Ashvegas Hot Sheet: Wicked Weed summer beer fest canceled; new Sept. fest set

More of what’s going around:

-Wicked Weed has canceled its annual summer beer festival and has announced that it is planning a “re-envisioned” September beer fest. Wicked Weed, which made the announcement via social media, said it decided to cancel the Funkatorium Invitational (Funk Asheville) event after most the invited guest brewers had pulled out of the event, citing Wicked Weed’s recent announcement that it was being acquired by big beer’s Anheuser-Busch. The Wicked Weed announcement:

The Funkatorium Invitational is an important event for us. The mission of this festival has always been centered around the sour beer community and giving back. Over the course of a weekend, breweries from around the country come together through numerous events to celebrate where this amazing community is and where it can go, all while benefitting the city of Asheville.

This year, it has become clear that we can no longer host the festival with the original vision in mind. We respect the decisions of those who have decided to no longer attend, and we understand that the impact of bringing this community together is more important than Wicked Weed.

Just like the sour beer community, Eblen Charities is still of paramount importance to us. With that in mind, we will evolve the Funkatorium Invitational and host a reimagined festival to raise money for Eblen’s cause on September 16, 2017.

Just as a reminder, if you purchased local tickets you can still get a full refund at our Funkatorium location. More details will be released as they become available.

-The inaugural Cold Mountain Music festival is set for June 3 at Lake Logan in Haywood County. Musical guests include Balsam Range, Town Mountain, Love Canon and Billy Strings. Beer sponsors include Boojum, Frog Level, Innovation and BearWaters.

-An Asheville program that supports the growth, development and education of young black men is looking for a new space for its programming. Here’s the link for the My Daddy Taught Me That website. Connect with them on Facebook here.

-A report to be released later today by the nonprofit TRIP says that North Carolina’s system of funding road projects is inadequate. The leaders of the Asheville and Haywood County chambers of commerce will discuss the report, which shows that roads and bridges are deteriorating while the costs of repair are increasing. Here’s the TRIP report.

-The Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau will receive updated tourism impact figures from Oxford Economics later this week and will share the report at the first National Tourism Week Summit at noon on Friday, May 12, at the Renaissance hotel downtown. ACVB Executive Director Stephanie Brown will share 2016 tourism economic data and unveil a new video that features the faces of tourism in the Asheville community, according to a press release. The event also includes educational sessions for partners and an opportunity to talk with local elected officials. The event is ticketed, so contact Pat Kappes, pkappes@exploreasheville.com or 828.210.2724 for more info

-Chestnut restaurant and Highland Brewing are teaming up for a beer dinner later this month during Asheville Beer Week. The $75 ticket is all-inclusive. From the press release, a peek at part of the menu:

Help us greet Asheville Beer Week with Chef Brian Crowe’s unique menu, featuring the latest beer and ale creations from Highland Brewing Company: Big Briar Tart Ale, Mandarina IPA, Highland IPA, Oatmeal Porter and Pilsner

Passed hor d’oeuvres begins at 6:30 pm, with a four-course dinner to follow.

When: Tuesday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Chestnut – 48 Biltmore Avenue, 28801
Cost: $75 all inclusive.
Tickets: http://avlbeerweek2017.bpt.me/

Reception:
Country Ham on Mini Biscuit with Grilled Peach Relish
Citrus Crab on Tortilla with Avocado Salsa
Flounder Tacos in Malanga shells with habanero pickled cabbage
Rhubarb and Fennel Bruschetta with Mascarpone
Big Briar Tart Ale