The Brewerhood of the Traveling Pints: Asheville's Hoppy Adventure
Three days of brewery hopping in Beer City USA
Dylan's Take
When I tell people in Boston that I moved to Asheville, half of them say 'for the mountains?' and the other half say 'for the beer?' Both are correct. This city has more breweries per capita than anywhere else in America, and each one has its own personality. Highland Brewing is where I play volleyball every Tuesday (gay sports league, obviously), Green Man is where the locals go when they want to avoid tourists, and Burial has a mural of Tom Selleck that makes me laugh every single time. The beer scene here isn't trying to be Denver or Portland - it's got this laid-back mountain vibe where brewers are actually happy to talk to you about their process while you're three IPAs deep.
Seasonal Editions Available
Oktoberfest Brewery Marathon
Lederhosen optional, beer required
Summer Sours & Sunshine
Day drinking but make it craft
Your Weekend Schedule
South Slope Brewery District
Burial Beer Co.
Start with the coolest brewery in town - punk rock vibes and incredible beer
Insider Tip: The Surf Wax IPA is perfection, and yes, that IS Tom Selleck on the wall
Green Man Brewery
The OG Asheville brewery - locals call it 'Dirty Jack's'
Insider Tip: Porter is their specialty, and the ESB is criminally underrated
Catawba Brewing
Dinner at their South Slope location with food trucks
Insider Tip: White Zombie white ale is dangerously drinkable
Banks Ave Bar
Late night at this queer-friendly bar with DJs
Insider Tip: Friday nights often have drag shows or queer dance parties
River Arts District Brew Tour
Wedge Brewing
Start with riverside beers and food trucks
Insider Tip: The IPA is solid but the Pilsner is the sleeper hit
New Belgium Brewing
Yes, the Fat Tire people - but the Asheville exclusives are amazing
Insider Tip: Take the free tour for the view from the Liquid Center
DSSOLVR
Experimental beers and cereal-themed everything
Insider Tip: The cereal milk stout will blow your mind
Hi-Wire Brewing RAD
Circus-themed brewery with a great patio
Insider Tip: Their lagers are incredibly clean and crushable
12 Bones Smokehouse
BBQ dinner to soak up the beer
Insider Tip: Obama ate here - get the ribs
Zillicoah Beer
French-style farmhouse ales in a cozy taproom
Insider Tip: The saisons are next level
Big Breweries & Classics
Highland Brewing
Asheville's first brewery - huge meadow and mountain views
Insider Tip: Tuesday nights are gay volleyball if you want to come back
Sierra Nevada
20 minutes south but worth it - basically beer Disneyland
Insider Tip: Make a reservation for the restaurant - it's incredible
Wicked Weed Funkatorium
Sour beer paradise in South Slope
Insider Tip: Get a flight - the sours are intense
One World Brewing
Underground brewery in a former bomb shelter
Insider Tip: The cave setting is absolutely wild
Must-Do Experiences
- Burial Beer for the vibe
- Highland meadow on a sunny day
- Sierra Nevada tour and lunch
- Funkatorium sour flight
- Food truck hopping
- Riverside beers at Wedge
- Gay volleyball at Highland (Tuesdays)
Insider Tips
- South Slope is walkable between breweries
- RAD requires wheels but has tons of parking
- Drink water - elevation makes beer hit harder
- Most breweries are dog-friendly
- Food trucks are the move - check schedules
Where to Stay
Walk to most breweries
Central to brewery clusters
Getting Around
- • South Slope breweries are walkable
- • RAD needs a car or bike
- • Brewery tour companies exist if you want a guide
- • Bikes are great for brewery hopping
Photo Ops
- 📸 Burial Tom Selleck mural
- 📸 Highland meadow views
- 📸 Sierra Nevada campus
- 📸 Your flight lineup
Want This Itinerary + Updates?
Get this itinerary as a PDF, plus monthly updates on what's new in Asheville and insider tips I don't share publicly.
Get the Gay Asheville Guide
Real talk about LGBTQ+ life, neighborhoods, and making friends in Asheville.
No spam, just insider tips from a local. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ready to Make Asheville Home?
Loved this itinerary? Imagine living here. I help LGBTQ+ folks and allies find their perfect Asheville home every day. No pressure, just honest advice from someone who's been in your shoes.
Or just have questions? Reach out anytime - I love talking about Asheville.
You Might Also Like
Gallery Hopping Like It's 'Emily in Paris' But Make It Mountain Weird
Three days immersed in Asheville's vibrant arts scene
View ItineraryAsheville's Architectural Greatest Hits: From Vanderbilt to Art Deco (No Hard Hat Required)
A weekend exploring the preserved architectural treasures of the Blue Ridge
View ItineraryFinding Your Chosen Family in the Blue Ridge
A queer-centered weekend celebrating Asheville's LGBTQ+ community
View Itinerary