With so many breweries in Asheville, NC, how do you choose which ones to visit? As Asheville locals, we’ll share our favorite Asheville breweries as well as give you all of the details about location, beer flavor, and the best ambiance. Unlike the other massive Asheville beer guides, you’ll experience Asheville like a local from locals — with a great brew in hand.
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The Asheville, NC breweries are infamous. I’d say that most people visit Asheville for its breweries, hiking, and waterfalls. The downtown area is full of delicious restaurants, hipster music venues and bars, and an eclectic brewery selection.
The Asheville breweries have a little bit of everything for everyone. Do you want to sit by the French Broad River with a sour on a gorgeous day? What about specialty ginger beer in a variety of flavors? If you crave those experiment oddball brews, we have just the brewery for you… Not to mention breweries ensconced in street art, hidden in basements, and ones known across the world.
With so many breweries in Asheville, how do you pick the best ones? We’ll share our favorites as locals and then break down the breweries by location. We won’t mention every single Asheville brewery, but we’ll give you quite a few to choose from.
**During the pandemic, hours and openings may vary. Please check every brewery website or call before visiting. A few are still temporarily closed.
Our Go-To Asheville Breweries As Locals
Some of the best breweries in Asheville are the well-known ones along with a few that are less frequented by tourists. Honestly, it’s pretty hard to pick our favorites since we truly love them all. However, if I had to share the Asheville breweries we pick first to visit on a weekday, it would be these:
Zillicoah Beer Company
Zillicoah is our go-to Asheville brewery as locals. Technically, Zillicoah is in Woodfin, which is basically the intersection of North and West Asheville. They also have a delicious Mexican food truck that lives on-site.
Zillicoah Beer Company sits along the French Broad River, and you can find both covered and uncovered picnic tables alongside the brewery and river. It’s scenic AF. Out of all of the breweries in Asheville, this one is the most relaxing. Because Zillicoah is farther away from downtown (about 10-15-minutes), it stays a lot quieter with a local vibe.
Lately, they’ve been brewing more seasonals and sours. I love it when they offer a smokey concoction, and you can also grab lighter beers, ciders, and wine. This AVL brewery is dog-friendly, especially with endless acres of land to romp around on.
Zillicoah Address: 870 Riverside Drive; Woodfin, NC 28804
Phone Number: (828) 424-7929
Asheville Brewing Company
One of our favorite breweries in Asheville for pizza, don’t miss Asheville Brewing Company. There are multiple locations including Coxe Ave. in downtown Asheville, Merrimon Ave. in North Asheville, and Hendersonville Road in South Asheville. The Merrimon Ave. location also has a movie theater and a small arcade.
We love Asheville Pizza and Brewing for their pizza and beer. They also offer a gluten-free crust and vegan cheese. Plus, you can grab the best bar food like burgers and tater tots.
For beers, I love their darker brews with chocolate and coconut. They usually have a local cider on tap with a little of everything else. The Coxe Ave. location has a wings mural with hops, perfect for picture-taking.
Asheville Brewing Locations
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company North Asheville Address: 675 Merrimon Avenue; Asheville, NC 28804
Phone Number: 828-254-1281
Asheville Brewing Company Downtown Address: 77 Coxe Avenue; Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828-255-4077
Asheville Brewing Company South Asheville Address: 1850 Hendersonville Road Suite A; Asheville, NC 28803
Phone Number: 828-277-5775
Twin Leaf Brewery
For downtown Asheville breweries, we enjoy Twin Leaf Brewery. Although busy, I feel like many tourists skip over this AVL brewery opting for Wicked Weed and its nearby Funkatorium. Personally, I love Twin Leaf beer and feel like I am sitting in a greenhouse.
I’m not going to lie, I’m a little more biased on my beer because I don’t usually drink IPAs. Gasp; I know. You will see that reflected in my beer recs. I will get trolled. It is what it is.
Twin Leaf, to me, is IPA-heavier — which is fantastic for you IPA-lovers. I usually order a Pilsner or Stout. I love their attitude, ambiance, and vibes.
If you are beer-hopping across Asheville, the Funkatorium, Catawba, Green Man, Asheville Brewing – Coxe Ave, and Hi-Wire South Slope are all nearby.
Twin Leaf Brewery Address: 144 Coxe Avenue Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828-774-5000
Catawba Brewing Co.
One of the most popular breweries in Asheville, Catawba won’t disappoint. I love the chic warehouse-feel with hanging chandeliers at the South Slope location. Find food trucks, too. They also have a set up at Asheville’s Biltmore Village.
What’s not to love about Catawba? They make delicious white ales and play with flavors like orange, pumpkin, coffee, coconut, peach, and lime. Of course, find Stouts, IPAs, Porters, Browns, Ambers, Sours, Saisons, and even Cream Ales. I pretty much always need to order a beer flight here because I can just never pick one beer.
Catawba Locations
Catawba Brewing South Slope: 32 Banks Ave; Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828-552-3934
Catawba Brewing Biltmore Village: 63 Brook St.; Asheville, NC 28803
Phone Number: 828-424-7290
Hi-Wire Brewing
I might also be a little biased toward the Asheville breweries around South Slope…which I am realizing as I write this.
Hi-Wire has breweries across North Carolina, including in Durham and Wilmington. They also have a Knoxville location — a great day trip from Asheville. In Asheville, find Hi-Wire Brewing at South Slope and Big Top/Biltmore Village.
We love their South Slope taproom for its rainbow murals and ideal location for a day of beer-hopping. Hi-Wire is most known for its Lagers and Sour beers. They usually have a Brown Ale and IPA or two, too. Don’t miss some of the Pack library archive pictures in the restrooms featuring some interesting Asheville history.
Hi-Wire Brewing Asheville Locations
Hi-Wire Brewing Big Top Address: 2A Huntsman Pl; Asheville, NC
Phone Number: 828-738-2451
Hi-Wire Brewing South Slope Address: 197 Hilliard Ave; Asheville, NC
Phone Number: 828-738-2452
Popular Breweries In Asheville, NC
OK, we’ve shared our favorite Asheville breweries as locals, but we also always get asked with are the most popular and best breweries that tourists and locals love.
Below are what many consider to be downtown Asheville brewery musts, although remember that all of the Asheville breweries on this list are the best for different reasons.
Green Man Brewery
Green Man is one of North Carolina’s and Asheville’s original breweries popping up in 1997. Their massive main location is three stories high with multiple bars, rooftop seating, a zen garden, and views of their brewing process. Dirty Jack’s is located right next door, which is a pull-up bar and equally as fun.
I prefer Green Man’s lagers, but you can also grab IPAs, Ambers, Porters, and Sours while stocking up on their endless schwag. Green Man has a modern and sleek taproom along with the iconic Green Man logo that guards all brews. In many cultures, the Green Man is a symbol of rebirth, and it’s fair to say that Asheville has grown into quite the destination.
Green Man Brewery Address: 27 Buxton Ave.; Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828.252.5502
Wicked Weed Brewing
I’m pretty sure that Wicked Weed is one of the most popular and sought out breweries in Asheville, NC. We love them, but as locals, we also stay away during peak seasons. Wicked Weed gets packed — and rightfully so.
With cozy indoor seating — we usually squeeze in at the bar — and an outdoor, dog-friendly patio with firepits that overlook bustling Asheville, Wicked Weed is an Asheville hot spot. You can grab a full menu of food, including sandwiches, burgers, and heavier entrees like salmon and steak. Of course, you can snack on a pretzel or hummus while trying one of their foamy beers.
The drink selection at Wicked Weed is impressive with cocktails, red and white wine, ciders, and beer, beer, beer. I’m always a fan of their fall seasonal brews, and like Catawba, they love to play with flavors, including lavender, cherries, chocolate, and chai. They’ll also have the hops.
Wicked Weed Address: 91 Biltmore Ave. Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828-575-9599
Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium
Closer to Twin Leaf, a rad art space with beer, and Chemist Distillery in the South Slope, if you love sour beers, you’ll want to head to the Funkatorium – owned by Wicked Weed. This is the East Coast’s first sour beer dedicated taproom.
The Funkatorium has an outdoor Biergarten to enjoy Rose and sours on tap. Find a bunch of flavors to zap your taste buds with including elderflower, raspberries, grapefruit, tropical fruit, vanilla, and cherries. You can also taste a few of these selections at Wicked Weed.
Funkatorium Address: 147 Coxe Ave.; Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828-552-3203
Burial Beer Company
Like Hi-Wire, Burial Beer Company has breweries across North Carolina, including South Slope in Asheville and Raleigh. They also run the Forestry Camp Bar and Restaurant, which highlights locally-sourced Appalachian cuisine.
True to their namesake, Burial beers have pretty spooky and ominous names like ‘A Guillotine of Contemplation’ and “The Shattered Remains of Nothingness.” Here, you can grab food and an Imperial Stout, Barrel-Aged Sour, or India Pale Ale.
Burial Beer Company Address: 40 Collier Ave.; Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828-475-2739
Bhramari Brewing Company
Before we moved to AVL, Bhramari was one of the first breweries in Asheville, NC that we ever visited. Why? Because we heard that they made the wildest beer concoctions. And YES, they most definitely lived up to this reputation.
With beehive-like Edison lights and what I can only describe as tree discs stuck to the walls, Bhramari feels a little smaller than all of the Asheville, NC breweries but packs a whole lot of heart.
You can dine on weekly food specials as well as burgers, pizza, peanuts, and/or nachos while sipping on one of their experimental beers. They usually play with a few Goses, add some magic to India Pale Ales, fruit up some Berliner Weisses, and add something rich to their Stouts.
The beers change often, and you’ll want to try as many as possible. If traditional beers are your jam, though, I’m not sure you appreciate this beer selection.
Bhramari Brewing Address: 101 S. Lexington Ave.; Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828.214.7981
Highland Brewing
One of the Asheville breweries not located downtown, Highland Brewing started a little before Green Man in 1994. Highland offers year-round brews as well as small-batch rotating flavors. Find a little of everything with White, Wheat, Pilsner, IPA, Red Ale, and Stout beers.
Highland Brewing Address: 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200; Asheville, North Carolina 28803
Phone Number: 828-299-3370
A Notable Asheville Brewery Mention:
Biltmore Brewing Co. — Biltmore Estate House Brews — Although not a brewery, Biltmore makes their own in-house brews that you can order at Cedric’s Tavern. They are delicious, and Cedric’s — named after the beloved Biltmore pooch — is perfect for lunch or dinner.
Downtown Asheville Breweries
Are you looking for more breweries in the heart of downtown? Many of the best breweries in Asheville, NC mentioned above are around or close to South Slope, including Bhramari, Burial, Green Man, Wicked Weed, and the Funkatorium.
Below are a few more of our personal favorite downtown Asheville breweries near restaurants like Tupelo, Red Ginger, and Farm Burger.
Thirsty Monk
Thirsty Monk is one of our personal favorite breweries in Asheville, and there are a few hidden secrets here at the downtown location.
Downstairs in their basement level, you can order a Belgian beer flight. You’ll also find sours. The middle level is full of a variety of modern Ales like IPAs and Ambers with food options. Then, if you are looking for a rooftop bar with cocktails, head upstairs to Top of the Monk.
Thirsty Monk is near Tupelo Honey — one of Asheville’s most popular restaurants — and Red Ginger Dimsum & Tapas, which is of my personal lunch and dinner favorite for dumplings. Nothing pairs better with a day of beer-drinking than Asian tapas…
Thirsty Monk Locations
Thirsty Monk Brewery Downtown Address: 92 Patton Ave.; Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828-254-5470
Thirsty Monk Brewery Biltmore Park Address: 2 Town Square Blvd #170; Asheville, NC, 28803
Phone Number: 828-687-3873
One World Brewing
One World Brewing is one of the downtown Asheville breweries that is a little quieter. They also have a location over on Haywood Road, too.
We enjoy the downtown taproom, which sits underground near Farm Burger and is decorated with A Christmas Story leg lamp and other funky colored lights. Of course, there are alien vibes, too.
For beers, they have a little bit of everything, and if you are looking to escape on a rainy day or hide from the crowds, One World is the chill and fun place to be.
One World Brewing Locations
One World Brewing Downtown AVL Address: 10 Patton Ave #002; Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828-785-5580
One World Brewing West Address: 520 Haywood Road; Asheville, NC 28806
Phone Number: 828-575-9992
Urban Orchard Cider Company
Tom has Celiac Disease, which means that he is either ordering cider, mead, or wine at many of these downtown Asheville breweries. Sometimes, the breweries will have a reduced-gluten beer on tap, too.
However, Urban Orchard Cider Company is for him — and last year, I was stoked to see Gluhwein on the menu. Although technically a cidery, I’m including Urban Orchard on this list. It’s still an Asheville must.
Urban Orchard South Slope is a gorgeous building near Catawba Brewing. You cannot miss its vibrant street art out front. Head inside to an open and modern taproom. Here, you can try a variety of apple ciders with hops, ginger, fruits, or spices.
Cider isn’t for everyone, but give it a try at least once. You never know!
Urban Orchard Locations
Urban Orchard South Slope Address: 24 Buxton Ave; Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828-505-7243
Urban Orchard West Asheville Location: 210 Haywood Rd; Asheville, NC 28806
Phone Number: 828-774-5151
The Collaboratory Brewery
One of the newer breweries in Asheville, Collaboratory offers both beer and a full menu of food. They love to offer experimental brews and collaborate with the community, including artists, musicians, and chefs.
They’ve been temporarily closed during the pandemic.
The Collaboratory Brewery Location: 39 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828-348-1622
Best Breweries Around RAD/Woodfin
Ginger’s Revenge
Along the lines of Asheville cideries and gluten-free beer, Ginger’s Revenge is another hot spot for us. Their Friday food truck is our favorite for plantation fries, and although ginger beer takes a little getting used to, you have to try it. It’s good for your stomach, right?
I love Ginger’s Revenge’s warehouse vibes where you can hear the ginger beer brewing. Their ‘ginger’ mural is the backdrop for live music. You can order ginger beer flavored with fruits and spices. I love when their fall pumpkin releases and anything with lavender is for me.
All of their ginger beers are naturally gluten-free and are made with 95% organic ingredients. And YES, they have alcohol!
Don’t forget that if you head north, Zillicoach is nearby. If you head south, you’ll hit the River Arts District (RAD), passing the famous AVL silo, Wedge Brewing (both locations), and pleb urban winery.
Ginger’s Revenge Address: 829 Riverside Dr #100; Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828-505-2462
Wedge At Foundation
For the best breweries in Asheville, Wedge Brewing is another one that we always recommend to travelers. There are two locations: Foundation — deeper into the River Arts District with pleb urban winery — and Studios — closer to the Asheville silo.
We love the Foundation location because you are in the heart of RAD. Sip beer on their outside patio surrounded by urban street art, a skate park, shops, cafes, pleb urban winery, and artist studios. Inside is pretty cozy, too, and we usually pull up a stool and vacation plan here.
Visitors can drink IPAs, Pilsners, Stouts, Lagers, Golden Ales, Cream Ales, and even Sours. For ambiance and location, Wedge Brewing has it all.
Wedge Brewery Locations:
Wedge At Foundation Address: 5 Foundy Street; Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828-253-7152
Wedge Brewery Studio Location: 129 Roberts St, Asheville, NC 28801
Phone Number: 828-505-2792
Riverside Rhapsody Brewery
Riverside Rhapsody is one of the most hidden breweries in Asheville/Woodfin. Just across the street from the French Broad River, find a little wooden structure filled with Saisons and lighter beers.
You can sit at a covered picnic table or grab a bar stool and sit in the sun at a wine barrel. Their selection is a little smaller than the downtown Asheville breweries, but you’ll enjoy the quiet at this more local joint.
Riverside Rhapsody Address: 995 Riverside Drive; Woodfin, NC 28804
Phone Number: 828-575-2370
Mentioned above, Zillicoah Brewing and one Asheville Pizza and Brewing location are out this way as well.
Larger & Nationally-Known Breweries In Asheville
I saved the biggest breweries in Asheville, NC for last because they are a little more tourist-geared but also fun to tour and taste test. Technically, Sierra Nevada is in Fletcher/Mills River, but it’s literally next to the airport so it counts…
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
As mentioned above, Sierra Nevada is conveniently located next to the Asheville airport, and we tend to stop here before boarding a flight or right when we get back. If family is flying into town and hungry for lunch, we head over here, too.
We have yet to take a tour, but we love their taproom menu and dropping in for some beer. Order duck fries and try one of Sierra Nevada’s famous brews. To me, they are hoppy. Sierra Nevada Brewing has a shop and rather impressive grounds.
Sierra Nevada Address: 100 Sierra Nevada Way; Fletcher, NC 28732
Phone Number: 828-681-5300
New Belgium Brewing Asheville
What I consider to be the most touristy of breweries in Asheville, New Belgium is an icon for Fat Tire. Should you head here? Yes! And make reservations on Open Table…
Situated next to the French Broad River, enjoy a meal from their rotating food trucks, sit outside along the river, and sip one of their famous brews. Like Sierra Nevada, we haven’t taken a tour, but you’ll find a little bit of everything, including a shop and tons of photo ops.
New Belgium Address: 21 Craven St.; Asheville, North Carolina
Phone Number: 828-333-6900
Beer-Hopping In Asheville? Where Can You Stay?
Asheville, NC Hotels
Hotels and B&Bs tend to book up fast in Asheville, especially in the fall and spring. Make dinner reservations wherever you can, too. A few hotels to consider that either we, our friends, or others highly recommend include:
Downtown Asheville
The Foundry Hotel
AC Hotel By Marriot Downtown Asheville
Hotel Indigo
Aloft – Downtown Asheville *One of our top picks; they renovated in 2020
Near The Asheville Outlets/Biltmore
Hampton Inn And Suites Asheville Biltmore Area *Our second favorite pick. We stayed here before we moved.
DoubleTree By Hilton Biltmore/Asheville
Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville
North Asheville/Montford
The Omni Grove Park Inn *We frequently stop by the Grove Park for sunsets, drinks, and food.
1900 Inn On Montford
What are your favorite breweries in Asheville, NC?
What are your favorite Asheville breweries? What are your favorite local Asheville beer flavors? We’d love to hear about your Asheville experiences. Tell us all in the comments.
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