New Asheville brewery dedicated to all ‘open-source brewing’

Open Brewing, South Asheville’s newest brewery and brand new concept in the craft beer world, is set to open its doors officially on Dec 3. Conceptualized by Thirsty Monk owner, Barry Bialik, Open Brewing will serve as one of the first commercial brewpubs in the country dedicated to “open-source brewing,” — it will be an incubator for homebrewers to guest brew under the mentorship of professional brewmaster Norm Penn. For beer lovers, Open Brewing will be a cozy neighborhood taproom focused on the craft of making unique, small batch beers.

Open Brewing will have 10 taps, including a Strong Scotch Ale, brewed by MALT homebrew club co-founder, Dave Keller; a Foreign Extra Stout brewed by Blue Ridge Brew Off Best in Show awardee John Olson; and, a West IV, a Belgian session ale inspired by the rare Trappist Westvleteren beers, brewed by Mountain Xpress Beer Scout Thom O’Hearn and local homebrewer Matt Kane. Also on tap, look for a few of Norm’s experimental beers, including his Honeybadger Honey Brown Ale, Must Love Coconuts Coconut IPA and more. Also, look for one or two guest taps of homebrew-inspired beers.

“We’ve had a great reception to this idea so far, from brewers and the South Asheville community, and we’re excited to create a new beer destination on this side of town,” Bialik said.

For all of those homebrewers out there in our audience, Open Brewing is continuing to accept submissions for the next round of guest brew spots, beginning in early 2015.