Asheville, North Carolina is known for the Appalachia Mountains. It’s a Western North Carolina playground with great food, entertainment, and culture. Undoubtedly a tourist destination, it’s particularly appealing for beer lovers. 

The city hasn’t always had a developed microbrewing industry, but recently consumption of microbrews has gone up. Today, there’s a 17 percent increase in the purchase and consumption of microbrews. As demand has gone up, Asheville’s beer scene has begun to explode. 

Tourists have a wide array of great beer choices at their fingertips--no matter whether you’re a beer connoisseur, you love the taste, or your just want to learn how it’s made--a brewery tour is a must. 

Highland Brew Company

Highland Brew Company strives to be the brewery of choice in the Southeast. Each beer has a personality all its own including the Gaelic Ale, Oatmeal Porter, St. Terese Pale Ale, Kashmir IPA, Black Mocha Stout, and a host of different seasonal brews throughout the year. 

Brewery tours are available Monday through Saturday at 4pm and they’re about 45 minutes to an hour in length. The tour is free but donations are encouraged and accepted. Instead of a cash donation, bring canned foods for a donation to MANNA Food Bank. 

Pisgah Brewing Company

Pisgah Brewing Company is one of the only breweries that provides organic beers. There are a wide variety of eclectic beers to choose from including the Pale Ale, Riverbend Brown, Spring Wheat, Bacon Stout, Chocolate Stout, India Pale Ale, Mexican Lager, Nitro Stout, Porter, San Francisco Lager, and Solstice. 

Pisgah also has free brewery tours every Saturday from 2pm to 3pm. You should arrive 5 minutes early and bring your photo identification if you’d like to sample beers. The brewing company also hosts a number of bands in their Taproom. 

French Broad Brewing Company

French Broad Brewing Company set out to create traditional European style beer while maintaining the unique flavor of their native Asheville. And they’ve been successful since opening in 2001. Their beers are found all over North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. 

Their brews are delicious and include the Anvil Porter, Gateway Kolsch, IPA, Ryehopper Rye, Pale Ale, 13 Rebels ESB, Wee Heavy-er Scotch Style Ale, and Zepptemberfest. You can visit the tasting room from 1pm to 8pm Monday through Saturday. 

Asheville Brews Cruise

Asheville Brews Cruise is a great way to visit the city’s countless breweries. Most tours start and end at the Asheville Brewing Company (77 Coxe Avenue), on the southern edge of downtown.The Beer City walking tour begins at the Lexington Avenue Brewery in the heart of downtown.

Tours typically last 3-3 ½ hours. You’ll learn about the beer brewing process and the nuances of different beer styles. Your Brews Cruise guide and the staff of the breweries you will visit are very knowledgeable and will gladly answer any questions you may have.