Top 10 Can’t Miss Beer Spots in Asheville, NC

If you’ve ever been to Asheville, North Carolina, you know that it’s nearly impossible to visit every brewery, beer bar, and bottle shop in the area. (I know because I’ve tried!) To help ease your mind and make your trip planning a little easier, I’ve put together this quick list of “don’t miss” spots in and around Asheville.

#1 – Wicked Weed Brewing Pub

This one seems like a no-brainer, but you’ll definitely want to check out the Wicked Weed Brewing Pub. Upstairs, sit at the bar for a pint from one of the 16 taps, or grab a table and enjoy “elevated pub gastronomy.” Don’t miss the fully stocked bottle shop and swag store.

I prefer to drink at the downstairs beer bar. Choose 6 beers from the 25 taps including cask, nitro, and limited releases to create beer flight nirvana.

The pub is open Monday to Thursday 11:30 AM to 11 PM, Friday and Saturday 11:30 AM to 1 AM, and Sunday noon to 11 PM. You can pay to park on Biltmore Avenue, or walk a few blocks for free street parking.

#2 – Bhramari Brewing Company

I’ll admit, I almost walked right by Bhramari, but I was intrigued as I peered through the window. Located just behind Wicked Weed and the Orange Peel music hall, Bhramari is a brewery and restaurant featuring “elegant and exciting” cuisine using local ingredients.

There were 26 taps flowing with creative concoctions like a saison with purple sweet potatoes, a dry-hopped roselle grisette, and a German rye ale aged on rum staves. Kombucha, cider, sangria, cold brew coffee, and soda were all flowing, too.

Bhramari is open Monday to Thursday 11 AM to midnight, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 1 AM, and Sunday noon to midnight. Bhramari has a parking lot.

#3 – Green Man Brewery

Established in 1997, Green Man is one of Asheville’s original breweries. The expanded location, known as Greenmansion, is a 3-story, 20,000 square foot structure that features a packaging hall,”brewtique” retail shop, and a top floor tasting room that overlooks the Blue Ridge Mountains and production floor.

Grab a pint in the brewtique, and grab a seat by one of the firepits on the patio outside. If the third floor is open, check out the indoor/outdoor bar with 18 taps.

The Mansion tasting room is open Monday to Thursday 2 to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday noon to 11 PM, and Sunday noon to 10 PM. Street parking is available.

#4 – Burial Beer Company

Burial Brewing Company has been one of my favorite spots since my first visit to Asheville. Both the indoor and outdoor bars serve up Burial’s creative beers. Grab a pint or flight of 4 beers and find a seat at one of the picnic tables outside.

Salt & Smoke, located on the patio out back, has an ever changing menu that explores the link between old world European traditions and their chef’s southern roots.

Burial is open Monday to Thursday 4 to 10 PM, Friday 2 to 10 PM, and Saturday to Sunday noon to 10 PM. Street parking is available.

#5 – Catawba Brewing Company

The Catawba Brewing Company South Slope location features three distinct areas – the concrete floor tasting room by the brewhouse, the classy barrel room with wooden accents and chandeliers, and the outdoor courtyard anchored by a food truck.

Choose a beer from one of the 24 taps, perhaps one of the featured barrel aged offerings. Find a spot to hang out, or peer into the 7-barrel brewhouse.

This location is open Monday to Thursday 2 to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday noon to 11 PM, and Sunday noon to 10 PM. Street parking is available.

#6 – New Belgium Brewing Company

New Belgium’s riverside tap room features local artist-made bars, tables and chairs crafted from nearly 14 linear miles of repurposed wood salvaged from the stockyard formerly onsite. A deck sits above the new greenway and French Broad River.

When you arrive, stop in the Liquid Center first to check in for tours, grab a pint, order a flight of 4 beers, or get a growler fill. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.

The Liquid Center is open Monday to Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from noon to 8 PM. Be sure to book tours ahead of time. There is a parking lot.

#7 – Wedge Brewing Company

Wedge is a neighborhood brewery with two locations in the heart of Asheville’s River Arts District. Wedge Studios was founded by metal artist John Payne. The Studio is home to 20+ working artist studios, and The Wedge Brewery anchors the dock level with a 10 barrel brewery, tasting room, and an expansive outdoor seating area.

Grab a pint or a flight of 4 beers in the tasting room, then grab a seat outside. There’s typically a food truck on site offering up delicious local fare.

Wedge is open noon to 10 PM daily. There is a parking lot.

#8 – Sweeten Creek Brewing

Sweeten Creek Brewing is located in southeast Asheville, about 2.5 miles from the Biltmore Village. The taproom is small, but beautifully features local wood. There is plenty of outdoor seating and space for the family dog to run around.

The taps pour Sweeten Creek beers, as well as local guest taps. The house made beers are clean, true to style, and simply delicious. The attached sandwich shop serves up shareable plates and sandwiches.

Sweeten Creek is open Tuesday to Saturday 11:30 AM to 9 PM and Sunday noon to 7 PM. There is a parking lot.

#9 – Wicked Weed Funkatorium

My absolute favorite spot during our trip to Asheville was Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium, the East Coast’s first sour and funky beer dedicated taproom. Choose a flight of 4 or splurge on one of the more unique full pours, then grab a seat in the taproom or on the outdoor patio.

The Funkatorium offers rustic small bites, artisanal sandwiches, and flatbreads designed to challenge and complement the beer selection. I highly recommend the cheese board.

The Funkatorium is open Monday to Thursday 2 to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday noon to 10 PM. Be sure to book a tour of the barrel house. Street parking is available.

#10 – Sierra Nevada

In addition to these great breweries, I highly recommend checking out Sierra Nevada Brewing Company location in Fletcher, NC.

Check out my article on Sierra Nevada’s Beer Geek Tour.

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