Guess who's visiting Asheville?

(there are tons of threads on Asheville on this page so you should do a search for them)

the Sierra Nevada plant in Mills River is really a must-see. Not sure when New Belgium is opening but check on that.

 

If you're hitting up WW and Burial, it's probably worth going by Twin Leaf and Catawba as they're literally around the corner. Highland Brewing Co. is pretty decent as well. Personally I always enjoyed the vibe at Wedge Brewing Co. It's not in the main downtown area, but has a cool location near the river and generally has food trucks. Enjoy your visit!

 

Just for shiggles, because I don't think I've ever typed this entire list out, so it made me think a bit... I don't think I've missed anyone, but if I did, they'd probably go on the 'Places I Haven't Been To' list.

Beer Stores:
1) Tasty Beverage (#1 partially because they're in the mix of things in South Slope)
2) Appalachian Vintner
3) Bruisin' Ales

Bars:
1) Thirsty Monk downstairs
2) Thirsty Monk upstairs
3) Barley's
4) Jack of the Woods (mainly for Green Man beer... but just go to Green Man)

Breweries:
1) Wicked Weed Funkatorium
2) Burial
3) Wicked Weed Brewpub
4) Pisgah (not in Asheville proper)
5) Sierra Nevada (far edge of Asheville) - make sure to check out the to-go bottles
6) Green Man (especially if you like English beer, or if they have any sours/stouts on)
7) Wedge (not in South Slope)
8) Highland
9) Asheville Pizza and Brewing
10) Altamont
11) Catawba
12) Hi-Wire
13) Twin Leaf
14) Lexington Avenue Brewery (LAB)

To me, there's a pretty big gap between 6 and 7, and then between 9 and 10.

Places I haven't been yet, but want to (no order):
- Thirsty Monk (they brew as well...)
- Bhramari Brewhouse

Beery places to eat:
1) Sierra Nevada
2) Wicked Weed Brewpub
3) Asheville Pizza and Brewing
4) Lexington Avenue Brewery

Some of the breweries have food trucks at them (Pisgah, Wedge, Twin Leaf, and Green Man in particular) quite often, especially on the weekends.

 

A must-visit is First Mastadon Brewing in Black.Mountain. Killer coffin-aged porters.

 

Coffin-aged? They sound...to die for!

 

A New must visit is Zebulon Artisan Ales in Weaverville!!! This is the guy who was over the Green Man Sour program and started his own brewery!

https://www.facebook.com/Zebulon-Artisan-Ales-1652951968252187/

 

I agree on Zebulon. They only serve tasters at the brewery but everything I have tasted there has been phenomenal.

 

To add a question to the OP post. What about places to have kids. We are going for a week in the summer. Hiking, flyfishing, mtn biking , and yes some good beer. But Ill have a 4 and 7 year old, so what places are good to get a great beer and have a kid or two in tow, oh and perhaps dogs too...

 

Aloft? That is a great location in relation to WW and the south slope breweries. I stayed there a year ago.

 

Almost everywhere is kid friendly and most places are dog friendly as well. Wedge is nice for kids and dogs as their is room to run around at, same could be said for Pisgah probably. Out of the breweries I listed I've either had a dog or been with a dog at every one of them except Lab and Catawba. Lab I'm fairly certain won't allow dogs as they don't have outside seating that I can remember (been a while since I've been there) and so since they serve food you can't have dogs inside. Catawba I'm fairly certain would allow dogs, I just haven't done it. Asheville is amazingly dog friendly and kid friendly.

If the weather is bad that cuts down on your options a bit for dogs (though not kids). About half the places don't allow dogs inside, just outside (both Wicked Weed locations since they serve food, Sierra Nevada, Highland, and Wedge come to mind). But Wicked Weed Brewpub downstairs has a nice covered outside area you can get to without going inside, as does Asheville Brewing Company, Burial (as long as it isn't too windy as their outside covered area is pretty narrow), and Green Man.

 

Do not bring your kids to the Wedge. They do not want them there.

The best places for kids is Highland on a Friday or Saturday during the Summer. The outside field will be filled with kids running and playing. Burial is very kid friendly as well. The Wicked Weed brewpub is more kid friendly than the Funkatorium.

 

That somewhat surprises me about Wedge. Granted I've never been there with kids so haven't experienced it first hand. Do they have a sign somewhere saying 'We don't like kids' or was there something that happened?

Agreed that the WW brewpub is more kid friendly than the Funkatorium, especially since its much larger and has more different 'areas'.

 

Don't bring your kids to any brewery. No one wants them there.

 

Speak for yourself. I couldn't care less if someone brings their well behaved kids.

 

Thanks (overall) . Did not mean to thread hijack, just thought I'd add on. We are not going to Asheville for a beercation but it would be nice to have a good beer and eat some food after a day of hiking and sit out and enjoy the evening. Just seeing if it is feasible. Seems like it is (at most places)