Asheville vs. Grand Rapids

Wicked Weed downstairs bar(spent 2 of 4 nights there) and Appalachian Vitner are musts in my opinion after just stopping there a few weeks back. The Wedge, Thirsty Monk, and Jack of the Woods were all nice places to stop as well. NC arboretum is pretty cool for free, sans the $8 parking fee, awesome bonsai exhibit. Stop by Peabody's in Boone, NC too if its in the cards, great shop, worth the stop.

If you stop in West Asheville the Universal Joint is nice, West Asheville Pub, Burgermeister, and West End Bakery.

 

Can't help you out yet. I'm like you, been to GR a bunch and over the next few years suspect a few visits to Asheville, so I'll be checking out your thread.

 

Oskar Blues is supposed a worthwhile visit too but I didn't get a chance to make it

 

make the hour and a half drive up to boone to hit peabodys if you can. 221 is an amazing scenic cruise through some great nc wilderness. can stop at linville caverns and andrews geyser on the way if you are into nature.

thirsty monk should be mentioned for its tap selection.

 

Wicked Weed is the brewery I would put at the top of the priority list. Definitely make sure you go downstairs to escape the masses of the upstairs bar and dining area. Food is still served downstairs and their wood series brews are only available downstairs.

App Vitner isn't far away from Wicked Weed at all and is an awesome bottle shop to check out, they also have a large wine selection in case your misses is traveling with you.

Pisgah brewing is in Black Mtn. which is about 20 minutes outside of Asheville headed east.

 

You could really find alot of useful information by searching "Asheville" in this subforum. Much of what you want to know is out there for you to find.

 

Asheville is easy. All you have to do is go there and you'll figure it out quickly. I'm certain that Grand Rapids is a great place, a wonderful beer destination, and much more than that. Asheville is tucked away in some serious mountains that deserve to be explored at least a bit. You could drive northeast along the Blue Ridge Parkway and discover Mt. Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi- a unique environment for sure. Locals can direct you to close-by spots. The list is long for Asheville spots to visit, don't worry unless you are really pinched for time. Wicked Weed, Green Man, and down to Brevard for Oscar Blue's N.C. mountain "retreat" are certain to please. Asheville has a great feel that you'll notice at once!

 

Women like beer, too.

 

Truth, they had some amazing barrel aged ciders on tap at Appalachian Vitner when I was there too. Love drinking and shopping at the same time.

 

Oskar offers a shuttle from downtown Asheville to their brewery. Check out their website for details. i want to say it leaves late afternoon (4 or 5ish) and returns around 9.

 

Why not just ask that then?