The Asheville Wine and Food Festival Announces “Asheville Cocktail Week”

The Asheville Wine and Food Festival  announces its celebration of spirits and mixology to a dedicated week-long event, crowned “Asheville Cocktail Week”.

In partnership with Spirit Savvy Events and sponsor support by Beam Suntory, makers of Jim Beam, Makers Mark and Knob Creek, among others. Festivities include national book authors and mixology gurus, an expanded “ELIXIR” event highlighting an ever expanding pool of local talent, as well the largest industry-only Distilling Expo in the Southeast.

images courtesy of Asheville Wine and Food Festival

Asheville Cocktail Week Schedule:

May 1 – 8, 2016 (Tickets go on sale February 15) Asheville Cocktail Week is a celebration of the art of mixology and craft spirits, combining the best talent and trends the industry has to offer. Various locations, Asheville, NC. Presented by Asheville Fest and Spirit Savvy

May 1-8, 2016 Best Bloody Mary Contest (Full Week) (supported by Cathead Vodka) Numerous Asheville Bars will be serving their very best bloody mary to claim the title of Asheville. Cocktail Week “Best Bloody Mary”, all culminating end of week for final results.

May 4, 2016 Cocktail Theatre Featuring Rob Floyd at The Historic S &W Cafeteria.  With Beam Suntory The week kicks off with Cocktail Theatre featuring “Molecular Mixologist” Rob Floyd. Recently recognized as one of the top mixologists in the world by Savory and Luxe Magazine, Rob has been featured in major publications including the Wall Street Journal, Times of London, People Maxim, Huffington Post and Esquire. Rob’s traveling troupe will entertain the crowd while serving creative concoctions. http://rxliquidchef.com

May 5, 2016 Book signing with Warren Bobrow at Malaprop’s. Asheville’s own Malaprop’s Bookstore will host a reading and signing with this well known cocktail author. Bowbrow, known as the “Cocktail Whisperer” among being a notable writer featured in Saveur and many other publications, is the author of three books: Apothecary Cocktails: Restorative Drinks from Yesterday and Today (2013), Whiskey Cocktails: Rediscovered Classics and Contemporary Craft Drinks (2014) and Bitters and Shrub Syrup Cocktails: Restorative Vintage Cocktails, Mocktails & Elixirs (2015). http://cocktailwhisperer.com

May 5, 2016 Spirit Dinner with Warren Bobrow with Beam Suntory at the Historic S&W Cafeteria. The renowned mixologist, chef and author will join us with his cocktail -themed books to share his lifetime of secrets and stories. Enjoy a meal prepared by locally renowned Asheville chefs, for an intimate, yet lively gathering.

May 5, 2016 Cinco de Mayo Tequila Tasting and After-Party with Beam Suntory. Celebrate in true Cinco de Mayo style with tequila tastings and an after- hours “fiesta”. Start the evening with a Beam Suntory Tequila master leading a customized tequila tasting. After being educated, enjoy a specialty craft cocktail derived from the night’s theme. Continue on in to a Cinco de Mayo bar -crawl to enjoy unique preparations using various tequilas. Of course no tequila tasting would be complete without an exclusive after-party to round out the evening.

May 6, 2016 Southeastern Distilling Expo.  Simply the largest gathering of Southeastern Distilleries in one location. This invite- only industry expo for owners, managers and bar tenders gets product front and center of the people who are purchasing and using the spirits. Distilleries can share the details of their products and showcase their company, while the industry representatives get to sample, see possible uses and develop homegrown relationships with their products roots. Industry luminaries will provide additional value for bar staff with classes and instruction on shrubs, bitters, batching and more.

May 6, 2016 Asheville Wine and Food Festival ELXIR bar competition at the historic S&W Cafeteria. In its fourth year, ELIXIR promises to bring yet another exciting evening of collaboration between the distilleries and local bar talent. Open to the public, this event provides a fun environment for the public to get in front of bartenders while they demo and provide sample drinks in a structured, competition-style forum. It’s a great way to support your local favorites and well as discovery new talent! Check out the exceptional pricing!

May 7, 2016 Hangover Brunch with Cathead Vodka Bloody Mary Bar.  The best cure for days of celebration with libation is a Bloody Mary Brunch. Keep the week moving forward with this mid-day boost with Cathead Vodka showing us how the Bloody Mary is done right.

May 7, 2016 Asheville Cocktail Tours guided by Eating Asheville.  This long time established Asheville food tour group has stepped up to the challenge of leading leading patrons for an immersive, knowledge- based bar hop. Offering specially designed tours to suit your cocktail style, will provide variety at its best.

May 7, 2016 Asheville “Derby” Party with Beam Suntory at Smoky Park Supper Club. Who says you can’t throw a party in a recycled shipping container? Smoky Park Supper Club is the largest shipping container restaurant in the U.S. and has the perfect riverfront expansive lawn to boot. Showing full Southern roots, party-goers will imbibe in the the “Derby-style” mint juleps front row derby viewing, and more. Celebrate for hours for the best minutes in horse racing excitement. Big hats encouraged.

May 7, 2016 Old Fashioned Nightcap with Beam Suntory at Ole Shakey’s. The perfect way to round off a Saturday evening with a lovely nightcap at one of Asheville’s favorite feel good bars. A mixture of soul and grunge, relax with specially prepared nightcap among friends.

May 8, 2016 Best Bloody Mary Contest Results. Ballots will be collected and tallied so that the very best can be named, tasted and celebrated by all.

TICKETS/DETAILS: Times, additional details and ticket purchase are available through Brown Paper Tickets here and at http://ashevillewineandfood.com