Sierra Nevada NC

That stretch of I-26 is pretty intense. We go to early lunch, have a couple of different beers, and love the mix of people. I do prefer old funky places like Green Man, and the old Gibbs 100 in Greensboro (before they moved), just simply for the pulse of the cities and for the collection of characters.

 

Anyone else notice we aren't talking about the other huge Asheville Brewery? And don't give me the thread title malarkey. The obvious comparison would be, or should have been, New Belgium as they spent close to the same $. $180n to $160m. I never see New Belgium on anyone's Asheville must visit radar, and that is disappointing, because it should or could have been more.

Oddly enough, while I'm not a fan of SN's normal beer line up. Their Society beers have been outstanding. Also, as pointed out above, a sales rep who thinks great beer is Miller Lite and dislikes the Asheville South Slope, loved SN.

 

The fact the NB is just on the edge of the downtown area is a plus, and there is nothing wrong with NB's beers, some I really like. They are located basically across the river from Wedge Brewing, and near the West Asheville brewer's, including Archetype, One World, Oyster House, and Upcountry The Liquid Center, their tasting room is large, airy, and a large deck overlooking the river, if the weather is amenable.

NB also has rotating food trucks, which we like, and some are really good, and cheaper fair than food service at SN. Also no tipping at NB, if you do tip, it is donated to a charity.

 

Man, I love the New Belgium brewery. I don't even care for most of their beer, and I think it says a lot they can attract someone like me every time I visit. Their tour is wonderful and the entire property is nice. I wouldn't be able to make a comparison between NB and SN, but I recommend both to friends who visit the area.

 

I get it. And I've enjoyed reading this thread. I think it's brought on good discussion. Cheers.

 

If you don't like it, change the channel.
Not sorry!

 

I was just generally disappointed with NB. Didn't feel like anything stood out or caught my memory. Nothing much to it I always thought.

I do love hanging out and having a Fat Tire in the warm heat though.

 

I am local and I find myself at Sierra more often than NB. I go to Sierra once every few months and NB once or twice a year.

I don’t necessarily think one makes better beer than the other but I do like the surroundings at Sierra much better, especially when it’s warm.

 

Not sure what you're going for here. Highland started Asheville. If you're going for Sierra Nevada started craft, then that's closer to the truth, but not 100% relevant to what's going on in Asheville. I will say that its amazing how much the new breweries have gone out of their way to integrate themselves with the locals and the response the locals have had a response as a result.

 

Literally nothing to do with Asheville, but with craft beer in general.

 

Just wondering, was the upstairs bar area not open? Only reason I ask is when I was there in October, the main 1st level bar was really crowded, walked upstairs and only like 2-3 people in line to get beers. My wife and I sat in a side nook around the corner from the bar and no one else was around us (30+ vacant chairs...leather comfy chairs as well).

 

That's too bad. Wish I could have informed you about the 2nd floor bar and lounge areas before your visit. For me anyway, if a place is too loud, too crowded with long beer lines and struggling to find a place to sit, or at least stand out of the way of others, it really brings a place way down in the visit experience.

 

I'm assuming you came in Spring/Summer.

We do have multiple bars. Main bar, 3rd floor bar, Back porch bar, riverside access bar.

I encourage visitors to explore the entire facility. So many nooks and crannies to find quiet, peaceful places to have a beer at SN. Just gotta break away from the taproom . Cheers!!

 

Wait...there is a bar down at the river?!?!

 

The tours at SN and NB were two of the best, most enjoyable and informative tours I've ever done. Very interesting information, great tour guides, and plenty of phenomenal free beer.

SN, NB and Burial are probably my top three favorite places to visit when going to Asheville. And Highland is probably #4. All four of those spots are unique and bring different things to the table.

Don't sleep on any of those places!

 

Yes, last Summer we opened our riverside bar and food area. We have a trail going about 1/10th of a mile from the brewery down to our picnic area by the French Broad River.

It is a perfect spot with trees and plenty of shade. Beer and food truck also.

Normally open on Saturday and Sunday in Spring/Summer if it's dry enough!