Riverbend Malt House Selected As Business North Carolina Small Business Of The Year

ASHEVILLE, NC, December 3, 2024— Riverbend Malt House was named one of the four top small businesses of the year in the 2024 Small Business of the Year Awards, sponsored by Business North Carolina Magazine.

2024 marks the 29th year of Business North Carolina honoring the contributions small businesses make to the state’s economy. Applicants must be based in the Tar Heel State and have been in business for more than five years, have less than 100 employees, and be independently owned and operated. Among 49 nominees, four winners were selected on the basis of demonstrated accomplishments in the preceding 12 months and success in overcoming business obstacles, supplemented with professional references.

“We are proud to receive this recognition of the great work of our employees,” says Riverbend Malt House Co-Founder and CEO Brian Simpson. “As the first craft malthouse in the Southeast and one of the largest in the country, we feel we have a particular industry responsibility to demonstrate that craft malt can help customers differentiate their beers and spirits through the use of high quality malt sourced from local, family owned farms and produced in an environmentally conscious manner. We call this ‘Malt with a Mission’.” 

Earlier in the year, Riverbend Malt House made the Inc. 5000 fastest growing private companies list for the third consecutive year. The malt house was also awarded a malt quality award in the prestigious Craft Maltsters Guild’s 2024 Malt Cup competition. “Great employees making great malt from great grain is our not-so-secret formula,” Simpson adds.

Also among the 2024 Small Business of the Year winners is Weldon Mills Distillery, one of Riverbend’s longstanding customers. The malt house extends congratulations and gratitude to them for their investment in local malt. Riverbend, Weldon Mills, and the two other winners RiverWild Construction and North Carolina Trailer Sales will be honored at the 2024 Small Business of the Year Awards Ceremony later this month. 

Media inquiring about Riverbend’s accolades can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT RIVERBEND MALT HOUSE

Riverbend Malt House is on a quest to connect Southeastern family owned farms and fermenters. Co-Founders Brent Manning and Brian Simpson launched Riverbend, the first craft malthouse east of the Mississippi River, in Asheville, North Carolina in 2010. Buoyed by a 70,000 foot production facility and state of the art equipment, Riverbend Malt House helps breweries and distilleries large, small, and in-between stand out with flavor, locality, and community in an increasingly competitive landscape— all the while challenging the status quo of corporate, big-agriculture malt. Learn more at riverbendmalt.com.

Thirsty Monk Opens Asheville’s First Hard Seltzer Bar, Holy Water Hard Seltzer Brewpub

ASHEVILLE, NC— Asheville’s storied craft beverage scene is about to get the addition of a downtown hard seltzer bar. Holy Water Hard Seltzer Brewpub will occupy the Patton Ave. ground level of the Thirsty Monk pub in downtown Asheville beginning Thursday, December 8, with plans to serve award-winning, cocktail-inspired Holy Water hard seltzers.

The landmark three-story Patton Avenue building has seen many chapters in the Thirsty Monk story, mainly a Belgian beer bar-turned-brewery with a cocktail bar upstairs and The Delirium Pink Elephant Bar in the basement featuring rare selections from the world-famous Delirium Brewery. Now this heavily trafficked downtown Asheville institution will wrap in Thirsty Monk’s latest evolution into hard seltzers.

“There is no other drink quite like our Holy Water Hard Seltzers. We literally have created our own style class- a Belgian style Hard Seltzer. We carefully hand craft every flavor recipe to add depth and balance of profile, and our base hard seltzer is brewed with our proprietary house Belgian-style yeast,” says Thirsty Monk CEO Barry Bialik. “We’ve really leaned on our Top of The Monk Craft Cocktail Bar history and our creative bartenders to curate well-rounded craft cocktail-inspired seltzers. With unique flavor combinations and higher ABV than your average seltzer, Holy Waters drink like draft cocktails.” 

Holy Water’s Hard Seltzer line recently took home four medals from the 2022 U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship. Award-winning flavors include Pomegranate, Hibiscus & Ginger (Silver Medal), Margarita (Silver Medal), and Pina Colada (Gold Medal). And Holy Water Smoked Grapefruit Paloma was additionally awarded a Gold Medal for ‘Judges’ Award’. “When the judges tasted this seltzer, they were truly amazed. The grapefruit flavor was very subtle and the serrano peppers complemented this seltzer to make it like no other seltzer,” Bialik adds. “They asked if they could give this a special award since it did not fit any category. We were honored!” 

Thirsty Monk started designing the Holy Water line up in 2019 and rebranded its Gerber Village location as the Holy Water Brew Pub in 2021. Now with the support of contract brewing from Green Man Brewing and at least 10 dedicated seltzers in the renovated downtown location, Holy Water is poised to expand both its flavors and reach across North Carolina and beyond. A Holy Water hard seltzer 12-pack is in the works with planned distribution.

Hard seltzer seekers can visit the new Holy Water Hard Seltzer Brewpub in downtown Asheville on December 8. The first 50 customers will receive complimentary Holy Water glassware. Learn more at holywaterseltzer.com. 

Media inquiring about the Holy Water Hard Seltzer Brewpub can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.                            

ABOUT THIRSTY MONK

Founded in 2008, Thirsty Monk Brewery currently operates a family of establishments— Thirsty Monk Downtown featuring Holy Water Hard Seltzer Brewpub, The Delirium Pink Elephant Bar, and Top of the Monk Craft Cocktail Bar; Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park– featuring Thirsty Monk Brewery’s Belgian style beers, Holy Water Hard Seltzers, offerings from Green Man Brewery, and a full pub food menu. Find the company online at monkpub.com.              

Riverbend Malt House Announces Major Expansion

ASHEVILLE, NC– Riverbend Malt House announced that installation of its new 10 metric tonne Germination Kiln Vessel (GKV) was completed this week, with first malt production from the unit expected in coming weeks. This equipment complements a new 10 tonne steep tank which was installed earlier this year. Collectively, all of the new equipment in the Asheville-based malt house increases Riverbend’s overall craft malt production capacity by more than 50 percent.

“Riverbend’s sales grew by more than 40 percent in 2021 and we don’t see that growth rate tapering in 2022,” noted Scott Hickman, Riverbend Malt House CEO. “This new equipment is a critical part of an effort to be prepared for anticipated demand.”

Last year Asheville local Hillman Beer Company made the switch to Riverbend as their primary base malt provider, and that move has created consistency in an otherwise unstable supply chain. “It’s comforting as we celebrate our second year anniversary at our second location this week to know we’re going into our future with a great local partner who we can count on for consistency and quality,” says Co-Owner Brad Hillman.

With more craft malt production for brewers and distillers comes increased purchasing of grain from local, family-owned farming partners, and the hiring of additional employees at above Living Wage levels. These implications fulfill Riverbend’s corporate charter embodied in the company motto, Malt with a Mission.

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Riverbend Malt House and its 2022 expansion.

ABOUT RIVERBEND MALT HOUSE

Riverbend Malt House is on a quest to connect Southeastern family owned farms and fermenters. Co-Founders Brent Manning and Brian Simpson launched Riverbend, the first craft malthouse east of the Mississippi River, in Asheville, North Carolina in 2010. Buoyed by a 70,000 foot production facility and state of the art equipment, Riverbend Malt House helps breweries and distilleries large, small, and in-between stand out with flavor, locality, and community in an increasingly competitive landscape— all the while challenging the status quo of corporate, big-agriculture malt. Learn more at riverbendmalt.com.

Thirsty Monk Unveils Rare and Specialty Beers From Some of the Country’s Best Breweries at the 6th Annual Not So Big BIG Beer Fest

What: Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer and craft cocktail bars, presents the 6th Annual Not So Big BIG Beer Fest during Asheville Beer Week.

Anchored right in the middle of Asheville Beer Week, this intimate beer festival will feature specialty beers from America’s top breweries all in one place, curated for guests by Thirsty Monk, in a unique outdoor, covered setting. Food will be catered on site by Thirsty Monk's culinary team, including a special Festival Food Flight, with snack-sized items chosen to pair with your festival beers. Learn more about Food Flights here.

When: Wednesday, May 29 from 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Where: TM Warehouse Space (92 Thompson St. Asheville, NC, 28803)

Participating Breweries: Comrade Brewing, Amor Artis Brewing, Cascade Brewing, Allagash Brewing, Grimm Artisanal Ales, Edmunds Oast Brewing Co., Resident Culture Brewing, High Branch Brewing, Almanac Beer Co.

Ticket Information and Parking: Regular admission tickets are $15 and include admission to the festival, souvenir Thirsty Monk tasting glass and one Thirsty Monk bottled beer to-go. Deluxe admission tickets are $25 and include admission to the festival, souvenir Thirsty Monk tasting glass, one Thirsty Monk bottled beer to-go and four tokens redeemable for food or beer pours. Tickets can be purchased at monkpub.com/notsobigfest.

Beer Tokens are available for purchase at $4 each, or 3-for-$10, and can be redeemed for festival pours or various food options.

Limited parking is available on site. Please try to carpool or catch an Uber or Lyft ride if possible. No overnight parking.

ABOUT THIRSTY MONK

Founded in 2008, Thirsty Monk Brewery currently operates a family of brewpubs in Asheville, North Carolina (Thirsty Monk Downtown Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park), Denver, and Portland, Oregon. Thirsty Monk’s award-winning, modern-rooted Belgian ales are showcased in the company’s Cicerone-crafted food menus, which include beer style-centric Food Flights and beer-paired burgers. Find the company online at monkpub.com.

Thirsty Monk To Release Third of Karma Series Beers, Unity Gose

DENVER, CO— Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer and craft cocktail bars, is tapping the third of their Karma Series beers, Unity Gose, in early May. Brewed in support of LGBTQ equality and inclusion, this lemon kiwi Gose will be available on tap in Asheville, Denver and Portland locations while supplies last.

Unity Gose gets the party started with flavors and aromas of bright lemon, subtle kiwi and a crisp yet rounded mouthfeel, finished with the additions of salt and lactose. At 4 percent ABV, this Gose is very much like a lemon Radler; complex, juicy, refreshing and brewed for patio sipping and the cheerful days of spring and summer.

A portion of the proceeds from Unity Gose will support 501c3s Campaign for Southern Equality in Asheville, One Colorado in Denver, and Basic Rights Oregon in Portland.

“Just as a Monk’s life is dedicated to service, Thirsty Monk has deep, soulful principles that guide everything we do.” explains Barry Bialik, Thirsty Monk CEO. “Unity and acceptance of all people is near and dear to our hearts.”

Karma Series beers support nonprofit efforts that align with Thirsty Monk’s company values,  featuring a unique beer brewed each quarter with a different charitable focus. Unity Gose is preceded by Trail Monk in support of trail restoration, Monk’s Cottage to benefit affordable housing, and will be followed by a beer during the summer to support youth needs.

“We’re thrilled to use our Karma Series to bring attention to non-profit groups dedicated to sharing this message of love and acceptance,” says Bialik. “And after all, Thirsty Monk’s original location IS a three story giant purple building!”

Contact Chea Franz at chea@radcraftbeer.com for more details about the Karma Series and Thirsty Monk.

ABOUT THIRSTY MONK
Founded in 2008, Thirsty Monk Brewery currently operates a family of brewpubs in Asheville, North Carolina (Thirsty Monk Downtown Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park), Denver, and Portland, Oregon. Thirsty Monk’s award-winning, modern-rooted Belgian ales are showcased in the company’s Cicerone-crafted food menus, which include beer style-centric Food Flights and beer-paired burgers. Find the company online at monkpub.com.

ABOUT THE NONPROFITS

BASIC RIGHTS OREGON
Basic Rights Oregon works fearlessly and tirelessly to build a strong, vibrant, powerful, and progressive movement for LGBTQ equality. LGBTQ Oregonians exist in every community, and we understand that we have to engage in strategic, values-based coalitions to address the many needs of our communities. As such, building alliances with progressive groups that advocate for working families, racial justice, immigrant rights, reproductive justice, and campaign reform will be essential to winning policies that meet the varied needs of our diverse community.

CAMPAIGN FOR SOUTHERN EQUALITY
The Campaign for Southern Equality (CSE) is working to build a South where LGBTQ people are equal in every part of life. A South where your zipcode doesn’t determine your rights. Where all of us are free to be who we truly are and love who we truly love.

We use a range of tools, including direct services, direct action, litigation, grant-making, and long-term organizing strategies to respond to immediate community needs, support a new generation of LGBTQ leaders, and build political power over the long term.

Our work is rooted in empathy and in commitments to equity in race, gender, and class, and we take part in rapid response organizing around issues of racial justice, immigration rights, voting rights, and health care

ONE COLORADO
One Colorado is the state’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families. We effectively advocate for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families by lobbying the General Assembly, the executive branch, and local governments on issues like safe schools, transgender equality, relationship recognition, and LGBTQ health and human services.

Asheville’s Thirsty Monk to Celebrate Rare, Unusual Beers at 9th Annual Thirsty Fest

ASHEVILLE, NC – Thirsty Monk is bringing the rare, the exceptional and the downright unusual to Western North Carolina, tapping a variety of specialty beers at its 9th annual Thirsty Fest, September 3rd–7th, 2018 at the flagship Thirsty Monk location in Downtown Asheville,
and at its South Asheville location in Biltmore Park.

Each year, Thirsty Monk’s world class beer bars choose a selection of the best of their reserve kegs for a week dedicated to particularly outstanding and uncommon brews. Thirsty Fest-goers have the opportunity to enjoy exciting finds hardly ever poured in Western North Carolina. Whether you’re a fan of sours and wild ales, or big, bold and barrel-aged beers, this is your week to get the best of the best in one place.

Featured beers include: Thirsty Monk Barrel Aged Brother Noah, Thirsty Monk Roaring Monk DIPA, Allagash Brettanomyces Pilsner & Saison Gratis, Founders KBS, Bruery Terreux Tart of Darkness with Blackcurrant, Cascade Belmont Street Bramble, Firestone Walker Stickee Monkee, Boulevard The Changeling and many more.

Tap list and event updates will be announced through Thirsty Monk’s Facebook page, with live tap lists available at monkpub.com during Thirsty Fest. 

For more information about Thirsty Fest or Thirsty Monk, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT THIRSTY MONK
Founded in 2008, Thirsty Monk currently operates four locations in Asheville, North Carolina including Thirsty Monk Downtown, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park, Top of the Monk Craft Cocktail Bar, and Brother Joe’s Coffee Pub, Thirsty Monk Denver and Thirsty Monk Portland. Find the company online at monkpub.com.

Baere Monk Taps in Asheville

ASHEVILLE, NC— Thirsty Monk's first Denver collaboration, Baere Monk made with Baere Brewing, is now on tap in downtown Asheville. Baere Monk is a dry-hopped Grisette made with early spring chit malt with Landrace hops and Dandelions picked fresh from the grassy areas around Thirsty Monk’s Uptown Denver neighborhood.

The same Baere Monk recipe was brewed on Baere’s brewhouse on South Broadway and blended it with a few barrels of the original batch. This beer is happily aging in fourth-use Cognac barrels that have also held Laws Whiskey.

Learn more about Baere Monk and the Grisette beer style in this post. 

For more information about this collaboration, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT THIRSTY MONK

Founded in 2008 Thirsty Monk currently operates four locations in Asheville, North Carolina including Thirsty Monk Downtown, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park, Top of the Monk Craft Cocktail Bar, Brother Joe’s Coffee Pub, as well as its newly renovated Portland, OR location and its Denver brewery and tasting room where the bulk of its brewing operation occurs. Find the company online at monkpub.com.

ABOUT BAERE BREWING CO.

Founded in 2014, Baere Brewing is a small 2.5 Barrel Brewhouse proudly residing in a strip mall in the Baker District of Denver, Colorado.  Baere’s love for all styles of beer is reflected in their tap and bottle list. Everyone can find something they love ranging from Saisons to IPAs to Barrel Aged Sour beer. Baere is committed to supporting local products, sustainable solutions, community endeavors, and all around good time. Find them online at baerebrewing.com.

Thirsty Monk Celebrates AVL Beer Week With The 5th Annual Not So BIG Beer Festival

Thirsty Monk presents the 5th Annual Not So Big BIG Beer Festival, Wednesday, May 30th, 2018 during Asheville Beer Week!

This festival will feature a selection of rare and specialty beers from America’s top breweries in an intimate outdoor/covered setting at the TM Warehouse space at 92 Thompson St. in Biltmore Village. This intimate beer festival will have several rare and one-off beers all in one place, curated for guests by the Thirsty Monk, especially for Asheville Beer Week 2018.

The tap list at this festival includes rare selections from Haw River Farmhouse Ales, Founders Brewing, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Brewery Ommegang, Birds Fly South Ale Project, Allagash Brewing and many more. Food will be catered on site by Thirsty Monk's culinary team, including a special Festival Food Flight, with snack-sized items chosen by Certified Cicerones to pair with your festival beers. Learn more about Food Flights here.

"The Not So Big BIG Beer Festival is widely celebrated as one of the legacy highlight events that anchors the middle of AVL Beer Week," says Thirsty’s Monk’s Beer Buyer and Marketing and Events Coordinator Joanna Postlethwaite. "Attendees can expect a stellar tap list, all while enjoying a relaxed atmosphere and scenic location."

5:30pm-9:30PM 92 Thompson St., Asheville, 28803

Tickets are available at http://bit.ly/notsobigfest18.

ABOUT THIRSTY MONK

Founded in 2008 Thirsty Monk currently operates four locations in Asheville, North Carolina including Thirsty Monk Downtown, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park, Top of the Monk Craft Cocktail Bar, and Brother Joe’s Coffee Pub, as well as Bazi Bierbrasserie in Portland, OR and now its Denver brewery and tasting room. Find the company online at monkpub.com.

Asheville’s Thirsty Monk To Expand into Denver and Portland

DENVER, CO and PORTLAND, OR— Asheville, North Carolina-born Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer bars, announced today its expansion into Denver, Colorado and Portland, Oregon. Brian Grace, former Crooked Stave Head Brewer and Jolly Pumpkin Production Manager, has been hired as Head Brewer of the entire brewery group to assist with this growth. He will be based in Denver.

“Denver and Portland will be much more than just second homes to Thirsty Monk,” says Barry Bialik, Thirsty Monk CEO. “We will embrace the beer, food, and craft cultures in each of the cities, and operate as a true local brewery and pub. Thirsty Monk has always been about sharing beer knowledge and the European pub culture. Being in Denver and Portland will help us learn from some of the country’s best craft beer markets, and to design beers influenced by all the communities we call home.” 

Asheville brewing operations will remain under the tutelage of Norm Penn, who has been promoted to Vice President of Thirsty Monk. Thirsty Monk Downtown and Biltmore Park will continue to serve the growing selection of Thirsty Monk beers along side curated, rotating guest taps. “As our Brother Noah Belgian Chocolate Stout is brewed in Asheville using chocolate nibs from our friends at French Broad Chocolate, Brother Noah brewed in Denver will utilize a local Colorado chocolatier and Brother Noah brewed in Portland will be made with local Oregon chocolate. “Imagine that vertical tasting!” says Penn.

DENVER, COLORADO

Thirsty Monk will close on the purchase of a 12-Barrel existing brewery in Denver this month and will start immediate beer production there. Plans include a remodel of the existing taproom, slated for grand opening after Thanksgiving 2017. Head Brewer Brian Grace will be based in Denver, brewing Thirsty Monk beers and spearheading the creation of open fermentation, barrel aging and sour programs.

Brian Grace began his brewing career with Moylan’s in California before heading to Jolly Pumpkin in Michigan and then Crooked Stave in Denver. “We are so excited to have Brian join our Monk family, not just because he’s a well-respected Head Brewer, but also, he’s a creative and kind person. Good people make better beer,” says Bialik.

PORTLAND, OREGON

In November, Thirsty Monk will close on the purchase of a well-known Portland beer bar. Operations will continue under the Portland location’s existing name until sometime early 2018, when it will shift to serve Thirsty Monk beers out of Denver. Thirsty Monk also plans to install a small batch brewhouse in its Portland location, and serve a selection of guest taps while brewing operations get going.

“We’re expanding Thirsty Monk in a whole new way, linking a network of localized brewing hubs. Smart growth, craft-style. No need to sell the soul to expand. Our soul, creative spirit and community roots are what we and our beers are all about,” adds Bialik.

For more information about Thirsty Monk’s expansion, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT THIRSTY MONK

Thirsty Monk, founded in 2008, brews Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales in Asheville, NC, a world recognized craft beer destination. Thirsty Monk currently operates Thirsty Monk Downtown, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park, Top of the Monk craft cocktail bar, and Brother Joe’s Coffee Pub, all in Asheville. Find the company online at monkpub.com.