sierra nevada beer tour

Exploring the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Mills River NC (Near Asheville & Hendersonville)

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[Update July 31, 2021] Sometimes when a recipe is right, it is simply right. There’s no arguing the fact that Sierra Nevada nailed its flagship beer, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, coming out of the gate.

The Pale Ale flavor might be somewhat familiar these days, but that’s because most of these newbie challengers continually strive to achieve the mark that Sierra Nevada beer created. They own pale ale, so why wouldn’t we just enjoy their success?

It’s ironic that Sierra Nevada—an obvious product of a West Coast mountain range—has become one of the best breweries in Asheville , which is affectionately known as “beer city.” It’s located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, just outside downtown Asheville.

Any Asheville brewery tour that doesn’t include Sierra Nevada Asheville would be sorely lacking. In my opinion, this is a crown jewel on the Asheville breweries list.

Not only is Sierra Nevada beer first class—a key player in the rise of craft beer—but their North Carolina brewery is a work of art in and of itself.

READ MORE: The Best Things to Do in Asheville NC

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SIERRA NEVADA ASHEVILLE GUIDE

• Sierra Nevada Asheville Info
• History of Sierra Nevada Brewing
• Sierra Nevada Beers
• Sierra Nevada Menu
• Sierra Nevada Brewery Tours
• Events At Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Asheville
• Sierra Nevada Sustainability Initiatives

READ MORE: 15 Festive Ways to Celebrate an Asheville NC Christmas

SIERRA NEVADA INFO

ADDRESS:  100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, NC 28732

PHONE NUMBER: 828-708-6176

WEBSITE:  sierranevada.com

TAPROOM HOURS: Sunday – Thursday 11:00am to 9:00pm,  Friday & Saturday 11:00am to 10:00pm

QUICK FACTS: 

• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is loaded with a hop named after another mountain range: Cascade.
• Ken Grossman, the founder of Sierra Nevada, bought his first homebrewing kit in 1969. He was a teenager and had to hide it from his mom.
• Though Sierra Nevada is now most recognized for its Pale Ale, the first Sierra Nevada Beer was actually five barrels of Stout.
• To this day, despite growing into a nationally recognized and beloved brand, Sierra Nevada remains completely “family-owned, operated, and argued over.”

READ MORE: Highland Brewing: Visiting Asheville’s First  Brewery

HISTORY OF SIERRA NEVADA– ASHEVILLE, NC

The concept behind Sierra Nevada began long before founder Ken Grossman was anywhere near the drinking age. A friend’s father introduced Ken to the art of homebrew, and by the age of 15 he had bought his own homebrewing kit.

As a teenager, Ken found solace in the mountains, often disappearing for days at a time. After his first visit to Chico, California, he packed up his belongings (including his brewing paraphernalia) and moved there two weeks later.

When homebrewing was legalized, Ken formed the idea to open a brewery on trips climbing in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

The original Sierra Nevada Brewing Company was built from scratch, using repurposed dairy equipment. The experiment started in 1980 with five barrels of stout, but by the end of that year Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was created, after just 10 test batches.

Success afforded Ken an opportunity to buy a 100-barrel copper brewhouse from Germany, and he used all of his money to import it to California. Unfortunately, lacking the additional funds to set up his new equipment, it sat in storage for years.

In 1987, the brewhouse finally debuted. By the early ’90s, production had begun to increase significantly each year. He added a 200-barrel brewhouse next to his old German system in 1997, and by the early 2000s he was experimenting with solar energy to power his systems.

By 2010, the Chico brewery was running out of room for expansion. So Ken devised plans to open a new brewery on the East Coast.

In 2012, ground broke at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Asheville, NC, which was completed in 2015. The facility is truly state-of-the-art, with a concerted effort towards environmental sustainability.

In fact, this was the first production brewery ever to receive the Platinum certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) . Today it has an amazing taproom/restaurant, outdoor concert area, garden, nature trail, and more.

READ MORE: The Best Restaurants in Downtown Asheville NC

SIERRA NEVADA BEERS

• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is dubbed “Your favorite brewer’s favorite beer.” It’s made with Cascade hops that give it a distinctively pine and citrus aroma.
• Hazy Little Thing IPA is packaged unfiltered, and bottled (canned, actually) straight from the tanks. It’s cloudy, with a fruity flavor.
• Torpedo Extra IPA was an experiment that focused on adding more hop aroma to an IPA, but  without added bitterness.
• Fantastic Hazy Imperial IPA is a bit on the tropical side, delving into mango and melon flavors. It’s a juicy beer that combines five different types of hops, as well as malt, oats, and wheat.
• Sierraveza is inspired by those beloved beach beers that have migrated up from south of the border. It’s light, floral, and begs to be served ice cold.
• Hop Bullet is a bold double IPA with a two-prong palette parade of Magnum hops and lupulin dust (which lends a concentrated hop flavor).
• Tropical Torpedo is an IPA gone to the islands. Think hoppy, but with the juices of mango, papaya, and passionfruit mingling in.
• Otra Vez goes into the lime and blue agave genre of flavors, providing a sweet zippiness.
• Hop Hunter is made with steam-distilled fresh hops that are processed before they even leave the field. The hop oil makes for an intensified flavor.
• Sidecar is an IPA that gets real on the citrus. It’s infused with actual oranges.
• Kellerweis is a Belgian-style wheat beer brewed in open fermentation tanks. Unfiltered, it’s hazy with a fruity aroma and spiced finish.
• Stout is actually the original Sierra Nevada beer, and the recipe—a time-tested winner—remains exactly the same as the 1980 version.
• Porter has a dark, dense body with malty complexity and mixture of roasted coffee and chocolate for tickling the taste buds.
• Old Chico is a nod to craft beer newbies. It’s light and familiar, designed to be an offering for those who aren’t IPA and dark beer junkies.
• Skiesta is a Bavarian-style lager that was co-developed with Teton Gravity Research as a highly drinkable ski-beer.
• Celebration is one of the brewery’s early beers (1981). Though considered a holiday beer, this American-style IPA isn’t the typical sweet, spiced ale.
• Oktoberfest is an offering for the annual autumn festivities. It is the result of a love-child co-conceived by Sierra Nevada and Germany’s Bitburger Brewery.
• Summerfest is a classic pilsner and an homage to the Czech tradition.
• 40 Years honors a milestone achievement for the brewer. It continues the hop-forward citrus-and-pine combo that has made Sierra Nevada such a success.

High Altitude

• Narwhal is an imperial stout with notes of coffee and cocoa, as well as roasted grains that add an underlying smokiness.
• Bigfoot is a barley wine-style ale. Robust as it is, it can also age in a cellar, increasing in complexity like wine does.
• Hoptimum is, as it sounds, hops pushed to the max in a triple IPA.
• Estate Ale is a farmhouse ale produced from Sierra Nevada’s own organic hops and barley.
• Southern Gothic is typical of a pilsner, crisp and easy, but with added complexity because it’s unfiltered.
• Northern Hemisphere Harvest uses wet hops straight from the fields, which gives it an herbal flavor and brighter aroma.
• Brux is a domesticated wild ale that will grow progressively more complex in the bottle over years.

READ MORE: The Best Places to See Christmas Lights in North Carolina

SIERRA NEVADA MENU

With a restaurant in the taproom, the Sierra Nevada Asheville menu is wrought with unique recipes that blend farm-fresh ingredients with Sierra Nevada beer.

These include Pale Ale jack cheese, Torpedo hot sauce, and Porter mustard vinaigrette.

There are farm-to-table features, some of which come from the on-site garden, including Danish Smørrebrød (an open-faced Scandinavian sandwich ion rye bread) and Collards and Kale Slaw.

There’s a whole section of the menu devoted to dishes that pair well with Sierra Nevada’s signature Pale Ale, such as Duck Fat Fries and Cuban Pork & Beans.

There are also woodfired choices, like Pretzels with Pimento Beer Cheese and Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza. Their house specialties include dishes like Carolina Bison Sirloin and Brew Haus Sausage.

There is no reservation required for dining at the Sierra Nevada restaurant . Downtown Asheville is but a hop and skip away, so it’s a great place for lunch and a beer, even if there’s no time for taking the brewery tour.

READ MORE: Asheville River Arts District: A Guide to Galleries & Restaurants

SIERRA NEVADA BREWERY TOURS

Sierra Nevada’s Asheville location offers a variety of brewery tours to fit varying levels of interest in the intricacies of beer, ranging from “give me one of those already” to “how exactly do you store these hops?”

Reservations are required, no matter which tour you choose to take.

The Sierra Nevada “brewery tour” is a complimentary 45-minute tour that gives guests the basics of the facility and its beer-making process. It’s free, but requires a reservation (best made well in advance), and a beer tasting is included.

The “heritage tour” is more than just a Sierra Nevada beer tour. It’s really a walk through the entire history of the company, explaining its rise from a humble homebrew shop to the throne of American (and Asheville) craft beer. It costs $15 for 90 minutes.

For super enthusiasts, the “beer geek tour” offers a romp through all that makes Sierra Nevada work so well. Amazingly, the company remains willing to part with plenty of production secrets and hop-ful advice. This 3 hour-tour costs $50.

If you’re the sort of person for whom drinking is more important than how the beverage came to be, there’s also a “guided educational tasting.” This 30-minute experience costs $12, and offers a sampling of eight beers with a personal guide.

The “high gravity tasting” is a unique spin, because it exposes visitors to flavorful beers that are not often available elsewhere. These are strong beers with bold characteristics and background info to boot. It takes one hour and costs $30.

One of my favorite Sierra Nevada beer tours is the “guided barrel tasting tour,” which allows guests to sample barrel-aged brews and learn about the tradition of barrel-aging.

Regardless of whether or not you take a tour, the brewery offers access to the “visitor corridor.” This raised mezzanine allows anyone an opportunity to meander through for a look at the copper kettles, fermenting area, and warehouse.

READ MORE: The 27 Best Waterfalls Near Asheville NC

EVENTS AT THE SIERRA NEVADA BREWERY

The Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Asheville has two great venues that host loads of live music shows throughout the year.

High Gravity is an indoor facility located directly above the Taproom.

In addition to being open to the public every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, there are also ticketed shows there, and it can be rented out for private events. The room is capable of holding up to 250 people.

The other venue is an outdoor amphitheater that offers stadium seating, a grass lawn for spreading out a blanket, as well as patio seating further back.

There are lots of free weekend performances here when the weather is nice.

READ MORE: The Best Places to Celebrate Christmas in North Carolina

SIERRA NEVADA SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

In the early days, Ken Grossman repurposed dairy equipment to brew beer. While things have certainly advanced in terms of technology since then, Sierra Nevada’s Asheville brewery still stands by the “reduce, reuse, recycle” business model.

The facility’s list of sustainable initiatives  is inspiring, and ranks it amongst the most environmentally-friendly breweries in Asheville, NC (and across the nation).

Water-Saving Measures

Permeable pavers in the parking lot allow rainwater to soak through and recharge the groundwater, while also protecting the French Broad River.

Bioswales throughout the property also help to slow and filter the stormwater created on hard surfaces.

There are a dozen 6500-gallon cisterns capturing rainwater from the roof of the brewery, and a 450,000-gallon cistern underground .

Energy Efficiency

A key to the brewery’s energy efficiency is the heat recovery system, which takes thermal energy from air compressors to preheat water for the brewing process.

The brewery also harvests CO2 from the fermentation process to pressurize tanks and help with packaging.

Large windows help with natural lighting through much of the facility, and a huge array of solar panels (both on the roof and in solar trees) provide clean energy.

Waste Management

The Sierra Nevada Brewery in Asheville is a certified Platinum TRUE Zero Waste facility, maintaining a 99.8% diversion rate from landfills.

In addition to an extensive traditional recycling program, there is a wastewater treatment system that produces biogas, which adds to the energy efficiency.

Much of the wood produced from clearing the site was milled and used to build the brewery.

Their list of sustainable efforts also extends to a multiple-acre organic garden, forest management program, EV charging stations, bicycle parking, and a rail service for moving grain around and minimizing energy output.

In short, Sierra Nevada– like many other breweries near Asheville, NC– is a proud example of how to do business responsibly, from operation and construction to employee treatment. –Jonathon Engels; photos provided by Sierra Nevada Asheville

READ MORE: Pisgah National Forest: A Beginner’s Guide

We encourage anyone who loves the Blue Ridge region to learn about the  Leave No Trace   principles of responsible environmental stewardship. 

Stay on marked trails, take only pictures, pack out your trash, and be considerate of others who share the trails and parks you explore. 

Remember that waterfalls and rocky summits can be dangerous. Never try to climb waterfalls or get close to a ledge to get a selfie.

When you're exploring the wilderness, it's better to be safe than to be a statistic!

Jonathon Engels

After visiting North Carolina for the first time, Senior Writer Jonathon Engels and wife Emma spent 2 years exploring Western NC in search of a homestead property. They first lived in Brevard, where Jonathon taught writing at Blue Ridge Community College and extensively explored the Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest. For the last several years they have lived just off the BRP near Elkin, Southwest Virginia, and the NC High Country. The couple also volunteers with the Surry Old Time Fiddlers Convention, the Elkin Valley Trail Association, and Reeves Downtown School of Music.

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Sierra Nevada “Trip in the woods” beer... - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Tours & Tastings

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• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Tours & Tastings

A must if you are visiting Asheville! Such an incredible venue, view and experience - whether you... read more

Loved the Trip in the Woods Tour! It was enjoyable. You learned a lot. The hike is super easy and... read more

Sierra Nevada “Trip in the woods” beer tour

We were super impressed with the Sierra Nevada Brewery, their staff, and the tour we took. Our tour guide, Allen, was fantastic! The “Trip in the woods” is more of a walk than a hike, but there are a few steep hills, which is likely why they rate it a “moderate” hike. It was a great experience overall!

The tour guide did a great job of interacting with the group and providing the right amount of detail to keep all members of the tour engaged.

The food is A1. One of the best places to eat in this area. It is all Tapas and made with organic local food. enjoyed the tour of the brewery.

Tour guide, alex was great. Really nice outdoor space to enjoy great beers...good brewery tour with tastings..good bar food...nice place to spend an afternoon

Yes - it is Hop Harvest time. On the West Coast. Where all the Hops are grown. Now USA No 1 Hops producer (learned on tour). So Hops Room was incredibly fragrant. Very informative tour. Had no idea Sierra was shipping outside the US. Cool to think that Beer made on a WNC Mtn is being shipped outside the US. Tasted 4 beers -- Octoberfest, Pale Ale, Coffee Stout & Otra vez. 1st Ever- Otra vez Soap Hang out & Enjoy the Taproom and Outdoors park!

Come to enjoy not be in a hurry to take in all the surroundings. The history of the brewery and how it began and moved across the country was very interesting. They had a gift shop and restaurant that were suppose to be very good but we weren't hungry. Loved the sustainability aspect too.

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"It was a birthday gift to remember. Awesome choices, plenty of time to explore and enjoy the other options available. Our guide was very knowledgeable and I have made changes in what we look for in beers as well as how we drink it - always in a glass. Fun and cool"

Excellent Time Had By All

"The tour was great from beginning to end. Mark was an awesome guide. Perfect man for our group. We really enjoyed his knowledge of beer and history. All the brewery stops were good, but Bantam Cider was my favorite. Will definitely be back!"

History Meets Beer

"This tour was a great way to experience the city of Boston and see what various types of beer it has to offer. The tour guide was very informative and made the overall experience fun and enjoyable. Plus, who doesn't like to sample 15-18 beers in under 6 hours? Will definitely recommend this tour to friends!"

Visit the Sierra Nevada Asheville Tap Room

5 reasons to visit sierra nevada in asheville.

If you are planning a trip to Asheville, NC, then you can’t miss the chance to visit Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Asheville . Sierra Nevada is one of the best Asheville breweries , offering an array of craft beers and an unforgettable experience. Here are the top five reasons you should visit Sierra Nevada Asheville tap room.

1. The Brewery Tour

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. offers a fascinating and informative brewery tour that provides an in-depth look at the brewing process. The tour starts with a walk through the hop fields, where you can see the hop vines growing and learn about how Sierra Nevada sources its ingredients.

After the hop fields, you’ll move on to the brewhouse, where the brewing process begins. You’ll learn about the different types of malt and hops used in the brewing process, and how they are mixed to create the perfect flavor profile. The guide will explain how the different tanks and equipment work together to create the beer you know and love.

Next, you’ll move on to the fermentation tanks, where the beer goes through the fermentation process. You’ll learn about the different types of yeast used to make beer and how temperature and time affect the flavor and alcohol content of the beer. The guide will explain how Sierra Nevada monitors and controls the fermentation process to ensure consistent quality.

Finally, you’ll get to see the bottling and packaging process, where the beer is packaged and prepared for distribution. You’ll learn about the different types of packaging, including bottles, cans, and kegs, and how Sierra Nevada ensures that the beer stays fresh and delicious from the brewery to your glass.

Throughout the tour, the knowledgeable and friendly guides will answer any questions you have and provide insight into the craft brewing industry. The tour ends with a tasting of some of Sierra Nevada’s most popular beers, where you can compare and contrast the different flavors and styles.

Need to Know: Go behind the scenes at more of Asheville’s best breweries with an all-inclusive City Brew Tour .

City Brew Tours Asheville takes guests on VIP-level tours to breweries all around Asheville. These tours include meal stops and round-trip transportation, so you can soak in the suds and enjoy Asheville’s legendary craft beer scene.

2. The Beer

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Asheville is famous for its award-winning beers , and it’s not hard to see why. The brewery offers a wide variety of beers, ranging from classic styles to innovative, experimental brews.

Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale is one of the most iconic craft beers in the world, and for good reason. This classic American pale ale is made with Cascade hops, which give it a distinct piney, citrusy flavor. It’s a well-balanced beer with just the right amount of bitterness, making it easy to drink and endlessly enjoyable.

Another favorite among beer enthusiasts is Sierra Nevada’s Torpedo Extra IPA. This beer is made with an extra dose of hops, giving it a bold, hop-forward flavor that’s not for the faint of heart. It’s a beer that’s meant to be savored, with complex flavors and aromas that will keep you coming back for more.

If you’re looking for something a little different, Sierra Nevada’s Hazy Little Thing is a great option. This New England-style IPA is hazy and juicy, with a tropical fruit flavor that’s both refreshing and satisfying. It’s an excellent example of the current trend towards hazy, unfiltered IPAs, and it’s one of the best you’ll find anywhere.

Sierra Nevada also offers a range of seasonal and limited edition beers, which are always exciting to try. These beers are often experimental and innovative, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the craft brewing world. Some examples of these unique brews include their Oktoberfest, Bigfoot Barleywine, and Narwhal Imperial Stout.

3. The Food

While Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is primarily known for its fantastic beer, the brewery’s restaurant is also worth a visit. The restaurant offers a diverse menu of delicious food that pairs perfectly with the brewery’s beers, making it the perfect spot for a satisfying meal after a long day of brewery tours and beer tastings.

One standout item on the menu is the brewery’s wood-fired pizzas. These pizzas are made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and cooked in a wood-fired oven for a crispy crust and smoky flavor. Some popular options include the Classic Margherita, the Meatball, and the Spicy Sausage & Kale pizza.

If you’re in the mood for something a little heartier, the brewery’s burgers and sandwiches are a great option. The burgers are made with locally-sourced beef and served on a brioche bun, while the sandwiches are made with fresh, house-baked bread. Some standout options include the Classic Cheeseburger, the Beer-Battered Fish Sandwich, and the Grilled Chicken & Bacon Sandwich.

For those looking for lighter options, the brewery’s salads are a great choice. Made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, these salads are both healthy and delicious. Some popular options include the Spinach & Arugula Salad, the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, and the Smoked Trout Salad.

4. The Atmosphere

The atmosphere at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Asheville is one of the things that sets it apart from other breweries in the area. The brewery is housed in a stunning building that blends modern architecture with traditional elements, creating a unique and inviting space for visitors to enjoy.

Inside, the brewery has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with plenty of seating areas to relax and enjoy a beer. The main dining area is open and spacious, with large windows that let in natural light and offer views of the surrounding mountains. There’s also a cozy bar area where visitors can sit and watch the brewers at work.

One of the highlights of the brewery’s atmosphere is the expansive outdoor patio. The patio is surrounded by lush greenery and offers stunning views of the mountains, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a beer on a sunny day. There are plenty of tables and chairs for visitors to sit and relax, and there’s even an amphitheater where live music is often performed.

5. The Sustainability

Sustainability is a key focus at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and is woven into every aspect of the brewery’s operations. From sourcing ingredients to managing waste, the brewery is committed to reducing its environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices.

One way the brewery promotes sustainability is by sourcing local and organic ingredients whenever possible. The brewery sources many of its hops and barley from local farmers, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Additionally, the brewery uses organic ingredients whenever possible, which are grown without harmful pesticides and chemicals.

Another way the brewery promotes sustainability is by managing its waste responsibly. The brewery has a robust recycling program in place and has implemented several initiatives to reduce waste. For example, the brewery’s spent grains are donated to local farmers to use as animal feed, and the brewery’s wastewater is treated and reused for irrigation.

The brewery is also committed to reducing its energy consumption and has implemented several initiatives to do so. The brewery’s building was designed with sustainability in mind and includes features such as energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems. Additionally, the brewery has installed a solar array that provides a portion of the brewery’s energy needs.

Finally, the brewery is committed to engaging with its community and promoting sustainability beyond its own operations. The brewery hosts regular events and programs that promote environmental stewardship and partners with local organizations to promote sustainable practices in the community.

Overall, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is committed to promoting sustainability in every aspect of its operations. From sourcing ingredients to managing waste, the brewery is dedicated to reducing its environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices both within its own operations and beyond.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is one of the best breweries in Asheville and is a must-visit for beer enthusiasts and anyone looking for a fun and unique experience. With an amazing brewery tour, award-winning beers, delicious food, a welcoming atmosphere, and a commitment to sustainability, Sierra Nevada Asheville has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on the chance to visit one of the best Asheville breweries and enjoy all that Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has to offer.

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Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

• 100 Sierra Nevada Way
• Mills River, NC 28732
• Phone: (828) 708-6242
• Region: South Asheville
• Visit Website

Western North Carolina is known for its love of food and passion for great craft beer. At our Mills River Taproom and Restaurant you’ll find an abundance of both. Visit the Taproom to sample one of our 23 beers on tap, many produced just a few feet from the restaurant. Beers are accompanied by artful, chef-driven food focused on small plate, sharable, whole animal and farm-to-table dishes sourced mainly from local suppliers. While you’re here, grab a beer and head outside to our Back Porch and Beer Garden to take in the views of the beautiful forest or stroll through our Mills River Estate Garden. We use the homegrown vegetables and herbs for our restaurant and small-scale pilot brewery.

Dining Amenities

• Outdoor Seating
• Pet Friendly Area
• Serves Dinner
• Serves Lunch

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Sierra Nevada Brewery, Mills River / Asheville

Plan your summer festival fun in the nc mountains.

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the impressive (and big) Sierra Nevada Brewery and sample some brews. Unwind with brews in their Taproom and enjoy lunch or dinner in their massive restaurant, a showpiece for the brewery with 400 indoor seats, a big outdoor dining terrace, 23 beer taps and a chef-driven farm-to-table menu that complements their craft beer. The brewery is located between Asheville and Hendersonville , in the community of Mills River.  

The centerpiece of the Taproom is Sierra Nevada’s experimental 20-barrel pilot brewhouse, supplying limited rotating drafts exclusive to the restaurant.

During much of the year, enjoy outdoor dining and plenty of live music at their big Amphitheater (especially Saturdays & Sundays). Relax on their Back Porch and stroll through the Beer Garden. 

Take a tour! Choose between self-guided and guided. They have several guided tours. Book in advance to secure your spot. Here's a sampling of options:

• The Brewhouse Tour : Tour the production facility and beer-making process from fermentation to packaging. End the tour with educational beer tastings. 45-minutes, ages 12+ and reservations are required.
• The Beyond the Pale Tour : Explore Ken Grossman's (founder) youthful adventures and the evolution of craft beer. Dive into the brewing process, and ingredients, and see how their commitment to sustainability fits into it all. 90-minutes, ages 12+ and reservations are required.
• Guided Educational Tasting:  A knowledgeable guide will walk you through the tastings of eight beers, discussing beer styles and their history as well as what makes Sierra Nevada’s beer unique. 30-minute beer sampling, ages 21+ and reservations required.

Location Sierra Nevada is near the Asheville Airport (NC 280 near I-26) and the WNC Agriculture Center. Their street address is: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, NC 28732. 

More Local Beer Also, tour  Highland Brewing  in Asheville.  New Belgium Brewery  is near downtown Asheville.  Read more about beer in Asheville .

Hendersonville's Cheers Trail One stop on the trail that features breweries, cideries and wineries for a self-guided tasting tour. Read more about the Cheers Trail.  

Nearby Lodging Also See

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How to Make the Most of Your Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour

If you are ready to discover one of Asheville’s most expansive breweries, then you need to embark on a  Sierra Nevada Brewery tour ! From beer geek excursions to guided barrel tastings, there is a tour for every occasion at this one-of-a-kind brewery. Read on to learn how to make the most of your trip. Afterward, continue your search for North Carolina’s best regional brews by viewing our  free Western North Carolina Vacation Guide . Find top recommendations on breweries, restaurants, events, and more so that you can spend less time planning and more time exploring!

How to Have the Best Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour

About the north carolina sierra nevada brewery.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company found its home in Western North Carolina in 2012. Their East Coast home in Mills River, North Carolina, is phenomenal! Here, you’ll find an exciting taproom with over 20 beers on tap. If those tasty brews make you hungry, then you’re in the right place. This brewery is also home to a full-service  restaurant   that features fresh, farm-to-table dishes.

Live music is also frequently on the calendar, and their gift shop is the perfect place to shop for the finest beer glasses, clothing, and memorabilia from your trip. You could spend an entire day here and still have plenty to do!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BREWERY TOURS

Although you don’t need to take a tour to experience Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, we recommend that you do! A variety of tours and tastings are available. Introductory tours can take as little as 45 minutes, while educational tours can take up to 3 hours!

The Brewhouse Tour is complimentary and available for ages 12 and up. It is a wonderful introductory tour! For those who wish to dive deeper into the beer making process, the Beer Geek Tour is a must. This three-hour tour hops into the history of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and offers a behind-the-scenes look into the facility!

New tours are regularly offered at the brewery. For more information on current tour options, visit the North Carolina Sierra Nevada Brewery  website ! Because tours fill up quickly, we recommend  booking your tour  before you visit. If you have any other questions regarding tours or tastings, you may contact the Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour Desk at (828) 708-6176.

THE BEST PLACE TO STAY

After your Sierra Nevada Brewery tour, extend your evening at The Esmeralda Inn & Restaurant. Our onsite  restaurant   is known throughout the area as the No. 1 place for dining in Chimney Rock. Our menu showcases the best of North Carolina, featuring regional craft beer, award-winning wine, and Southern cuisine with a sophisticated flare! 

When you book any of our NC mountain cabins, like  The Chimney Rock River Cabin , you can always look forward to the best  amenities ,  vacation packages , and top-notch service. Complimentary,  gourmet breakfast  is always included in your stay! If you are ready to plan your next getaway, check our  current specials  and  book your stay . We can’t wait to host you at The Esmeralda Inn & Restaurant!

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Sierra Nevada in Asheville | Travel Diary

Beer lovers, here are five reasons to head to Sierra Nevada in Asheville, North Carolina- also known as Malt Disney World.

5 reasons to take a road trip to Sierra Nevada in Asheville:

1. it’s an easy drive to sierra nevada in asheville, 2. go for the live music.

• 3. DIne at the Sierra Nevada Asheville restaurant

4. The Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour is awesome!

• Sierra Nevada Asheville Photo Gallery

Travel Time from Myrtle Beach: 4.5 – 5 hours

Where to stop: The Beacon in Spartanburg

What to book: Restaurant reservations + brewery tour

Where to stay: We stayed at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Asheville Airport/Fletcher because we are Marriott Bonvoy fans, and it was less than 10 minutes from the brewery. It was a great choice!

What to wear: Plaid. And some sort of hipster hat like a beanie or trucker hat. Whether it’s freezing winter, warm summer, or crisp fall… this look will remain relevant at the Sierra Nevada Brewery.

if you take my advice, the following links are affiliate links, and the good taste guide will make a small commission when you shop. Thanks!

The open ampitheater and patio with the pretty trees as a backdrop is the best spot to enjoy a beer and live music. The brewery has plenty of seating, an outdoor bar, and bathroom facility to make this a fantastic music venue. Plus, it’s dog-friendly!

3. DIne at the sierra nevada asheville restaurant

The Mills River Taproom is reason enough to visit the brewery. The dining room is buzzing with conversation (and probably buzzed patrons….) the beer-friendly menu pairs perfectly with the beer list, the open kitchen adds energy to the atmosphere, and the service is impeccable. We loved our dinner experience.

What to order first: Y’all, if you don’t order anything else, you have to try the Joyce Farms ginger soy chicken wings. The combo of a ginger soy glaze, sriracha aioli, pickled carrots, scallions, sesame seeds is perfection.

We also ordered the duck salad (delish) and the lamb shank. The lamb shank was massive and I laughed out loud when I saw our server bringing it from the kitchen. Our table neighbors also gawked at it and we had a conversation before I tried it… and let me tell you: incredible. It’s like a pot roast but with lamb on a bone. Go for it!

We did not order the brownie desert and I have major FOMO. Will be back to try!

Check out the Sierra Nevada Asheville restaurant menu

99 bottles of beer on the wall has nothing on Sierra Nevada in Asheville… 900 bottles of beer are bottled per minute in this facility. Crazy.

Some may be tempted to skip the brewery tour – but don’t. It’s a quick tour, and you’ll learn about the history of Sierra Nevada, which was founded decades before craft beers and breweries were popular. The guide will take you through the brewing areas, the bottling areas, and the labs.

The facility produces a crazy amount of beer and the scientific detail to make it consistent is fascinating, which includes making sure the main ingredient – water – is chemically the same exact makeup as their water at their other brewery in Chico, California.

You’ll be able to feel the hops, see the brewery science staff in the lab, and view the huge bottling facility.

The tour takes less than an hour and concludes with a tasting in the bar area – you will have a much greater appreciation of the behind-the-scenes look at the operations of the brewery after the tour!

5. Obviously, they brew excellent beer 🍻

Obviously, you’ll have the chance to try a variety of incredible Sierra Nevada beers while listening to live music outdoors or strolling around inside the brewery. Some of the beers are only available at the brewery – and they have a cool gift shop so you can take your favorites home.

Sierra Nevada in Asheville PHOTOS

Sierra Nevada in Asheville

Mills River, North Carolina

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Thanks for reading our Travel Diary to Sierra Nevada in Asheville! Highly recommend adding this to your travel bucket list!

Road Trip Rule: Try someplace new & local

The next day, we decided to try Biscuit Head , which is a breakfast joint that had a lot of cat-themed decor and fabulous biscuits!

Want to visit a brewery but not go on a road trip? Here are the best local breweries in the Grand Strand….

More Foodie Weekend Getaway Ideas : Hilton Head, Charleston,

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Sierra Nevada brewery reopens for tours, tastings

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“It’s been a long two years,” said Byron Wetsch, brew tour support lead.

The restaurant closed down when the world shut down in 2020, and then reopened for curbside takeout in March 2020.  The taproom reopened for in-person dining in May 2021.

The tour times are now scheduled Thursdays through Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Some of the staff who worked in the brewery and also in food and beverage positions were transferred to jobs in repacking beer and placed in other areas. Some of those employees moved into permanent roles in other areas.

The Sierra Nevada staff took the closure as an opportunity to revamp the brewery space.

“We remodeled the brewhouse bar which used to be a tasting room. A wall was removed there and we turned the bar into a regular bar,” said Robin Gregory, director of communications. “We also remodeled the gift shop and redid the mezzanine upstairs.”

The food menu was also revamped and there are new beers in the Sierra Nevada family of beers.

Prior to the pandemic, the brewery did not offer online beer sales. During the pandemic there was a turn to online beer sales.

“We turned this into a platform for testing and to sell limited-release beers, which can’t be found in stores. Also, the non-alcoholic Hop Splash drink was introduced,” said Gregory.

The staff is jazzed about the reopening.

“We are very excited to welcome people back into the brewery for our tour program,” Gregory said. “We revamped the space and made some changes to the tour program and we can’t wait to share it with our guests.”

The tour cost is $8 per person, which includes the tour and a welcome beer upon arrival and a tasting at the end, according to Gregory.

For more information, visit www.sierranevada.com. Click on the online shop to order beer and other merchandise or sign up for emails in order to be contacted about new beer releases.

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Experience the Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour in Asheville

Asheville, North Carolina is known for its beer, and for good reason! When you visit the city, there’s a craft brewery around every corner. Located on your way to Asheville from Orchard Inn, the Sierra Nevada Brewery in NC has made a name for itself nationally. You’ve probably seen their brews in the grocery store or on draft at your favorite bar, but a Sierra Nevada Brewery tour will take your tasting to the next level.

The History of Sierra Nevada Brewery in NC

The Sierra Nevada Brewing Company was officially founded in the 1980s. Back then, most of the equipment needed to brew beer had to be custom made. Not long after its founding, the brewery began to produce its first Pale Ale, and in 1981, crafted one of the first “American” IPAs with its Celebration Ale. Fun fact: The early recipe for the American Stout made back then is still very much used today!

Over the decades, the brewery continued to grow and expand. Demand skyrocketed. In 2014, they opened the brewery in Mills River, NC. A year later, they opened the Taproom and Restaurant, also in Mills River, fully completing the East Coast brewery. Today, the Mills River brewery continues to be a leader in innovation. It was recently awarded a LEED Platinum Certification in 2016! In 2017, they made a few changes to go Green. They installed a Tesla Powerpack battery system and some other innovations to allow the brewery to be incredibly efficient with the energy it uses.

Choose Your Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour

The Sierra Nevada Brewery is just a half hour away from Orchard Inn, so you need to put it on your list of things to do while you are here! The brewery offers so much to do for visitors. Here’s a rundown of the tours you can take:

• You can take the basic Brewery Tour for free. This tour shows the production facility and beer-making process ends with a tasting.
• The Heritage Tour provides more in-depth details about the history of the brewery, its founding, and its vision.
• For a longer tour designed for beer-lovers and those familiar with the process, take the Beer Geek Tour. This three-hour tour offers an incredible look into the minute, intimate details of what makes Sierra Nevada such a success.
• For something different, try the Trip in the Woods tour, a two-hour nature walk exploring the entire property. You’ll get to learn about the natural resources surrounding the brewery and how Sierra Nevada works to create beer with minimal environmental impact.
• Finally, if you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth, try the Chocolate and Beer Pairing held only during March. You’ll get a selection of chocolate to pair with samples of limited-time brews. Try them out and learn which combos make your taste buds sing!

Book Your Getaway Today

Our area is full of activities like a Sierra Nevada Brewery tour! Our mountain location is just 30 minutes from the brewery and 40 minutes outside the city of Asheville. When you stay with us, you get the best of both worlds. Set back in the small town of Saluda, you’ll get to enjoy fresh air and the peace and quiet of our secluded location while still being close enough to enjoy Asheville. Browse our accommodations to start planning your stay! We can’t wait to see you.

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USA TODAY 10Best

Go behind the stills on the 10 best brewery tours in the country

Best Brewery Tour (2024) March 8, 2024

The only thing better than sipping a pint of your favorite brew is getting a behind-the-scenes look at where it's made. To determine which breweries offer the best tour experiences, we asked a panel of beer experts to nominate their top brewery tours across the country. Then, our readers voted for their favorites. Here are the 10 best brewery tours in the United States.

No. 10: Samuel Adams - Boston, Massachusetts

Samuel Adams has long been a giant in the Boston beer scene, and visitors are invited to learn more about the history of the company and its famous Boston lager during 45-minute tours of the brewery. Other themed tours focus on cheese pairings and research and development.

No. 9: Stone Brewing - Escondido, California and Richmond, Virginia

San Diego's king of craft beer offers public tours of its Escondido, California, and Richmond, Virginia, production facilities. Beer experts lead visitors through the brewing facility and packaging hall while offering insight into the science of brewing and craft beer culture. Tours end with a tasting and include a souvenir glass.

No. 8: New Belgium Brewing Company - Fort Collins, Colorado & Asheville, North Carolina

Visitors to the New Belgium facilities in both Fort Collins and Asheville are in for a treat. Tours that last 90 minutes include beer sampling as well as stories of the brewery's history and a look at the facilities. After the tour, guests are invited to enjoy beers in the tasting room or grab a bite to eat from a rotating list of visiting food trucks. Free 45-minute Tour Teasers are also available, which include a tour of the Brewhouse and one beer sample.

No. 7: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. - Chico, California and Mills River, North Carolina

Sierra Nevada beer fans have the opportunity to tour brewing facilities in either North Carolina or California. During each 45- to 60-minute interactive tour, visitors trace the process from grain to bottle. Smell whole-cone hops, sample sugary wort, and finish with a guided tasting of Sierra Nevada beers. Beer Geek, Beyond the Pale, and other tours go further in depth.

No. 6: Bell's Brewery - Comstock, Michigan

Bell’s Brewery, one of the oldest craft breweries east of Colorado, started out with a 15-gallon soup pot in 1985. Today, visitors can tour the facilities at both the Comstock and Kalamazoo locations to learn more about the processes of brewing, fermentation, and packaging. Tours include complimentary samples.

No. 5: Spoetzl Brewery - Shiner, Texas

Spoetzl Brewery, the pride of Shiner, Texas, dates back to the early 1900s. Those who take the 45-minute brewery tour will be introduced to the history of Spoetzl, learn about the impact its success has had on the town of Shiner, and have the opportunity to witness the brewing process up close. Tour packages start at $25 per person over 21 years old and include complimentary pours of Shiner beer. 

No. 4: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery - Milton, Delaware

The first-come, first-served $5 tours of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery offer a laid-back journey through the working brewhouse for a chance to watch the magic happen. For beer lovers, Off-Centered tours go into the brewhouse, rackhouse, and R&D system, with stops for tastings along the way.

No. 3: Burial Beer Co. Forestry Camp - Asheville, North Carolina

Burial Beer Co. gives its tour-takers the chance to bring along a guest for free, if they're the designated driver. Of course, they won't get the free samples that everyone else does, but they will get the lowdown on the Asheville brewing scene and the history of Burial during this 1-hour experience. 

No. 2: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. - Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

Visitors to this Chippewa Falls brewery have a few options for tours. The hour-long Legacy Tour covers the 150-plus-year history of Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., with a stroll through the modern facilities and a visit to the Leinie Lodge. Or spend 90 minutes on a tour with the master brewer, 30 minutes exploring the Leinie Lodge Pilot Brewery, or 90 minutes learning about the history of the brewery and Chippewa Falls.

No. 1: Tröegs Independent Brewing - Hershey, Pennsylvania

Visitors to Hershey can enjoy a 1-hour guided production tour at Tröegs Independent Brewing. The experience includes a behind-the-scenes look at the mill room, hop cooler, brewhouse deck, fermentation cellars, and packaging lines. A welcome beer kicks off the exploration and three more samples are included.

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Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Dennis malcolm "ale" sharpton.

Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a...   Read More

Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger ( AleSharpton.com ), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday , Thrillist.com , Craft Beer & Brewing , CraftBeer.com , Theinfatuation.com , ButterATL.com , James Beard Foundation , Atlanta Magazine , and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes , Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting , and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether , which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys.  Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram ( @realalesharpton ).

Gary Monterosso

Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who...   Read More

Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who has written for national and regional publications. He is a regular guest on “You Oughta Know,” on WHYY-TV, a PBS station based in Philadelphia. Gary also hosts one-minute beverage updates on several southern NJ radio stations. From 2010-2017, he was seen on the History Channel show called “The Epic History of Everyday Things.” He is the author of the book, “Artisan Beers.” After a 41-year career as a NJ- based educator, Gary now teaches beer appreciation classes at Wilmington University. Gary has appeared on many television programs discussing craft beers and has guested on BBC radio offering an American perspective on the beverage. In late 2014, he lent his expertise to CBS News New York, by offering fall beer recommendations. One of the highlights of his career was a three-year stint on the Sirius Satellite Radio network, talking about the latest happenings in the beer world. In 2014, Gary was selected by Chilled Magazine to be a member of the “Chilled 100,” signifying him as one of the top 100 beverage personalities in the United States. He continues to be a fixture at regional beer events by hosting dinners and tasting seminars. He has qualified as a Certified Beer Server, a part of the Cicerone Certification Program, recognizing his knowledge of beer styles, culture, the brewing process and ingredients.

Jackie Dodd Mallory

Jackie Dodd-Mallory is a beer and food writer and...   Read More

Jackie Dodd-Mallory is a beer and food writer and photographer based in Seattle. She is the author of three best-selling cooking with beer cookbooks and the owner of  craftbeerphotography.com  you can find her on social media @TheBeeroness.

Dr. Mike Arra is the CBO (Chief Beer Officer) and...   Read More

Dr. Mike Arra is the CBO (Chief Beer Officer) and logistics guru of Bon Beer Voyage , an award-winning beer tour company for Belgian and Craft Beer Enthusiasts. Bon Beer Voyage was created by Mike and his wife, Ruth Berman, as the beer geek’s answer to wine snob tours- without the snob part.  They offer higher quality, small group, gourmet beer vacations (Beercations) both in the US and abroad; providing their guests with one-of-kind-experiences, sightseeing, great food, brewery insider visits and beer tastings. Mike is the head beer instructor for Bon Beer Voyage’s virtual and in-person beer tasting classes, sharing tastings and pairings with beer lovers from all over the world. Designer of the coveted Beercation app brewery and bar maps that are shared with Bon Beer Voyage’s Beercation guests,  he also serves as the beer guide for their Beercation beer hunting sessions. 

10Best Editors

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,...   Read More

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

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Sierra Nevada Beer Geek Tour

I recently celebrated my birthday drinking amazing beers in Asheville, North Carolina. On my actual birthday, I knew I had to do something epic, so I booked the Beer Geek Tour at Sierra Nevada in Mills River, North Carolina, about 20 miles south of Asheville, just off Interstate 26.

The three hour tour costs $45 a person, and requires advanced reservations. Go to the brewery tours page on Sierra Nevada’s website to purchase tickets. Tours take place on Mondays and Thursdays only at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required.

Sierra Nevada describes the experience as a 3-hour tour into the depths of what makes Sierra Nevada tick. This tour is ideal for beer lovers who already have basic beer knowledge and are looking for a behind-the-scenes look and taste of our facility. The group is small – only 6 people, making it a special experience.

When you arrive, you check in at the tour desk where you receive your name tag, earplugs, and safety glasses. Head up the stairs to a comfortable waiting area, gazing down at an impressive chandelier of beer bottles.

Our tour guide, Josh, greeted our group promptly at 10:30 AM, and we headed down the hall of Sierra Nevada history towards the packaging area. On the way, Ken Grossman himself walked by us, sporting his safety glasses and earplugs.

We walked through the packaging area where we witnessed both canning and bottling in progress. We got a close-up look at the bottling, canning, kegging, and packaging equipment. Josh gave a detailed explanation of packaging and thoroughly answered all of our questions.

After that, we headed to the tasting room to sample some beers. After all, that is why we all go on brewery tours, right? We enjoyed the limited Keller Pils (which was absolutely delicious), Sidecar Orange Pale Ale , and Kellerweis . After that we enjoyed an overhead view of the epic brewhouse (more about that later), the headed to a private room.

Josh gave an in depth talk about the history of Sierra Nevada and the ingredients used in Sierra Nevada’s brews. We first tasted the cold wort, which is the treated water Sierra Nevada uses in all beers. As we talked ingredients, we drank various Sierra Nevada brews to better understand what each ingredient brings to the beer. We enjoyed Nooner Pils , Pale Ale , Stout , Otra Vez , Topical Torpedo , and the latest Bigfoot .

After that, we continued our tour of the facility, visiting the water room, Hoptimus Prime (the tractor trailer that delivers the malt from the train to the brewery), the malt storage room, yeast room, and the cellar where we enjoyed Torpedo Extra IPA right from the tank. We stopped in the hop cooler, where we got to take in the aromas and get our hands sticky with some hops.

The highlight of the tour was walking onto the floor of the 200-barrel brewhouse. The gigantic copper vessels imported from Germany are nothing short of impressive. It should be no surprise that this is where I demanded our group selfie be taken.

Our tour ended in the barrel room, where we received our gift bags full of Sierra Nevada swag, including exclusive Beer Geek Tour branded t-shirts and growlers. Josh popped open a bottle of Trip to the Woods: Barrel-Aged Bigfoot with Ginger to end the tour. To our surprise, Ken Grossman stopped in for a sip and chatted with us briefly. (And, yes, of course I got a picture with him!)

After the tour, we headed to the restaurant where we enjoyed a few more beers, as well as some seriously delicious food. We checked out the grounds and garden, then purchased a few items in the gift shop before heading out.

This was by far the most memorable and exciting beer tour I have ever experienced. It was informative, fun, interesting, special… everything you want a one-of-a-kind brewery tour to be. I highly recommend the Beer Geek Tour to any craft beer geek!

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Chico Taproom

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Against a backdrop of copper kettles, the Brewhouse Bar is a stunning space to enjoy a pint with friends — the freshest Sierra Nevada beer you can get! Find us in the Brewery Tour lobby, right next to the Gift Shop .

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Saturday 22 June 2024

The Get Right Band

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100, Sierra Nevada Way 28732 Fletcher, NC, US

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Doors open: 18:30

It only comes once a year, it's more special than a birthday, more joyful than Christmas, more awesome than Taylor Swift dropping a new album... it's The Get Right Band on the outdoor stage at Sierra Nevada. Free, all ages, 6:30 PM. Happy holidays.

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Asheville, WNC communities earn multiple 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for beer, breweries

ASHEVILLE - Access to some of the best brews, breweries and beer bars in the industry is easy when in Western North Carolina.

10Best, a media component of USA TODAY, polled the public in several categories in its Readers' Choice Awards to find out their favorite beer-centric destinations in the U.S.

On March 8, the Top 10 results were announced, and Asheville and the greater WNC shined in multiple areas for their outstanding beer scenes.

On the list of Best Beer Cities in the U.S. , Asheville ranked No. 8.

“The ‘Paris of the South’ offers an impressive number of breweries, friendly beer bars, and bottle shops (Appalachian Vintner) that provide enthusiasts with easy access to more than 100 local beers,” the article stated.

Also, Wicked Weed Brewing’s brewpub and Funkatorium taproom, which specializes in sour and funky beers, were mentioned as popular destinations.

Three local breweries came in on top for the Best Brewery Tour .

New Belgium Brewing Co., which has locations in Asheville and Fort Collins, Colorado, is ranked No. 8. The Asheville brewery, in the River Arts District, offers several free and ticketed experiences ranging from standard to in-depth educational tours.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., which has breweries in Mills River and Chico, California, ranked No. 7 for its interactive tours. The Mills River brewery offers various experiences daily for $9-$75, including a three-hour Beer Geek Tour.

Burial Beer Co.’s Forestry Camp ranked No. 3 for its 60-minute tour, which costs $35 per person and is offered on Saturdays and Sundays by reservation.

The Asheville-founded brewery also has a taproom in the South Slope brewing district.

The Whale was ranked No. 4 for Best Beer Bar . The Asheville-founded business has locations in West Asheville and Haw Creek, as well as in Greenville and Charleston, South Carolina. The Whale offers rare and limited-edition brews, and the option to request a “wild card” that allows the bartender to choose guests’ drinks of “something you have never seen or heard of, but are glad you discovered.”

New Origin Brewery was named a rising star and ranked No. 9 for Best New Brewery . New Origin was praised for its dog and kid-friendly taproom and outdoor beer garden and a menu that ranges from New England IPAs to hard seltzers, as well as its resident food truck partner, 900 Degreez Pizza.

A short drive from Asheville, a mountain town was named among readers’ favorite “captivating brew havens.”

Bryson City ranked No. 7 for Best Small Town Beer Scene , hailed for its outdoor and beer offered at several popular beer destinations in a walkable area.

“In addition to Mountain Layers Brewing Company, beer lovers should be sure to visit Bryson City Outdoors, where they'll likely find a food truck to pair with the BCO taproom's well-curated selection of local and regional craft beers,” the article stated.

View the full lists and vote in the latest 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards polls at https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/ .

Stories we may have missed:

• West Asheville eatery is No. 2 on national Best New Restaurants list: What's on the menu
• Asheville, breweries, beer bar rank as US, global favorites
• What to know about the Filipino food truck making a home at Zillicoah Beer Co.

Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times .