Beer, bicycles and economic development in Asheville, NC.

Here's another one to utterly baffle the troglodytes: A city that recognizes the value of mountain biking and craft beer in the context of economic development. But don't listen to me; slop down another Bud and hop in the car for a fifteen-yard commute to the foot of your driveway to collect your junk mail.

Are bikes the next beer for Asheville economy?, by Dale Neal (Asheville Citizen-Times)

... Local companies like Cane Creek Cycling Components and Industry Nine have refined the mountain bike with their innovations in suspension forks and rear-end suspension coils, headsets and fancy wheels, making it possible for riders to tackle ever-more ambitious terrain. Bikes and beer go together as those thirsty riders often celebrate the end of the ride with a local brew back in Beer City USA.

Many can remember in Asheville when a fancy beer was maybe a Molson’s from Canada, long before Highland Brewery founder Oscar Wong heard of hops or Joe Eckert began experimenting with craft brews at the Green Man Brewery.

Now Asheville is home to a dozen microbreweries, employing a number of folks and drawing thousands of thirsty tourists downtown each year ...