Where to Actually Drink Beer (and wine) in Western North Carolina
Among the 50+ breweries in and around Beer City, USA, these are my top picks. Click into each place for tips on what to order while you’re there! Let’s let no great beer go unsipped. Asheville, WNC, North Carolina
14 Places • 3 Saves • ago
Free

Downtown and River Arts

Notice I don’t recommend a ton of spots in the middle of town. A lot of this area caters more to tourists, so you’re better off driving a bit to get to the best beer in the region.

TRVE Brewing Co.
@gabdrinksbeer
This Denver brewery just opened their Asheville location.
Add to
Details
White Labs Brewing Co - Asheville Kitchen & Tap
@gabdrinksbeer
White Labs is one of the world’s leading producers of brewers’ yeasts. And Asheville houses one of their three brick and mortar locations! At this one, they make delicious pizzas using their own yeast in the crust.
Add to
Details
Wedge Brewing Company
@gabdrinksbeer
The most neighborhood-y feel of all the breweries on this list. Go when it's warm out, since seating is all outside!
Add to
Details

North of the City

Zillicoah Beer Co.
@gabdrinksbeer
Zillicoah is the one we keep from the tourists. Every Asheville beer person's favorite beer to drink. Shhhhh. Note that they only allow guests under 21 on Sundays!
Add to
Details

You can't get these beers at home.

Leveller Brewing Co.
@gabdrinksbeer
I’m biased because I work here.
Add to
Details
Outsider Brewing Company
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

West Asheville

Asheville's grungy, creative neighborhood has plenty of beer to match.

Cellarest Beer Project
@gabdrinksbeer
Cellarest is just a year old, and they're leading Asheville's beer scene into historically weird and wacky techniques. I'd recommend: anything on the menu.
Add to
Details
Leo's House of Thirst
@gabdrinksbeer
I’m obsessed with this place— delicious natural wine and scrumptious yet light food accompaniment options.
Add to
Details

East Asheville

Burial Beer’s Forestry Camp
@gabdrinksbeer
Burial is well known, but their headquarters isn’t. Let’s keep it that way (shh)
Add to
Details
Hillman Beer
@gabdrinksbeer
In my humble oprionion, this is a top notch spot for both food and beer.
Add to
Details

Worth the Drive

Southern Appalachia is all about craft, beer included. These gems are hiding in the mountains, and pair best with a hike.

South of the City

Sideways Farm & Brewery
@gabdrinksbeer
Run by a husband, wife, and son, plus some bees and goats.
Add to
Details
Burning Blush Brewery
@gabdrinksbeer
The beer here is underrated!
Add to
Details

East of the City

Whaley Farm Brewery
@gabdrinksbeer
Brand new to the brewery scene, head brewer and owner Chris is taking inspiration from old European brewing traditions. Ask him about cask pours and side pulls!
Add to
Details
Fonta Flora Brewery - Whippoorwill Farm
@gabdrinksbeer
This is one of my three favorite breweries in the world. It’s worth the drive east of Asheville, especially if you combine a visit with a hike or a trip to lake James.
Add to
Details

If you're venturing east of Asheville for an outdoor adventure, squeeze this farm brewery destination onto your itinerary. A Blue Ridge Parkway hike followed by one of their terroir inspired projects? Yes!

* * *
CURATED BY
📍Asheville, NC Your certified beer expert specializing in culinary, road trip, and budget travel. Beer, coffee, mezcal, and natural wine guides to come! Follow me on IG for photos of my latest adventures. Click the website icon to book a virtual beer class with me!
Send A Tip
Support Gab Bonfiglio’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Gab Bonfiglio Privacy Terms
Where to Actually Drink Beer (and wine) in Western North Carolina
Among the 50+ breweries in and around Beer City, USA, these are my top picks. Click into each place for tips on what to order while you’re there! Let’s let no great beer go unsipped. Asheville, WNC, North Carolina
14 Places • 3 Saves • ago
Free

Downtown and River Arts

Notice I don’t recommend a ton of spots in the middle of town. A lot of this area caters more to tourists, so you’re better off driving a bit to get to the best beer in the region.

TRVE Brewing Co.
@gabdrinksbeer
This Denver brewery just opened their Asheville location.
Add to
Details
White Labs Brewing Co - Asheville Kitchen & Tap
@gabdrinksbeer
White Labs is one of the world’s leading producers of brewers’ yeasts. And Asheville houses one of their three brick and mortar locations! At this one, they make delicious pizzas using their own yeast in the crust.
Add to
Details
Wedge Brewing Company
@gabdrinksbeer
The most neighborhood-y feel of all the breweries on this list. Go when it's warm out, since seating is all outside!
Add to
Details

North of the City

Zillicoah Beer Co.
@gabdrinksbeer
Zillicoah is the one we keep from the tourists. Every Asheville beer person's favorite beer to drink. Shhhhh. Note that they only allow guests under 21 on Sundays!
Add to
Details

You can't get these beers at home.

Leveller Brewing Co.
@gabdrinksbeer
I’m biased because I work here.
Add to
Details
Outsider Brewing Company
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

West Asheville

Asheville's grungy, creative neighborhood has plenty of beer to match.

Cellarest Beer Project
@gabdrinksbeer
Cellarest is just a year old, and they're leading Asheville's beer scene into historically weird and wacky techniques. I'd recommend: anything on the menu.
Add to
Details
Leo's House of Thirst
@gabdrinksbeer
I’m obsessed with this place— delicious natural wine and scrumptious yet light food accompaniment options.
Add to
Details

East Asheville

Burial Beer’s Forestry Camp
@gabdrinksbeer
Burial is well known, but their headquarters isn’t. Let’s keep it that way (shh)
Add to
Details
Hillman Beer
@gabdrinksbeer
In my humble oprionion, this is a top notch spot for both food and beer.
Add to
Details

Worth the Drive

Southern Appalachia is all about craft, beer included. These gems are hiding in the mountains, and pair best with a hike.

South of the City

Sideways Farm & Brewery
@gabdrinksbeer
Run by a husband, wife, and son, plus some bees and goats.
Add to
Details
Burning Blush Brewery
@gabdrinksbeer
The beer here is underrated!
Add to
Details

East of the City

Whaley Farm Brewery
@gabdrinksbeer
Brand new to the brewery scene, head brewer and owner Chris is taking inspiration from old European brewing traditions. Ask him about cask pours and side pulls!
Add to
Details
Fonta Flora Brewery - Whippoorwill Farm
@gabdrinksbeer
This is one of my three favorite breweries in the world. It’s worth the drive east of Asheville, especially if you combine a visit with a hike or a trip to lake James.
Add to
Details

If you're venturing east of Asheville for an outdoor adventure, squeeze this farm brewery destination onto your itinerary. A Blue Ridge Parkway hike followed by one of their terroir inspired projects? Yes!

* * *
CURATED BY
📍Asheville, NC Your certified beer expert specializing in culinary, road trip, and budget travel. Beer, coffee, mezcal, and natural wine guides to come! Follow me on IG for photos of my latest adventures. Click the website icon to book a virtual beer class with me!
Send A Tip
Support Gab Bonfiglio’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Gab Bonfiglio Privacy Terms