French Broad Brewery Pubhouse

Bar, Beer-to-go

101 Fairview Rd
Ste D
Asheville, North Carolina, 28803-4301
United States

(828) 277-0222 | map
frenchbroadbrewery.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.81
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
28
pDev:
9.19%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by yaksurf:
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Rated by yaksurf from North Carolina

3.15/5  rDev -17.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.25 | service: 2.75 | selection: 3.5

Sep 19, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.85 by scottspencer from Indiana

Jul 15, 2016
 
Rated: 3.59 by italianstallion from Wisconsin

May 26, 2015
 
Rated: 4.1 by chuckcurrin from Georgia

Mar 08, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by midlifec from Michigan

Oct 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by SeaOfAsh from North Carolina

Sep 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.08 by cichief from Virginia

Sep 21, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by PastorMeat from Pennsylvania

Jul 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by DaPan from Canada (ON)

Jul 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by johnyb from Florida

Apr 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by greencovesteve from North Carolina

Feb 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by BigGingDrinker from North Carolina

Nov 28, 2013
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Reviewed by NoCurse2012 from South Carolina

3.81/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Service was good. The girl that took our order was very polite and helpful. We had the flight and left as it was the last stop on our brewery treck. Their IPA was possibly the best IPA had while in Asheville so I brought a bottle home which was a deal at $4. Atmosphere was kind of blah. Probably a bit better in the evening when a band is playing on the small stage. I would go back for the IPA.
Apr 11, 2013
Photo of Lukafer
Reviewed by Lukafer from Michigan

3.28/5  rDev -13.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 3
Stopped by this place shortly after they opened on a Thursday. The place is very small, we sat at one of maybe 4 tables, although there was seating outside as well. It's pretty rundown, which is fine. The day we were there we could see them bottling bombers of their IPA (which is only $4 at the brewery, insanely cheap). We got a flight of their beers, and they were all okay, except I didn't care much for their bitter, their IPA was my favorite. The girl working was very nice, and helpful. We only stayed for the flight nd took off, don't know if I would've cared to stick around and drink pints. Overall a decent place, but not a must on the Asheville beer circuit.
Oct 06, 2012
Photo of akorsak
Reviewed by akorsak from Pennsylvania

3.64/5  rDev -4.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Southeast Asheville, off Biltmore. Appalachian Vintner is nearby.

Atmosphere: Another converted garage or warehouse. On entering the dark room, a few tables (no more than 5) and a short bar area greet you. The brewing equipment, stainless steel majesties, are to the left. A small stage is immediately to the left on entrace. When we arrived, a foursome was rocking it. There are a few tables outside as well.

Quality: Perhaps some false advertising here. Friday was listed as being a cask beer night at French Broad but I didn't see any casks. Nor did our beers taste like casks. Strange. A very small, cozy even, space. The big drawback to our Saturday stop - another Brew Cruise-esque accident inside.

Service: Pretty quick, a long line whittled away quickly on Friday night.

Selecton: Six beers on tap, including Wee Heavier, Rye Hopper and IPA. The same selections were also bottled in bombers to go (pretty cheap at $4 per). French Broad also fills growlers and won't give you a hard time if you bring a non-FB growler in.

Food: N/A.
May 29, 2012
Photo of commis
Reviewed by commis from Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +2.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5
Tiny little place off in a tiny little industrial park. Out of the way, not near downtown. Sort of close to the Biltmore, so that's a pain certain times of year but there is paYrking lot and if you you know the area, or consult a map, you can by-pass the Biltmore traffic. There is an Old Town canoe on the ceiling of the walk-in cooler when you walk in and about 15 ft to the left, the tanks and kettles greet you.. matching the disco ball hanging from the ceiling...I can't really explain, just go look if you haven't been there. The bar is just a 36" counter, really, with a register taking up most of it. There are three or four small tables and a short bar that separates the bar area from the brewing area. There is a stage directly on the other side of this bar. In the brewery itself...Awesome.

Always good beer at French Broad. Not a huge variety but they pump out 5-8 depending on the season and all are really good. Freshness is usually right on the money, but there have been a couple times that I've noticed my old go-to Rye Hopper was a bit on the mature side for the style. The Wee Heavy-er is great. It's more of a 90 or 120 but it's fantastic all the same and I never really get sick of it.

The staff at FB is great. From the brewers to the "bar" tenders, they are the most outgoing staff I've encountered in Asheville.
The brewers will frequently shoot some shit with you on their way from the kettle to the John, eyes a bit pink from R+D and QC... ;) The bar tenders know what they sell and it's clear that they have all tasted everything can competently tell you their feelings on what's been casked that week. They advocate beer and the city well.

Cheapest beer in Asheville without question. $55 1/6 barrels and I think something nuts like $110 for1/2 's. I believe growlers are $10...not sure because I usually am leaving with a keg. Bombers are a hair over 3 bucks at stores and the brewery.
Apr 28, 2011
Photo of blackie
Reviewed by blackie from Oregon

3.86/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
first beer related stop on a long Brewgrass weekend

The pubhouse is essentially a small area cordoned off from the main brewery room with tables, a small bar with taps, and a fridge with bombers. Decor is modest but comfortable, and the tall brew-tanks are in full view. Ongoing brewing activity was a reminder that this is, first and foremost, a brewery - the tasting room almost an afterthought, simply a place to enjoy a fresh beer.

There were maybe 5 or so selections at the time of our visit, including the seasonal Marzen. There's a cask setup, but it wasn't running that day. All French Broad beers are of good quality, if not necessarily appealing to the beer geek crowd. The Rye Hopper is a personal favorite.

Service was friendly and simple. Basically walk in, pick up a beer at the bar, and take your seat.

Drafts were quite cheap, with half-pours available. Bombers to go were $4.
Sep 26, 2010
Photo of Brenden
Reviewed by Brenden from Ohio

3.86/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
This is a pretty out of the way place to find, but using a map it isn't too difficult and we had a friend living here who knew where to go. Small is the word, but it's really not uncomfortable. There's a small stage area set up, but we were there early enough that nobody was playing. The atmosphere is fairly subdued since there weren't many people there (though it was about half full). I had the sampler and was generally pleased with the beers themselves. There aren't many taps, but given the size of the operation that didn't surprise me. All in all we had a pleasant experience and the service was good as well.
Jul 09, 2010
Photo of ewright
Reviewed by ewright from North Carolina

4.14/5  rDev +8.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
This is a pretty small taproom, with only enough seating for 15-20 people. We were there one evening with an acoustic duo playing music ... definitely added to the atmosphere.

There wasn't too big of a crowd, so we were able to get our orders filled pretty quickly. I was impressed that they offered half pints as well as pints. This enabled me to try their take on the berliner weissbeir with the requisite pomegranate syrup. Not my favorite thing in the world, but its not often I get to try this sort of thing on tap in NC.

They had a good selection of their standards on tap the day we were there, but nothing out of the ordinary. All in all, it was a fun place to waste an hour before dinner.
Aug 06, 2009
Photo of SaCkErZ9
Reviewed by SaCkErZ9 from South Carolina

3.59/5  rDev -5.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3
It took me forever to find this place; damn MapQuest. Once I did, I was relieved and quite parched. Quite a small little tasting area. Maybe five tables and a small bar. One bar has two seats where the drafts are pulled, and another small bar area that faces the brewery. Someone was mingling around the brewery making beer, but left soon after I arrived. I guess his shift was over. The beer was very fresh. Only five different things on draft, but the Rye Brown was tasty. ESB was average. Kind of out of the way but not a bad little spot for a quick pint.
Feb 23, 2009
Photo of AshevilleJJ
Reviewed by AshevilleJJ from North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +10.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
We take all our visitors to the French Broad Brewery.
There is a little tasting room inside the brewery and yes I agree with the other reviewers that it can be hard to find so map it out first.
Dog friendly and a nice little vibe to the place. All beers on tap and you can also order a sampler. French Broad has seasonal beers so take advantage of whats on tap. There are about 6 or 7 tables. Most nights they have music starting at 6 I believe. French Broad does close at 8 though so come early. We have great local songwriters/singers/bands so be sure to stop by around 6, have a few brews and enjoy the music and vibe.
Nov 08, 2008
Photo of mikesgroove
Reviewed by mikesgroove from South Carolina

4/5  rDev +5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
On my last trip through town and I veered away a bit to make a stop in for the new summer seasonal and to see what else was going on in this side of town. This is a fine little bar at the brewery to stop in and sample their wares if you have the time. Located right in Asheville, it is a must stop for those of us who love the overall beer scene. Nothing spectacular, with just a nice little tasting lounge, but it affords you the opportunity to sample everything at one stop and get a nice little tour of the brewery as well. I try to make it in here about once a season to try some old favorites and get a taste of the new ones. Definitely a quality establishment and worth a trip in anytime you are in town.
Jul 01, 2008
Photo of gabe
Reviewed by gabe from Florida

4/5  rDev +5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Stopped by here on a recent brewery trip to Asheville. It is basically a bar located in their brewery. Bar area was dimly lit by xmas lights and their was a stage for music right next to it. To the side of the stage are all the tanks & equipment used for brewing. Would be fun to catch some live music here. On our visit we walked through the brewery and sampled some brews. They have lots of their beers on draft for sampling purposes all of which are decent to solid offerings. Don't hesitate to stop in.
Nov 12, 2007
Photo of weissblau
Reviewed by weissblau from North Carolina

4.41/5  rDev +15.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
Definitely worth a visit. French Broad does not bottle, and most places don't carry everything they brew, so if you want to try the line, this is the best plate.

I came on a Saturday morning, pretty early by their standards, but they had six different beers available and the brewmaster stopped by to talk a bit. Not a bad way to spend an hour or two!

Definitely try the flight of beers. You get a 4oz sampler of each beer, which is more than enough to try it, and I found all their beers to be very drinkable, with one or two in the "excellent" category.

I gave "atmosphere" a 4, which might seem high for what is basically a warehouse. Well, it's a working brewery, folks, so if you like that kind of thing, you'll like it; and if you don't, it doesn't matter much what I put on it, does it?
Jul 09, 2007
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Reviewed by Backer2004 from North Carolina

4.26/5  rDev +11.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Okay, everyone who wants to experience Asheville outside of the Biltmore House needs to head to French Broad. Eclectic is the best way to describe this place. The front area has a small bar, followed by a small stage, followed by their brew tanks. Lots of great beer choices, especially their Barely Legal Barleywine.

For some reason, the place closes at 8 PM, did not seem to be a "membership club" but I do not think they serve food either (crazy NC state laws).

Very cool head brewer that really seems to love what he does.
Feb 24, 2007
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Reviewed by gosurfobx from North Carolina

4.06/5  rDev +6.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Need to get directions before you go to this place as it can be a bit of a challenge to get to. The bar itself is in the middle of the brewery and they usually have a live band playing. They have six taps at the place but only five beers where avalible last time I was there. They also have flights for those who want to try it all. The prices are good as is the service. I've never had any food there but I think that they have some bread and cheese there from a local bakery and cheesemaker. If in Ashville this place should be visited.
Sep 15, 2006
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Reviewed by GCBrewingCo from North Carolina

4/5  rDev +5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5
The French Broad Pubhouse is pretty easy to find if you map it first, otherwise, hang it up! Located in a slightly industrial setting of the start of Fairview road, look for the sign.

The atmosphere to me was kinda cool. A bar separating you from the brewery and fermenters with a cold case full of takeout growlers and sandwiched which is situated beside a cold box with 6 drafts and a server who made it a point to let me know before she poured that the beer I selected was more than the standard pint.

The quality was high and the service was spot on. Walk in, get draft, my kinda service!

I did not have any of the sandwiches and suspect they are created off site. The selection was only 6 and it was just ok, could have been a broader spectrum of brews.

Music starts at 5:30ish and the guy I saw tonight was pretty darn good to be one guy with a guitar, a harmonica and a microphone. The place is certainly dimly lit, but really, really clean. I counted 21 seats if 3 folks crowded onto the sofa, but I did see a mezzanine and some outside seating as well.

I will be back, I had a great time, albeit a short time.
Feb 01, 2006
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Reviewed by Enola from North Carolina

3/5  rDev -21.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3
We stopped in here today to get a couple growlers. We were going to tour the brewery portion but the tour had already started so we settled for a couple samples instead. This is kindly a small place. There is only a few tables. I am not sure there was any kind of food offered. The growlers were in a small fridge and were pre-packaged. They had all current offerings on tap to try. The brewery is in the back of the sample room. It is a small brewery but is nicely set up. The entrance is not well marked and is hidden by some large bushes but if you park in the small gravel lot next to the river the entrance is on that side.
Jan 15, 2006
French Broad Brewery Pubhouse in Asheville, NC
Place rating: 3.81 out of 5 with 28 ratings