WNC Breweries and Beer History

An introduction to WNC breweries

By Anne Fitten Glenn

Asheville and Western North Carolina’s craft breweries do more than make great beer—they’ve made the region a top beer destination for that newish phenomenon: the beer tourist.

Asheville has one of the highest breweries to population per capita rates in the nation: there are 11 breweries in the city limits, and at least one more on the way. Even if you’re not a beer connoisseur, you can enjoy locally crafted beers at just about every bar and restaurant in town.

Beer festivals, including the long-running Brewgrass fest, also do their part to attract beer lovers from all over the country and even overseas (a group of British brew hounds attended a recent fest).

Buncombe County breweries:

Asheville Brewing Co. (1997): Beers are brewed in two locations, one on the north side and one downtown. The downtown production facility is adding a canning line in 2011. Locations: 675 Merrimon Ave.; 254-1281 and 77 Coxe Ave.; 255-4077. Head brewer: Doug Riley. Year-round beers: Escape Artist Pale, Shiva IPA, Ninja Porter, Stuntman Brown, Roland’s ESB, Rocket Girl Lager, Scout Stout, Fire Escape Pale. Some seasonals: Moog Filtered Ale, Xmas Jam Ale.

Craggie Brewing Company (2009) has become known for their session beers (197 Hilliard Ave.; 254-0360). Brew master: Bill Drew. Year-round beers: Burning Barrel Bourbon Chipotle Porter, Antebellum Ale, Dubblecious Belgian, Toubab Brewe Zwickel. Some seasonals: Doppelbock, Dark IPA, Barley wine, Rye beer.

French Broad Brewery distributes their beers all over N.C. in 22-ounce bottles and kegs (also in Ga/Tenn/SC). (101 Fairview Rd.; 277-0222). Brew master: Chris Richards. Year-round beers: 13 Rebels ESB, Wee-Heavy-er Scotch Ale, Gateway Kolsch, Rye Hopper. Some seasonals: Anvil Porter, Zepptemberfest.

Green Man Brewery got a makeover and brewing expansion after changing ownership in 2010 from Joe & Joan Eckert to Dennis Thies. May start bottling 9n 2012. (23 Buxton Ave.; 254-0360). Brew master: John Stuart. Year-round beers: Green Man Porter, ESB, IPA, Pale. Some seasonals: Stout, Wheat, Double IPA, Oktoberfest.

Highland Brewing Co. lays claim to the title of oldest and largest Asheville brewery, having rolled out their first kegs in 1994. Currently, the only regional brewery with a bottling line (other breweries hand bottle 22-ounce and one liter bombers). (12 Old Charlotte Hwy.; 299-3370). Brew master: John Lyda. Year-round beers: Gaelic Ale, St. Therese’s Pale, Oatmeal Porter, Kashmir IPA, Black Mocha Stout. Seasonals: Cattail Peak Wheat, Seven Sisters Abbey, Cold Mountain, Tasgall Ale, Thunderstruck Coffee Porter.

Lexington Ave. Brewing’s beer currently are only available at the taproom, but the owners plan to expand and start bottling. (39 N. Lexington Ave., 252-0212). Brew master: Ben Pierson.

Oyster House Brewing Co. serves their handcrafted beers at The Lobster Trap restaurant where they brew from a half-barrel system. (35 Patton Ave.; 350-0505).

Pisgah Brewing Company was the first and remains the only all-organic brewery in the region (150 Eastside Dr., Black Mountain, 669-0190). Brewmaster: Jason Caughman. Year-round beers: Pisgah Pale, Porter, Lager, Nitro Stout, IPA. Some seasonals: Vortex II Imperial Stout, Red Devil Belgian, Valdez Coffee Stout, LEAF Amber, Pumpkin.

Thirsty Monk Brewery just opened in October 2011 at the beer bar’s south location with a one-barrel system (20 Gala Dr, #101). Currently only selling their beer on premises. Brew master: Norm Penn.

Wedge Brewing Company mostly sells their beer from their River Arts District brewery. Brew master: Carl Melissas. Year-round beers: Iron Rail IPA, Julian Price Pilsner, Payne’s Pale, Witbier. Some seasonals: Golem Belgian, Doppelbock, Raspberry Imperial Stout. (125B Roberts St.; 505-2792).

WNC, but not in Buncombe Co.:

Southern Appalachian Brewery (formerly Appalachian Craft Brewery) in Hendersonville (822 Locust St., Ste. 100; 684-1235). Brew master: Andy Cubbin.

Heinzelmannchen Brewery in Sylva (545 Mill St.; 631-4466). Brew master: Dieter Kuhn.

Catawba Valley Brewing in Morganton (212 S. Green St.; 430-6883). Brew master: Scott Pyatt.

Nantahala Brewing Co. in Bryson City (61 Depot St., 488-2337). Brew master: Greg Geiger.

Beers made by all these breweries can be found on draft around Asheville.

Also coming in 2012 (probably) is Altamont Brewing Company at 1042 Haywood Rd in West Asheville (Brew master: Gordon Kear). Altamont is already open as a beer bar but financing brewing equipment. Also slated to open Brevard Brewing Company on Main St. in Brevard (Brewmaster: Kyle Williams).