It’s no secret that the craft beer scene in Asheville is hopping. It feels as though there is a brewery on every corner – and there might just be – similar to when Dunkin’ first hit Boston. So, how do you choose?
From locals, these are the best breweries in Asheville that Tom and I recommend for location, amazing beer, delicious food, and community vibes. We are talking about visitor “musts,” like Wicked Weed, Hi-Wire, Burial, and Highland, and local gems, including Rye Knot, Zillicoah, RAD Brewing, Hillman, Appalachian Mountain Brewery, and White Labs. Sip beer in a train caboose and next to the French Broad River. All photos are our own.
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If you are visiting Asheville for the first time, Burial Beer Co., Wicked Weed, Green Man, Highland Brewing, Sierra Nevada, and New Belgium are blockbuster, “must-visit” Asheville breweries. We also have a separate list of pet-friendly spots. If you are still overwhelmed by the number of breweries after reading this post, consider a guided beer tour. 💙 Christine
Zillicoah Beer Company
The greatest Helene comeback, my favorite brewery in Asheville has officially reopened as of late August 2025, almost a year later: Zillicoah Beer Company. Tom and I could not be more thrilled. Zillicoah is located on the edge of RAD, Woodfin, and North Asheville.
A reminder of the French Broad River’s devastating destruction, muddy mugs and beer bottles sit in cases along the walls in the gorgeously rebuilt taproom. Enjoy plentiful seating at the bar, on the covered and uncovered patio, and next to the river. Find permanent and rotating food trucks. Bring a book, go for live music, or visit after a hike. This is a local spot full of heart – and leashed pups.
Why I Love & Recommend Zillicoah
Zillicoah is everything I love about living in Asheville. Their comeback represents strength, resilience, determination, community, and, of course, beer. I’m all about their Helles, Pilsners, and Lagers. Julia and Paul’s Master BBQ Filipino food truck is a must. I cannot resist Master BBQ’s tofu skewers with rice and lumpia. Plus, nothing beats sitting next to the river on a gorgeous day.
Appalachian Mountain Brewery
With a taproom in Mills River (and Boone), Appalachian Mountain Brewery (AMB) serves award-winning beers, cocktails, and delicious food. They also boast a large cider, seltzer, and mead menu. And trust me, it takes a lot to get Tom and I over to this more traffic-congested area of town.
Why You Should Visit AMB & What I Recommend
While the roads are chaotic, the taproom is not. I most enjoy Appalachian Mountain Brewing’s gorgeous murals, indoor and outdoor space, and casual order-at-the-counter food. They have unique, strong Belgians (Wiseman’s View), delicious Lagers, and flagship IPAs. You cannot go wrong with a pretty budget-friendly burger, salad, or sandwich. They also sell the best gear.
Rye Knot
Rye Knot is a North Asheville hidden gem brewery, distillery, and restaurant. There’s plenty of parking, and the food keeps getting better and better. They brew their own beer (it was on pause for a bit during Helene) and make delicious distilled beverages, like whiskey. For me, Rye Knot is elevated pub fare at its best with friendly service, lunch portions, and a slightly “fancier” dinner menu.
Why I Love & Recommend Rye Knot
If you are looking to escape the congestion and visitors in Downtown Asheville, Rye Knot is it. Think casual, convenient, and local. Tucked off to the side of Merrimon Ave., Tom and I recommend their burgers, fish and chips, lunch salads with added shrimp or chicken, and grilled chicken sandwiches. Look at those fall-off-the-bone ribs…
Tom almost always orders their smoky Old Fashioned. While their wine list speaks to me with some delicious California and Oregon reds, I prefer their Strawberry Wheat, Lagers, and fall German beers – especially when they’re on tap. Tell Bob we say “hi.” This is also a great space for larger groups.
The River Arts District Brewing Company
Also referred to as “RAD Brewing,” The River Arts District Brewing Company sits in the upper part of the artsy-fun River Arts District. Locals stop by after hitting the nearby parks and trails, and it’s an excellent spot if you enjoy outdoor seating, trivia, live music, and comedy events. For food, scan the code at the bar, and nearby, The Grey Eagle Taqueria will walk over tacos. Master BBQ will be opening a second food truck here.
Why I Love & Recommend RAD Brewing
The River Arts District Brewing Company is one of our favorite Asheville breweries for its space, friendly staff, and delicious brews. I’m not an IPA girl, so I appreciate their Stouts and Lagers. Even better, many of their beers are gluten-reduced, which Tom can enjoy. On the way in, don’t miss a unique Asheville bar, Anoche – think Tequila and Mezcal.
Hillman Beer
Hillman Beer is one of the best Asheville breweries with food, and another one of our most frequented. Select from classic sandwiches, wraps, melts, salads, and pub appetizers. Enjoy their airy taprooms or sit outside overlooking the water. They are extremely pet and family-friendly.
Why I Love & Recommend Hillman Beer
Tom and I enjoy both Hillman Beer’s Old Fort and Biltmore Village locations. Go to Old Fort after hitting the mountain biking trails or waterfall hiking at Catawba Falls. They produce some of my favorite beer styles, including ESBs, Kölschs, Hefeweizens, Brown Ales, Rice Lagers, and Saisons. My go-to food order is their Cuban sandwich or a burger with kale salad or chips.
White Labs Brewing Co.
White Labs Brewing Co. is located close to the intersection of North and Downtown Asheville. A family-friendly restaurant, they serve pizza (with GF and vegan options), burgers, sandwiches, and sharables. Many of White Labs’ beers are gluten-reduced.
Why I Love & Recommend White Labs
Although close to Historic Downtown AVL, White Labs remains a pretty casual, hidden gem for locals. They have plentiful indoor and outdoor seating, along with parking away from the congestion of Downtown. Their food is on point, and Tom and I covet their Stouts, Lagers, and Ambers. Upstairs, peek into the beer lab. We like meeting friends here.
Cellarest Beer Project
One of the more unique breweries in Asheville, Cellarest Beer is a certified carbon-neutral brewery. They specialize in wood fermentation, gluten-reduced lagers, and wild beer.
Why I Recommend Trying Cellarest
I appreciate that Cellarest is located on the quieter side of Haywood Road in West Asheville. Pet and kid-friendly, with indoor and outdoor seating, sip on their Lagers and Farmhouse Ales. Tom and I most enjoy their Stouts, Doppelbocks, Helles, and Saisons.
For non-beer drinkers in your group, head to nearby popular local coffee shops like Izzy’s, BattleCat, and Odd’s Cafe.
Whistle Hop Brewing
Whistle Hop Brewing is terrific for families, pets, and fun. Plus, the taproom is a train. With Blue Ridge Mountain views, romp around a massive outdoor playground with a slide, bocce, soccer, mini-bowling, mini-golf, and disc golf Connect 4. Whistle Hop also boasts charcoal grills and fire pits, with indoor and outdoor seating.
Why I Recommend Whistle Hop
Besides that Whistle Hop is essentially one giant playground for kids and adults, I appreciate their Kolschs, Wheats, Pilsners, Goses, Belgians, Dunkels, Sours, and Stouts. They brew unique seasonals, too. Grab a bite to eat from rotating food trucks like Taste of Tampa, La Bodegon, Munchy’s, and more.
Ginger’s Revenge
For lovers of meaderies and cideries, Ginger’s Revenge is a must with its alcoholic and flavored ginger beer. Of course, this beer is also gluten-free, which is a huge bonus for our half-Celiac household. Play games and listen to music under their watchful ginger mural in a cool RAD warehouse space close to UNCA.
Why Choose Ginger’s Revenge & What I Love
If Ginger’s Revenge has the small-batch Arnold Palmer on tap, get it. I especially love their seasonal fig, pumpkin, and fall flavors. They are wonderful people and keep secret note stashes at the bar – so, please tell them “hi” for Tom and me because they will let us know, which makes eating, drinking, and writing for Uncorked Asheville worth it.
Salt Face Mule Brewing Co.
The edge of Woodfin, North Asheville, and Weaverville is full of hidden gem breweries that visitors tend to miss (and shouldn’t!). From the owners of Twisted Laurel, Salt Face Mule Brewing Co. has grown on me over the years, and they are still fairly new. Along with Southern pub food and craft beer, play a round of mini-golf with the family on their huge course. I like sitting out back and watching people play.
Why I Enjoy & Recommend Salt Face Brewing Co.
I’m all about Salt Face Mule’s Lagers. I highly suggest a flight, especially when they release new brews. Try a seltzer with your pick of flavoring, and their cocktails are seasonally fun (summer s’mores Old Fashioneds!). For me, this is a great, chill place with plentiful seating to relax that’s off the beaten path.
Highland Brewing Co.
Asheville’s first and oldest brewery, Highland Brewing, is a must for any visitor. A staple to the community, they have so much on tap that I recommend starting with a flight – even as a local to see what’s new. The right side of their tap list showcases small-batch and fun collaborative beers. Underneath, find delicious seasonal cocktails.
Why I Enjoy Highland Brewing Co.
What I most love about Highland Brewing Co. is their (Old Charlotte Highway) indoor and outdoor space for events. We’ve seen tribute bands and danced our booties off to DJ Lil Meow Meow. My friends like to play volleyball during their meetups. Plus, Highland hosts delicious rotating food trucks like Paperhouse Pizza.
Wicked Weed Brewing
Wicked Weed is one of the most popular breweries in Asheville for visitors. With cozy indoor pub seating and an outdoor, dog-friendly patio with firepits, select from sandwiches, burgers, and fish and chips. Find cocktails, red and white wine, ciders, and loads of famous Asheville beer.
Why I Recommend Wicked Weed
I most prefer Wicked Weed’s Lagers, Pilsners, Helles, and Hefeweizens. Tom and I usually sit outside and grab lunch here while I make my way through their extensive beer list. I take all out-of-town visitors here, as Wicked Weed is most likely on their Asheville bucket list. We visited Wicked Weed even before moving here on our whirlwind Asheville itinerary.
Burial Beer Co.
Burial Beer Company has numerous breweries in North Carolina, including Asheville, Charlotte, and Raleigh. True to their namesake, their beers have pretty spooky and ominous names on the coolest canned labels.
Why Pick Burial Beer Co.
Tom and I enjoy Burial’s Forestry Camp taproom for its abundance of seating – inside is extra cozy and relaxing – and a full-service kitchen featuring American cuisine, beer, cocktails, and wine. They also host Saturday and Sunday brunch.
Hi-Wire Brewing
It’s no secret that you’ll find many of the best breweries in Asheville around Downtown’s South Slope. While Hi-Wire has multiple neighborhood locations, its Downtown taproom is known for its rainbow mural and tiki bar. This is the ideal spot for a day of brewery hopping.
Hi-Wire Biltmore Village and the RAD Beer Garden are equally excellent for their Lagers and Sour beers. They usually have Brown Ales, IPAs, and Seasonals.
More About Hi-Wire & What We Love
Tom and I will head to Hi-Wire’s Biltmore Village location for one of the best food trucks in town, Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food. Think authenic Cuban cuisine, and order anything from pork and bean platters to Cuban sandwiches with fried plantains and yucca.
However, I love, love, love their RAD Beer Garden, filled with shipping containers covered in murals. Another Helene comeback, this is a great stop after walking the RAD Riverwalk. I own far too many shirts from them.
Green Man Brewery
Green Man is another one of North Carolina’s and Asheville’s original breweries, established in 1997. They make the best ESB in town, which you can also get at the Montford Park Players’ Shakespeare in the Park – go, it’s a fabulous-fun time!
Why I Love & Recommend Green Man
Their massive Downtown Asheville location is three stories high with multiple bars, rooftop seating, a zen garden, and views of their brewing process. I most prefer Green Man’s Lagers, and they specialize in IPAs, Ambers, Porters, and Sours. They also make a stellar N/A root beer. This is another brewery that Tom and I take our guests.
More Great Breweries In Asheville
A few more popular breweries in Asheville include:
- Thirsty Monk Brewery
- French Broad River Brewery
- Twin Leaf Brewery
- Archetype Brewing
- One World Brewing
- Diatribe Brewing Co.
- Terra Nova Beer Co.
- Asheville Pizza & Brewing (and Asheville Brewing Company)
- Riverside Rhapsody
- Dssolvr
- New Belgium Brewing
Bonus Info: Breweries Near Asheville For After That Hike
Tom and I are avid Western North Carolina day-trippers and have quite a few favorite breweries near Asheville, including Burning Blush, Leveller, and Oklawaha. Read more here:
- Hopping Weaverville Breweries (15 minutes)
- Black Mountain’s craft beer scene (25 minutes)
- Must-Visit Hendersonville Breweries (45 minutes)
- Great Brevard Breweries (45 minutes)
- Gluten-Reduced Beer Around Greenville, SC (1 hour and 20 mins)
If you love wine, beer, cocktails, spirits, and more, peruse our city food and drink guides, including Asheville’s most unforgettable restaurants.
This is a great guide. We are looking forward to trying out some of the breweries listed!
Wondering why Burial wasn’t listed as one of the top 28? It was one of our favorite stops for food and amazing craft beer when visiting AVL. I realize there are SO many to choose from – but Burial had some of the best beer we’ve ever had!
Thanks again for the great information!
We switch guides up every once in a while (adding and removing places) – so while we had them on in previous years, we decided to list our personal favorites recently. Burial is absolutely great, though, and we may always swap in and out again. I just love their beer names!
Try the German chocolate stout at Eurisko on Short Coxe.
Yes!! I really love Eurisko’s Helles as well. Thanks so much for the beer suggestion.