Bringing the hip to hipster, Zebulon brewing is only open 1-6 on Friday and Saturday creating the elusive waiting and scheduling game to beer collectors from all over the world. Living in a warehouse in the town of Weaverville, Zebulon Artisan Ales focus on Belgian, French farmhouse, and historical beers. All beers are unfiltered and often never to be seen again as there are no flagship beers consistently available. Plan accordingly while visiting this brewery.

Sitting on four acres of riverfront land just two miles outside of Asheville, Zillacoah Beer Company levels up on the brewery views. With specializations in open fermented lagers like the Austrian Gold, as well as farmhouse beers, Zillacoah keeps the traditions of beer brewing while pushing into mixed culture beers.

Touted as not just a brewery but a beverage company, Dssolvr focuses on beer while leaving room for other kinds of fermentation. With surreal artwork covering cans and walls and over the top beer names like Blood of My Kin and Conjuring Spirits, Dssolvr brings an edgy taproom to Asheville using both old school and new school methods of brewing.

Pizza and beer just go together. Asheville Brewing Company brings large slices, pretzels, and pub fare to its three locations. With legacy tap lines like the Perfect Day IPA and the Space Dog American Wheat, Asheville Brewing company upgrades patio drinking in Asheville.

This nationwide brewing company houses four locations within the Asheville area. Wicked Weed initially opened in 2012 offering West Coast IPAs and barrel-aged sours, expanding into a sour program with its sister brewery known as the Funkatorium on the South Slope of Asheville. A full kitchen is available, as well as long waits to get in the door for this nationally distributed company. Early arrival is recommended to beat the lines.

Burial Beer sits in the South Slope district of downtown Asheville, popular for multiple breweries within walking distance from each other and allowing for easy bar crawl action. With its large murals and empty trucks and cars used as seating, Burial Beer brings a fun atmosphere to complement its award-winning IPAs like the Surf Wax. In addition to the brewery, Burial Beer has opened Forestry Camp, a newer restaurant in Biltmore Village featuring a menu to pair with an extensive beverage menu including its very own Burial Beer.

New Belgium Brewing sits along the river in West Asheville with an expansive outdoor area, food trucks daily and brewery tours (on hold for now). Beer lovers and tourists converge daily on this active brewery. Find old faithful New Belgium beers like Fat Tire sitting on the tap line next to other favorites like the Voodoo Ranger IPA or Imperial IPA.

In West Asheville’s river arts district, Wedge Brewing brings an eclectic feel to its tap room. With ample space for food trucks and outdoor seating, Wedge Brewing houses light, hoppy, and specialty beers with two guest tap lines.

At the back of a dead end lane, Cursus Keme sits behind a fence with an artsy biergarten feel. Walking into the renovated tractor trailer service building, large wooden tables and greenery bring a lush taproom feel. Cursus Keme brings traditional brewing to Asheville with wood-fired brew kettles. A variety of styles are available, including IPAs, lagers, and stouts. Cursus Keme does not plan to distribute, but instead prefers to bring guests into the space to experience the beer.

One of the newest kids on the block, New Origin Brewing, sits right down the lonely street from Curses Keme but is still in the heart of the Biltmore Village. The industrial tap room also houses an outdoor beer garden and food trucks with options to bring both kids and dogs. Look for contemporary beers like Focal Point, a Vienna Lager; Drizzle, a milk stout; and Pickles, a New England-style IPA.

Touted as the first legal brewery in Asheville, Highland Brewing, started in 1994, is still one of the largest independent and family owned breweries in the Southeast. Highland Brewing sits on 40 acres overlooking the mountains of Asheville, allowing for large gatherings and events. Highland Brewing’s tap line consists of traditional favorites like the Gaelic Ale and the AVL IPA as well as seasonal and limited release options. Often multiple food trucks set up outside the brewery doors to help soak up all those beers.

With two outposts, Hillman Beer’s first location sits just outside of the historic Biltmore Village and the second location in the town of Old Fort within the Black Mountain area. Both spots provide a beer-friendly food menu to accompany the Hazy Half-Back IPA or the Four Fat Baby Belgian Quad.