Asheville Brewing Company and Southern rock/country band Blackberry Smoke made a beer together. “Like an Arrow” blackberry-infused wheat ale is named for Blackberry Smoke’s new critically acclaimed album, “Like An Arrow.” The beer is hopped with Nelson Sauvin and Mosaic to balance out the sweetness of the blackberry infusion. Asheville Brewing’s brew team parsed out six different ways of hopping the beer in a blind taste evaluation. Nelson Sauvin, one of the most unique hops on the market today, imparts a white grape flavor, while Mosaic is one of the most versatile of earthy hops.
“The result is a great combo of hops and sweet blackberry with a little pop of wheat,” says head brewer Pete Langheinrich. “If you don’t typically think you like wheat beers, you should try this one. It’s easy-drinking but well-rounded and no one element of the beer overwhelms the other.”
A portion of proceeds from all sales of the beer will benefit the fundraising effort of the Shepherd’s Men on behalf of the SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia (the band’s hometown). The Shepherd’s Men annually campaign to raise resources and awareness for injured post-911 war veterans being treated for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at SHARE.
The 5.2% ABV ale will be released on Friday, February 3, at 5 p.m. at all Asheville Brewing locations on draft.