Asheville whets visitors’ appetites in a new way

As a getaway destination, Asheville may be best known for upscale spots such as Grove Park Inn and the Biltmore Estate, where tourists are invited to “vacation like a Vanderbilt.”

But a growing number of young, adventurous travelers are coming to this picturesque city nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains for a taste of something a little more lively and elemental —- namely, beer.

Right now, there are at least a half-dozen craft breweries in or near Asheville, and several more scattered across Western North Carolina. And state laws are decidedly more beer business-friendly than in Georgia —- which means that at many brewery tasting rooms you can buy a pint at the bar, hang out and listen to some music, and later on, buy kegs or “growlers” (gallon-size glass jugs of draft beer) to take home.

Beyond the breweries, local beers are ubiquitous at Asheville clubs, bars and restaurants, such as the Orange Peel, Barley’s Tap Room, the Thirsty Monk and Early Girl Eatery. And beer geeks (as they don’t mind being called) regularly show up to browse the shelves and enjoy special tastings at the boutique-style Bruisin’ Ales (66 Broadway St., 828-252-8999. www.bruisin-ales.com), widely considered one of the best specialty beer shops in America.

Tony Kiss, entertainment editor and beer columnist for the Asheville Citizen-Times, has watched the Asheville beer scene grow by leaps and bounds in recent years.

“We’re lucky to have such a wide variety of breweries up here,” Kiss said. “And everyone is doing something a little different. … Every brewery puts its own mark on its products. On any given day, there are probably 40-plus made-in-Asheville beers being served in this town.”

Kiss gives kudos to Asheville’s biggest beer producer for getting the brewing kettles boiling back in 1994.

“I give most of the credit to Oscar Wong, the founder of our first brewery, Highland Brewing Company,” Kiss said. “If Highland had come out with so-so beers all those years ago, I seriously doubt that other breweries would have followed, one after another. Highland set the bar high. You just can’t get away with selling bad beer here.”

Here are a few highlights for an Asheville beer tour, including where to go and what to drink when you get there.

Breweries

> Highland Brewing Co. The first and biggest of Asheville’s breweries also produces the city’s most consistent beer. Located in East Asheville, a few minutes from downtown, Highland offers tours Fridays at 4 p.m. and by appointment other weekdays. No beer is sold at the brewery, but generous samples are offered during the tour, and you can buy glasses and other merchandise. Gaelic Ale, a well-balanced American amber, is Highland’s flagship beer, but Oatmeal Porter, Kashmir IPA and Black Mocha Stout are favorites. And Cold Mountain Winter Ale, a limited edition holiday beer, is so popular that it quickly sells out before Christmas every year.

12 Old Charlotte Highway, 828-299-7223, highlandbrewing.com

> Pisgah Brewing Co. Its emphasis on organic beers makes it a good fit for the green consciousness of many area residents. But it’s Pisgah’s experimental approach that has captivated beer geeks from far and wide. Strong beers and seasonal offerings include Hellbender American barleywine made with organic brown sugar, Cosmos Baltic porter fermented with Belgian yeast and Red Devil Belgian ale flavored with fresh cherries and raspberries. The brewery is open at 2 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays. But Thursdays and Fridays feature live music in the tasting room, and you can buy growlers and limited-edition bottles to go.

10 miles east of Asheville at 150 Eastside Business Park, Black Mountain, 828-669-2491. www.pisgahbrewing.com

> Wedge Brewing Co. Asheville’s newest brewery opened this year in the fun and funky River Arts district, allowing visitors to tour galleries and drink beer. There are usually as many as eight different brews on tap, ranging from an Abbey-style dubbel and a hearty oatmeal stout to an India pale ale and a variety of lighter lagers. Call ahead for tasting times, but Fridays and Saturdays after 4 p.m. are a good bet if you’re looking for an art party.

125B Roberts St., 828-505-2792

> French Broad Brewing Co. Hidden away in a small warehouse in Biltmore Village, French Broad has struggled a bit over the years. But a new brewer and a dedicated local following keep the intimate tasting room busy. Thursdays-Saturdays there’s live music, and brewery tours are by appointment. Look for a Belgian Abbey-style ale, a British-style pale ale and a very good Wee Heavy Scotch-style ale, with bottles and growlers for sale. 101-D Fairview Road, 828-277-0222, www.frenchbroadbrewery.com

> Green Man Brewing. The tasting room is open 4-9 p.m. daily, with kegs available for purchase. Its British-style pale ale, IPA porter and stout are also served at the affiliated pub, Jack of the Wood.

23 Buxton Ave, 828-252-5502

Bars and pubs

> Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co. There are two locations; the original on Merrimon Avenue has a 150-seat, $3 movie theater. The restaurant menu features reasonably priced pizza, pasta, sandwiches and wings. Beers include Shiva IPA, Ninja Porter and Scottish Brown Ale.

75 Merrimon Avenue, 828-254-1281; 77 Coxe Ave., 828-255-4077. www.ashevillebrewing.com

> Barley’s Taproom. Opened in 1994, this is one of the first places in Asheville to really showcase craft beers. The sprawling 8,000-square-foot space has a restaurant and live music venue on the main floor and a billiards and darts game room upstairs. You’ll find beers from all the local breweries on tap, as well as a good selection of American and imported beer.

42 Biltmore Ave., 828-255-0504, www.barleystaproom.com/asheville

> Jack of the Wood. The Celtic-themed pub and music venue serves up Green Man ales on draft, along with cask-conditioned offerings. Music ranges from touring bluegrass bands to local blues and jazz artists.

95 Patton Ave. 828-252-5445, www.jackofthewood.com

> The Thirsty Monk. Celebrating its first year in business in January, the atmospheric beer bar has already become a must-stop on any Asheville beer tour. In fact, with 14 taps, the cozy Belgian bar in the basement may be the best place to wind up at the end of the evening. Upstairs, find 16 local and American craft beers on draft at the storefront street-level bar.

92 Patton Ave., 828-254-5470

IF YOU GO

Haywood Park Hotel. The place for luxury and a convenient location. 1 Battery Park Ave. 828-252-2522.

Asheville Renaissance Hotel. For more moderate budgets. 1 Thomas Wolfe Plaza, 828-252-8211.

Tupelo Honey Cafe. A friendly place for hearty Southern cooking made with local ingredients and served up in huge portions. 12 College St., 828-255-4863.

Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. 828-258-6101, www.exploreasheville.com