Stout Bout Returns to Asheville: Hi-Wire Brewing's Beloved Beer Competition Makes A Knockout Comeback November 22

After a one-year hiatus, Hi-Wire Brewing’s fan-favorite Stout Bout is back and better than ever. The annual stout competition returns Saturday, Nov. 22 at Hi-Wire’s Biltmore Village taproom in Asheville, North Carolina, bringing together fourteen exceptional breweries from across the region for an afternoon of indulgent tastings, live music, and fierce-but-friendly competition from 2-6 PM. At 7PM, a new kind of throw-down begins, as Urban Combat Wrestling closes the day with pure adrenaline.

This year’s lineup features exciting new partnerships with out-of-state staples like South Carolina’s Side Hustle Brewing, Tennessee’s Crafty Bastard Brewery, and more, alongside beloved local favorites from Burial Beer Co. to DSSOLVR. Each brewery brings its most unique, decadent stout to compete for titles including Best Aroma, Best Flavor, Most Decadent Body, and the coveted Overall Champion Stout. Festival-goers will taste, savor, and ultimately crown the 2025 Stout Bout Champion through their votes.

“Stout Bout has always been about bringing people together to celebrate great beer and our incredible brewing community,” said Peter Batinski, Head of Specialty and Sour Program at Hi-Wire Brewing. “After having to cancel last year due to Hurricane Helene, we’re thrilled to welcome some of our favorite breweries for this year’s extra special showdown.”

Sponsored by Truist Bank (Growler Level sponsor), the festival experience goes beyond the beer, featuring Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food and Blunt Pretzels to pair with rich stouts, live music all day, and roaming circus performers. When the sun sets, the celebration continues with Urban Combat Wrestling starting at 7 PM inside the taproom for the ultimate after-party.

Stout Bout tickets are limited and selling fast. Three experience levels are available:

$15 General Admission (2–6 PM), includes custom glassware and two 4-ounce tastings. Additional tokens are available for $3 each.
$40 Full Tasting Pass, includes one 4-ounce tasting from each of the 14 breweries, custom glassware, a 20-ounce draft Leisure Time Lager, and a wrestling entry ticket
$100 VIP Experience, includes one 4-ounce tasting from each of the 14 breweries, custom glassware, Bulleit Bourbon lounge access with specialty Bulleit cocktail tastings, rare pours, unlimited Leisure Time Lager, VIP swag, and ringside wrestling seats

Secure your spot here. The festival is 21+ only, while Urban Combat Wrestling is all ages with parental advisory.

Nov. 24, 2025 Update

The votes are in, and the 2025 Stout Bout Champion is Side Hustle Brewing Co.

As the stoutest stout on the score card, their 16.8% ABV contestant, aged for 12 months in Burnt Church Distillery’s Anita’s Choice Bourbon barrels, took home the crown with a knockout punch. We’re tapping it Friday, Nov. 28, at Hi-Wire Biltmore Village while supplies last, then rotating through the rest of the stellar lineup ’til they’re gone.

The Awards
2025 Stout Bout Champion: Side Hustle Brewing Co.
Best Aroma: Trophy Brewing Company
Best Flavor: Hi-Wire Brewing (hey, that’s us!)
Best Mouthfeel: Diatribe Brewing

Participating Breweries
A. Dssolvr | Blend of Imperial Stouts aged in Bourbon and Brandy, conditioned on brownie mix, coffee, caramel, peanuts, grape, pecans, cinnamon, and maple syrup

B. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company | American-style Stout with Cascade hops

C. Tennessee Hills Brewstillery | Stout aged in Madeira Bourbon Barrel

D. The Asheville Bier Garden | Imperial Stout aged for 6 months on bourbon-soaked sugar maple staves. Notes of intense chocolate, roast, oak & vanilla.

E. Diatribe Brewing | Amburana Mole Imperial Stout with Cocoa nibs, guajillo peppers, cinnamon, and amburana wood

F. Peaceful Side Brewery | Imperial Stout, aged in charred Heaven Hill bourbon barrels that previously held BLiS Maple Syrup

G. Trophy Brewing Company | Imperial Stout with cherries, dates, dried tobacco, and licorice. Blended from two batches — one aged 8 months in bourbon barrels and one aged 20 months — for a balanced finish.

H. Crafty Bastard Brewery | Milk Stout brewed with cold brew coffee, cacao nibs, vanilla, cinnamon, and ancho chili peppers

I. Resident Culture Brewing Company | Imperial Stout with over 10 pounds per barrel of toasted hazelnuts and cacao nibs

J. Burial Beer Co. | Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout with coffee, cinnamon, maple syrup, and vanilla bean

K. Booneshine Brewing Company | Chocolate Vanilla Imperial Pastry Stout with Madagascar vanilla beans, locally-roasted cacao nibs,
and Stick Boy Boone Brookies

L. Monnik Louisville | Stout aged for 12 months in Bardstown Bourbon Co. Bourbon Barrels. Notes of vanilla, coconut, and baker’s chocolate.

M. Side Hustle Brewing Co. | Stout aged 12 months in Burnt Church Anita’s Choice Bourbon Barrels. Notes of toasted coconut and
salted caramel.

N. Hi-Wire Brewing | Stout aged on almonds and Madagascar vanilla

And to everyone who showed up to taste, vote, and vibe with us — you made this day unforgettable.

Until next year, stout fans!

Stout Bout Returns to Asheville: Hi-Wire Brewing’s Beloved Beer Competition Makes A Knockout Comeback November 22

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