Bring the Pup! Beer Lover’s Guide to Asheville’s South Slope

Western North Carolina is well known for its numerous craft breweries and there’s no need to leave your canine buddy at home when you visit Asheville!

Grab a leash and hit the pub with your pup on this self-guided tour of eight breweries in the downtown South Slope area of laid-back yet edgy Asheville, North Carolina.

You’re going to hear a lot about Asheville’s South Slope in the coming years. This area, a little south of downtown, is undergoing transformation from a sleepy industrial and warehouse district into a vibrant hot spot of restaurants, breweries, shops, and apartments.

This revitalization makes Asheville’s South Slope a walkable neighborhood for craft beer enthusiasts. Here’s how to make the best of it if you have a pup, or even kiddos, in tow.

Unless otherwise noted, these places allow pooches on their patios. Be sure to call ahead and confirm your plans before you visit.

Hi-Wire Brewery

197 Hilliard Avenue

Hi-Wire Brewery celebrated their 5^thyear anniversary party last July and it was a rocking good time! Sporting a unique and light-hearted circus theme, Hi-Wire embodies the fun, authenticity, and creativity of deep-rooted craft brews. Stop in and try any of the five featured year-round beers plus rotating craft lagers and sours.

Asheville Brewing Company

77 Coxe Avenue

Founded in 1998, Asheville Brewing Company is Asheville & Western North Carolina’s third oldest brewery. One of the locals’ favorite spots, it features indoor air-conditioned seating and Downtown’s largest outdoor patio.

Enjoy pub food and their famous pizza, along with fresh brews. Play a game of giant Jenga or a round of cornhole.

Bhramari Brewing Company

101 South Lexington Avenue

Bhramari Brewing Co. is a welcome 2018 addition to the local craft beer scene with a brewery and taproom. Offerings include their own creative brews and a solid lineup of favorite local Asheville area brews.

This gastro pub is quickly becoming known a popular pre- or post-show place to eat and drink, offering ample libations, a lively taproom, and an inventive menu with each dish designed around the love of beer – whether it’s beer infused ingredients or the perfect pairing compliment.

Burial Beer Co.

40 Collier Avenue

Burial Beer Co. brewery began its life in summer 2013 as a one-barrel system that quickly grew to a ten-barrel operation in just over a year. With 13 beer selections on tap and more available in cans and bottles, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The taproom serves food Wednesday through Sunday, including a very Asheville-centric Jazz Brunch every Sunday morning.  Main menu offerings change weekly, with the double cheeseburger as the only menu staple.

Catawba Brewing

32 Banks Avenue

Catawba Brewing sports a seven-barrel system, a bottling line, two bars and a courtyard. They have over 25 beer selections on tap and food is available from the rotating food trucks on site. They are open every day.

Green Man Brewery

27 Buxton Avenue

Green Man Brewery is one of North Carolina’s oldest breweries. Producing iconic ales, they strive to stay loyal to traditional English styles with an evolution of innovative flavors.

Housed in a 3 story, 22,000 sq ft. packaging hall and specialty brewhouse that includes a “brewtique” and an indoor/outdoor taproom loft overlooking the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

Take a guided tour ($12/person) on Thursday-Sunday that includes a souvenir glass and tasting of four beers. Their three-story building has a store, tasting room overlooking the production floor and an outdoor beer garden with views of the surrounding mountains.

Habitat Brewing Company

174 Broadway Street

Habitat Brewing Co. is a small batch craft brewery, serving their own brews as well as others from many of Asheville’s other fantastic breweries. They host the Asheville Improv Collective’s comedy open mic each Thursday from 9-11pm and their comedy show two Saturdays a month. Grab some grub from the food trucks they have partnered with around town for tasty bites to pair with our brews!

They’ve got a chalkboard wall and toy box for the little ones, water bowl for the furry ones, and a great open patio and parking lot out back. Open every day.

Wicked Weed Brewery

91 Biltmore Avenue

The Wicked Weed Brewery Funkatorium is the East Coast’s first sour and funky beer dedicated taproom. Featuring over a dozen varieties of these burgeoning styles on draught, visitors can expect a full immersion into the old-world way of experiencing and appreciating beer.

The Funkatorium is also a full-service restaurant offering wings, salads, sandwiches and more seven days a week.

Free brewpub tours are available for those 21 years old and up, with tour sign-ups at the Brewpub only, up to 7 days in advance of the tour you’d like to attend.

South Slope Info

Since the South Slope is in a major transformation, expect construction and don’t expect pristine streets complete with fully restored buildings. But who cares about less than perfect streets?

The pet-friendly craft breweries are the main reasons to venture to South Slope, so for that alone, a little bit of construction shouldn’t be a bother.

Be aware though, that parking can a challenge, especially on weekends. To help with this, a new 8-story parking deck opened at 40 Coxe Avenue with 664 spots – great for after 5 PM M-F and all weekend. Enter the deck from Sears Alley.

Have you been to any of the breweries on the South Slope? Share your stories in a comment below!

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