Arguably the beer mecca of the South, Asheville has long-boasted of a beer scene second to none. But there seems to be plenty of room for new breweries and beer concepts, with three new ventures launching in 2009.

Here’s a summary from the Asheville Citizen-Times, which named the expansion of breweries a “story to watch” in 2009. KYB won’t be doing much watching…we’ll be drinking the beer…

More breweries coming

With Buncombe County already home to six brewing companies, three more projects are in the works here.

The Lexington Avenue Brewery, a restaurant, music room and craft brewery, is under construction in the old T.S. Morrison’s building at 39 S. Lexington Ave.

A few blocks away, Craggie Brewing Co. is also underway at 197 Hilliard Avenue. And the Lobster Trap restaurant is opening a small brewing operation at its restaurant, 35 Patton Ave.

They join the already established Highland Brewing, Pisgah Brewing, Asheville Pizza and Brewing, Green Man Brewing, French Broad Brewing and Wedge Brewing companies.

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009901010340