You used to bring beer on your vacation. Now you go on vacation for the beer. From its epicenter in Asheville to tiny enclaves around the region, Western North Carolina’s craft brewing scene is a big draw for people from near and far. The number of local craft breweries is matched only by their quality, uniqueness, and seasonal ingredients.
No matter your tastes, WNC breweries are guaranteed to have something you enjoy. But with more than 90 breweries across the region (and dozens more tasting rooms and bottle shops), where do you start?
Plan your next beer vacation close to home. Try one of these three self-guided brewery tours through Western North Carolina.
5 Breweries from Asheville’s South Slope to Burnsville
Asheville alone is home to nearly half of the breweries in the region. From the grandfather of Asheville breweries, Highland Brewing, to the innovation happening along downtown’s South Slope, there are always countless flagship and seasonal brews to try.
On this tour, we recommend starting at Hi-Wire Brewing’s “Big Top” location and moving north through some of the most inventive breweries in the area. Ginger’s Revenge is the next stop on this list and the area’s only brewery focused exclusively on naturally gluten-free ginger beers.
From Asheville, head north to the friendly small town of Weaverville to experience Zebulon Artisan Ales. Their Belgian and French farmhouse styles are unlike anything else you will find around. Take Highway 25 into downtown Marshall, an artist’s haven, and enjoy a small-batch brew while looking out across the ancient French Broad River.
Lastly, head north and east through Madison County and into Yancey County. Homeplace Beer Company in Burnsville is your last stop on this taste journey. Their sessionable beers and mixed culture fermentations are well worth the drive.
Hi-Wire Brewing
197 Hilliard Avenue, Asheville
2A Huntsman Place, Asheville
284 Lyman Street, Asheville
Ginger’s Revenge
829 Riverside Drive, Suite 100, Asheville
Zebulon Artisan Ales
8 Merchants Alley, Weaverville
Mad Co. Brew House
45 N Main Street, Marshall
Homeplace Beer Company
321 W Main Street, Burnsville
Map your route:
6 Breweries in Henderson and Transylvania Counties
Henderson and Transylvania counties are known for their rich bounty of flora, fauna, and natural features, all of which are reflected in the local breweries in these communities. Our first stop on this route, Burning Blush, puts their love for the region center stage—their brewery is named after a love poem!
Oklawaha Brewing in Downtown Hendersonville is committed to brewing high quality beer while maintaining a strong sense of community. Visit for live entertainment seven nights a week. For a farm-to-keg craft brew experience just outside of town, don’t skip Sideways Farm & Brewery, where farming comes first in both their name and brewing process.
From Etowah, continue traveling along Highway 64 to the boundary of Pisgah National Forest. There, you’ll find Ecusta Brewing, which has made a name for itself as the perfect place to grab a beer after a hike or ride. A little hop off the main road takes you to Oskar Blues Brewery, one of the largest beer producers in WNC. Continue into the heart of Brevard and complete your journey at Brevard Brewing Company on Main Street. Specializing in creating hand-crafted lagers, it’s a refreshing place to end your day.
Burning Blush Brewery
4891 Boylston Highway, Mills River
Oklawaha Brewing Company
147 1st Avenue E, Hendersonville
Sideways Farm & Brewery
62 Eade Road, Etowah
Ecusta Brewing
451 Ecusta Road, Brevard
Oskar Blues Brewery
342 Mountain Industrial Drive, Brevard
Brevard Brewing Company
63 E Main Street, Brevard
Map your route:
5 Breweries across our western communities
For a full-day tour, start at Wicked Weed’s West Asheville taproom. This 50-barrel production brewery features a dog-friendly patio perfect on warm mountain afternoons. From Asheville, head west along Highway 23 for each of these breweries. This route next takes you through the recently revitalized mill town of Canton. While currently without a hometown brewery, it’s an excellent place to relax outside by the river or enjoy a local event.
Continue along Highway 23 into downtown Waynesville for your beer tour. Frog Level Brewing pours some of the smoothest craft beer to touch your tongue. Channel your inner amphibian and venture out onto the back deck overlooking the flowing creek to enjoy the sounds of nature. Located in the middle of Main Street, Boojum Brewing takes its name from a local mountain legend. After filling up on their delicious beer and pub grub, follow the highway southwest into Sylva to Innovation Brewing Company, just off the Black Balsam Trail. Lastly, venture further south to Franklin for Currahee Brewing, named in honor of the Cherokee people.
Along this trail, you’ll travel through four mountain counties and a good bit of Nantahala National Forest. It’s a great route to see the beauty of Western North Carolina and try a few craft brews along the way.
Wicked Weed West
145 Jacob Holm Way, Candler
Frog Level Brewing
56 Commerce Street, Waynesville
Boojum Brewing Company
50 N Main Street, Waynesville
Innovation Brewing Company
414 W Main Street, Sylva
Currahee Brewing Company
100 Lakeside Drive, Franklin
Map your route:
Live near your favorite local brewery
At Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks, we appreciate the revitalization craft breweries have brought to many of our towns and neighborhoods. If craft brewing is an interest of yours, we encourage you to patronize local beer, cider, sake, and other breweries across our region.
For craft beer super fans, why not live near your favorite spots? There are beautiful homes across Western North Carolina, including in the neighborhoods surrounding these refreshing locations.
Does that sound like the perfect lifestyle for you? Find your Western North Carolina dream home now!
