Wed. 6/28 – 4-9:00 PM We’re back with our $5 sangrias – “Just Peachy” is all about peaches with white wine, peach brandy, fresh peaches, and peach juice. Nothing is too peachy right!
Thurs 6/29 – 4-9:00 PM 
After several conversations this week with Brandy Bar members, we’re not sure folks realize, nor appreciate, the significance of the French Broad River (FBR). The definitive research book on this magnificent river is Wilma Dykeman’s “The French Broad.” At the age of 35 she will write a first full fledged argument against water pollution (1955) ever printed that precedes Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” (1962) by several years. A few of the features of the FBR: (1) Dating 260-325 million years old, the FBR is the oldest river in the United States and the 3rd oldest in the world. (2) Certainly, the most unique feature of the FBR is its flow North and West before emptying into the Mississippi, not the Atlantic as you might expect. (3) Early trail breakers climbing the Blue Ridge Mtns. and viewing the new river, named it French Broad since its broad waters flowed toward the lands and rivers owned by France. (4) Originating in Pisgah National Forest at the foot of the Devil’s Courthouse (standing almost 6,000 feet in the most remote corner of WNC), the FBR begins its journey at its North fork with 4 large tributaries that flow from each of the points of the compass N E S & W in Rosman to create its main stem. South of Pisgah this North Fork of the FBR tumbles past Piney Mtn to join the West Fork. After Rosman it flows through fertile bottom lands and receives 2 more rivers: the Davidson and the Little, before it enters Henderson County where the bottom lands become wider, and Mills River joins the course with Mud and Cane Creeks entering from the east. Just south of Asheville the Hominy and Swannanoa Rivers flow into the FBR. At Asheville the whole character of the river changes with its direction turning northwest and instead of fertile fields and a gentle fall, suddenly it plunges between steep mountains in a bed so narrow that there is scarcely room for the railroad that follows where an old turnpike once clung to the passage cut by the river. From Asheville to Paint Rock the river drops 714 ft and receives lots of little mountain streams: Beaverdam, Reems, Flat, Sandymush, Ivy Creek, Hayes Run, Walnut, Big Laurel, Spring Creek and Upper Shut-in. At Paint Rock with its prehistoric petroglyphs, the FRB leaves NC and crosses through Bald Mtn into Cocke Co., Tenn. Flowing almost due west now, it loses its wildness, and is joined by dozens of small feeders. Finally at Newport, the Big Pigeon River again enters the orbit of the FBR. The Pigeon has drained the whole southern portion of the FBR basin, including 3 of the largest streams heading in the Great Smoky Mtns National Park: Cataloochee, Big Creeks, Coby Creek. Now in the wide lush bottoms of Tenn. the Pigeon and FBR come together. The Nolichucky has drained the whole northern portion of the basin and is broadened by large tributaries flowing from Avery, Mitchell, & Yancey counties. From north and south the FBR has now received all the headwaters of its basin, spanning WNC from just below its Virginia boundary to just above its SC line. It soon settles into the 31,600-acre lake impounded by the Tennessee Valley Authority near Dandridge, Tenn. It will travel on to Ohio and down the Mississippi where it empties into the Gulf. French Broad River Cocktails: French Broad – Douglas Fir brandy, St. Germain, grapefruit juice ; Devil’s Courthouse – Copper & Kings Absinthe, champagne topper (deadly); Nolichucky – CB Frost, rum, Absinthe rinse, Luxardo, lime juice, grapefruit juice; Little Pigeon – Camus brandy, sour mix, spiced cherry bitters; Tennessee – C & K brandy, cherries, maple syrup, red wine, lemon juice, orange bitters and 1/2 price US flight