#AshevilleLookingForward – Hanging out at Asheville’s Breweries
As we look forward to our “new normal” once the world is in a better place, we have asked our staff about the favorite things they are looking forward to. One of those activities is visiting the many wonderful breweries and tap rooms in our town.
Staff Picks-Favorite Asheville Brewery:
- Zillicoah Beer Company
- Burial Beer Company
- Hillman Beer
- Catawba Brewing Company
- One World Brewing
- Hi-Wire Beer
- Highland Brewing
- Green Man
- Bhramari Brewing Company
- New Belgium Asheville
- Sierra Nevada Asheville
- The one I’m in!!!
- Honorable Mentions: Noble Cider and Urban Orchard Cider Co. (they don’t serve beer, just awesome hard cider)
Asheville’s micro-brew beer culture started in 1994 when a retired engineer moved to Asheville to fly fish, enjoy the mountains, and start a hobby, making microbrew beer. Oscar Wong started Highland Brewing when Asheville’s downtown was mostly closed and quiet. Asheville Brewing Company and Green Man Brewery were soon opened to help kick-start a now vibrant downtown and growing beer economy.
Now, according to ExploreAsheville.com, Asheville boasts more breweries per capita than any other U.S. City. Asheville is the four-time winner of the annual Beer City USA poll previously hosted by Charlie Papazian with the Examiner.com.
Today there are more breweries than you can count. With numerous tap rooms and tasting bars, loads of annual festivals, many options of brewery tours by foot or van, 5k beer runs, and several off-shoots of beer including ice cream, dog biscuits and soap, we truly are living up to our name!
For a complete listing of breweries in Asheville- check out the Explore Asheville Beer Scene listing.
If you want another fun list, Romantic Asheville has compiled one.
****Since our breweries are temporarily closed, most of them are shipping merchandise and beverages and are also selling gift certificates. Most of that information is listed on their websites. There is also a large list at #AshevilleStrong with gift certificate info.