The Ridgemont Blog

Written by people who love beer.

Beer education, Asheville brewery culture, and the occasional brewing nerds’ deep dive. No fluff — just the stuff worth reading.

Craft beer tasting flight with different beer styles

Beer EducationMarch 14, 2026

How to Taste Craft Beer Like a Pro (Without Sounding Like One)

You don’t need a cicerone certification to notice what makes a craft beer interesting. You just need to slow down and pay attention to a few specific things. Here’s the approach we use when evaluating new batches.

By Clay Ridgeway

Asheville North Carolina brewery and mountain scenery

AshevilleApril 28, 2026

What Makes Asheville a Craft Beer Destination? (An Insider's View)

Every beer publication puts Asheville on its list. But the city’s beer scene is more interesting and less uniform than the listicles suggest. Here’s what actually makes it special from someone who has been brewing here since 2016.

By Margot Ridgeway

Beer EducationJune 10, 2026

IPA Varieties Explained: West Coast vs. Hazy vs. Session and Everything Between

The IPA category has exploded into so many substyles that ordering one without a menu description is basically guessing. Here’s a plain-language guide to the major IPA types and what actually differentiates them.

By Clay Ridgeway

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