10 Best Breweries and Beer Places in Blue Ridge Mountains

"Asheville's oldest brewery has come a long way since it lived in the basement of Barley's Taprooom and Pizzeria. Now Highland occupies a sprawling complex in East Asheville, complete with indoor and outdoor concert venues and a rotating cast of food trucks. There's also a gorgeous rooftop spot with a beer bar set in a recycled shipping container and a surrounding patio with plenty of picnic table seating with views of the mountains, so you can sip your local beer while drinking in the pretty, pretty scenery."

"This spot has the honor of being the first microbrewery in Asheville, and it’s a great one. They keep their flagship brews relevant by tweaking the recipes, but they also continue to innovate, releasing an impressive set of single-hop brews."

"Last but not least, we’re huge fans of Highland Brewing Company. We love that they are a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ community. Hint: If you want to get married in Asheville, check out their event space."

"The folks at Burial Beer invite beer drinkers to partake in experimental beer drinking. They implement new recipes and tweak their old ones until they’re perfect. Make sure you go on the weekend– they nearly always have a special release!"

"Despite being a bit morbid with its name and décor, Burial Brewery offers up good beer and a great place to enjoy it. Their outdoor patio is small but enjoyable for an afternoon of beer tasting."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. To ferments, we cheers. And to the spring moon, we feast."

"It’s no secret that pizza and beer go great together, and Asheville Brewing Company has three locations where you can get a slice to go with your suds. All of their pizzas and pub fare are made with local ingredients, so you don’t have to think of your pie as a guilty pleasure. With 15 beers on tap and $3 movies at each location, it’s a great place to go for a casual night out."

"Asheville Brewing Company says everything is locally brewed with love, and after a visit here you will surely believe it. They have three locations – a brewpub downtown where you can tour the production facilities, a pizza and beer base in South Asheville, and the crown jewel taproom in North Asheville. The taproom features a game room and a movie theater."

"Green Man has been in Asheville almost as long as Highland Brewing. Since 1997, they’ve been serving locals and visitors alike with hop-forward beers. However, they have remained true to English brewing styles over the years."

"Sit in a barroom overlooking the bottling line and have a certified Cicerone walk you through their malty ESB and other excellent ales. 27 Buxton Ave.; greenmanbrewery.com. Green Man Brewery's Snozzberry American Sour"

"Hi-Wire Brewing, which opened in 2013 soon after Wicked Weed, has become one of the more established breweries in Asheville. Since then, Hi-Wire has opened a second Asheville location as well as spots in Durham and Knoxville, TN. The circus-themed brewery produces a wide variety of beers but has earned acclaim for its tart kettle sours, complex wild ales, and easy-drinking lagers. Hi-Wire is a fundamental part of the Asheville community and is worth a visit any time you’re in town."

"Hi-Wire Brewing’s passion for craft beer shines through in every brew they create, making it one of the best breweries near Asheville, NC. They have a light-hearted circus theme that embodies the fun and creative aspect of the craft. Their beers can be found around the area at bars and restaurants, and their tasting room is always a good time. Just keep an eye out for the building that’s painted in rainbow colors– once you see it, you’re in the right place!"

"The rainbow mural outside of High Wire really catches your eye when you enter the brewery. The inside has more of an industrial feel with high ceilings, an open taproom and a good amount of seating. They have all sorts of board games to keep you entertained, as well as corn hole and pinball."

"Oyster House Brewing Company was founded in 2009 with a purpose: to produce high-quality, unique ales for beer and seafood lovers. Their batches are small, and you can tell that a lot of care went into their creation. Get some of their delicious seafood and wash it all down with your brew of choice."

"Located in West Asheville, the Whale has a great neighborhood vibe as well as a ton of cool, hard-to-find beers from all over the world. Though they’re not a brewery they’ll also often have a collaboration beer or two on tap which means that on any given day you never know what you might find at the Whale. It keeps things interesting and keeps people coming back for more."

"Sitting atop downtown with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains is famed Grove Park Inn, a luxury mountain resort built soon after the completion of the Biltmore Estate. Behind the resort, the Vanderbilts founded an arts and crafts hub that now features an antique car museum, working artists studios, and restaurant. Grovewood Village, 111 Grovewood Road, Adjacent to The Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC, USA, +1 828 253 7651"

"This historic site is home to the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum, the Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum, and the nationally-recognized Grovewood Gallery. Grovewood Village has something for everyone. Your visit could include a leisurely stroll through the sculpture gardens, a lesson on vintage automobiles, or a meal at the contemporary Golden Fleece restaurant."

"The museum is home to several vintage automobiles that Harry and his dealership had come to own over time. Highlights to the collection include a rare 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham and Asheville?. s own 1921 American LaFrance fire truck."

"Another downtown gallery to consider is Blue Spiral 1, who prides itself on filling the 15,000-square-foot space with a diverse collection. The gallery also has a section dedicated to the works of modernist Will Henry Stevens, with pieces rotated in from his estate regularly. Blue Spiral 1, 38 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC, USA, +1 828 251 0202"

"Just a few miles from Biltmore is this very different kind of mansion. James McConnell Smith commissioned the house in the 1840s, having it built out of brick. Building with brick was almost unheard of at the time, a signified of his wealth."

"Known as just “The Med” to locals and the many regulars who frequent this Greek American diner, a dollar goes a long way at The Mediterranean. Breakfasts hover between the $5–7 mark, including three-egg omelets that come with hash browns or grits and toast or a biscuit. Sandwiches and its gyros stay in this range too, while hearty, grandma’s-home-cooking style dinners clock in at $7–10 bucks."

"If you’re looking for a good diner-style breakfast in Asheville, look no further than The Med. The Greek homestyle diner has been serving great homestyle diner breakfast and Greek food for the last 50 years!. We love the Hash Bowl, the shrimp & grits, the breakfast burrito, and the classic house Bloody Mary, but most people will also shout out how much they love the prices."