The next time any of you decide a pub crawl:Asheville is in order, I most heartily recommend The Thirsty Monk. (Pun neither intended nor deleted.) A recent development in the ever-expanding downtown drink scene (drunk scene?), they offer a wide variety of Belgian and Belgian-style ales with a nice selection on tap and many more in bottle. A very short list includes classic Belgian producers such as Chimay, Duvel and Dupont; State-side/Canadian breweries Ommegang and Unibroue; as well as slightly more esoteric examples like Gulden Draak, Piraat and various lambics. And if you're not as up on Belgian's as you'd like, or just prefer variety, they also serve flights of four (your choice from the taps) in smaller but properly shaped glasses: a nice option if you're on a speed crawl and can only stay for "one".

The ambiance is pure medieval monastery (and by "pure medieval monastery" I mean the alchemy of monastery and modern bar): stone/brick walls, high ceilings, lots of wood (esp. the very long bar), ascetic seating (at least I don't recall seeing any cushions), and candlelight-intensity lighting from sconces, hanging lanterns and the like. Also, there are no televisions, games or music to distract from the work at hand. Although I think some chanting in the background might add to the atmosphere, I realize that this is probably a Trappist bar. What doesn't add to the atmosphere, and a drawback for those so inclined, is cigarette smoke, but that's hardly unique in this town.

It's conveniently located at 50 Commerce Street. For those of you who haven't been downtown for a while, that's the basement space below where Almost Blue used to be. For those of you who have never been, use your favorite mapping device (or just ask any non-indigent person stumbling around downtown). This location also places it pretty much right across the street from Jack of the Wood, so you won't have far to crawl to get to the next font of libation. I recommend visiting Jack of the Wood first, however, as The Thirsty Monk is down Coxe Ave. from there, and it's easier to stumble (or crawl) downhill.

And if you are crawling by the time you get here (and you certainly will be by the time you leave), you'll be pleased to know that the 15-20 vertical feet between bar floor and street gutter are negotiated via inclined plane (long, wooden, with a gentle pitch). For those of you too proud to crawl upon entering, this feature has the added benefit of allowing you to fall down--again--and roll to the bottom, thus avoiding the serious injury that could either end the evening prematurely (amateurs), or become gangrenous before you have a chance to tend to it--if you don't internally bleed to death first (the rest of us). Of course, if you are crawling already, you can still use this mode of entry, but I caution against it. You don't want to voluntarily start the room spinning; much better to have a friend (or anyone willing) drag you down by the ankles.

Bear in mind that any pub crawl:Asheville (downtown or otherwise) must end at The Usual Suspects. Please allow time and tolerance for this necessity.