Asheville was one of the few destinations I had the privilege of visiting in the second half of 2020. It was a weird experience: I was excited to try as many local breweries as I could, but COVID-19 definitely put a hamper on the trip. Reduced capacity and pent-up consumer demand is a recipe for logistical nightmares, and visiting downtown Asheville perfectly illustrated the challenges that small businesses are facing. After finding most breweries at capacity on the first night in the city (one brewery gave us a 3-hour wait time estimate!), we made decided that lining up outside the #1 brewery on our list, Burial Beer Co., before they opened was the best way to ensure our passage inside.
Who is Burial Beer Co.?
Burial Beer Co. was founded by Jess Reiser, Doug Reiser, and Tim Gormley when they landed in Asheville after a cross-country move from the PNW. Encouraged by the town’s laid-back attitude & welcoming vibes, Burial has become a mainstay in the Asheville area and is widely recognized as one of the best breweries in the state.
Burial Beer Co. takes a visceral approach to brewing beer. An incredible amount of research & manual work goes into every beer they produce. Unlike many breweries, Burial doesn’t necessarily carry a line of year-round flagship beers. Instead, their philosophy revolves around brewing amazing beer recipes with fresh ingredients and burying (pun fully intended) past recipes with honor when their time comes.
Burial’s beer cans or bottle labels feature a work of art by the famed David Paul Seymour who often incorporates the Burial’s common themes of life & death. As various recipes reach the end of their lives at Burial, the brewing team bids it adieu and moves on to the next unique beer in their ever-evolving list of recipes.
Where is Burial Beer Co.?
Burial first opened its doors in 2013 in a neighborhood now known as South Slope. This neighborhood has evolved over the past decade to become increasingly beer-centric and is now home to some of Asheville’s most well-known breweries. The South Slope brewery features a large outdoor patio with plenty of seating and a rooftop patio allows for views of the neighborhood while sipping on their latest creation.
Burial was also the mastermind behind the Forestry Camp restoration in South Asheville. The property dates back to the 1930s and has been transformed into a campus for beer production & barrel-aging ventures. The former Biltmore Shop building has also been repurposed into a two-story restaurant & taproom that offers patrons a unique experience every time they visit. If you are looking for a unique gastronomic experience featuring the best that Asheville has to offer, you can’t miss this location.
The newest Burial location is nestled inside the Transfer Co. Food Hall in Raleigh, NC. Known as “The Exhibit”, the beer-only bar & bottle shop gives craft beer lovers another location to get their hands on exclusive limited releases in an eclectic downtown space.
What’s so special about Acquiescence of the Nonconformist?
Acquiescence of the Nonconformist is a beast of a beer. Labeled as an imperial sugar cream stout, this beer weighs in at a whopping 15% ABV (32 IBU) and is the result of a partnership with Indiana-based Sugar Creek Malt.
This one-off limited release was sold in 500ml bottles and features a David Paul Seymour illustration of silver moths surrounding a burning torch. Many of Burial’s beers also come paired with wildly creative descriptions & backstories, and this stout is no exception. Here is how Burial Beer Co. describes the Acquiescence of the Nonconformist:
“The torch of creativity burns bright to our north. The death moth pens prophesy in its temptation to flame. And innovation flutters at the hands of the unquenchable. Caleb Michalke and his team at Sugar Creek Malt never let the fire burn out, and we too are drawn to the light. Indiana craft malt provides the foundation for this Hoosier Pie inspired imperial stout featuring bourbon barrel aged chocolate malt, a double dose of oats, indulgent stacks of Madagascar vanilla, and extra rich and creamy milk sugar. Find Midwestern mouthfuls of nutmeg dusted sugar cream pie, bulging cheeks of chocolate truffles and a warming nightcap of cinnamon whiskey.”
Wild stuff, right?
How does Acquiescence of the Nonconformist taste?
Burial describes the color of this imperial stout as “infinite emptiness”, and I have to agree with them. The pour is midnight black that is completely opaque with a tan caramel-colored head of foam.
The aroma is out of this world. Creamy chocolate malt notes with hints of cinnamon sugar are what I got on the nose. Make no mistake, this is a rich beer.
The vanilla bean comes through on the palette once you begin drinking, and flavors of milk chocolate & nutmeg follow soon after. The thick mouthfeel & creamy finish remind you that this decadent beer is one to be sipped & savored.
I love a good adjunct stout and Burial delivered with this one.
Final Thoughts
Burial Beer Co. was one of those places that I had heard so much before arriving in Asheville (almost to the point that I feared I was building it up too much in my head). I am happy to report that they completely lived up to the hype. Every beer I tried in their beer garden was phenomenal, and this imperial cream sugar stout was my favorite souvenir from the trip.
Keep in mind that when we visited in October 2020, Burial was only able to have people congregate outside (as opposed to inside the brewery) and no flights were being served at the time. Breweries & taprooms are continuing to adapt to the ever-changing COVID-19 response, so make sure you are visiting with an open mind and are willing to accommodate temporary changes. Check out their social media profiles & website for the latest details!
What’s your favorite brewery in Asheville? Let us know on Instagram by tagging us in a pic!
