Thanks to Google alerts, I just found a really interesting article on the Winston-Salem Journal’s Web site.

Seven friends in their early 20s (all of legal drinking age) are making a nine-day North Carolina road trip documentary of state breweries. They’ll cover all 26 breweries across the state. Asheville is a huge stop on their route, with our seven brewing companies and six breweries.

The plan is to have the documentary available in beer and wine shops across the state around the winter holidays.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

Asheville micro-breweries:
Asheville Brewing Company
French Broad Brewing Company
Highland Brewing Company
Green Man Brewing
Pisgah Brewing Company
Wedge Brewing Company - Asheville’s newest

Check out the Asheville Brews Cruise - A bus tour of the local breweries. 21 and over only.

Local photographer Max Cooper (a fellow graduate of UNC-Asheville) stopped by the blog a few days ago and alerted me to his amazing upcoming exhibit focusing -yes, pun intendend- on the River Arts District. It kicks off Saturday night, August 2, at the Pump Gallery (in the Phil Mechanics Studios building) from 7-10 p.m. His Web site has information on the exhibit, and you should check out his always entertaining blog, A Dark Topography.
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Also this weekend, Biltmore Village is holding the 36th Annual Village Arts & Crafts Fair, on the lawn of the Cathedral of Old Souls. Enjoy yourself there on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. (just in time to go over to the Pump for Max Cooper’s opening) and Sunday from noon - 6 p.m.
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Plus, WNC Magazine wants you to know about The Art Walk Opening Reception with Clay Space Cooperative and Tom Pazderka. This Friday (August 1) from 5:30-8:30 at the Asheville Area Arts Council.

Advising you in much the same way as one BlogAsheville blogger, Get out there and support the local artists! Because, well, we’re lucky enough to have a lot of them to appreciate!

The Asheville Citizen-Times recently published an article about the popularity of Cherokee, NC among foreign travelers. According to the article, there were about 358,000 international travelers visiting North Carolina in 2007, many to visit and learn more about the Cherokee culture.

The article largely discusses the fact that many Germans in particular are drawn to the Southeast, wanting to know more about authentic American Indian culture. The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians is aware of this, and now offers a German language Web site.

There is also the added bonus of lively surroundings - including the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, and attractions such as the Blue Ridge Parkway and Asheville - that makes Cherokee a good place to visit.

Read more about why international visitors come to Western North Carolina, as well as what there is for YOU to do at Cherokee!

Photo from www.wolfememorial.com

Lately we’ve been talking about the Thomas Wolfe House and Memorial at Carolina Mornings. We love packages, and guests love packages, so we’re trying to come with something related to the Memorial house (suggestions are welcome). Anyway, one thing we thought of is a book sold in the gift shop: Asheville, and Thomas Wolfe. It gives you an idea of some of the places in Asheville that Wolfe featured in his writing.
Read more about Thomas Wolfe House and Orson Scott Card’s take on Asheville…

The Mountain Xpress brings us more interesting Bele Chere action:

A live webcam of Bele Chere
An article about the humble beginnings of Bele Chere ‘79 (a mere 10,000 people, where as the past few years have seen 350,000-400,000)
And links to the Bele Chere Basics, Entertainment Schedule, Food & Attractions

Also note Shuttle Info:

• Shuttles are $3 roundtrip and run every 20 minutes. The first shuttle runs an hour before the festival, last shuttle runs an hour after the festival.

• East Route Shuttle goes from behind Asheville Mall on Tunnel Road to the circle on College Street.

• West Route Shuttle goes from the K-Mart at Patton Avenue to the intersection of Wall Street and Otis Street.