Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal:
Question: Dear Sir Shanks-A-Lot. Sorry, had to drop that. Dear Answer Man, I have an advanced degree in Beergeekology, but I require your unique set of skills confirming a rumor that I heard about a certain OG brewery that is celebrating their 25th anniversary and shall otherwise remain nameless. I really enjoyed a recent whiskey creation they collaborated on with The Alchemist. Is it true there may be a new venture featuring this wonderful elixir, and other creations, just down the street from their dirty taproom and it’s neighboring mansion?
My answer: Man, it’s almost like this question is a plant from somebody I’ve played golf with before.
Real answer: OK, this question is totally a plant from a friend I’ve played golf with before. In the interest of kindness, let’s call him “Sir Leaves-the-Three-Foot-Birdie-Putt-18-Inches-Short.”
At any rate, I normally don’t take planted questions, but in this case, the original gangster brewery is Green Man Brewing, and it’s throwing a huge, free party this weekend to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Also, it will be expanding into a new (old) building near the original Dirty Jack’s location, so we have some actual news to explore.
I shall make one exception to the planted question rule, partly because I feel bad for my birdie-choking friend, partly because we have a free party. My rules are strict, but they are fair.
First, the party, and a clarification: the bands and the party are free, not the beer. Pretty sure a brewpub would get in a lot of trouble for giving away beer.
Business news: Wicked Weed Brewing reopens Candler taproom after 2-year closure
Green Man Owner Dennis Thies said they really want to thank their customers for 25 years in business, so they’re holding a multi-day celebration that starts today, St. Patrick’s Day, and runs through the weekend.
“It’s just such a milestone, and we just felt like we really needed to recognize it and not let it go without notice,” Thies said.
He noted that when Green Man opened, Asheville had just about five brewing operations, including the granddaddy of them all, Highland Brewing. Now the area has over 40, including some who’ve been bought by big-time operations. Thies proudly notes Green Man is still owned by him and his wife, Wendy.
Green Man started, somewhat notoriously, with Dirty Jack’s, its original location that, as Thies describes it, “had six bar stools and one toilet. I had to do something.”
When Thies and Wendy bought the operation in 2010, they set about expansion, opening the $5 million “Green Mansion” in 2016. It’s an impressive three-story building that anchors Buxton Avenue at South Lexington.
More: Where to find St. Patrick’s Day events, meals, beer in Asheville
The 25th celebration will kick off Thursday, March 17, at Dirty Jack’s with the bands Supper Club, Father Son Picnic, Jeb Rogers Band, and Skunk Ruckus. Not sure how they’re going to squeeze them in, but they will. They’ll also release their famous “Snozzberry” beer, a barrel-aged sour, on Thursday.
Friday “will have a smaller street festival feel,” with two local DJ’s at the Green Mansion, according to the Green Man website. Saturday is “the big street festival blow out!”
‘At home again’: Vision plan for Asheville’s South Slope to pursue inclusivity, cohesion
The bands Patrick Dodd, Red Clay Revival, and Empire Strikes Brass will play Saturday. As Green Man says, “Every day is totally free to attend and focuses on supporting the Asheville community through the WNC Bridge Foundation along with other local vendors, food trucks, and community organizations.”
Visit www.greenmanbrewery.com/ for more info.
Also, Wendy gets her own beer for the big blowout, “Wendy the Hoppy Blonde.” It’s about time, Dennis!
Now, about that expansion.
“In October we purchased another building on Buxton avenue, across from the old Asheville Hardware space, which is now Burial Beer,” Thies said.
French Broad Chocolates is vacating the space now, and Green Man plans to put a new restaurant in there.
Brew news: Former Greyhound station becomes Hound bar; Zillicoah produces 11.5-ounce bottles of beer
“That way, we’ll be able to have food service in our two taprooms,” Thies said. “It’s going to be centered on really good fish and chips — proper fish and chips.”
The idea initially is to have to-go service servicing Dirty Jack’s and the Green Mansion.
“Then we’ll look to open a proper pub, with spirits and sit-down service,” Thies said. Take-out service should start in mid-May, he said, adding that it will be fresh, never-frozen cod from Boston.
“We think the fish and chips will be good enough that people will want local delivery as well,” Thies added.
The lack of food has been an issue for years at their two locations, with a lot of customers asking for pub food. So this should solve that problem. And yes, Thies said they’ll have “a good burger” on the menu and some other pub-style food.
Supporting Ukraine: Restaurants, breweries unite to feed Ukraine refugees, residents. Here’s how to support.
So, congrats to Green Man on 25 years!
Hot Spot has eye-popping sale price
Last week, after I wrote about the closing of the notorious Hot Spot convenience store at the corner of Asheland and Hilliard avenues, a couple of you good readers pointed out it’s listed for sale at a whopping $2.4 million.
Greybeard Realty has the 1,648-square-foot building and .29-acre site listed for sale for — let’s just say it one more time — $2.4 million. To be fair, it is right on the edge of two hot real estate areas, downtown Asheville and the South Slope.
Here’s what the ad says:
“Prime location on the highly visible corner of Asheland and Hillard Avenues in the Central Business District of downtown Asheville. The property is situated along the corridor between bustling downtown and the booming South Slope district. Close proximity to a multitude of existing businesses, breweries, restaurants, hotels, USPO, etc., and adjacent to a number of new developments. Excellent vehicular and foot traffic. The building with its Art Deco-inspired details has potential to be transformed into a variety of uses with space for parking. Bring your creative business vision to this phenomenal intersection in downtown Asheville.”
Man, I’m sorely tempted! I mean, they had me with it being close to the post office.
This is the opinion of John Boyle. To submit a question, contact him at 232-5847 or [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Answer Man: Green Man expansion, party? Hot Spot for sale at $2.4M?
