Open Brewing to Launch in Asheville

04 Sep 2014 --- Thirsty Monk owner Barry Bialik announces the introduction of Open Brewing, a brand new brewery and brewing concept in Asheville’s beer scene, launching in late September.

Open Brewing will serve as the first commercial brewpub in the country dedicated to “open-source brewing,” an incubator for homebrewers to develop and refine their recipes on a larger scale, share their final products and gain valuable feedback. Plus, Open Brewing will be South Asheville’s hot spot for beer lovers to gather and sample unique brews they may never have the opportunity to drink twice.

Open Brewing will accept applications from homebrewers to come and brew their beer, which will then be offered on tap in the tasting room. The homebrewer will be paid a royalty for each pint sold to the public. “As the craft beer industry has taken off, so has homebrewing, and we have had a great relationship with the local homebrewing community [through Thirsty Monk] over the years,” said Bialik. ”Our intent is to create an avenue where homebrewers can reach new audiences, experience the brewing process on a larger scale and gain opportunity in the beer world that might not otherwise be available.”

Open Brewing is located at 20 Gala Dr. #101 in Gerber Village, off Hendersonville Rd, the location of the former Thirsty Monk South. It will operate under its own identity, but share some resources and logistical support with Thirsty Monk.

Beginning in September, homebrewers will be able to submit recipe proposals to Open Brewing, and a tasting panel will choose applicants to brew. The panel will be anchored by Norm Penn, a homebrewer turned professional who works full-time as the Head Brewer for Thirsty Monk, and Matt McComish, Thirsty Monk Head Beer Buyer, Certified Cicerone and beer education instructor at A-B Tech.

The opportunity to be among the first to brew at Open Brewing will be offered as an award at the upcoming 15th Annual Blue Ridge Brew Off on September 13, hosted by Asheville’s Mountain Ale and Lager Tasters (MALT) homebrew club. “We’re excited to provide this avenue to showcase the amazingly talented brewing community here,” says Bialik.