While Asheville, North Carolina is known as a beer lover’s paradise, this city in the mountains offers a variety of great places to grab a drink. Luckily, I had the opportunity to visit a friend living in Asheville and try some of them out.
The following is by no means a comprehensive list of all the interesting spots to have a drink in Asheville, just a sampling of some of the places I particularly enjoyed.
1. Wicked Weed
Asheville has no shortage of well-known craft breweries, and you’ll probably have a great time at any of them. Since one of Bobby’s favorite breweries is Wicked Weed, I knew I had to check it out during my trip.
You can get a pre-set flight to try a curated taste of a few different beers, as I did above. This flight included the Hefeweizen, Aberration, Black Angel, and Farmhouse Cider.
Or if you know what you want going in, head straight to the bottle shop for canned and bottled options to take home. As Bobby had requested, I got him a few bottles each of the Old-Fashioned Barrel Aged Ale and the Dark Age Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout.
If you’re feeling adventurous, head to The Funkatorium to try the newer or more experimental beers the brewery has released.
2. Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar
If beer’s not your jam or you’re looking for a different atmosphere, the Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar also provides an excellent experience.
Sip prosecco on the outdoor patio, or head indoors to the combined bar-and-used-bookstore.
Go for a champagne flight to get a sampling of its vast champagne menu or enjoy a sparkling wine cocktail.
Pictured here is a glass of the Biltmore Estate, Brut.
It was clear and dry, with just the right amount of bubbles.
This wine comes from the winery at the Biltmore Estate, a tourist attraction located in Asheville as well as the largest privately-owned house in the United States.
If a member of your group is not a champagne fan, the menu also offers a selection of red, white, rose, and dessert wines, in addition to beer, cider, and a wide selection of cheese and charcuterie boards, as well as other snacks.
3. Leo’s Wine Bar
We wouldn’t be a wine blog if we didn’t at least mention an option for wine lovers visiting Asheville.
One great place to stop for a glass of wine in Asheville is Leo’s Wine Bar, a West Asheville spot offering a variety of wines at different price points by both the glass and the bottle. Or, opt for the wines on tap, which can also be purchased for take-home consumption.
Among three friends, we decided to split the Tempranillo on tap, from La Zorra, Castilla y Leon, Spain. I’m typically a Tempranillo fan, and this one didn’t disappoint. It was a medium-bodied, classic red wine that can be paired with a variety of foods - in my case, a grilled cheese sandwich.
Leo’s also offers a wide array of charcuterie, tartines, pasta, and other options to pair with your choice of wine.
After stopping at Leo’s, one option is to head next door to the Odditorium, a unique space offering weekly drag shows and live music.
Ultimately, Asheville lives up to its reputation for having a lot of interesting places to visit and things to do. Whether it's hiking, creating your own brewery tour, or exploring the food scene, you’re likely to have a good time.
If you have any suggestions on places we should check out in Asheville, or other cities we should visit, send us an email at info@winewithourfamily.com.
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