Asheville

Yes my bad. I consider them in the same area/place.....either way, should be a good time.

 

I second third or fourth Burial.

(In non-brewery musts, I always throw in a recommendation of hot chocolate at French Broad Chocolate Lounge. Get there early, lines get stupid.)

 

If you have time, do this: Asheville Brewery Tours. Knowledgable and fun guides who are generous with info and pours at each brewery.

Another vote for Burial. Some of the best beer in Asheville/WNC. They're open Tue-Sun, either 4-10 or 2-10.

Green Man is a block from Burial, the tap room is small, but they are currently expanding. They have some good one-off and seasonals there.

Hi-Wire is about 2 blocks from the Funkatorium, it's well worth the walk.

Twin Leaf, which is directly across from the Funkatorium has a couple of solid staples, but they can be hit-or-miss overall.

One World is solid. Asheville Brewing is overrated, but they have decent food. Avoid the LAB, mediocre beer and overpriced food. That's about it as far as places within walking distance of downtown.

Thirsty Monk doesn't brew downtown, but the basement at the Patton location is a must if you love Euro/Trappist styles.

If you are going to get in the car any of the days, the 45 minute drive to Brevard to hit Oskar Blues is definitely a must. Sierra Nevada doesn't have its tasting room or restaurant open yet, but they offer tours of the brewery that are excellent. They're free, but fill up quickly. Lookout Brewing in Black Mountain is a hidden gem.

On your way out of town, stop by Appalachian Vintner. It's a superb bottle store that also has about 20 taps and they always feature some rare/obscure brews as well as local favorites.

 

Agree on Hi Wire being a definite yes, Twin Leaf being a If you have time, and Lab being a definite no.

 

But LaB has dat air blade doe!

 

But... seriously.

WW is champ. Funkatorium is cool, but I like the basement of the main bar better.
LaB is meh
Green Man is good
Burial is good, but I simply cannot stand their bar. They need a dedicated ordering station. I don't like ordering over people, or being ordered over by other people.
Twin Leaf is alright, their space is really nice.
One World did nothing for me.
Somehow I've never been to Asheville Brewing, but I will hit up their outdoor space this summer. Their beers are pretty good.
Hi Wire is good based off the few I've had, but always crowded it seems.
Thirsty Monk rules, especially the basement.


If you want a cocktail to break out of beer, get a Bulleit old fashioned at Strada, or a "How soon is now" from Zambra. About anything from "Imperial Life" is good, but expensive.

Eat at Zambra off the small menu. DOIT!

 

Haha! That the hand dryer in the restroom is the best thing about the place says it all.

 

Burial and Hi Wire are a must.

 

They also have that neat contained growler fill station. But neither of those things is worth dropping by.

 

I like to do a round of ww, burial, funkatorium, and hi wire then figure out which one I want to spend more time at. It's a nice walk if the weather permits.

Also not a brewery but Thirsty Monk is worth hitting as well

 

If you are staying downtown, trek by 5 Walnut, it's a wine bar but they usually have a couple decent taps, but the live music is generally great and if the weather is nice you can listen from the street. People have listed the best breweries, I'd check highland brewing see if they have an event going on but the small radius of Greenman, hi wire, twin leaf, asheville brewing and WW make the trip.

 

Turns out, I am indeed working this weekend. Boo!

Have fun everyone! I am truly jealous.

 

Burial. Razaz for dinner.

 

Have you been to Burial since they have remodeled the bar? Its a better deal much more inviting for sure. All those breweries are on the south slope and are basically within a block of each other, but its a hike back up that hill for me anyway to walk back to the show. Start at ABC and walk down the hill, plus get some pizza too. I love Asheville Brewing, the food and beer are both very good. Or you could start all the way up the Hill at Thirsty and then walk down the hill and hit all of them on your way to the Funk!

 

Wicked Weed, Burial, and Green Man. Skip the rest if you are coming for a concert. Maybe stop into Thirsty Monk as well.

Eat something small at Night Bell. You can also get some fancy liquor drinks and insane desserts. Avoid places like Zambra or Rezaz as those are longer dinner commitments unless that is what you are looking for.

 

I hear ya. After Kung Fu and Lotus at the Peel last night it was kind of hard to sleep. Drinking coffee right now, gearing up to go to Morganton for the Fonta Flora bottle release at 3:30, havin some beers, then driving back and heading straight to the Cellular Center at 8 to catch Tauk and the Umph. If you see a dude wearing a blue "Abide" (Big Lebowski) shirt, come say hey.

 

-Yep. I was there a few weeks ago. Still ordering over people.

-Side note, I like their outside portion, too bad I got heckled by some trustfunderjack while taking a picture of my wife in front of the Magnum Sloth mural.

 

I'll be in Asheville in a few weeks and this thread is immensely helpful.

Are any of the breweries comfortable hang-out places during the weekdays that I could bring a laptop and get some work done? I'd also be interested in some good coffee spots (pourovers, freshly roasted beans, that kind of thing).