The Crawl to Normalcy

Have you missed sitting outside, munching down on a legendary Bhramari Burger with a side of Sloppy Joe Fries while washing it down with a cold Good Fight? Yep, we have, also. Now we’ve got some good news for you! And if you're still a bit nervous about getting out there, read on to see how diligently our friends at Bhramari Brewhouse are working to keep you and the community safe as they reopen for in-house business.

“We’ve learned how to balance creating a comfortable and welcoming space while also enforcing the guidelines that we are following to try and keep our customers and staff as safe as we can.  Because everything feels really different and new (and not new in a fun way) it has been stressful for us and our staff that have returned to implement these new systems,” explains Allison Simpkins, Director of Operations at Bhramari Brewing Company. And from talking to some of our other friends in the industry, Allison is not alone in sharing this sentiment. 

It's starting to feel like Asheville is slowly creeping towards a sense of normalcy - kinda. While protests and pandemic-based social distancing continue across all 50 states, Asheville is finding its way back to its own form of the day-to-day with some monumental changes also taking place. Or removing of monuments we should say... the Asheville City Council just unanimously approved the removal of two Confederate monuments downtown. (Things are progressing!)

Governor Roy Cooper recently vetoed a bill that would have created the opportunity for our local bars to open their doors and let beer and spirit connoisseurs back into their favorite spots. Some breweries have found a way to still serve patrons during these odd times. They can offer sealed containers of beer to their to-go customers, signature food items, and outdoor seating options.

Bhramari Brewing Company just recently opened up their doors again to beer fanatics at their location in Downtown. Since June 1st, they’ve been operating on a limited number of guests as well as virtual and single-use menus.

Simpkins explains that, “Beyond the obvious changes to our ability to open, COVID has dramatically changed the way we allocate beer. We've started working with a couple of new distribution partners, we've increased the time that our delivery drivers spend on the road, we've reallocated staffing from a focus on in-house events to sending more of our beer out into the world. On a positive note, we've investigated and increased the ways that we interact online with our customers as well as working to increase the ways we can serve our customers in person, which will be useful moving forward.”

Through their online sales, you can get anything and everything from food to growlers, and even cans of their local favorites.

“Things are uncertain, and changes have to happen. We are working really hard to communicate changes via our website and social media. We've found that some of the tools we normally use (cough, Google, cough) are not as functional as they usually are.  It would be great if people could take a moment to visit one of the resources (like Dig Local) that we've put out so that they know what we have available for them and how we can deliver it before they come to us.”

The use of floor markers have been put in place to encourage social distancing practices. Each team member on-premise will be wearing a mask to best protect themselves and the guests coming in at limited capacity.

Bhramari will be seating at max, tables of 6 guests; and no more than 89 guests are able to be inside at any given time. As far as updating their hours, the BrewPub will be open from 12pm-9pm daily to allow for additional cleaning measures at the beginning and end of the day. 

“We've only opened our outdoor seating, so it is the only option for folks that want to dine or drink in. Today we had a downpour and new tables were still seating,” states Simpkins.

Safety is the most important factor here, and while we are all eager to get back to normal, it’s important to do what you can to protect the people around you. 

Learn more about Bhramari’s menu, deals and precautions, as well as updates on other local favorites, by checking out the free Dig Local app.

See How Climbmax and SMAC have Adapted to COVID in the Latest #digAVL Video 

A series on how local businesses are adjusting to the COVID-19 crisis

 Dig Local Playlist on Spotify 

Five More Local Tunes Have Been Added.

"The Get Right Band's latest album, Itchy Soul, is regarded by Grateful Web as  ‘maximalist rock n’ roll for grown up people (kids and adults alike) who know the world is falling apart, who know social media is rotting our brains, who know politicians are taking away our rights, and who know that art and beauty and music and love and action are the antidotes. Itchy Soul will make you remember the power of music.”

The Get Right Band is one of Relix Magazine’s “On The Verge” picks, Home Grown Music Network’s 2015 “Best New Band of the Year,” and were voted “Best Progressive Band” in Western North Carolina by Mountain Xpress readers. 

The Get Right Band has performed on the famed World Cafe, a nationally syndicated NPR show, and have brought their unique sound to major festivals and venues such as FloydFest, The Orange Peel, Music City Roots TV Show, The Green Parrot, Arlene’s Grocery, and Riverbend Fest. They are known for combining catchy, clever, honest songwriting with musical expertise and fearless improvisation, the live show promises to move your head, heart, and hips.

Listen to their song Itchy Soul on our playlist.

Other songs that we've added this week are:

• High by MAR
• Cocoa Beach by Astoria
• The Snitch by The City Lights
• Shooting Star by Kim Smith

 Check out our playlist on Spotify
and tell us which local artist you dig the most

Chef Michel Baudouin Partners 
with Food Connection to Make Meals
for Children in Need