10 Best Breweries 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"

"If Asheville is well known for its culinary scene, it’s equally beloved for its beverages, especially beer. Locals credit Oscar Wong’s Highland Brewing Company with kicking off the craftbrew culture in 1995, and it has exploded in years since, making it one of the go-to cities for a beer tour. To taste your way through the offerings, head first to the South Slope, where a dozen breweries line the streets."

"Visit the South Slope of Asheville and check out the Funkatorium, a Wicked Weed Brewing establishment that features over a dozen varieties of beers on draft. If you’re looking for a place to grab a place to eat as well, this is an excellent option."

"DowntownAsheville’s newest brewery, DSSOLVR, is one of the hippest spots in one of the nation’s hippest small downtowns. Who needs vowels, anyway?. Trippy marketing influences range from heavy metal to psychedelic animation to comic books to internet memes, per the co-founders, whose motto is “Brewed until Surreal.” Touting itself as a beverage company, DSSOLVER plans to brew wine, cider, and mead -- in addition to keeping the off-beat brews coming."

"Nothing pairs better with a warm day than a fresh local brew. We love LAB for enjoying the warmer weather with delicious food and creative beers. Our particular favorite spot is right in the window, where you can dine while watching downtown Asheville buzz by."

"The motto is “brewed until surreal” and the experience is just that. A newcomer on the scene, they have definitely made a name for themselves quickly. DSSOLVR began with a deep curiosity into the process of fermentation."

"The newest brewery on this list, Zillicoah Beer Co. opened in late December 2017, enjoying steady crowds from the beginning. The industrial space puts beer drinkers and fermentation tanks side by side, making guests feel like insiders with a front-row view. But the big draw is the large outdoor space along the French Broad River, complete with a covered section that butts up to a large firepit flanked by a permanent food truck slinging Mexican cuisine."

"Address: 870 Riverside Drive; Woodfin, NC 28804Phone Number: 828-424-7929Website: https://www.zillicoahbeer.com/. Out of all of the breweries in Asheville and Woodfin, Zillicoah is our absolute favorite as locals. Enjoy a beer next to the French Broad River as the sun sets over the mountains."

"Less than a mile down the road from Riverside Rhapsody is another favorite, Zillicoah Beer Co. Zillicoah is situated on four acres of waterfront property on the French Broad River. If you love to gaze at the water with a beer in your hand, this is the spot to be."

"Not only does UpCountry serve gluten-free pizza crust, but you can also order delicious Darë Vegan Cheese on your pie. We highly recommend the Mixed Mushroom gf pizza with vegan cheese."

"A post shared by Riverside Rhapsody Beer (@riversiderhapsody). About ten minutes north of Asheville is the Riverside Rhapsody Brewery. The idea behind Riverside Rhapsody came from the two owners, Mike and Joey."

"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."