Asheville, North Carolina, has been a significant player in the U.S. craft brewing scene since the 1990s. But the arrival of Sierra Nevada in nearby Mills River, North Carolina, sparked a brewery boom in Asheville.
Today, the city has a brewery district known as South Slope, rather than just one or two breweries. The abundance of breweries means you're never away from an ice-cold beer, just a few blocks away. Whether you like sour beers, Belgian-style beers, earthy IPAs, or barrel-aged brews, Asheville has something for everyone. With so many options, deciding which brewery is the best is a real challenge. No worries!
If you're on the hunt for the best breweries in Asheville, NC, you've come to the right place. Our list of the best Asheville breweries focuses on well-known breweries and taprooms that have contributed to Asheville's status as the “Beer City” of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Whether you're looking for full brewery tours, a pint, or a wonderful meal to complement your flight of beers, these 15 Downtown Asheville breweries will satisfy your taste buds and leave you with a joyful, frothy smile.
Asheville Brewery Tours
If you have limited time in Asheville but a strong desire to visit the city's historic breweries, a guided brewery tour can be a great option. Here are some of the best brewery tours:
- Downtown Asheville Tip-based sightseeing Walking Tour: This tour includes stops at Cultivated Cocktails Distillery and Twin Leaf Brewery.
- Downtown Asheville Guided Walking Tour: This tour visits 2-3 breweries and allows you to sample some of their finest brews.
- Electric Bike Brewery Crawl: If you're looking for a more beer excursion, this tour takes you to 5 different Asheville microbreweries.
If you want a self-guided brewery tour, you can park near downtown and explore the numerous breweries on foot. Many of these breweries are nearby, frequently just a block or so apart, allowing you to enjoy the beer scene at your own pace.
1. Bhramari Brewing Company
Location: 101 South Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday; 12 pm – 9 pm; Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 11 pm and Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm
Kick off your Asheville beer adventure with Bhramari Brewing Company. Bhramari Brewing Company, formerly known as “Hive Mind” beers, is a beer experimentation hotspot. This brewery in the South Slope District is known for its inventive and unique approach to brewing. They offer a range of sour beers, often blended with various fruits and spices, making them popular with adventurous palates. Some of their standout brews include The Good Fight (Sour Pale Ale), Lorelai (Hazy IPA), and Neon Ghosts (New England IPA) are some of their famous beers.
When it comes to cuisine, the brewery offers a gastropub-style menu, including Korean BBQ chicken. Although they do not offer brewery tours, the brewery, taproom, and restaurant are all conveniently located in one spot.
2. Burial Beer Co.
Location: 40 Collier Ave. Asheville, NC
Operating Hours: 12 pm – 10 pm, Daily
Burial Beer Co., a manifestation of the “art of beer,” began in Asheville's South Slope District in 2013. This brewery is known for its ever-evolving, staff-inspired beer innovations, with new releases surfacing weekly. Burial is known for its IPAs like End of Plagues and Imperial Stouts like Deliver Us to Evil, but they also have a variety of beers ranging from a double-barrel-aged stout to double and triple IPAs. Beyond their brews, Burial has a taproom and a full-service kitchen that uses locally sourced ingredients.
Arrive early to make the most of your visit, whether you're looking for a seat inside one of their whimsically remodeled cars or a relaxing spot under a red umbrella at one of their picnic benches.
3. Hi-Wire Brewing
Location: 197 Hilliard Ave. Asheville, NC
Operating Hours: Mon – Thur: 3 pm – 10 pm, Fri: 3 pm – 12 am, Sat: 12 pm – 12 am and Sunday: 12 pm – 10 pm
Hi-Wire Brewing, one of the best breweries in Asheville, isn't only about hoppy beers. The brewery has three locations in Asheville's South Slope, Biltmore Village, and Rivers Art District (RAD). Their brew names and flavors convey a spirit of joy as they reflect a circus theme. Brewery tours are available at the Biltmore Village facility, offering an up-close view of the beer-making process and delightful sampling.
Hi-Wire offers various standard flagship beers, including the Hi-Pitch Mosaic IPA, Bed of Nails Brown Ale, Hi-Wire American Lager, and inventive seasonal and specialty brews such as Raspberry Wheat Wine and S'mores Porter. While their tasting rooms focus on excellent beer, they don't have food options.
4. Catawba Brewing Company
Location: 32 Banks Ave. Asheville, NC, 28801
Operating Hours: Mon – Thur: 2 pm – 10 pm, Fri – Sat: 12 pm -11 pm and Sun: 12 pm – 10 pm
Catawba Brewing Company, one of the best breweries in Asheville, NC, was named after Catawba River in North Carolina. The Pyatt brothers, Billy and Scott, established Catawba Brewing Company after transporting equipment from a bankrupt Colorado brewery to Morganton, North Carolina. Since then, the brewery has expanded its production and opened smaller brewhouses in Asheville, including Biltmore Village and South Slope locations.
Some of their popular flagship beers are White Zombie (white ale), Brown Bear (brown ale), Clear Ridge IPA, Farmer Ted's (golden ale), and Hopness Haze IPA. They also offer limited-edition brews like HoneyComb, Peach Farmhouse Ale, and Peach of Mind. While Catawba's tasting rooms don't have restaurants, they regularly welcome local food trucks. If you don't like beer, Catawba also manufactures hand-crafted hard seltzers.
5. Wedge Brewing Co.
Location: 37 Paynes Way, Suite 001
Operating Hours: Mon – Tue: 3 pm – 8 pm, Wed – Thu: 3 pm – 9 pm, Fri – Sat: 12 pm – 10 pm, and Sun: 12 pm – 8 pm
Wedge Brewing, known as Asheville's hippest brewery, is a great option for exploring the River Arts District (RAD). They have three locations: Studios near the silo, a modern Downtown taproom in the Historic Grove Arcade, and Foundation in RAD. These areas serve as welcome gathering places for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together, laugh, exchange ideas, and enjoy the delicious selection of Wedge brews.
Notable brews include Payne's Pale Ale, Sake Lager, and Derailed Hemp Ale. German-style beers are also available, such as Munich Dunkel and Export Lager. The Chop Shop, the on-site food truck, serves delicious hamburgers and hot dogs.
6. Highland Brewing Company
Location: 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville, NC
Operating Hours: Mon – Fri: 3 pm – 9 pm, Sat: 12 pm – 9 pm, and Sun: 12 pm – 7 pm
Highland Brewing awaits you at the newer S&W Market in downtown Asheville, NC. As Asheville's first and oldest brewery, Highland Brewing Company opened its doors in 1994. Today, it features a lively tasting room with live music and an annual brewing capacity of 60,000 barrels.
They offer a wide selection of year-round beers and small-batch rotating flavors, including flagship options, AVL IPA, Daycation IPA, Gaelic Ale, Starchaser White, Oatmeal Porter, and Black Mocha Stout. While Highland doesn't have an on-site restaurant, local food trucks are parked outside the tasting room, and patrons are invited to bring their food inside to enjoy.
7. Wicked Weed Brewing
Location: 91 Biltmore Ave. Asheville, NC
Operating Hours: Sun – Thur: 11 am – 11 pm and Fri – Sat: 11 am – 12 am
Wicked Weed Brewing, established in 2012 by the Guthy and Dickinson families, is a well-known Asheville brewery recognized for its outstanding sour blends. This brewery also operates as a brewpub and features comfy interior seating, a dog-friendly outside terrace with firepits, and breathtaking views of downtown Asheville.
Wicked Weed offers daily tours of their 15-barrel brewery, including a “Maker's Tour” in Downtown Asheville. Their beer lineup includes IPA collections like Astronomical, Appalachia, Pernicious, Freak of Nature, farmhouse brews, and tantalizing sours. Their extensive food menu includes burgers, sandwiches, salmon, and steak, as well as snacks like hummus and pretzels, all designed to pair nicely with their diverse beer options.
8. Hillman Beer
Location: 25 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC
Operating Hours: Sun – Tue: 11 am – 10 pm and Wed – Sat: 11 am – 11 pm
Hillman Beer, owned by the Brandi and Hillman brothers, offers a classic pub experience in Old Fort and Biltmore Village in Asheville. Their European-influenced beer selection includes Schwarzbier (Black Lager), Kölsch, Belgian Pale Ale, Belgian Golden Strong, and Dingaüdamnit (Dunklewiezen).
Hillman's ESB received Gold and Silver medals at the Great American Beer Festival. You can relax on the rear patio by the babbling brook or in their pub. The pub-style food menu includes pimento cheese dip, soft pretzels, and a variety of sandwiches. If you're looking for a family-friendly or pet-friendly Asheville brewery, the Hillman Beer is an excellent choice.
9. Green Man Brewery
Location: 27 Buxton Ave. Asheville, NC
Operating Hours: Mon – Thu: 12 pm – 9 pm, Fri: 12 pm – 11 am, and Sat: 11 am – 11 pm
Green Man Brewery, one of North Carolina's first breweries, opened in 1997. Notably known for its exceptional ESB, Green Man has become a must-visit spot for beer lovers. Their main location is spacious and features many bars, a zen garden, a view of the brewing process, and rooftop seating. Next door, you'll find Dirty Jack's, a fun dive bar. Their clean and elegant taproom has the distinctive Green Man logo, representing regeneration. It has many beers on tap, including Ambers, IPAs, Sours, and Porters.
Green Man Brewery is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your canine companion.
10. French Broad River Brewery
Location: 101 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC
Operating Hours: Mon – Tue: 1 pm – 8 pm, Wed – Thu: 1 pm – 9 pm, and Fri – Sun: 11 am – 9 pm
The French Broad River Brewery, located in Biltmore Village on the banks of the famous French Broad River, offers a gorgeous location for a cold pint after exploring the renowned Biltmore Estate. FBR has a wide range of beers on tap, including ESBs, Kölschs, IPAs, Porters, and Stouts. This brewery is in the same neighborhood as Edna Ryne Distilling Company and is conveniently close to Hillman Beer, making it a great place to try new beers.
Whether you're young or old, with or without a furry friend, French Broad River Brewery welcomes everyone. Don't forget to grab a tasty pizza from their on-site food truck.
11. All Seven's Brewery
Location: 777 Haywood Road, Asheville, North Carolina 28806
Operating Hours: Open daily from 10:30 am – 2 am
All Sevens Brewing in West Asheville offers a warm brewpub atmosphere with budget-friendly food options. Their beer menu includes six flagship options: amber, pale ale, golden, ESB, IPA, and porter. Seasonal beers include Bavarian Dunkel, London stout, hefeweizen, and blonde ale.
Along with the brewery, Westville Pub serves classic pub food with unique delicacies like fried okra, sweet potato wedges, fried pickles, and sandwiches. It's one of the smaller breweries with visible tanks. The Whale Beer Collective, located nearby, has an extensive beverage selection.
12. Archetype Brewing
Location: 265 Haywood Drive, Asheville, NC
Operating Hours: Mon-Thu: 3 pm – 9 pm, Friday: 1 pm – 10 pm, Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm, and Sunday: 1 pm – 8 pm
Archetype Brewing, opened in 2016 in Asheville, is a vibrant addition to the beer industry. The brewery is dedicated to highlighting local ingredients and boasts a successful main brewery and taproom, with a second location in North Asheville. You can see their ten-barrel brewhouse at their West Asheville production site. Their brews, inspired by Belgian brewing techniques, include the Cowboy Poet (core lager), Commitment Phobia (flagship IPA), and Original Blonde.
Their menu includes various seasonal, barrel-aged, and small-batch options. Guests are invited to bring their food or enjoy restaurant deliveries and take-out options.
13. Twin Leaf Brewery
Location: 144 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Operating Hours: Monday – Wednesday; 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Thursday: 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Saturday – Friday: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm, and Sunday 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Founded in 2014, Twin Leaf Brewery may be smaller than many Asheville brewers, but it stands out for its community involvement and high-quality beer. Their pet-friendly Asheville taproom offers a rotating selection of hand-crafted beers, including Leafer, a citrus American IPA, Juicy Fruit IPA, Rosemary IPA, and Pilsner Bier.
You'll also find distinctive brews like Bill For the Berry, a sour created from garden-grown berries, and a kettle-soured wheat lager, Magic Hour. While they offer some packaged snacks, you can bring your own take-out food from local restaurants.
14. New Belgium Brewing Asheville
Location: 21 Craven Street, Asheville, NC 28806
Operating Hours: Open daily 12 pm – 8 pm
New Belgium, famous for its trademark Fat Tire, is a popular tourist and local destination. Jeff Lebesch and Kim Jordan founded New Belgium Brewery after their bike trip through Belgium in 1988. The brewery is easily accessible from the French Broad River Greenway, which runs through French Broad Park and Carrier Park.
The brewery features a stunning riverfront location, rotating food trucks such as Cecilia's Kitchen, and a range of brews such as Dark Ales, Farmhouse Lagers, IPAs, Sours, and even gluten-free hard seltzer. It's a nice spot to unwind and drink some good beer.
15. Eurisko Beer Company
Location: 255 Short Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28806
Operating Hours: Daily, 2 pm – 9 pm
Eurisko Beer Company, located in downtown Asheville's South Slope, is all about the taproom experience. They combine classic beer styles with modern brewing techniques to create unique brews. The brewery has an upstairs taproom, a lounge area, and outdoor dining.
Eurisko Beer Company offers a variety of beers, including imperial stouts, hazy IPAs like “He Left Us” and “Wrong Side of the River,” and a classic German pilsner called “Pilz.”
While there is no restaurant, the tasting room offers basic nibbles to complement your drinks.
Final Thoughts
There you have it: the 15 best breweries in Asheville, NC! I hope this Asheville brewery guide introduces you to the rich world of beer in this lovely mountain town. Whether you're a local looking for a new hangout or a visitor looking to experience the true spirit of Asheville's beer culture, these breweries are waiting for you.
So, if you're reading this and have any friendly or useful thoughts about breweries worth mentioning in this list, feel free to reach me. I'd be happy to add your suggestions! Cheers to your next Asheville beer adventure!
I’m Steve. I’m an English Teacher, traveler, and an avid outdoorsman. If you’d like to comment, ask a question, or simply say hi, leave me a message here, on Twitter (@thefrugalexpat1). Many of my posts have been written to help those in their journey to financial independence. I am on my journey, and as I learn more I hope to share more. And as always, thanks for reading The Frugal Expat.
