The Heavy-Hitters of Asheville, NC.
It’s hard to write a blog post about the best craft breweries in Asheville without acknowledging the well-established, heavy hitters in the region. Even after touching down at the Asheville Regional Airport, you will be greeted by a massive brewery just 5 minutes down the road! This post acts to supplement our previous Best Breweries in Asheville post.
The Beer You’ve All Had
I wasn’t kidding! Just a short 5-minute drive from the Asheville Regional Airport, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Mills River, North Carolina, is a beacon for beer enthusiasts. If you’re seeking an unforgettable experience Sierra Nevada is a must visit. With its massive taproom, live music during the summer months, and mouthwatering food offerings, it’s the perfect place to kickstart or culminate your beer adventure in the picturesque region of Asheville. As seasoned Beerventurers, we’ve had the pleasure of trying numerous brews from Sierra Nevada. However, fresh from the tap Barrel-Aged Narwhal is an experience that you can’t find outside of their taproom.
If you’re headed to Asheville, then Wicked Weed Brewing is without a doubt on your short list. The renowned brewery, albeit no longer “craft”, offers beer enthusiasts both a traditional beer offering, and a funkier experience in two different locations. If you’re looking for an array of crispy lagers, hoppy IPA’s, with a few funky beers on the side you should check out the brewpub. If you’re more interested in the sours, well the Funkatorium will be the stop for you.
Yes, this is an Anheuser-Busch property. However, despite being under the Anheuser-Busch umbrella, Wicked Weed maintains its commitment to crafting exceptional beers that are certainly no bud light.
Established in 1997, Green Man Brewery holds a special place in the heart of Asheville, North Carolina. As one of the pioneering breweries that helped kickstart the craft beer renaissance in the area, it has become an enduring staple in the local beer scene. Green Man is renowned for its unwavering commitment to crafting traditional English-style beers, setting a standard that others aspire to reach.
The standout beer, in our opinion, is the Green Man Czech Dark Lager. This dark brown lager, adorned with striking ruby highlights and crystal-clear clarity, captivates the senses from the moment it’s poured. There are light notes of cocoa, hints of cola, and a “whisper” of dark stonefruit.
Need to take the entire family out for a nice afternoon? New Belgium Brewing Co. in Asheville isn’t just a brewery; it’s a thriving compound of beer culture and community. Located on expansive grounds, it’s a place where families gather to picnic and savor the delightful array of beers. We’ve all had the Fat Tire Amber Ale, but have you had any of their brewery only beers?
Our favorite was the “La Folie Reserve: Upstate Maple,” a collaboration with Strangebird Beer. The base beer is enriched with copious amounts of dark, robust maple syrup sourced from Keyes’ Trout Brook Sugarhouse in Honeoye Falls, NY. The beer is then aged in apple brandy and maple syrup barrels – which were previously bourbon barrels – adding to the intriguing and complex flavor profile.
The Family You Read About in School
Need a break from beer and don’t mind the kind of outrageous entry fee to go see some billionaires castle? Try a visit to the Biltmore Estate. Of course, you can’t just stroll in though. You 100% must book these tickets well in advance. Like a month or two in advance, because they will sell out.
So what is the Biltmore? The massive estate is nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is a testament to the opulence and grandeur of the Gilded Age. The 250-room mansion, built by George Washington Vanderbilt II, is America’s largest privately-owned home. The architectural splendor is a meticulously preserved and the interiors and grounds are admired for the intricate craftsmanship. It wasn’t the best weather during our trip, but in season you can wander through the lush, sprawling gardens designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
And because we are who we are, be sure to book your free wine tasting! The Biltmore Winery is also on the estate and is a free experience with your entry ticket! A cool claim to fame is that they are the #1 most trafficked winery, with the largest wine tasting/educational room in the world! The wine connoisseurs behind the bar offer such a delightful experience so be sure to bring a few bucks to throw in the tip jar.
