Asheville is a beautiful, historic town with more than 38 breweries in one small area. This guide will help you find the perfect brewery for your taste, including breweries that specialize in Belgian-style beers, sours, IPAs, and barrel-aged beers. The next time you’re in Asheville, stop by any of these breweries!
With so many breweries in Asheville, North Caroline, it can be hard to know where to start. Asheville’s breweries are home to a wide variety of beers that range from light and refreshing to dark or funky. Whatever your taste in brews is, you’re bound to find something you like in Asheville.
If you’re looking for the best breweries in Asheville, I have the only guide you need!
For my full travel guide and round up of the best things to do in Asheville (beyond drinking all the amazing local beer), visit this page.
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About the History of Asheville’s Beer Scene
Beer has been brewed in Asheville since the 1890s. The city was once home to the largest exporter of barley in the US, along with beerhouses, taverns, and brewpubs. However, Asheville’s beer industry almost fell to the wayside during prohibition. All breweries had to close their doors for three years—not until 1949 did craft beer start popping up again.
After the repeal of prohibition, it took some time for the beer culture to take off again. In the 1970s, The Asheville Brewers Alliance (which later became the Asheville Brewers Alliance and North Carolina Brewers Guild) was created to promote a healthier and more diverse beer scene for the city. In 1988, the North Carolina Brewers Guild was created, which later became the North Carolina Brewers Association.
Back in the early 20th century, Asheville made a name for itself as the home of prohibition-era bootleggers. During prohibition, law enforcement targeted local breweries, and only one remains in Asheville: Highland Brewing. This brewery has kept their recipes unchanged from prohibition days, and still brews what has become their highly regarded Gaelic Ale.
After prohibition ended, Asheville began to experience a growing beer scene. In 1971, the state passed the Butler Act, which prevented changes in alcohol laws. The city banned any other alcohol besides beer, wine, and champagne, creating a stone wall of prohibition. To this day, the law remains in place in many cities across the state.
South Slope Brewing District: Asheville’s Top Beer Neighborhood
Only a few blocks away from downtown Asheville, you’ll find one of the best brewery districts in the country: South Slope. This former industrial warehouse district is now home to eateries, bright murals, and 9 of the best breweries in Austin. If you’re crunched on time in Asheville, stick to this neighborhood. You will be pleased!
Later on in this guide I’m sharing details about all the individual breweries in Asheville, and each one has notes on their locations to help you plan the best beercation to Asheville.
The Best Breweries in Asheville
When people think of beer, they usually think of a pint sitting on the table at their favorite pub or bar. But nowadays, there are so many more options.
Asheville’s beer scene offers something for everyone: from IPAs to stouts, pilsners to lagers, sour beers to kombucha, traditional ales to barrel-aged brews. Here is a list of some of the best breweries in Asheville that will knock your socks off.
1. Archetype Brewing
Multiple Locations | WEBSITE
One of the more popular new breweries in Asheville is Archetype Brewing. Their original taproom is located in the heart of West Asheville, but they just opened a new downtown spot. Both locations are perfect places to grab a drink with family or friends. Their wide selection makes it easy to find something that will suit your taste buds!
2. Asheville Brewing Company
South Slope | WEBSITE
Asheville Brewing Company is home to three locations around Asheville, North Carolina. ABC’s first brewery opened as a mash-up pizza joint, second-run movie theater, and brewpub. A second brewpub, in Asheville’s South Slope, opened in 2006.
That location is home to both their 15-barrel and 7-barrel brew houses, along with plenty of fermentation tanks from which some of Asheville’s most well-loved, creative, award-winning brews are born. Their third location, a beer and pizza delivery kitchen, opened in South Asheville in 2012. Their mission (at all three locations) is great food, quality craft beer, excellent service and fun for all.
3. Bhramari Brewing Co.
Downtown | WEBSITE
Bhramari Brewing Company has been bringing the full Asheville experience to their taproom in downtown Asheville since January 2016. They offer a taste of Asheville, from the oldest brewing pioneers to what the newest and most progressive breweries in the city are stirring up. A full line up of original chef inspired beers, beer inspired cuisine, tours, and brew classes rounds out the full Bhramari Brewing experience.
4. Burial Beer Co.
South Slope | WEBSITE
If there is any brewery in Asheville that embodies the “art of beer” as much as Burial Beer Co., it is this one. Burial Beer Co. is a brewery that started in the South Slope District of Asheville, NC in 2013. The brewery’s beers reflect the evolving inspirations of the staff, and they release new beers weekly. Along with a taproom, Burial also has a full-service kitchen focusing on local ingredients.
5. Catawba Brewing Company
South Slope | WEBSITE
One of Asheville’s oldest and most popular breweries, Catawba Brewing Company offers an extensive list of beers ranging from light to dark. Although their focus is traditional beers, their lighter, more flavorful offerings are more popular, so you’ll want to make a beeline for their regular selections.
Catawba offers a ton of beers with creative names including Hopness Haze IPA, Brown Bear Brown Ale, and White Zombie White Ale. For the boldest of beer drinkers, there’s a wide selection of wild brews, many of which are available only at the brewery. If you’re looking for something good to wash down your brunch, Catawba makes a surprisingly good IPA.
6. DSSOLVR
Downtown | WEBSITE
DSSOLVR is more than just a secret society – it’s a clearing house for unique beverage concepts and design aesthetics in opposition to the boring beverage conspiracy. This brewery was founded by Vince Tursi and Mike Semenec in 2019, here in Asheville. While their main focus is definitely beer (their tap list is, as they say, “equal amounts old school and new school styles”), they’ll also be trying out creating other unique beverages such as seltzers, wine, cider, and mead, as well as non-alcoholic beverages
7. French Broad River Brewery
Biltmore Village | WEBSITE
The French Broad River is not just a famous body of water in North Carolina. It also played an important role in the development of Asheville. The French Broad River Brewery is located in the Biltmore Village, on the river’s edge. What this means for you is that you can enjoy your favorite pint with a beautiful view of the water after your day exploring the world-famous Biltmore.
8. The Funkatorium
South Slope | WEBSITE
Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium is the East Coast’s first sour beer dedicated taproom, and the first in the country to offer Roman-style pizza. Featuring over a dozen varieties of sour beer on draught, visitors can expect an immersive experience into the old world way of experiencing and appreciating these unique styles of beer.
If you love sour beer, the Funkatorium is the place to be. It features a creative food menu alongside a full immersion into the old world way of experiencing and appreciating beer.
9. Green Man Brewery
South Slope | WEBSITE
One of the best places to start your Asheville beer tour is at Green Man Brewery. This quaint and comfortable tasting room is a great place to learn about Asheville beer and small-batch brewing. Green Man offers a wide selection of beer to taste, and sometimes plays host to rotating local food trucks. Green Man has a great community vibe with a dog-friendly taproom. If you love a great hoppy brew, Green Man has the perfect brew to suit your tastes.
10. Hi-Wire Brewing
South Slope | WEBSITE
One of Asheville’s best-known breweries, Hi-Wire Brewing offers more than just hoppy brews. Hi-Wire Brewing’s first location, the South Slope District Brewery, was opened in 2013. In 2015, they expanded to a second brewery and taproom. The original brewhouse is now 100% dedicated to brewing award-winning sour and wild beers! Visit their intimate space to enjoy one of the few craft breweries that has specialty programs revolving around both lagers and sours.
11. Highland Brewing Company
Multiple Locations | WEBSITE
Founded in 1994, Highland Brewing Company has become one of Asheville’s most recognizable names. With a beautiful tasting room overlooking the French Broad River, it’s the perfect place to visit with friends and enjoy beer that will make you want to come back for more. From their flagship beers to their seasonal offerings, this is not a brewery tour you want to miss.
Most recently, they opened a brand new taproom in Downtown Asheville. I have sadly yet to check it out, but I’ve heard wonderful things. If you ended up going before me, do let me know how awesome it is!
12. One World Brewing
Downtown | WEBSITE
Hidden three flights below Downtown Asheville, lives and breathes One World Brewing’s original speakeasy location. (Their second location is over in West Asheville.) Enter into the hobbit hole through their secret alley entrance, and quickly lose track of the day, week, or year in their chilly underground taproom.
One World sources ingredients for the beer locally as much as possible, and “thoughtfully combines the highest-quality elements to make truly magical craft beers”. Sip on beers from their original brew tanks and make sure you order a burger from upstairs. It’s one of the best places to eat in Asheville!
13. Oyster House Brewing Company
West Asheville | WEBSITE
Oyster House Brewing Company is a brewery and restaurant in Asheville, NC. They offer a variety of fresh seafood as well as locally-sourced beef, pork, and chicken dishes. Along with the brewery’s beers, Oyster House offers many different types of oysters on the half-shell.
Oyster House provides outdoor seating on their deck overlooking the French Broad River with a scenic view of downtown Asheville. The atmosphere is perfect for people watching and enjoying some quality time with friends or family while sampling their delicious seafood dishes or trying out some new brews!
14. Twin Leaf Brewery
South Slope | WEBSITE
Twin Leaf Brewery is a 10-barrel brewery located in Asheville, North Carolina. Driven by the do-it-yourself spirit, Twin Leaf was hand-built by the owner and head brewer of the business, Tim Weber. This Asheville brewery opened in 2014, and since then they’ve become quite well loved among locals and visitors alike.
Twin Leaf Brewery is a brewery that’s best known for their flagship beers. Whether you’re looking for an oatmeal stout, wit, or ESB, Twin Leaf has what you need. They offer a rotating selection of hand-crafted beers in their dog-friendly Asheville taproom that are perfect for those who want more than the ordinary.
15. Wedge Brewing Company
Multiple Locations | WEBSITE
It’s no surprise that Wedge Brewing, which has been called Asheville’s hippest brewery, has one of the best tap rooms in town. Existing since 2008, The Wedge is a neighborhood brewery with two locations in Asheville: River Arts District and The Foundry. The Wedge provides a gathering place for people of all ages and walks of life to laugh, exchange ideas and drink Wedge beer.
16. Wicked Weed
Downtown | WEBSITE
Wicked Weed Brewing was started in 2012 by Walt and Luke Dickinson and friends Ryan, Rick and Denise Guthy. The brewpub is located in downtown Asheville, North Carolina and produces a wide variety of beers alongside a very delicious food menu. Their best known though for brewing a wide range of sours and their barrel aging program
Sure, I’ll admit that Wicked Weed Brewing is a good brewery. Their range of beers are fun and they even have a few food options.
But you should know, if you don’t already, they are technically not a craft brewery… In 2017, Wicked Weed was bought by AB-InBev for an undisclosed amount… It was surely a hefty price tag. At the time Ballast Point had just sold for $1 Billion to Constellation Brands!
Other Places to Drink Beer in Asheville
There are many other Asheville restaurants and bars you can check out that have an impressive beer list. Here are my top five recommendations for where to drink beer in Asheville beyond breweries.
- The Whale – Craft beer bar in West Asheville
- Barley’s Taproom – Pizza, pub bites, and lots of local craft beer
- Jack of the Wood – Asheville’s top Irish pub with a long list of local draft beer
- The Bier Garden – Fine American dishes served alongside a beer list with 250+ beers from about the world.
Beer Festivals in Asheville
While Asheville has more breweries than any city in North Carolina (and more breweries per capita than anywhere else), you don’t have to drive far to find great ones, particularly with a couple of festivals happening at the end of August that should make finding breweries even easier.
Here are the most popular beer festivals in Asheville, NC :
- Brew Horizons Beer Fest – February
- NC Small Batch Festival – March
- North Carolina Beer Month – April
- Asheville Beer Week – May
- Beer City Festival – May
- Sierra Nevada Beer Camp – June
- Oskar Blues’s Burning Can Festival – August
- New Belgium’s Tour de Fat Fall – September
- Asheville Oktoberfest – October
- Asheville Ciderfest – October
What’s Your Favorite Brewery in Asheville?
You might think that brewing has become a popular, well-known industry because of the breweries you see. However, beer has always been popular and, in many regions, beer has been brewed since the early days of human history.
If you want to experience a good brewery and not spend a lot of time with your nose in your phone, this is the best guide to beer tourism you will find. Hopefully this guide to Asheville breweries will open your eyes up to the world of beer in this beautiful mountain town.
