"Asheville, North Carolina, grew from humble beginnings as a hamlet for local livestock handlers to become one of the most culturally and artistically diverse cities in the South. This book has all the fascinating history of Asheville, complete with a rich array of photographs. Multiple appendices reveal details concerning many lesser-known aspects of Asheville's unique history"--Provided by publisher.

Asheville, North Carolina has a long history with beer, one that is still easily seen in this city today, from moonshine to craft beers and breweries. Drinking local harks back to the founding of Asheville in 1798. Whether it be moonshine or craft beer, the culture of local hooch is deeply ingrained in the mountain dwellers of Western North Carolina. Both residents and visitors alike enjoy Asheville's wealth of breweries, brewpubs, beer festivals and dedicated retailers. That enthusiasm earned the city the coveted Beer City, USA title year after year and prompted West Coast beer giants Sierra Nevada, New Belgium and Oskar Blues to establish production facilities here. Beer writer and educator Anne Fitten Glenn recounts this intoxicating history, from the suds-soaked saloons of "Hell's Half Acre" to the region's explosion into a beer Mecca.

"History, development, and cultural diversity of Asheville, North Carolina, both chronological and topical. Discusses Cherokees, Scots-Irish pioneers, Civil War, sanatoriums, logging, conservation, Thomas Wolfe, tourism, urban redevelopment and preservation. Describes the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grove Park Inn, George Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate, 1916 flood, Art Deco architecture. Over 400 photographs"--Provided by publisher.

Series statement from publisher's website.