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In Asheville, North Carolina—dubbed the Beer City of USA—a brother-sister duo discover their love for beer.
Reuniting after three long years, my brother and I eagerly planned our Thanksgiving meetup. With him settling in Raleigh, North Carolina, for his post-graduate studies, we decided to make the most of our time together. Little did I know that he had an exciting proposal in store. Instead of staying put in Raleigh, he suggested embarking on a road trip to Asheville—a city renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, art-deco architecture, and thriving chocolate scene. However, what truly piqued our interest was Asheville's distinction as the esteemed 'Beer City'. After securing a cosy Airbnb and retrieving his trusty car, we hit the road, ready to savour the delightful array of craft beers. Our mission was clear—to explore as many breweries as possible, and immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of flavours that each establishment had to offer.
Our drive to Asheville from Raleigh took us approximately four hours via I-40 W. That was enough time for me to chart out our beer spots, nap, and read a little more about the city. Lonely Planet had called Asheville the "undisputed 'capital' of the North Carolina mountains with homegrown microbreweries," and that was all the convincing I needed. We started with the oldest brewery—Highland Brewing—which opened in 1994. My first observation was that this was one big space; there was a taproom, bar area, an outdoor patio, and a huge green space—aptly called the Meadow—that had children running around. We got a table on the outdoor patio to admire the views. We ordered the iconic Gaelic Ale—a red ale that was a little bitter but had a great aftertaste of toasted caramel and toffee. Fortune favoured us as we arrived at Highland Brewing precisely during the showcase of their seasonal delight, the Cold Mountain Winter Ale. Infused with delicate notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and roasted malts, this brew painted a canvas of winter warmth on our palates. Among their recommendations, the Mandarina IPA stood out—a tantalising symphony of citrusy flavour that captivated our taste buds. With a sense of satisfaction and a quick swipe to erase our beer mustaches, we left Highland Brewing to set out to our next destination. At this point, we were yearning for some nourishment, and of course, more beer.
Our next stop was Burial Beer, an establishment renowned for its ingenious use of locally sourced ingredients—herbs, fruits, and flowers—to concoct beers brimming with unique flavours and aromatic profiles. Although my brother is more of a traditionalist when it comes to beer, seeing me excited, he too jumped at the opportunity to taste the brewery's array of beers. The first thing we noticed at Burial Beer was the eclectic art and farm equipment that adorned the walls and the outdoor seating area. We were quick to place our order—cheeseburgers, fish and chips, and avocado toast for the greens. Our beer order was more extensive—the popular Surf Wax IPA with tropical fruit and citrus notes, and the Keeper's Veil, which was brewed with North Carolina wildflower honey. However, what turned out to be my favourite was the Tin Cup Camp. It was brewed with cocoa nibs, coffee, and vanilla—a pure delight captured within a pint glass.
The French Board River runs through the city of Asheville, so it was natural for us to head next to Wedge Brewing Company. It is located in the River Arts District and had some lovely views. The space had a wonderful vibe; there was live music, communal tables and lots of local art. We sat with some local artists and sipped on their classic Brown Ale and spicy Belgian Tripel, while our new friends told us about the history of the Arts District and Asheville. This, by far, was the most rewarding experience, and my brother and I loved how friendly the people were. They promptly suggested we try Zillicoah Beer Company next, as it was right by the river. They suggested we try their great open-fermented ales and tacos. The tacos and beer made a great lazy evening combination. We settled into the evening with glasses of Zillicoah's Zephyrus, a classic German-style hefeweizen, and a wood-fermented Foeder Lager along with a side of the most delicious tacos I'd ever eaten. A beautiful view, good food and beer made for an unforgettable experience. We raised our glasses and toasted to our unbreakable bond.
We continued onward to discover more. We realised that beer truly was the drink of Gods, and Asheville was a great place to try it out. We loved the wild ales and stouts at the Cellarest Beer Project in West Asheville. We were also surprised to stumble upon Cursus Keme, a hidden gem that had an interesting but small selection of IPAs and pilsners. The beer scene in Asheville was truly a discovery, and I give my brother full credit for taking me there. The city still had a lot more to see and explore. There was the historic downtown area with murals, buskers, and a whole lot more that could be discovered through Urban Trail. There was also the decadent chocolate shop called French Broad Chocolates, hiking trails around the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a one-of-a-kind Pinball Museum. However, we chose to spend our Thanksgiving, most uniquely, in a fun, vibrant town in North Carolina.
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