Asheville Guide: Beer City
It’s no secret that Asheville has a dizzying amount of options when it comes to beer. In fact, with more breweries per capita than any other city in the U.S., Asheville was first named Beer City USA in 2009. The accolades don’t stop there. In 2013, Wicked Weed brought home a gold medal from The Great American Beer Festival, and Asheville Brewing Company’s longtime favorite Ninja Porter won its category in 2014.
With so many breweries and beers to choose from, we’ve narrowed down the list to our top five. Sip with confidence, and drink responsibly.
Archetype Brewing
Specializing in Belgian-inspired beers, Archetype Brewing’s tap room in West Asheville pays homage to its neighborhood with a large-scale mural embedded with call-outs and hidden symbols. Archetype invites guests to take the Archetype test to see which beer — and its associated character and personality — is the best match. With multiple seating areas, both inside and out, you can pair your perfect pour with the perch of your choosing.
Bonus tip: Still craving Archetype’s brews, but can’t make it out to West Asheville. Check out their convenient Downtown Brewing Tap Lounge + Venue located at 174 Broadway Street.
Archetype Brewing | (828) 505-4177
Bhramari Brewing co.
Culinary inspired, locally and globally infused, and experimental at its heart — Bhramari’s mission is to inspire with inspiration. That means paying homage both to Asheville’s brewing pioneers and the iconoclasts pushing the boundaries of fermentation and flavor. Additionally, Bhramari offers chef-inspired beers, and beer-inspired cuisine. Want to take your brewer experience to the next level? Opt in for a tour or brew class to get a behind-the-scenes understanding of the craft that goes into every pour.
Bhramari Brewing | (828) 214-7981
Cellarest Beer Project
This small batch brewery located on Haywood Road in the heart of West Asheville blends creative fermentation processes with local ingredients to craft their one-of-a-kind farmhouse lagers and ales. The name Cellarest is a combination of the synonym for barrel aging — cellar rest — and a moniker for someone who watches over a cellar. Cellarest believes that their wooden barrel fermentation process instills a unique flavor profile and character that comes from being in direct contact with nature. Their beer parlour and garden are an extension of their foundational connection to nature, featuring an open-air concept that flows into an al-fresco beer garden and patio.
Cellarist Beer | (828) 231-1350
DSSOLVR
More than a brewery, DSSOLVER — located on North Lexington Avenue in Downtown Asheville — taps local and regional artisans to brew beers, wine, cider, and mead. Additionally, they are equally focused on bringing all the classics to the table including lagers, IPAS (clear and hazy), ales, stouts, sessions and more. Don’t confuse classic for boring, current taps include a funky hefe-spelt ale, a maple cinnamon bun cake stout, and plumberry gose featuring coffee beans from Cooperative Coffee Roasters.