Heading to Asheville then Charlotte in a couple of months. I have all the breweries mapped out for Asheville (Wicked Weed, Green Man, Twin Leaf, etc.) and Charlotte (NODA, BirdSong, Sycamore etc). Probably will do NB then SN then head to Charlotte on 26 to 74 to 85. Any must-see breweries on that route? Thanks in advance for the help.
Skip the SN 26/74 route. Come out of Asheville on 40 east. Hit Pisgah in Black Mountain, Fonta Flora as a must stop in Morganton and then have some food and beers at The Station in Hickory which is an extension of Olde Hickory. Head down 321 to 85. You will be soooooo much happier with this route. Trust me!!
Oh, and whatever you do, do not miss out on Heist brewing in Charlotte. Some of the reviews you may read on Heist are based upon previous brewers. The beer they are making now is some of the best in the region.
^^ This. 321 is basically an interstate. 74 blows donkey balls. It is actually better to go 26 to 85 than it is 26 to 74 even though it is many miles less. But unless your hitting SN or Oskar Blues on the way to Charlotte, 40 - 321 - 85 is the way to go.
ditto on heist and 321 or swing down 40->77 and stop in at D9 and Ass Clown in Cornelius which are right around the corner from each other and just off the freeway.
Also think you should go 40E and hit Fonta Flora. In Charlotte, make sure you hit Wooden Robot (sours & IPAs). Better than Sycamore and right down the street. In Asheville, choose Burial over Twin Leaf (also right down the street). IMO of course, but I think a lot of others agree on Wooden Robot and Burial.
