With over 60 breweries in the area, it’s obvious why we’re known as Beer City USA. But with great hops comes great responsibility.
Breweries have become dining destinations in and of themselves and we’re here to guide you to some of our favorite beer + food pairings on the South Slope and beyond.
And before you say it: We know. This isn’t a definitive list. Have a favorite dish we forgot? Let us know. Reply to this email, or comment over on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
🥨 Pretzel: Rise Above Deli at Hillman Beer |💰| 25 Sweeten Creek Road
Baked till golden brown and flecked with coarse salt, it comes with either mustard or beer cheese dip.
Paired w/: The crisp, quaffable Kolsch (5% ABV) is where hoppy meets happy.
🍔 Burger: Wicked Weed Brewing |💰💰| 91 Biltmore Ave
Wicked Weed’s bison burger has been getting rave reviews since the restaurant and brewery first opened in 2009. Served up with bleu cheese coleslaw and a side of fries, it’ll satisfy even the biggest of burger cravings (see what we did there?).
Paired w/: Pernicious IPA (7.3% ABV), because a big burger needs a big beer.
🍟 Fries: Bhramari Brewing |💰| 101 S Lexington Ave.
An update on patatas bravas (a traditional Spanish tapa), Bhramari’s Patatas Machismos kick things up a notch by adding long-cooked carnitas, grilled onions, pickled vegetables, and a thwack of goat cheese topped with spicy tomato sauce.
Paired w/: The All The Boys Milkshake IPA is a fruity, hopped flavor bomb that will soften out the spice. The current batch of this rotating IPA is a Graham Cracker Guava.
🥕 Veggie Dish: Thirsty Monk South |💰| 92 Patton Ave. + 2 Town Square Blvd. #170
Thirsty Monk’s South Asheville location is also their brewery, which means you can try all of their in-house beers alongside classic pub food. We highly recommend their falafel sandwich, which nestles the crispy chickpea cakes with all the fixins’ on warm pita bread.
Paired w/: Thirsty Monk’s Holy Wit (5% ABV) keeps things light and flavorful.
Guilty Pleasure: Asheville Pizza and Brewing |💰| 77 Coze Ave., 75 Merrimon Ave., 1850 Hendersonville Rd.
Asheville Pizza’s Tot-chos win this category every time. In-house tots smothered in slightly spiced queso are sure to fix any case of the munchies you might come down with. Protip: Add jalapeños to next level this dish, and ask for some ranch dressing on the side.
Pairing w/: Long-time favorite Shiva IPA (6% ABV) will help all that cheese go down nice + easy.
Gourmet: Sierra Nevada |💰💰💰| 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River
Walking into Sierra Nevada’s massive center is like stepping into a castle devoted to beer. Their rotating menu has several must-try items, but we recommend ordering the Otra Vez-chile rubbed whole chicken, which lets you feast like the king of Beer Castle and features a locally-raised bird and fixin’s.
Pairing w/: Keep in the theme of the meal and order Sierra Nevada’s Otra Vez gose (4.5% ABV), bright with lime and blue agave flavors.
Brunch: Salt & Smoke at Burial Beer Co. |💰💰| 40 Collier Ave
Salt & Smoke has received perhaps the most acclaim of any in-brewery restaurant. Some recent favorites? Panettone bread pudding drizzled with honey, grilled shrimp benedict, steak and egg hash, house-cured salmon, and bacon hush puppies.
Paired w/: Burial’s tap menu changes a lot, but if it’s cold outside and they’re pouring the Skillet Donut Stout (8% ABV), go ahead and treat yourself.
Dessert: Urban Orchard |💰| 210 Haywood Rd
We crave their Cider Cake, made by Short Street Cakes right across the street and featuring the bright flavor of spiced local apples topped with a cider glaze. Yes, please.
Paired w/: Keep it simple and classy with the Ginger Campaign (6.5% ABV), a dryer cider infused with a bit of ginger heat.
