Tony Kiss

tkiss@gannett.com

This is an exciting time at the New Belgium brewery in West Asheville. The company is hosting a big 25th anniversary party at the new brewery at 21 Craven St. along the French Broad River. And free brewery tours will finally begin Aug. 29.

The brewery is sure to be a huge hit with locals and tourists alike. The company figures that between the brewery here and in Fort Collins, Colorado, it will entertain 200,000 visitors a year.

New Belgium will start the party Aug. 27 when it hosts a 25th anniversary celebration at the West Asheville site. It includes former “Saturday Night Live” star Nasim Pedrad and the red-hot electronic band The Naked and Famous, Mucca Pazza and Dark Water Rising, plus carnival-like entertainment and birthday surprises. Tickets are $50 and include three beverage tokens. Order party tickets at www.newbelgium.com/birthday-bash

New Belgium is the biggest brewery in Asheville, and one of three national craft brands operating here along with Sierra Nevada just outside town in Mills River and Oskar Blues in Brevard. Sierra Nevada has stayed especially busy offering tours and history will repeat itself at New Belgium. People want to see where their beer is being made, and many want to drink as close to the brewery as possible.

For the week of Aug. 29-Sept. 1, visitors will just go to the brewery the day they want to tour, first come, first served. For tours on Sept. 2 and after, visit www.newbelgium.com/Ashevillebrewery and click on the take a tour page. You can go there now and book a tour up to two months out.

Even those who have toured many other breweries will be impressed at this place. Visitors get an eye-popping view of the equipment and packaging areas. The tours take about 90 minutes and will be offered on the half hour.

It was just over four years ago that New Belgium announced it would build its eastern U.S. expansion here, giving Asheville’s beer scene an amazing boost. At the groundbreaking, it seemed like the brewery’s opening was so far away. Now, the project is basically done and we can raise a toast to a job well done.

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