Explore the Craft Beer Scene in Asheville
Asheville is one of the most eclectic cities in the country and for good reason- we have beautiful mountains trails and waterfalls to explore, stellar restaurants and a thriving “Farm to Table” movement, a huge and very creative art community AND we have an explosion of Craft Beer Companies moving to Asheville. It’s been said that the legacy of Asheville’s Beer Movement has evolved because of our beautiful Pisgah Forest where the water that flows from these mountains are perfect for brewing. From our fresh mountain air and water, our Asheville Breweries are able to create something really special. Come and visit us at the Sourwood Inn and experience for yourself what all the excitement is about.
History of Brewing in Asheville
The Asheville beer culture began in 1994 when Oscar Wong retired to this area. Previously an engineer living in Charlotte, Oscar opened a small home-brew operation of sorts in a rustic basement space below Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria in downtown Asheville. Wong named his operation Highland Brewing Company and landed Wong the status of godfather of “Beer City USA.” Since then, Asheville has seen dozens breweries of all sizes and styles open their doors. Our Asheville breweries offer everything from tiny nano-breweries adjacent to taprooms, to tasting bars that offer wild and sour beers, to outdoor patios where everyone feels like a local, to a organic operations that sources local farm flavors such as orange, pumpkin, coffee, coconut and peach.
So you might ask with all of these options where do I begin? The good news is that you can’t go wrong with any of your choices. Have some fun sampling during your Asheville visit and the next time you visit, you’ll know your favorite brew and brewery.
The list below is a starting point for your visit to Asheville. But know you’ll find a new brewery around each street corner.
Some of the Best Asheville Breweries
Archetype Brewing-265 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC West Asheville
Here you’ll find Belgian-Inspired beer that are innovative and complex. We love this brewery so much that we have several of their brews available for our guests at the inn. The downtown taproom provides a cozy and intimate space to enjoy their beers. Complete with leather couches, exposed brick, and a marble bar, it’s a West Asheville beer with a downtown feel.
New Belgium Brewing-21 Craven St, Asheville, NC River Arts District
New Belgium Brewing is nestled along the French Broad River and parallel with the River Arts District. Every Friday is Fat Tire Friday that includes brewery tours and a delicious cast of rotating food trucks.Opened in 2016, this sprawling riverfront campus has lots of outdoor space to enjoy the company’s great brews. After your brew experience venture on the expanded greenway below the brewery that follows the French Broad Rive- a great way to work off all your recent calorie consumption!
Burial Beer Co. 40 Collier Ave. Asheville South Slope District
Burial was downtown Asheville’s first nano-brewery and remains one of the most respected breweries in town. Their focus is on Belgian ales and German lagers. The original taproom and kitchen continues to pour a dizzying range of one-off brews, most with delightfully morbid names (Deathstalker, A Fall From Grace, A Cruel World Nevertheless). There’s lots of outside seating as tables patios and gardens flank the building on three sides.
Catawba Brewery 32 Banks Ave Asheville South Slope & Biltmore Village
Catawba Brewing Company is one of Western North Carolina’s oldest breweries. With up to 14 Catawba craft beers on tap, Catawba has the charm of a small warehouse tasting room, but with the smooth touches of a more established brewery. The tasting room has two roll-up garage doors that open in good weather, and a large number of tables and bar seats for beer lovers.
Hi-Wire Brewing 2A Huntsman Pl Asheville South Slope, Biltmore Village
Hi-Wire is a circus-themed brewery offering a stable of interesting yet also approachable beers, with a special focus on sours and wild ales. Check out the original location in the brewery district on South Slope, where they brew limited-run stuff. Or head out to just north of Biltmore Village, where you’ll find its “Big Top” production brewery and a much calmer scene. Both locations pour the brewery’s flagship lager and IPA, as well as specialty stuff.
Highland Brewing Company 2 Old Charlotte Hwy, Suite 200, Asheville East Asheville
As noted above, Highland Brewing is the godfather of the Asheville brewing scene, the pioneers who kicked it all off starting in 1994. Best of all, they’re still around and crafting a variety of excellent beers. Visit their big tasting room and enjoy a guided tour of the brewery.
Dssolvr Brewery-63 N Lexington Ave. Asheville Downtown
Asheville’s newest brewery, Dssolvr is the one hippest spots. Here you’ll find heavy metal to psychedelic animation to comic books to Internet memes. The renovated historic building fronts one of Asheville’s oldest thoroughfares, and walk-up sidewalk pick-up has been keeping downtown residents happy.
Asheville Brewing Company– 675 Merrimon Ave. Asheville North Asheville, South Slope
ABC has been producing their popular craft beers since 1998. The long-successful brewery offers pizza slices and pub fare along with their brews in three separate locations around Asheville. The North location also offers $3 movies and a game room! ABC always carries the Beer City, USA, torch proudly, and these days has multiple locations: the original, a downtown production brewery and pizzeria, plus a brand-new outdoor beer garden called Rabbit Rabbit, next door to its South Slope brewpub
Come stay with us
Come stay with us and experience our mountain lodge where you will find luxurious amenities and farm direct dining for our bountiful breakfasts and price fix dinners Thursday – Sunday. Asheville is only a short 20 minute drive from the inn where you can visit the famous Asheville breweries as well as enjoying the many restaurants gear Asheville is known for. Check out our many room choices and book your stay today.
