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Brewing for Greenways: Highland Brewing and New Belgium Brewing Release Footpath Belgian Session Ale to Benefit Greenways
Highland Brewing Company and New Belgium Brewing have created the first collaboration connector beer to support Friends of Connect Buncombe (FOCB), a non-profit supporting the development of a greenway network across Buncombe County. Highland Brewing will host the first Brewing for Greenways event and inaugural tapping of a connector beer, Footpath Belgian Session Ale, on Friday, June 26, 4:00-9:00 p.m. at Highland’s taproom, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Asheville, NC 28803.
“We envision a day when we can walk or bike to great areas of Asheville, giving residents and guests access to healthy lifestyles and safe passage to jobs and local businesses. It’s a long process but we can start it in this special way,” said Leah Wong Ashburn, Highland Brewing President.
Footpath will be sold only at Highland Brewing for a limited time and two dollars of each pint of Footpath Belgian Session Ale will go to FOCB to support the East Asheville greenway. Admission is free and guests will learn about county-wide greenway plans. Brewed on Highland Brewing’s pilot system with donated ingredients from New Belgium Brewing, the beer was crafted by Highland Brewmaster John Lyda and New Belgium Brewing Manager Alex Dwoinen. At around 5% ABV, the Belgian session ale is a pleasantly lighter-bodied beer with a hint of cloves and a rounded malt profile to balance a slight bitterness.
Much like the brewing community enjoys a good collaboration, putting greenway plans into place takes partnerships. Both companies are known for their commitment to community and have donated tens of thousands of dollars to fund bicycle and pedestrian improvements in the region. Now, they are joining forces to make more of an impact and raise awareness in what they see as a quality of life mission in Asheville. Plans are developing for similar future efforts.
“From individuals to non-profits to government to businesses, we all play a role in making our community a place where we can safely live, work, play and brew,” said Susanne Hackett, New Belgium’s Community Relations Specialist. “We know that proceeds from one beer are not going to put a greenway on the ground, and we also know it takes all of us to make greenways happen.”
Asheville on Bikes hosts the Summer Cycle presented by New Belgium Brewing, Highland Brewing and Friends of Connect Buncombe on Sunday, June 28, 2015, leaving City-County Plaza at 2:30 p.m. and arriving at Highland at 4:30 p.m. The route will highlight Craven Street improvements, the Westbank Extension greenway and the future East Asheville greenway between New Belgium Brewing and Highland Brewing. Look for more information and participate in the free community ride. www.AshevilleOnBikes.com
“We truly look forward to partnering with New Belgium and Highland Brewing. Without the support of community minded businesses, we would not be able to support greenway advocacy and projects in Buncombe County. Together we can make a difference,” said Ann Babcock, President of Friends of Connect Buncombe.
Greenways are designated public pathways for pedestrians to traverse communities. They may include paved pathways, roadways and dirt trails. They may pass by parks, homes, fields, rivers and businesses. Recognizing the public health and economic development benefits of a network of pathways that connect our favorite destinations, both the City of Asheville and Buncombe County have adopted greenway master plans and identified priority areas. Nearby cities like Greenville, SC, and Abingdon and Damascus, VA, already know the benefits of a connected network of pathways in their areas, and the Carolina Thread Trail reaches 15 counties and two states! Let’s Connect Buncombe!
About Highland Brewing Company
Highland Brewing Company has crafted the highest quality beer with North Carolina mountain water since 1994. Family-owned and Asheville’s first legal brewery since Prohibition, it is a local favorite for beer fans, music fans, and families. Highland’s name honors the Scots Irish who settled in the Appalachian mountains in the 18th and 19th centuries. Adding to the tradition of honor, all seasonal beers are named after protected features of the North Carolina landscape. The flagship beer, Gaelic Ale, and other styles of Highland beer are available in nine states and Washington, DC. Visit our website for details on tours, special events, sustainability efforts and more at www.highlandbrewing.com
About New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, is recognized as one of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work and one of the Wall Street Journal’s Best Small Businesses. The 100% employee-owned brewery is a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business as designated by the League of American Bicyclists, and one of World Blu’s most democratic U.S. businesses, and a Certified B Corp. In addition to Fat Tire, New Belgium brews ten year-round beers; Ranger IPA, Rampant Imperial IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Slow Ride Session IPA, Snapshot Wheat, Sunshine Wheat, 1554 Black Ale, Blue Paddle Pilsner, Abbey Belgian Ale and Trippel. Learn more at www.newbelgium.com. asheville real estate
About Friends of Connect Buncombe
Friends of Connect Buncombe is a local nonprofit and collaborative organization supporting all of Buncombe County, mission is to encourage and support the implementation of the Greenways and Trails Plan and the construction of greenways throughout Buncombe County through public awareness, community education and fundraising activities. Their goal is to see a system of connected trails for public usage to foster and promote tourism, economic development, health, recreation, diverse and safe transportation options, and connect with our community and the cultural heritage and beauty of Buncombe County.
