Asheville has more breweries per capita than any other city in America. It’s the craft beer capital that makes for delicious hoppy dreams. Legend has it that the water which flows from the nearby Pisgah National Forest is the secret ingredient to the best brews in the country.
We are here to help you tap into all the city’s best pints and where they are flowing from in this mecca of microbrews. Having a beer at an Asheville brewery is one of the best things to do in North Carolina.
If you wonder how many breweries there are in Asheville, the answer is – a lot. Asheville boasts more breweries per capita than any other US city, with over 30 breweries in the city and over 45 in the region! It can be hard to narrow down which ones to visit with that in mind. So here are our picks for some of the best breweries in Asheville.
The Best Breweries in Asheville
Green Man Brewery
- Address: 27 Buxton Ave (GPS)
- Style: Taproom
- Hours: Sunday – Thursday 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Friday – Saturday 12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
- Website: Link
Green Man Brewery has been a fixture on the brewing scene in Asheville since 1997. The Green Man is a mythical figure who is often said to represent spring and new growth. In the spirit of their namesake, they are always bringing something innovative to the beer scene.
Their flagship beer is an English-style IPA, with a balanced floral and hoppy body for flavor fans. If you want to taste an even hoppier beer try the Rainmaker IPA. While you enjoy their delicious brews the space is enormous and state-of-the-art with amazing views. However, if you prefer a more intimate setting head down the street to the original smaller taproom.
Signature Beer
Trickster – American Style IPA
Burial Beer Co.
Burial is known for their vast array of complex and delicious brews. Their brew masters are experts of their craft and dedicated to making the best. They have on-site gardens where they grow some of their own ingredients, and the selection is always seasonal.
There are 28 taps full of creative, modern takes on hoppy ales, dark stouts, classic lagers, sour sessions, and cozy farmhouses. The atmosphere is laid-back and easy, with a nice outdoor space. They serve up some excellent snacking options as well. It’s a favorite among locals and visitors, if you are looking for an extensive beer selection, this is the spot.
Signature Beers
Surf Wax IPA – American IPA | Skillet Donut Stout – Coffee Stout
Highland Brewing Company
- Address: 12 Old Charlotte Hwy #200 (GPS)
- Style: Taproom/Commerical Brewery
- Hours: Monday – Thursday (12:00 – 9:00 p.m.). | Friday – Saturday (11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.) | Sunday (11:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
- Website: Link
When investigating the best breweries in Asheville, it’s essential to pay homage to the original brewmasters, Highland Brewing Company, who paved the way for the rest. They’re my personal favorite and I always have Highland Gaelic Ale in my beer fridge.
Heading here is a top thing to do while in Asheville! They have two spaces, one is a taproom with an extensive rotating selection, views of production, and a garden porch. The other has a spacious green lawn where you can bring your own chairs and set up camp for the day.
They have great small-batch seasonals, like Peachful and Midnight Summit, as well as fresh year-round brews, such as the High Pines Imperial IPA. They are extremely conscious about their impact on the community and using sustainable practices. They partner with many nonprofits in the area and they use a solar array to power their facilities.
Signature Beers
Highland Gaelic Ale – Red Ale | Cold Mountain – Winter Ale
Wicked Weed Brewing
- Address: 91 Biltmore Ave (GPS)
- Style: Brewpub
- Hours: Sunday – Thursday (11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.) | Friday (11:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.) | Saturday (11:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.)
- Website: Link
One of the best places to head after dinner at an Asheville restaurant is Wicked Weed. Wicked Weed has four separate facilities in the city – a brewpub, a production facility, a fine-dining space, and, of course, the Funkatorium. They have been pushing the envelope of unique craft flavors since 2012. The Funkatorium is the first sour beer dedicated taproom and is a community staple with the locals.
Their Pernicious IPA has developed quite the cult following and attributes to be on this best breweries in Asheville list. The taproom production facility is a fun outing to enjoy witnessing the brewing process of the Wicked Weed creations. This brewery really did bring the funk to Asheville.
Signature Beers
Pernicious IPA – American Style IPA | Freak Of Nature – Imperial IPA
DSSOLVR
- Address: 63 N Lexington Ave (GPS)
- Style: Taproom
- Hours: Monday – Thursday (4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) | Friday (1:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) | Saturday (11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.) | Sunday (11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
- Website: Link
The motto is “brewed until surreal” and the experience is just that. A newcomer on the scene, they have definitely made a name for themselves quickly. DSSOLVR began with a deep curiosity into the process of fermentation. What has developed is an experimental beverage company bringing the best of both the old school and new school beer flavors.
With a beautiful patio, stunning view, and inventive creations of all kinds, they stand out among the best breweries in Asheville. They are always cooking up something otherworldly and exciting to try. Their Burn It All Hibiscus Milkshake IPA is a revelation, and the atmosphere brings an edgy energy to the local landscape.
Signature Beer
Reapers & Creepers – Hazy IPA
Wedge Brewing Co.
- Address: 37 Paynes Way (GPS)
- Style: Microbrewery
- Hours: Monday – Thursday (3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) | Friday – Saturday (12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) | Sunday (12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
- Website: Link
The Wedge is a neighborhood brewery in the River Arts District of Asheville. It’s an inclusive community space for people to gather and share time and a drink together. They often host different food trucks from the area for anyone that wants to have a bite with their brew.
They have a solid selection for each type of beer and several IPAs to choose from. It is located right on the French Broad River, making it a beautiful spot to knock back a few and watch the sunset as the trains go by. It is also home to Wedge Studios, which houses 30 working artists. In addition, they host many local events, such as live music and film screenings.
Signature Beers
Golem – Belgian Strong Golden Ale | Vadim Bora – Russian Imperial Stout
Hillman Brewery
- Address: 25 Sweeten Creek Rd (GPS)
- Style: Brewpub
- Hours: Sunday – Tuesday (11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.) | Wednesday – Saturday (11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.)
- Website: Link
Small and family-owned, Hillman aims to bring the pub style back to the brewery. They have a very comfortable and slightly quirky ambience, with plenty of long communal tables perfect for sharing beers on. If you’re not too into beer, they have their own cider and ginger beer options available which are just as fun and tasty.
You will certainly not go hungry here with Rise Above Deli on site, serving up the most delicious sandwiches in the city. They have games such as corn hole and weekly events like Think Tank Thursday or Paws and Pints. They have plenty of selections of all the classics, English, American, and Belgian styles. If you’re a fan of the Belgian beers, you must give the Four Fat Baby a try.
Signature Beers
Hazy Half-Back – Hazy IPA
Catawba Brewing Co.
- Address: 32 Banks Ave (GPS)
- Style: Taproom
- Hours: Monday – Thursday (2:00 – 10:00 p.m.) | Friday (3:00 – 12:00 a.m.) | Saturday (12:00 – 12:00 a.m.) | Sunday (12:00 – 10:00 p.m.
- Website: Link
Named after the Catawba River, this brewery is teeming with Blue Ridge Carolina pride. They have 12 taps with tasty selections. Some notable fan favorites are the Lemon Ginger Zombie and Peanut Butter Jelly Time.
It’s a family-owned operation and a hidden gem in an area chock full of the top breweries in Asheville. The airy, coastal atmosphere is simple and laid-back, allowing for focus on the beer, which you can sip inside or outside. If you’re feeling adventurous, we recommend ordering a flight to try a little bit of everything.
Signature Beer
Evening Joe – Blonde Ale
Hi-Wire Brewing
- Address: 197 Hilliard Ave (GPS)
- Style: Taproom
- Hours: Monday – Thursday (3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) | Friday 3:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. | Saturday (12:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.) | Sunday (12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
- Website: Link
Hi-Wire sets out to make drinkable, approachable, and all-around refreshing brews. The kind that you can sit down with your friends and put back a few frosty pints on a sunny day. They create in a traditional style that honors the craft of all the brewers that came before them.
When you visit, you can feel that they want a beer to be fun and not always so serious. It’s an enjoyable and light-hearted space, made for savoring their Hi-Wire Lager, a coveted classic American Lager.
Signature Beers
10W-40 – Imperial Stout | Bed of Nails – English Brown Ale
Archetype Brewing
- Address: 265 Haywood Rd (GPS)
- Style: Microbrewery/Taproom
- Hours: Monday – Thursday (3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Friday (1:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.)| Saturday – Sunday (11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
- Website: Link
Archetype works to create “complex, mindful, living beer” and we believe it’s mission accomplished. They often do collaborations to support the local community and in doing so, push the boundaries of traditional brewing in an intentional way. Their unique process is inspired by a Belgian style and they are constantly innovating and updating as they prefer a free-form method of brewing.
Through different types of yeast, aging, and ingredients they create even lagers, fun farm-house ales, and subtle barrel-aged beers. They have a rotation of core beers, seasonals, small batches, and many more, each more beautifully designed then the next. The space fits their dynamic style and is still relaxed and family friendly. Named after a Carl Jung concept, this brewery reflects the modern spirit of Asheville.
Signature Beers
Unruly Mystic – Coffee Porter | Shoulder Devil – Imperial IPA
One World Brewing
- Address: 10 Patton Ave #002 (GPS)
- Style: Taproom
- Hours: Monday – Thursday (12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) | Friday (12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) | Sunday (12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
- Website: Link
This is a family-owned and run brewery that started out in a home as a hobby, as so many of the greats do. They have two very special locations – one is a cozy speakeasy downtown and the other is underground in West Asheville with plenty of decks and patios for outdoor lounging and sipping. Both were built within previously abandoned buildings.
They love to host community events that bring people together such as yoga, art shows, and live music. We love the Crispy Boy Kolsch and the Hoppiness Starts With You IPA, almost as much as we love beer names that make us smile. They brew to bring out the best of each and every local ingredient, ultimately making magical hoppy creations that are unique to One World.
Signature Beers
Citra Bomb IPA – American IPA
Zillicoah Beer Company
- Address: 870 Riverside Dr (GPS)
- Style: Taproom
- Hours: Monday – Thursday (2:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m.) | Friday – Saturday (12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Sunday (12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
- Website: Link
New to having their very own brewery space, Zillicoah is definitely worth a visit. A bit off the beaten path, they have amassed a four-acre property right on the French Broad River with plenty of green open space to enjoy a pint. You can post up on the picnic tables or bring your own blanket or lawn chair. We recommend getting a “bartender’s choice” and letting the experts at the brewery choose your pint for you if you are feeling adventurous.
It’s a very relaxed and easy-going space with a wide variety of taps on rotations. There is also a top-notch Mexican food truck right on site if you’re in need of a taco, which, let’s be honest, aren’t we all? Their specials are open fermented farmhouse ales and lagers, and they do them so well. They pride themselves on being curious and passionate about the fermentation process, which comes across in all of their tasty creations.
Signature Beers
Kellerpils – Kellerbier
Asheville Brewing Company
Asheville Brewing Company says everything is locally brewed with love, and after a visit here you will surely believe it. They have three locations – a brewpub downtown where you can tour the production facilities, a pizza and beer base in South Asheville, and the crown jewel taproom in North Asheville.
The taproom features a game room and a movie theater. The theater shows old and new films three times a day for a very low price. A fun and affordable space to play and appreciate your pints, they have so many fun flavors to try out. The classics, such as Perfect Day IPA and Space Dog, and the wild and weird concoctions, such as the Banana Milk Blueberry Stout, are all worth a taste.
Signature Beer
Ninja Porter – Porter
Eurisko beer Company
- Address: 255 Short Coxe Ave (GPS)
- Style: Taproom
- Hours: Monday – Thursday (2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) | Friday (2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) | Saturday (12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) | Sunday (12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
- Website: Link
Eurisko has a small and cozy venue for their brewery, providing a more intimate experience than some of their beer neighbors. They have a shorter, but very well curated, list of tap selections with something to please every palate. It’s conveniently located right downtown and boasts a beautiful beer garden.
They are one of the newer breweries on the scene and have managed to make quite a name for themselves despite the crowded roster. They prefer to keep it simple with old-world styles while covering all ends of the beer spectrum. We won’t pretend not to be charmed by the sly Twin Peaks references they have christened their brew with, shout out to the There’s a Whale in the Percolator Doppelbock.
Signature Beer
Soft Light – American IPA
New Belgium
- Address: 21 Craven St (GPS)
- Style: Brewery / Taproom
- Hours: Thursday – Monday (12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
- Website: Link
Odds are, you’ve heard of New Belgium or even tried one of their brews before. It’s known as one of the best breweries in Asheville. This brewery is worth a visit – it’s even been called the Willy Wonka factory of beers. It was inspired by a bike trip through Belgium in its inception. They have been around for 30 years, making beer for the people by the people. Along the French Broad River and tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains, the scenic surroundings are idyllic.
You can enjoy their beautiful taproom to try the classics they are known for, such as Fat Tire or some of their small-batch offerings, like the Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA. You can also book a tour to learn all about their beer-making process, and don’t worry, it includes plenty of tasting throughout the experience. There are often food trucks and live music to complete the total brewery package, all making for a perfect beer outing.
Signature Beer
Fat Tire – Red Ale | Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA – Hazy IPA
Breweries Just Outside Asheville
For the best breweries a bit outside of town but definitely worth the day trip.
- Oskar Blues
- Sierra Nevada
- Eluvium
- Bear Waters
Tips For Asheville
Things To Do in Asheville
- Go for a hike in search of some hidden waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Along with some fantastic viewpoints that make for great hikes a walk through the surrounding forests to a waterfall is a great way to connect with nature. It’s also a great way to beat the heat in the summer!
- You’re likely to see the Biltmore Estate mentioned in anything you read about Asheville and it’s for good reason. It’s one of the best things to do in Asheville! The famous estate is the largest private residence in the United States and was built by George Vanderbilt, heir to a railroad fortune.
- Take to the road and spend a few hours or a full day exploring one of America’s most scenic drives. Seriously, just driving around should be on any Asheville getaway itinerary. The 469-mile scenic road passes right through Asheville and makes for a fantastic place to road trip.
Our Favorite Restaurants
There are some wonderful restaurants in Asheville. That comes in a wide variety of price points and cuisines. The city makes for one of the best vacations in North Carolina and the East Coast. Asheville residents are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining, but it can be a little overwhelming for visitors.
- Jargon — Jargon is housed in an intimate, cozy space with an upscale, modern feel. They boast detailed dishes inspired by a variety of international cuisine with a gourmet American base.
- Bouchon — Bouchon serves up all the French favorites. Asheville is known as the Paris of the South, and what better way to celebrate this apt moniker.
- Tupelo Honey — When visiting Asheville, it’s important to partake in the scratch-made Southern comfort fares of the region.
Our Favorite Hotels
Various accommodation options in Asheville will be sure to work for any visitor. The right place to sleep at night only makes a trip to one of America’s best mountain towns even better. Everything from luxury resorts to boutique hotels and romantic cabins in Asheville.
- Private Island Cabin — Want a romantic cabin in Asheville on a small secluded private island in the French Broad River? This Asheville VRBO is the ultimate unique glamping getaway.
- The Omni Grove Park Inn — The historic Omni Grove Hotel is the quinessential place to stay in Asheville. It’s provides guest legendary service in an unforgetable setting that offers some of the best views in Asheville. It’s worth a visit even if you don’t stay here!
- Foundry Hotel Asheville — This hotel features upscale decor, modern with a nod to the historic context of the building and district.
- Cambira Hotel Downtown Asheville — Modern hotel with a fantastic location in downtown Asheville.
