Here’s to Mother Earth
Peabody’s presents Earth Day Beer Tasting at DragonFly April 22

By Frank Ruggiero

Cheers. Salute. L’chaim. Prost.

Whatever the language, the toast is a worldly tradition, a salutation that transcends borders.

High Country residents may toast the Earth on Wednesday, April 22, at the Earth Day Beer Tasting at DragonFly Theater and Pub in Boone.

With the event scheduled specifically on Earth Day, Peabody’s Wine and Beer Merchants has arranged for a generous sampling of “green” beers; not in the St. Patrick’s Day sense, but by way of hops and independent breweries.

According to Kevin Burnette, Peabody’s beer buyer, the event will feature between 20 and 25 different beers, centering around spring seasonals.

“We’re basically gearing people up for some different stuff,” he said, mentioning an array of pilsners, Hefeweizens, bocks and India pale ales. “We hope to get folks interested in new things and remind them that these are floating around.”

New to the Boone scene is the Natty Greene Brewery from Greensboro, named after Revolutionary War hero Gen. Nathanael Greene. Natty Greene’s Southern Pale Ale, Buckshot Amber and Cannonball Double IPA will be available for tasting, while Charlottesville-based Starr Hill Brewery will bring its lager and IPA to the table.

Burnette is particularly excited about offering Le Freak, a specialty from the Green Flash Brewing Co. in San Diego, Calif. Le Freak is a Belgian tripel fashioned in the clean pale ale style, he explained, hopped like an American double IPA but real balanced.

“The texture’s more of a tripel, with fragrant, floral hops – a beautiful, beautiful thing,” he said.

Another favorite is Schneider-Weisse’s Hoppen-Weisse, which Burnette described as an American IPA crossed with a Hefeweizen, “silky smooth, and you don’t know what you’re drinking until you’re done with it.”

Attendees will also get a taste of the Boone Brewing Company’s most recent concoction. Local brewers Todd Rice and Jeff Walker introduced Blowing Rock Ale last year, and they’re returning to Peabody’s with a spring seasonal.

Farmville’s Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery will offer a variety of beers for sampling, as will Asheville’s Highland Brewing Company. And, naturally, there will be plenty of Peabody’s Appalachian Ale.

Approximately 80 people turned out for the previous two events, Burnette said, adding, “The price is right, and you get to mill around and talk to other people who are into beer. It’s a good mixer for introducing beer enthusiasts to other beer enthusiasts.”

The tasting also allows for plenty of honest feedback. “I don’t care what anyone says about it, but if you don’t get some feedback from someone holding the beer in their hand, then you might as well be twiddling your thumbs,” Burnette said.

Since Peabody’s is bringing the beer, the DragonFly is offering more than peanuts. Heavy appetizers will be served, along with live music by Alan Mearns and Jimmy Brown.

The Earth Day Beer Tasting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets cost $20 and are available at the DragonFly box office in advance or at the door. Following the event is live music from the Native Sway and Somatic, starting at 10 p.m.

The DragonFly Theater and Pub is located at 215 Boone Heights Drive, near the Boone Bowling Center. For more information, call (828) 262-3222 or visit www.dragonflytheater.com. Peabody’s Wine and Beer Merchants is located at 1104 N.C. Highway 105. For more information, call (828) 264-9476 or visit www.peabodyswineandbeer.com.