Asheville has long been famous for its stunning scenery, lively mountain music and famous attractions such as Biltmore and the Blue Ridge Parkway. And now, it’s become the craft-brewing center of the Southeast. Asheville’s brewing scene has garnered so much enthusiasm that it was named the winner of the Examiner’s “Beer City, USA” poll in 2010.
The Asheville area is home to ten craft breweries. On any given day, about 50 local beers can be enjoyed in Asheville, served on draft and in bottles. Tourists regularly travel here to sample and savor Asheville’s beer flavors, ranging from creamy, mild golden ales to robust Belgian-style brews.
Asheville’s Beer History
It all started in 1994, when Oscar Wong, a retired engineer living in Charlotte, moved to Asheville and opened Highland Brewing Company in a rustic basement space, just under Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria on Biltmore Avenue. Having outgrown that location, it is now based at a much bigger site in East Asheville.
Other breweries followed: Green Man (makers of beer for the Jack of the Wood pub), Two Moons Brew N’ View (which became Asheville Pizza and Brewing), French Broad Brewing, Pisgah Brewing (in Black Mountain), Wedge Brewing (in the Wedge Gallery studios), OysterHouse Brewing (located at the Lobster Trap restaurant), Craggie Brewing Company and Lexington Avenue Brewery.
Each of Asheville’s breweries has its own unique atmosphere and personalities–no two are the same. Asheville Brews Cruise provides a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening with its unique tour service.
Asheville is also home to a world-renowned specialty beer store, Bruisin’ Ales, and five annual beer festivals, Winter Warmer, Oktoberfest, Baseball & Beers at McCormick Field, Beer City Festival and Brewgrass.