urthel brews. If you’re lucky enough to have tickets for this Belgian/French eating and drinking extravaganza, get ready to loosen your belt. And let me know all the details.

Clearly, it’ll be a good night to drink craft beer in Asheville.

(Cross-posted at Mountain Xpress).