Hello. I am coming to Asheville in a couple weeks and just want to know the best bottle shop to go to. I usually come see family once or twice a year and normally load up at the Funkatorium and then just go across the street to the Tasty Beverage Company. That shop is pretty great and was wondering if there is any places that might beat it? Thanks!
App Vintner consistently has the best tap list of any bottle shop or bar in town. I can't walk out if there without having at least 3 or 4 every time.
Tasty is running into a problem with them being in a to popular location. Their beer selection and shelf selection has dwindled to the point it is very noticeable from when they first opened. Appalachian Vintners currently has a larger selection or at least it appears that way. Can't render an opinion on Bruisin Ale's as I haven't been in there, yet. Wrong side of town for me.
Bruisin' Ales is fine but small and pricey. Their website is NOT up to date, so don't count on finding things they show to have. App Vintner is bad ass as hell, great bottle selection, taps, and extra schwag all day long. Also check out Weinhaus (next to Thirsty Monk) for less pilfered stuff (BA People's Porter was on shelf long after it sold out around town) and Hops & Vines, they had a pretty decent selection, taps, and they hold a weekly tasting on Fridays (check that for sure, but they use to). I'll also comment that every Asheville bottle shop has 10x the glassware selection than any other city I've been to if that's your thing.
I assumed the quantity was down because all of their bottles get blasted all day by direct sunlight, and they were storing more selections in the back. I typically vist App Vintner because if you purchase the AVL Go Local Card you get 5% off of every purchase. AVL Go Local Card is the best $15 purchase I made all year just for that 5% off.
Appalachian Vintner all the way. Best selection in town, awesome tap list, great staff, and easy parking. No need to go elsewhere. Anyone know what's going on at Tasty? last few times I've been in there it seems like they have hardly any beer compared to what they used to carry. Seem like they might be on the way out? Anyone have insight into this?
Like I posted, I think it has more to do with their location. They're in the heart of the brewery "district" with a lot of walk by specific beer traffic, that stops in and purchases. Contrary to being on the "way out" I think they're doing extremely well if they can keep the place stocked. I think that's a harder problem. What I've seen diminish isn't the quantity of beer they have on hand but the number of different types of beer located on the shelves. That has diminished substantially, to the point, I'm certain they don't have the variety they used to have or that AV has.
Everyone has mentioned the hot spots. I'll add this though....if your looking for something that you know got AVL distro but can't find it at the shops mentioned above.....head to Tonic Mrkt. It's with the outlets just outside of town. I go there to grab the Grimm sours that fly off the shelf in town.
Is BA Ten Fidy still available in and around Asheville? Heading up that way tomorrow and was hoping to score a couple cans.
Hey I wanted to piggy back on this to ask if anyone knows anywhere in Asheville is getting Bourbon County variants. I saw Appalachian Vintner only is getting regular bcbs.
I visit Asheville every year or so, and I try to hit them both. AV has the advantage of space, which is a limiting factor at BA. I honestly like the people better at Bruisin'. There have been times where one will have something on my list that the other does not. This is usually my approach in any town - hit as many as you can, and you might be surprised.
