There are few things the Darby Comm team enjoys more than a Friday happy hour or local brewery trip. In honor of National Beer Day earlier this week, the Darby Comm team is toasting to our favorite local watering holes. From buying beer to-go in crowlers or growlers, purchasing your drinks of choice at your grocery store, or trying out home delivery (is there anything better than your favorite brews delivered straight to your door?), there are plenty of ways to support your local breweries right now. We’ll cheers to that!
Coral
My new favorite watering hole is Riverside Rhapsody. Situated on Riverside Drive just a mere two miles from mi casa, this locals’ joint offers first class brews with a chill vibe that makes you want to linger for hours. If you live in the 828 it’s worth checking out and grabbing a growler to-go!
Angie
My favorite brewery is in the heart of downtown Weaverville, Zebulon Artisan Ales. Only open Friday and Saturday for limited hours, it’s such a special treat when we get to go there and taste all the new (and regular) beers on tap. They only do smaller pours (2 or 4 oz) of their beers, and you have to keep track of how many you’ve had and pay at the end. It’s my favorite small-town hangout on a Saturday afternoon with my husband. Plus, all the beers come from historical recipes so it’s like taking a step back into a pub of old. You can also find their beers at some of the local bars in town like, The Whale.
Suz
This is a tough one. We are lucky to have so many awesome breweries here—but that also makes it impossible to pick a single favorite. So I am picking 3 (I know it’s cheating—forgive me).
For unique beer offerings and location appeal, I pick Turgua Brewing in Fairview. This taproom is basically an idyllic backyard in the woods—perfect for bringing a picnic blanket and letting the kids roam without having to worry about traffic. In addition, every beer I’ve sampled there has been interesting and delicious—especially the Yellow Cardinal, a turmeric farmhouse ale that packs a punch (8.1%).
For cool factor, I’m going with Burial Beer Co. downtown. This is the best bet to take your out-of-town friends and I’ve never had a bad beer there. Plus with beer names like “The River to Hell Runs Red” and “I Learned It By Watching You,” you can’t go wrong.
Finally, for consistently delicious, unpretentious brews, I pick Hi-Wire Brewing. It really doesn’t get much better than their hi-pitch mosaic IPA—hands down my go-to beer right now.
Cory
I love me some Pisgah Brewing and their awesome outdoor concert venue. I always have a great time when listening to some music and sipping Pisgah Pale. In honor of my go-to can, here’s a quick lil’ Pisgah Pale limerick.
Pisgah Pale, the suds I choose Where I turn, in need of booze On the lawn I sit and think While I swig my go to drink Relaxation’s what I seek Then my dog comes out to peek Sniffs around and barks hello A friendly lick to bestow One more sniff and then he sits Chewing on the nearby sticks Happy with a wag of tail Cheers, my pup, to Pisgah Pale
Katie
Asheville has no shortage of breweries, which makes choosing a favorite very difficult! So, I gotta go with my gut on this one. Burial Beer Co. is like the cool older brother of Asheville breweries. It has a dark sense of humor, isn’t afraid of experimentation and would never be a sellout. On any given sunny Sunday, you’ll find me sitting out on the back patio, sipping on a “Blade & Sheath,” listening to my pals play the brunch hour.
Dan
I’ve always been a big fan of Wedge Brewing. Years ago, before I had even moved to Asheville, I went on a float trip down the French Broad and we tied up the floats and crossed the train tracks to make a pit stop at the original Wedge location. That was my introduction to their incredible beers and their cool, funky outdoor space. Wedge is still one of my favorites, but now there’s another great location in the RAD to choose from! Not only does Wedge serve up some great beers (I like Payne’s Pale Ale and Iron Rail IPA) but they also have one of the best food truck rotations in town (El Kimchi! El Querubin! Root Down!), not to mention that their Foundation location is right next door to 12 Bones. Does it get any better than that?
Hannah
I love Ginger’s Revenge. They have the most unorthodox flavors for ginger beer—their Lime Agave is my favorite! Plus, as the Darby’s resident Food Allergy Queen, all of their beverages are gluten-free so they are Hannah-friendly!!
Ashleigh
I’m not a beer person (which is tough living in Asheville!), but I love a good cider. Noble Cider is an Asheville favorite! Their crisp Standard Bearer is a classic.
Mandy
The Wedge—Best beer, fun locations, an Asheville fav for years!