Tap Into Asheville’s Beer Scene
Asheville offers a dizzying array of beer. From hoppy IPAs to dark stouts, the city’s breweries keep beer flowing like mountain water. With more breweries per capita than anywhere else in the U.S., Asheville was first named Beer City USA in 2009 and has swept the competition almost every year since.
Track down the city’s best pints and pours with this guide to a full day of brews with a view.
Three Cheers for Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially when you have an afternoon of suds ahead. Start with a beer-themed doughnut from Vortex Doughnuts in South Slope. The offerings change daily, so try to catch a “Rotating Tap” beer-glazed doughnut covered in beer malt, peanuts and pretzels.
Hop on a Beer Tour
Leave the car behind and jump on one of Asheville’s many beer tours. The Amazing Pubcycle uses people power (with a motorized backup) to pedal a mobile hybrid of an open-air party bus and a 13-person bicycle. Hold onto your pint!
Asheville Brews Cruise is the city’s original brewery bus tour featuring a three-and-a-half hour tour of breweries like Hi-Wire, French Broad River and Catawba. There’s no drinking on the bus, but frequent pub stops ensure everyone wets their whistles.
Explore the bustling craft beer scene with City Brew Tours as they take you behind the scenes of Asheville's extensive beer scene. Join the original tour and enjoy a perfectly curated beer and meal pairing.
Pro tip: Take a minute to figure out your ride home before you ditch your car. Make a plan to call one of Asheville’s taxi services or enlist a sober friend. Some tours give discounts to designated drivers!
Beer City USA
Asheville has more breweries per capita than any other city in the US.
Check Out South Slope
The burgeoning South Slope area overflows with breweries. Grab a pint at Green Man Brewery’s tap room on Buxton Ave. Green Man’s production facility is right next door and tours are held most Saturdays.
Burial Beer is just around the corner on Collier Ave. Burial is a great place to chat with locals and get tips on where to go next. Check out their unique taps made from old hand tools.
Suds Up Lunch
For a bite between brews, stop by Thirsty Monk’s downtown location for pub snacks and creative tacos. For a relaxed lunch, head to Terra Nova Beer Co in South Slope, where Mission Pizza offers delicious wood-fired pizzas and small plates. Or, check out one of the rotating food trucks that frequent breweries including Wedge Brewing at Wedge Studios, Whistle Hop Brewing, and New Belgium Brewing.
Kid-Friendly Breweries
You can enjoy a beercation with the whole family when in Asheville. Many area breweries are family (and pet) friendly, including Highland Brewing. Highland sets on 40 acres in East Asheville, and its home to a large meadow, a mile-long hiking trail and a rotation of food trucks. Check out our full list of family-friendly breweries and restaurants here.
Bottoms Up for Beer Fests
If you’re lucky enough to visit during one of Asheville’s many beer festivals, it’s time to drink up. Asheville Beer Week is held in late spring and Oktoberfest marks the start of leaf-peeping season in early October.
Wicked Good Dinner
Sit down for dinner at Wicked Weed Brewing downtown. Start off with hot boiled peanuts with IPA sauce, follow with a hearty burger, and raise a glass to the brewery’s massive and ever-evolving beer list.
Beer Ice Cream for Dessert
Indulge your sweet tooth at The Hop Ice Cream Cafe. It’s known for its rotating flavors of beer ice cream, including Luminosity sorbet and Dark Matter ice cream made from Twin Leaf Brewery beer.
