This guide to Asheville breweries shares it all– the big guys, the microbreweries, the must-visit breweries and the hidden gems. We share details on the beer offerings, vibe, food scene and more.
With over 30 breweries in Asheville proper and dozens more in the surrounding areas, there is ample opportunity for beer lovers to explore. This is Beer City, after all!
Not only is Asheville home to some of the nation’s largest and most established craft breweries but there are also several up-and-coming startups and small-batch breweries.
The smaller ones have a bit more flexibility to experiment and perfect, so you can expect a lot of unique brews and fun collaborations from them.
Choosing which breweries in Asheville to visit can be overwhelming, but that’s where our guide can help!
What You’ll Find In This Article
- Map Of Asheville Breweries
- Ultimate Guide
- Burial Beer (South Slope)
- Burial Beer Forestry Camp
- Hillman Beer
- Cellarest
- New Origin
- Cursus Keme
- Wicked Weed Brewing Pub
- 12 Bones Brewing
- Hi-Wire (RAD)
- Wicked Weed Funkatorium
- Wedge at Foundation
- Highland Brewing
- Whistle Hop
- DSSOLVR
- Hi-Wire (South Slope)
- Hi-Wire (Biltmore Village)
- Archetype Brewing
- Zillicoah
- White Labs Brewing
- Sweeten Creek Brewery
- Wicked Weed West
- Sierra Nevada
- Wedge at Wedge Studios
- Wedge (downtown)
- New Belgium Brewery
Asheville Breweries Map
The Best Breweries In Asheville
And finally, onto the list! This guide to Asheville breweries will help you get the most out of the Asheville beer scene.
Hidden biergarten in South Slope with awesome food
Burial Beer in South Slope is our top recommendation for a brewery in Asheville. This gets thrown around a lot, but we mean it! It’s the perfect combination of a cool space, unique brews and delicious food.
Burial’s quiet Biergarten-style outdoor area is a welcome surprise in the heart of South Slope. There are several places to sit, including old vehicles scattered around.
Their in-house kitchen serves excellent fare. In fact, it’s at the top of our South Slope restaurants guide. We especially love the cheeseburger!
Burial has a second location near Biltmore Village (details below!) and locations in Raleigh and Charlotte. Burial does not have flights, samples or tasters available. Full pours only!
Coolest brewery atmosphere in town
You’ll find Burial’s second location in Asheville near Biltmore Village. Burial’s Forestry Camp is one of the coolest breweries in town.
It’s located in a former camp that housed Civilian Conservation Corps Workers. The setting and old buildings bring a sense of nostalgia to your beer-drinking experience.
Just like at their South Slope location, Burial does not offer flights or samples. Full pours only.
Forestry Camp is on the list of Asheville breweries with great food. And they use East Fork pottery!
Though their menu changes seasonally, you can count on excellent menu items like a classic smash burger, steak frites, fried oysters and even redfish.
Brewpub near Biltmore Village with great outdoor seating + flights
Hillman Beer is an Asheville brewery gem. It’s just down the road from Biltmore Village and has excellent outdoor seating and a great food menu.
Hillman’s beer selection offers something for every taste. From light Nitro Pale Ales to their classic Dunkelweisen, and with rotating sours and hard seltzers, there’s always a perfect brew waiting.
Hillman offers flights, 32-ounce crowlers, 16-ounce pours and short pours (12oz.) They also have a few N/A options like Athletic Brewery non-alcoholic beer, Devils Foot, kombucha and soda.
And as for food, it’s excellent! Their signature burger topped with house pickles and a delicious sauce is always our top recommendation. It comes with chips, though you pay a bit more for fries. They also have a great reuben, a fried chicken sandwich, salads and a few appetizers.
Don’t miss Hillman Beer’s burger + beer special on Wednesday nights.
Unique high-quality brews in an unassuming spot
Cellarest is a small-batch brewery in West Asheville specializing in wood barrel fermentation and lagering. Their craftsmanship produces high-quality beers in styles you won’t find elsewhere.
Rather than having a beer list chocked full of IPAs, they have interesting wild ales, stouts, and lagers on the menu. It’s all small batch and regionally influenced (classic Asheville!) and they make use of some pretty cool techniques.
One noteworthy one is that they use European-style serving tanks. These use compressed air instead of CO2 for dispensing, which saves on labor and water and reduces added chemicals.
They have great outdoor seating as well as a small taproom. Live music in the garden area can’t be topped! And their mural with the sun peeking through woods is super impressive.
As far as food goes, they have Thai food available from the Cassia food truck on site Friday to Sunday from 2-9. You can also bring your own food or have something delivered. May we recommend Gan Shan West or Pizza Mind just down the road?
A hidden gem with creative brews and a modern feel
You probably won’t stumble across this brewery while exploring Asheville, but it’s a local favorite for sure. Like so many other small-batch breweries, New Origin offers creative beer concoctions that you won’t find elsewhere.
New Origin is certainly off the beaten path– tucked away in the same area as Regeneration Station just off Swannanoa Rd. They have a modern tap room with bright clean vibes and a great outdoor space. It’s the perfect spot to spend a beautiful afternoon.
They don’t have a kitchen, but 900 Degreez Pizza is on-site from Wednesday to Sunday. It’s a food truck… but like, a food TRUCK. As in, a large box truck that has been reconfigured into a very cool mega food truck.
If you are looking to brewery hop, make sure to check out Cursus Keme just down the road.
An actual hidden brewery in Asheville
You may be surprised to find a small brewery tucked behind a gate with vines in the middle of what feels like an abandoned industrial area. Located near Biltmore Village (and just by New Origin Brewing), Cursus Keme is one of the most unique breweries in Asheville.
With an open airy feel, the industrial interior is connected to nature with huge roll-up doors, massive wooden furnishings, and tons of plants. Their tables and benches are awesome!
The small brewery has a great selection of beer ranging from IPAs to pilsners to a doppelbock and they’re always experimenting with more.
You’ll find a few tables outside as well as a lawn (bring your own chairs!) They also feature live music, a monthly artisan market, and a food truck. Oh, and one last thing– their outdoor area is surrounded by trees and hops (yes, they grow their own hops!)
West Coast-style hoppy brews and outdoor seating downtown
As a true darling of the Asheville beer scene, Wicked Weed has multiple locations around town. Explore classic brews & eats at their downtown Asheville brewery, dive into sours at the Funkatorium, or visit their newest spot in Enka/Candler.
Their original location (the Brewpub) is located downtown. They have a vast selection of award-winning beers as well as an on-site kitchen with excellent food options. Try one of their signature flights if you are indecisive or like to sample several brews.
The Brewpub is a great place to hang out with both indoor and outdoor seating. We especially love the open patio on Biltmore Ave. Perfect for people-watching!
Wicked Weed offers free brewery tours at their brewpub location. It’s 21+ and you can sign up online.
One last thing… Wicked Weed was sold to Anheuser Busch-InBev in 2017. All of their beer production continues to remain in Asheville, though their distribution area has obviously expanded since the sale. It’s still a beloved Asheville brewery, though, and feels very local despite the sale.
Excellent local brewery brought to you by a top Asheville BBQ restaurant
If the name sounds familiar, perhaps you are thinking of their sister restaurant: 12 Bones Smokehouse. They make some of the Best BBQ in Asheville.
But let’s talk about the brewery! 12 Bones Brewing is just another example of an Asheville establishment contributing to what makes Beer City so amazing.
It’s located in the same building 12 Bones’ South AVL location, so you can pair world-class BBQ (especially the ribs!) with great beer.
With a lineup of traditional and more experimental beers, there is something classic or unique for every palate. They also host a ton of cool events like trivia and live music. Follow on social media for upcoming events.
There’s a food counter on the restaurant side or you can order food from your table using a QR code. The restaurant counter has a few beers available, but you’ll find more on tap at the brewery side of things.
12 Bones Brewing hosts Totally Rad Trivia on Wednesday nights at 7pm. They also have live music on Thursdays from 6-8PM.
Colorful beer garden made of shipping containers
The newest Hi-Wire location to the Asheville scene and one of our favorites in town! Tucked away in the River Arts District you’ll feel like you walked into paradise.
The 25,000-square-foot distribution center has a killer beer garden and taproom. The beer garden is constructed from nine up-cycled shipping containers, and in true RAD fashion, they are covered with colorful murals.
The outdoor seating is great and our kids love watching the forklifts at work in the distribution area.
Perfect destination for sour lovers
Less than a ten-minute walk from Wicked Weed’s Brewpub you’ll find their Funkatorium. Located in the heart of the South Slope Brewing District, they specialize in small-batch sours and funky beer.
With 20 on tap, it’s a wonderworld for sour lovers. They also have a selection of traditional beers on tap at the Funkatorium as well as signature flights.
And we can’t forget the space and food– elevated pub fare and beer garden-style seating. The perfect escape, especially when paired with a funky sour.
Local brewery with a permanent food truck and outdoor seating in River Arts District
Wedge Brewery has three locations in Asheville, our favorite of which is in River Arts District by Summit Coffee and 12 Bones.
Whether you enjoy a classic IPA like their Iron Rail IPA, something lighter like their Margarita Gose or something in between, Wedge has you covered with 18 beers on tap.
They also serve wine and hard cider for those looking for something other than beer.
Wedge is a great spot for a casual beer with a huge outdoor space that is great for hanging out with family and friends.
They have a permanent food truck with burgers, hot dogs and gyros, including a vegetarian option. It’s run by local Chop Shop Butchery. 12 Bones Smokehouse is also next door and offers takeout.
12 Old Charlotte Highway | East Asheville
Excellent beer, local food trucks and great outdoor fun
As Asheville’s first craft brewery, Highland Brewing is where the Beer City magic first began.
Established in 1994, Asheville’s oldest craft brewery still cranks out high-quality beer today. A few of their top brews include their flagship Gaelic Ale (an amber-colored American Ale), their seasonal Cold Mountain Spiced Winter Ale and an excellent line-up of IPAs.
You’ll find a great outdoor area, a large indoor taproom with a porch and a rotating lineup of food trucks at their production brewery in East Asheville
The huge campus also has loads of activities, like a short hiking trail, disc golf, corn hole and volleyball. Their large outdoor space, dubbed “The Meadow”, is perfect for kids of all ages to get some energy out.
They offer brewery tours for a behind-the-scenes look and they also host several events throughout the year.
Highland also has a bar and taproom downtown in the beautiful S&W Market (Asheville’s only food hall!)
Whistle Hop
A brewery your kids will love as much as you!
This train-themed brewery does much more than just appeal to kids and the young at heart. While they have plenty of activities and things to see for kids, their beer is truly next level.
They brew some classic crushable brews including their flagship pale ale, Pale by Rail, and a ton of uniquely flavored beers like a Fruit Loops Milkshake IPA, an Orange Blossom Ginger Tripel and a Dark Choco Hazel Imperial Stout.
The outdoor space is amazing with a 3 hole mini golf course, cornhole, disc golf connect four, and an epic tunnel slide that kids absolutely love. And inside you can actually sit in an old caboose. Rotating food trucks keep you fed.
It’s a great place to check out on your way back from a day trip to Lake Lure or after hiking the Bearwallow Mountain trail. The perfect family-friendly brewery!
Great outdoor patio in the heart of downtown Asheville
With some of the best quality beer in Asheville, DSSOLVR is a must-stop for any beer enthusiast. Located on Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville, this small brewery packs a punch.
DSSOLVR has around 20 beers on tap with styles ranging from Kolsch to sours to double IPAs ensuring there is something for every taste. There’s even a cheesecake sour!!
The patio space tucked behind the brewery is a favorite around town. There are beer garden-style tables surrounded by trees. It’s unexpected!
Their indoor seating is also pretty great because it’s in the same space as their production brewery. So you can watch the magic happen from your seat. They open the doors between the spaces when the weather is nice.
One thing to note is that DSSOLVR does not have flights, samples or tasters available. Full pours only!
A local Asheville gem with several out-of-state locations
With several locations scattered around Asheville, Hi-Wire’s colorful vibe is sure to draw you in. Not only do they have their flagship and seasonal ales available, but also a wide assortment of special batches, sour and wild ales.
Their colorful South Slope spot serves as their original home and is now dedicated to brewing their small-batch beers, sours and wild ales.
It is an intimate taproom and can’t be missed with its rainbow vortex façade. For food, you’ll find a few snacks and ready-made charcuterie platters or you can bring your own.
Their South Slope brewery features 24 taps of unique Hi-Wire beers as well as non-alcoholic beer and soda.
10 Brook Street | near Biltmore Village
Hi-Wire production brewery with outdoor seating and a food truck
Their 27,000-square-foot production brewery and taproom is located near Biltmore Village.
Known as Hi-Wire Big Top, you’ll find several picnic tables outside, a covered patio, and the permanent Rebel Burger food truck serving up awesome burgers. They have a regular smash burger as well as their signature Rebel Burger with a Lahore’s spice blend.
Big Top features 30 taps (25 of which are Hi-Wire brews), 3 draft wines, cold brew, and local Devil’s Foot Sparkling Lemonade.
Rooftop seating, excellent beer and a cool place to hang
Archetype is a beer-first kind of place. They obsess over the process and the ingredients (mixed fermentation, wild ‘less-predictable’ yeast…) and it shows in their unique brews.
As a result, they consistently put out high-quality beer with some core favorites and a rotating selection of IPAs, stouts, lagers and so much more. And what’s great is that you can catch them at three locations around town. See below for details!
Archetype Brewing’s production facility in West Asheville offers plenty of seating everywhere from an outside patio to a rooftop deck. You’ll find all of their core beers as well as seasonal and small-batch brews. You can also get cans or bottles to go. View the on-tap menu here.
They don’t have a kitchen on-site BUT don’t fret… Archetype is located next to two of our favorite restaurants: Gan Shan West (best Asheville takeout!) and Pizza Mind. Both restaurants offer online ordering and delivery to Archetype. Note: rooftop delivery isn’t available.
870 Riverside Drive | Woodfin
A great brewery along the river in North Asheville
Located north of downtown Asheville along the French Broad River, Zillicoah Beer Company is another gem of a brewery.
They have an on-site food truck Master BBQ serving up mouthwatering Filipino Comfort food.
ZIllicoah now allows all ages every day of the week. This is worth mentioning because they used to only allow those over 21 except on Sundays.
Plenty of space on their 4-acre property makes it a great place to spend the afternoon drinking with friends and enjoying river views.
Perfect for those who love the science behind beer-making
We mean it when they say they have turned brewing into a science. White Labs brews the same beer with different yeast strains, resulting in very different beer profiles.
You can try the different strains yourself to see how it changes the flavor. It’s a great way to pinpoint which flavors and styles you really love. Read more about their beer and methods here.
Not only is their beer fantastic, but they also have a great food menu specializing in pizza. You’ll also find wings, burgers, sharable snacks and more.
White Labs is located in downtown Asheville, but not in the busy area where parking is scarce. Instead, they are just east of downtown, offering a great escape from the busyness of the main shopping and dining area. Their tap room is great with nice outdoor patio seating out front.
South Asheville brewery with a BBQ restaurant
Sweeten Creek Brewing is a hidden gem brewery in South Asheville. They have a great variety of brews, an on-site Bear’s Smokehouse and a large meadow perfect for kids and dogs.
Alongside their signature pilsner, Sweeten Creek offers a variety of malty options for those who prefer a richer taste.
They also have a wide selection of IPAs, including their ‘Asheville Style IPA,’ a unique creation that merges East Coast and West Coast styles into a local favorite.
Bear’s BBQ and Sweeten Creek Brewing are in separate spaces and have different ordering areas.
Bear’s BBQ has all of the classics you’d expect, from pulled pork to burnt ends, mac & cheese, collards and more. They also have a few unique creations, like cornbread topped with mac + cheese and choice of meat.
Bear’s Smokehouse & Sweeten Creek
For vegetarian options, Bear’s has smoked portobello, smoked tempeh and Impossible meatloaf.
This is the second Asheville location of Bear’s Smokehouse. The first Bear’s in the area is one of the many restaurants in South Slope. Bear’s is originally out of Connecticut.
Wicked Weed West
Wicked Weed West is the third Wicked Weed in the area– it’s located in nearby Candler. You’ll find a 50-barrel production brewery at Wicked Weed West, as well as a taproom and food truck. There’s outdoor seating to the side with picnic tables and umbrellas.
Expect excellent food with menu items like a smash burger, a beyond burger and even salads. Oh, and local Sunshine Sammies ice cream sandwiches and chalk for the young at heart.
Asheville’s (and quite possibly the East Coast’s) most impressive brewery
If you looking to be wowed by a brewery, head to the Sierra Nevada Brewery located south of Asheville in Mills River.
This kid-friendly brewery serves as their East Coast production facility and is the closest brewery to the Asheville airport. It’s situated on over 180 acres on the French Broad River.
Sierra Nevada is a beer wonderland where you can eat, drink and soak in the great outdoors. They offer a variety of brewery tours, live music, great bites, awesome beer and plenty of space to roam around.
You can either dine at their restaurant (10/10 food btw) or you can order from their patio menu out back and enjoy the grounds. The food menu at the taproom restaurant is a bit more elevated than the Back Porch one.
Their outdoor space is pretty great– you’ll find a grass lawn amphitheater, a working garden, and plenty of seating to enjoy. Live music is every Saturday and Sunday at the amphitheater from 2 to 5pm, and they also host live music events in their High Gravity space.
Rotating food trucks and local beer at an artist studio/gallery
With not one but two locations in River Arts District and a taproom in Grove Arcade, Wedge Brewing has you covered all over town.
Honestly, you can’t get more Asheville than Wedge Brewery at Wedge Studios. It’s tucked in the dock level of an iconic building in the River Arts District. The building (a triangular-shaped wedge…) is over 100 years old. It was founded by a metal artist and features 20 working studios. It’s a great place for art lovers to explore!
The brewery features rotating food trucks, a small taproom and great outdoor seating. You can’t get a flight but they do offer half-pours.
It’s right next to The Bull and Beggar, which is an awesome destination for upscale dining and steak in Asheville.
Wedge Brewery – Downtown
Laidback taproom in downtown Asheville’s Grove Arcade
Wedge’s newest location is right at home in the Grove Arcade. Their taproom is the perfect place to escape the crowds.
You’ll find around 10 drafts available, including a few IPAs, a lager, a sour and even their take on the classic Belgian Saison when available. Ginger’s Revenge is also on the menu, as well as wine and prosecco.
Wedge has an extensive beer list featuring IPAs, sours, stouts, and lagers. All three of their locations offer great places to hang out and enjoy excellent beer.
As far as food goes, you can either get a bar snack by the local catering company Red Fiddle Vittles or bring your own food. Wedge is located near a ton of great places that offer to-go food. One of which is Baba Nahm— it’s a favorite of ours for delicious takeout.
Production brewery, taproom and river views in West Asheville
New Belgium has a huge production brewery in West Asheville with a fun taproom, plenty of outdoor space and great views of the French Broad River. They feature over 30 beers on tap with a huge selection that you won’t find in stores.
While New Belgium doesn’t have an in-house restaurant, they have a rotating calendar of food trucks. They have a great event space and outdoor festival grounds. It’s a perfect place for kids to run around while you enjoy some fresh air and great beer.
New Belgium also has an outdoor porch overlooking the river with great covered seating. And for all the beer enthusiasts out there, they offer a range of brewery tours to meet your taste. Check out this article for more production brewery tours in Asheville.
And that wraps up our guide to Asheville breweries. It’s pretty epic, right? There are so many great breweries to check out and we hope this list inspires you to try a new one!
