Quick answer
Asheville isn't just a beer city — it's THE beer city of the American South. With more breweries per capita than anywhere else in the US, the mountain town has earned its reputation as "Beer City USA" multiple times over.
- Best overall
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- Top pick
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Top verdicts
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.: First-time visitors wanting the complete Asheville brewery experience
- Wicked Weed Brewing: Sour beer lovers and those wanting a downtown brewery with food
- Highland Brewing Company: Those wanting Asheville beer history with great views and live music
The scene here spans everything from Sierra Nevada's sprawling 100-acre East Coast headquarters to tiny neighborhood taprooms where brewers experiment with wild fermentation and locally foraged ingredients. The clean mountain water, creative culture, and passionate local support have created something special.
The South Slope district alone packs Burial, Bhramari, Green Man, Twin Leaf, and Catawba within a few walkable blocks. The River Arts District offers New Belgium and Wedge with scenic French Broad River views. And no visit is complete without the pilgrimage to Sierra Nevada in Mills River.
Area map
All 10 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. | flagship | mid | Mills River |
| 2 | Wicked Weed Brewing | sour | mid | Downtown |
| 3 | Highland Brewing Company | ale | mid | East Asheville |
| 4 | Burial Beer Co. | ipa | mid | South Slope |
| 5 | Bhramari Brewing Company | craft | mid | South Slope |
| 6 | New Belgium Brewing | flagship | mid | River Arts District |
| 7 | Wedge Brewing Company | variety | low | River Arts District |
| 8 | Twin Leaf Brewery | craft | low | South Slope |
| 9 | Green Man Brewery | ale | low | South Slope |
| 10 | Catawba Brewing Co. | variety | low | South Slope |
1Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Flagship BreweryQuick comparison
- Best for
- First-time visitors wanting the complete Asheville brewery experience
- Strengths
- Known for Flagship Brewery
- Limitations
- 20 minutes from downtown Asheville, can get very crowded on weekends
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- The crown jewel of Asheville beer — a world-class facility that's a destination unto itself.
- What to order
- Pale Ale (the classic), Torpedo IPA, Hazy Little Thing, or try seasonal taproom exclusives.
2Wicked Weed Brewing
Sours & Wild AlesQuick comparison
- Best for
- Sour beer lovers and those wanting a downtown brewery with food
- Strengths
- Known for Sours & Wild Ales
- Limitations
- Now AB InBev owned (some purists care), gets very touristy
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Their sour and wild ale program at the Funkatorium is legitimately world-class.
- What to order
- Pernicious IPA at the brewpub; Angel of Darkness or any barrel-aged sour at Funkatorium.
🕐 Opening hours
3Highland Brewing Company
Classic AlesQuick comparison
- Best for
- Those wanting Asheville beer history with great views and live music
- Strengths
- Known for Classic Ales
- Limitations
- Styles are more traditional, less experimental than newer breweries
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- The godfather of Asheville craft beer — you can't understand the scene without visiting Highland.
- What to order
- Gaelic Ale (the flagship), AVL IPA, or Cold Mountain Winter Ale (seasonal).
🕐 Opening hours
4Burial Beer Co.
Hazy IPAsQuick comparison
- Best for
- IPA lovers and craft beer enthusiasts wanting Asheville's best hazy beers
- Strengths
- Known for Hazy IPAs
- Limitations
- Small taproom can get packed, limited parking
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Simply makes some of the best beer in Asheville, period. The IPAs are phenomenal.
- What to order
- Surf Wax IPA, Blade Runner DIPA, Skillet Donut Stout, or whatever's fresh on tap.
🕐 Opening hours
5Bhramari Brewing Company
Creative CraftQuick comparison
- Best for
- Adventurous drinkers wanting creative, experimental beers
- Strengths
- Known for Creative Craft
- Limitations
- Styles can be polarizing if you prefer traditional beers
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- True artisan brewing — they're making things nobody else is making.
- What to order
- Ask what's new — the menu rotates constantly. Their sours and saisons are excellent.
🕐 Opening hours
6New Belgium Brewing
Flagship BreweryQuick comparison
- Best for
- Relaxed afternoon drinking with river views, dog owners, families
- Strengths
- Known for Flagship Brewery
- Limitations
- Large corporate brewery, some prefer supporting smaller local spots
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- The riverside setting is unbeatable, and they make solid beer with Asheville-exclusive options.
- What to order
- Voodoo Ranger IPA, Fat Tire, or ask about taproom exclusives brewed on-site.
7Wedge Brewing Company
VarietyQuick comparison
- Best for
- Budget-conscious drinkers, dog owners, those wanting a chill local vibe
- Strengths
- Known for Variety
- Limitations
- No full kitchen (food trucks only), more basic taproom setup
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- Where locals actually drink — unpretentious, affordable, and genuinely good beer.
- What to order
- Iron Rail IPA, Golem Belgian-style Tripel, or their excellent German Pilsner.
🕐 Opening hours
8Twin Leaf Brewery
Small BatchQuick comparison
- Best for
- Those wanting a quieter, more intimate South Slope brewery experience
- Strengths
- Known for Small Batch
- Limitations
- Small space, limited seating, smaller tap list
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- Proof that small can be beautiful — consistently excellent beer in an unpretentious setting.
- What to order
- Coffee Stout, Czech Pilsner, or whatever seasonal is on tap.
🕐 Opening hours
9Green Man Brewery
English-Style AlesQuick comparison
- Best for
- Fans of English-style ales and those wanting a pub atmosphere
- Strengths
- Known for English-Style Ales
- Limitations
- Style focus is narrow if you prefer IPAs or experimental beers
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- The best English-style ales in Asheville, with a great pub atmosphere.
- What to order
- Green Man ESB (the flagship), Porter, or Wayfarer IPA.
🕐 Opening hours
10Catawba Brewing Co.
VarietyQuick comparison
- Best for
- Groups with varied tastes, those wanting accessible well-made beer
- Strengths
- Known for Variety
- Limitations
- Less exciting if you're seeking cutting-edge brewing
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- Solid, reliable brewing with something for everyone — a South Slope staple.
- What to order
- White Zombie Ale, Farmer Ted's Cream Ale, or their rotating IPAs.
🕐 Opening hours
Frequently asked questions
What makes Asheville a great beer destination?
Asheville has more breweries per capita than any other US city, with over 30 craft breweries in a city of just 95,000 people. The combination of clean mountain water, a creative culture, and strong local support has made it one of America's top beer destinations. The city hosts major events like the Asheville Beer Week and Sierra Nevada's Beer Camp.
Which Asheville brewery is best for first-time visitors?
Sierra Nevada's Mills River location is the must-see for first-timers. The massive facility offers brewery tours, a huge taproom, restaurant, hiking trails, and a disc golf course. It's about 20 minutes from downtown but absolutely worth the trip. For a more local experience, start at Wicked Weed downtown or the South Slope brewery cluster.
What is the South Slope in Asheville?
The South Slope is Asheville's premier brewery district, located just south of downtown. Within a few walkable blocks you'll find Burial Beer Co., Bhramari Brewing, Green Man Brewery, Twin Leaf Brewery, Catawba Brewing, and several others. It's the perfect area for a self-guided brewery crawl.
Which Asheville brewery has the best IPAs?
Burial Beer Co. is widely considered the king of IPAs in Asheville. Their hazy IPAs like Surf Wax and Blade Runner are consistently rated among the best in the Southeast. Wicked Weed's Pernicious IPA is another local favorite, while Sierra Nevada offers their classic Torpedo and Hazy Little Thing.
Which Asheville brewery has the best sour beers?
Wicked Weed's Funkatorium in the South Slope is dedicated entirely to sour and wild ales. It's a separate location from their main brewpub and features an extensive selection of barrel-aged sours. Their Angel of Darkness and Black Angel are highly sought after. Bhramari also makes excellent creative sours.
What is the oldest brewery in Asheville?
Highland Brewing Company, founded in 1994, is Asheville's first legal brewery since Prohibition. It pioneered the local craft beer scene and remains one of the most beloved spots. Their Gaelic Ale is an Asheville institution, and the rooftop bar offers great mountain views with live music on weekends.
Are Asheville breweries dog-friendly?
Most Asheville breweries are very dog-friendly, especially in outdoor areas. Wedge Brewing in the River Arts District is famous for its dog-friendly patio. New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, and Highland Brewing all have expansive outdoor spaces perfect for bringing your pup. Some taprooms allow dogs inside too.
Can I do a brewery tour in Asheville?
Yes, several options exist. Sierra Nevada offers free daily tours of their impressive facility. Highland Brewing and New Belgium also have regular tours. For a guided multi-brewery experience, companies like Asheville Brewery Tours and Amazing Pubcycle run walking and biking tours of the South Slope and downtown breweries.