Four outside Asheville breweries you need to visit

August 18, 2022

At some point during the past decade, most of our rabid West Virgina craft beer fans have made the pilgrimage to Asheville, North Carolina, to enjoy the epicenter of Appalachian region beer. It’s been a most inspiring place since 2009 when Asheville first earned its Beer City USA designation.

The western side of North Carolina continues to offer an incredible array of breweries that now span the hills and vales of the entire region. Most folk’s Asheville beer trips focus on the city’s South Slope, with good reason. But what we’re here to suggest today is that the next time you head toward Asheville, you must venture out of downtown and hit a few of the smaller, less-well-known breweries located in the suburbs and nearby villes.

While many options exist, here are four winners that we recommend and know you’ll enjoy.

Zillicoah Beer Company

Barely outside the Asheville city limits is Zillicoah Beer Company in Woodfin (Untappd – 3.97 overall). Nicely situated on a spacious 4-acre lot, this place is a beer powerhouse. Originally getting its reputation as a more farmhouse ale focused brewer, Zillicoah has become the region’s master of lagers. While still brewing excellent foeder-fermented ales, the lagers are definitely at the top of popularity in their taproom.

Zillacoah Beer Co. -- outside Asheville breweries

When we visited in the summer, five lagers plus an excellent Kolsch were on tap, along with three farmhouse ales and several other stronger-style beers. The lagers here were absolutely some of the best we’ve had anywhere in America.

No beer flights sold, but you can order half pours (off-menu). You can also take home a few of the favorites in 4-packs of 16-oz. cans. Crowler fills and bottles of farmhouse ales are sold too.

Zillacoah Beer Co. — *Zillacoah tables by the river*

Lots of seating options indoors and out, including picnic tables in a field by the French Broad River. Ample parking. No food menu, but a resident taco food truck is parked on the grounds.

Open daily, afternoons and evenings.

Brewery website
About a 2.5 mile drive north from downtown Asheville

870 Riverside Drive
Woodfin, NC 28804

Zebulon Artisan Ales

Every craft beer fan deserves an afternoon at Zebulon Artisan Ales (Untappd – 4.04 overall). Located in quaint downtown Weaverville, this tiny taproom is a true gem, unlike about any other brewery you’ll ever visit.

In the taproom you sit right amongst the tanks and barrels. All the tables are whiskey or wine barrels set on end. The taproom is only open on weekends because the rest of the time the space is completely taken over as a production brewery.

Best known as a small-batch producer of bottle-conditioned farmhouse and sour ales, you want to try whatever they’re pouring the day you’re there. You won’t regret it. For a small brewery, it has one of the most eclectic beer menus you’ll find.

The day we visited they were pouring a Tokyo Style Gose, an historical style English bretted IPA, a whiskey barrel aged barley wine, a mixed berry sour, a Cheerwine Berliner Weisse, a Watermelon Rind Wit beer, a dry American stout, and an Imperial Stout. An English ale was on cask too.

*American Stout paired with a molasses cookie from the local bakery*

The cozy, little taproom is very conducive to conversation among table of guests. It attracts a very friendly crowd. There is also a small outdoor table area in front of the building.

Look for on-street parking nearby. No food offered. Full pours and small pours offered.

Open Friday and Saturday from 1:00 to 6:00 pm.

Brewery website
About a 10 mile drive north from downtown Asheville

8 Merchant’s Alley
Weaverville, NC 28787

Burning Blush Brewery

Burning Blush Brewery, a newer brewery opening in December 2019, occupies an impressive structure sitting in a semi-rural area with a Mills River address (Untapped – 3.83 overall). It’s another outstanding lager-centric brewery that also does other beer styles with equal aplomb.

Beyond the wide range of lager styes, you’ll also find English ales and several types of IPA. Square Your Luck, a hazy-juicy IPA, and Dream Only By Night, a Czech-style dark lager, are two of their most popular beers. When we visited, there were five lagers and five ales on tap.

The castle-like decor in their grand beer hall is a quite unique and attractive touch. Large, heavy wooden banquet hall tables, a massive wooden back bar, and colorful murals transform the space to resemble another age. Tables in a spacious covered porch and adjacent yard provide comfortable outdoor space for good weather use.

No food menu, but a food truck can normally be found parked next to the building. Has a large parking lot. Flights and pints offered. Open at noon daily, through evening.

Brewery website
About a 20 mile drive south from downtown Asheville

4891 Boylston Highway
Mills River, NC 28759

Sideways Farm & Brewery

You’ll definitely want to make your way to Etowah to visit Sideways Farm and Brewery (Untappd – 3.87 overall). On this working farm, the beer production side makes especially delicious brews. Everything is small batch here, and you’ll find lots of beer rotation on the taps because they rarely repeat a beer recipe.

Stylistically, they brew a little bit of everything. They do a real nice job with Belgian-style ales, but also make a bunch of other traditional beer styles. Most of the beer recipes utilize ingredients from the farm, so don’t be afraid to ask for a beer that has something they grew in it. They make their own kombucha too. You’ll find seasonal ingredients in their beer like native yeasts, fruits, vegetables, honey, and flower blooms. Watch social media for their tasting events.

We stopped by in August for their 4th anniversary and it was a blast. The wonderful brews and friendly atmosphere couldn’t be beat. Quick service and plenty of help in selecting a beer that you’ll enjoy. It’s a place to be adventurous.

Sideways Farm & Brewery — *Label wall, showing some of the past beer releases*

Our favorite feature of the taproom is the large wrap-around covered porch with lots of seating. It’s relaxing to look out on the green fields and woods. Be sure to take a walk around the property. In the growing season, fields of flowers are blooming near by. Pick a few of those blooms to make your own bouquet or purchase a nice pre-picked one at the tasting room. The other treat of the farm is enjoying the critters: chickens, ducks, sheep, and goats. Family friendly; most entertaining.

No food menu but normally have a food truck or two each day. Plenty of parking space in an adjacent field. Small pours and full pours offered. Bottled beer in 750 mls to take home with you.