Both Asheville and Grand Rapids are being awarded the 2012 title.

“Based on the number of votes Grand Rapids and Asheville received and determining that a 3% or less difference between the number of votes the top vote getters received would be a statistical (estimated margin of anomalies) tie, Asheville and Grand Rapids will share BeerCity USA 2012 honors.”

2012 BeerCity USA Vote Counts

1. Asheville, NC 17,849 statistical tie

1. Grand Rapids, MI 17,849 statistical tie

3. St. Louis, MO 3,451

4. Bend, OR 2,270

5. Portland, OR 2,014

6. San Diego, CA 1,304

7. Milwaukee, WI 955

8. Fort Collins, CO 840

9. Denver, CO 809

10. Cleveland, OH 671

11. Durango, CO 670

12. Raleigh, NC 669

13. Madison, WI 668

14. Philadelphia, PA 599

15. Phoenix-Tempe-Scottsdale, AZ 596

16. Tampa, FL 581

17. Chicago, IL 563

18. Missoula, MT 402

The following cities each had less than 400 votes: Boulder, CO; Jacksonville, FL; Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN; Cincinnati, OH; San Francisco/Oakland – Bay Area, CA; Austin, TX; Seattle, WA; Charlotte, NC; Boston, MA; Portland, ME; Dallas-Ft.Worth, TX; Washington, DC; Albuquerque, NM

Votes were cast from 90 countries. It’s not surprising that the top two states from which votes were cast were Michigan with 10,560 and North Carolina with 8,164. New Jersey, Missouri, Oregon, California, South Carolina and Pennsylvania voters all cast more than 2,000 votes each.

Wrap-up Examiner.com post from beer authority Charlie Papazian here. 

Check it out for yourself. 100% pure awesome, pure Asheville.

From a Reddit Asheville user: Vote breakdown by precinct.

As we await Charlie Papazian to weigh in on the results of his annual poll, what’s so special about Grand Rapids?

Grand Rapids Beer Scene on Experience Grand Rapids

The creative spirit that distinguishes Grand Rapids extends to the region’s beer makers. Our local brewmasters take an artisan approach to their craft, conceiving and formulating unique beers full of big character and flavor.

Founders Brewing Co., located in downtown Grand Rapids, has earned international acclaim. In 2011, RateBeer.com named Founders the No. 2 brewery in the world. Two of Founders’ beers have been named among the planet’s Top 10 by BeerAdvocate. And Founders’ taproom is packed with people who travel from far and wide to lift a pint and grab some grub.

Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids Beer Map

Grand Rapids, BlogAsheville would like to be among the first to congratulate you on our shared victory. Sounds like we need to get to know one another.

2012 poll results with over 900 comments

Christina I think Asheville & Grand Rapids should get together and have the Great Beer Summit of 2012! Much love to both cities and their super-supportive beer-drinking public! Hooray [LOCAL] Beer! Hooray LOCAL economies!

Charles Toles It ended in a tie, it’s time to meet on neutral ground for a beer showdown! I will be more than happy to judge

Dr. Cray A tie wouldn’t be bad, in fact it could have mutually beneficial results. Grand Rapids could exchange Beer ambassadors with Asheville & create an entirely new cultural exchange.

sethinstereo I live in Asheville, but I’ll be making a trip to Grand Rapids in the future. There are some beautiful beers that come from Michigan, and we definitely are lucky to get them here. I think what makes us Beer City, USA is the fact that we appreciate brews from all over the US, and the world. We are truly spoiled here in Asheville to have proprietors who promote beers from far and near. Bruisin’ Ales was voted #20 in the WORLD, #4 in the US best place to buy beer 2012 at ratebeer.com. Their foreign selection is only slightly smaller than their domestic craft brew, and the staff is well versed in beers of all styles and locales. Hops and Vines also provides a great selection of beers, as well as a strong root in homebrewing. Asheville is located in Buncombe County, NC, which is home to nearly 239,000 people. There are 10 microbreweries in Buncombe County alone, and that will increase within the next year. We also have Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, and Oskar Blues building distribution sites and breweries in the Asheville area within the next three years. Vote Asheville as Beer City, USA because we are beer-conscious, not beer-centric.

Tommy m Seems that the attention has came off of the beer and put on the rudeness, being from Asheville I’m pulling for us in the vote, being an American I’m proud of all our cities in the running. There can only be one winner but I don’t think there are any losers, just good beer, enjoy and good luck to all

The Ca$hevillains have arrived, and they’re here to mob you.

From the Facebook event page:

Join us on Wednesday May 16th for our very 1st Cash Mob in support of local independent businesses!

- Bring around $20 to spend.
- Meet 3 new people (face to face).
- Eat, Drink & be merry at the After-Mob Party.

We’ve got the first business selected & will be dropping hints in the days ahead.

Get out from in front of this screen & join the mob!

5:30-7

Location TBA

Facebook event

Facebook page

What is a cash mob, anyway? 

Like greenways? Check out these public meetings where the new county-wide greenway plan is unveiled to the public.

From a Pollinate Consulting press release:

Buncombe County Parks, Greenways and Recreation Services are unveiling the preliminary county-wide greenway plan maps with a series of drop-in, family-friendly public meetings in May. Learn where citizens want pathways connecting Buncombe County, ask questions, offer feedback, show support for Connecting Buncombe.

The Connect Buncombe “Greenways, Please” photo booth will be on-site to help you show your support for a county-wide greenway system by taking a photo (see attached). Families and participants of all ages are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

The meetings will be held from 5:30-7:30 at the following dates and locations:

May 14 Weaverville Town Hall 30 South Main Street Weaverville, NC 28787
May 15 Skyland Fire Department 9 Miller Rd Skyland NC, 28776
May 21 AB Tech Enka campus Haynes Conference Center 1459 Sand Hill Road Candler, NC 28715
May 22 NC Department of Cultural Resources 176 Riceville Road Asheville, NC 28805

At these gatherings across Buncombe County, they will emphasize the most locally relevant focus areas of the plan, as well as take more public feedback. Part of the Buncombe County Greenways and Trails Master Plan Update is to provide greenway access points to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and parkway representatives will be on hand to discuss trailheads to the parkway within the Asheville Corridor.