It didn't take much arm-twisting to convince Alliance Brewing Co. co-owners Adam Ingle and Alan Howard to go all in, with their Appalachian Mountain Bike Club friends, on the Sunday afternoon, Oct. 29, Open Streets Knoxville event in South Knoxville.
For starters, the first Open Streets event in South Knoxville will roll right past the brewery's patio. Ingle and Howard - and a lot of their customers - are hearty advocates for outdoor recreation. The mission of Open Streets - Sunday afternoon fun, some games and physical activity, socializing with neighborhood residents and businesses - is appealing to them.
That's why Alliance Brewing Co. will be crafting a cask of specialty beer, the Spooky Streets Ale, in honor of Open Streets Knoxville. They'll be donating $1 a pint to help Open Streets continue to offer events around the city. The Oct. 29 event is Open Streets Knoxville's fifth gathering, following events on Central Street, in Bearden and along Magnolia Avenue.
"It will be fun," Ingle says. "It's a good fit for the neighborhood, and it will shine a light on all the new businesses on Sevier Avenue."
Howard agrees: "We're happy to participate in community events like Open Streets. This brings people out, and, without the vehicles, they'll see a different side of South Knoxville."
Not only will the ale be flowing. From the brewery's parking lot, Appalachian Mountain Bike Club members will be offering slow rides and bicycling programs with an Urban Wilderness theme.
AMBC riders frequent the brewery. The Urban Wilderness downhill bike trails are close by. Alliance Brewing each quarter creates an AMBC IPA and donates partial proceeds to the bike club to help it expand the trail network through the Urban Wilderness.
If you enjoy craft beers and haven't visited Alliance yet, stop by its tap room at 1130 Sevier Ave. You'll find "eight core beers, 12 taps and a lot of seasonals," Ingle says.
Ask the brewers to highlight their most unusual beer, and they grimace. It's almost like picking a favorite child.
Prodded to make a choice, Ingle suggests the current dampfbier, a "steam beer," something of a Bavarian rarity that dates back centuries. It's fermented with weizenbier yeast, minus the wheat.
"But that's subjective," Howard says. "Everyone has their favorite."
From 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29, the Gay Street Bridge, Council Place and Sevier Avenue will be closed to motorized vehicles. Open Streets revelers will dance, juke, bike, waltz and skateboard their way along the route, interacting with business owners, performers, food trucks and about 70 activity providers.
For the lineup of performers, food trucks and activities - plus where to park or how to take a KAT bus to reach Open Streets - click HERE.
