Asheville Brewery & History Walking Tour
Explore Asheville’s best breweries with local beer experts!
Overview
Activity details
BREW-ed's Brewery and History Walking Tours take guests on a deep dive into Asheville's local beer industry. You'll learn the science of beer making, hear the stories behind the breweries and explore local history all in one exciting tour!
What's included
• A thoughtfully curated sample flight of beers at each brewery.
• An internationally recognized brewing expert as your tour guide.
• A VIP behind the scenes tour of a brewery's production facility.
• Lots of great stories about Asheville's legendary breweries.
What's not included
• Food
• Merchandise from the breweries
• Any additional beverages other than the beer samples at each stop.
Itinerary
Your tour will begin with a behind the scenes look at brewing ingredients. You'll sample raw materials and explore beers that incorporate their flavors. You'll taste through several of Hi-Wire’s beers, as you learn where different flavors come from and the science behind why you like some more than others.
After Hi-Wire, your group will head to Twin Leaf Brewery, a favorite among Asheville locals. Along the way, your expert guide will share some of Asheville's fascinating history. Asheville is a neat town with an exciting past!
After arriving at Twin Leaf, more delicious samples will be shared, as you'll hear how an engineer followed his passion. You'll head into the production area at Twin Leaf and see the tools and processes brewers use to create your favorite beers.
Finally, your group will head to Green Man Brewing for more fantastic beer from one of Western North Carolina's brewing pioneers.
Highlights
BREW-ed's tours are more than the typical pub crawl. Our expert guides lead guests through Asheville's South Slope Brewing District to some of the best breweries in town. You'll have the chance to sample the beers that each brewery is known for as you learn the secrets behind how they're made. You'll get insider access to breweries' production facilities, all the while enjoying exciting stories from your personal brewing expert for the day.!
Additional information
Check-in details
Your guide will meet you at the first brewery on your itinerary. If you have any trouble finding them, ask the bartender to point them out.
What to bring
- Please bring a photo ID. Anyone who wishes to consume alcohol must be 21+
- Camera for Photo memories
- Cash if you wish to tip your guide
Special requirements
Any/all children and pets must be accompanied at all times. Those that pose a distraction to the tour will be asked to find a reasonable solution. NC law prohibits the sale of alcohol to visibly intoxicated people, so please drink responsibly.
Restrictions
Anyone interested in sampling beer must be at least 21 years of age and able to provide proper identification upon request. This request may be made by your tour guide and/or the staff at the breweries we visit on our tour.
Extras
Add a souvenir pint glass to your ticket to take home something to remember from your brewery adventure!
Disclaimers
All tours require a minimum of four total guests to operate. If your tour doesn't meet the required minimum number of guests, we will reach out to reschedule or refund. Tours run rain or shine, so please check the weather and plan accordingly.
FAQs
Where do your brewery tours start?
All of our tours start at the first brewery on the itinerary that day. When you arrive at the brewery, let the bartender know you are there for the tour, and they will point out your expert brewery tour guide.
What breweries are on the tour?
Our tours focus on the breweries of Asheville's downtown South Slope neighborhood. We often include Hi-Wire Brewing, Twin Leaf Brewery and Green Man.
What is included in the tour price?
Brewery tour tickets include access to a local beer expert who will guide your tour, as well as all of the beer samples offered at each brewery. Food and merchandise are not included in the brewery tour ticket price.
How many people will be in the group?
We limit our group sizes to provide a more personal experience for our guests. Our standard tours are capped at 16 people. If you have a larger group, please ask us about our private tours.
Are your tours kid friendly?
Yes! Though, I can’t promise they’re super interesting for kids; unless your kids are beer and Asheville history fans… My recommendation is that if you’d like to bring your child, they are more than welcome. However, if at any point during the tour your child is not enjoying themselves and affecting the enjoyment of others on the tour, we ask that you please take them away from the group until they are feeling better. And no, small children don’t need tickets, just shoot us a text or email to let us know to expect some kids that day. Adult children 18+ can buy a non-drinking ticket.
Do you offer dog friendly brewery tours?
This is honestly a tough one. All of the breweries we visit on our tours have dog friendly areas, we just can’t guarantee based on space/weather/temperature that our group would be hanging out in the dog friendly area at every stop. I would rather you have that information up front than find out that we advertised a dog friendly tour but you can’t go in the production area with your dog, so you miss out on that… My advice is that if you can leave your dog at home, that would be easiest. If you need to bring your dog and are okay with potentially missing some of the tour, your dog is welcome to tag along. Again, just shoot us a text or email as a consideration to let us know.
Is there parking near the breweries?
Yes, there is free street parking available throughout the South Slope neighborhood (the part of town with the most breweries). There are also several pay lots in the area. Keep in mind that you must pay at the pay lots or they will tow you… Yes, it has happened and it's a bummer way to end your tour.
Do you only offer walking tours?
Yes. When we started BREW-ed the plan was to maybe get a van at some point. Since then, it’s been ten years and there is so much happening downtown that we have decided not to waste time getting everyone in and out of buses and drive around looking for parking. Our tours are focused on beer and history and walking between stops allows us to share more of both with our guests.
Are your tours wheelchair/stroller accessible?
Yes. Though they are advertised as walking tours, walking is not an ability requirement to participate. All of the breweries we visit are wheelchair accessible and we travel between each stop on paved city streets. We consistently adjust the pace of our tours to the ability level of the members of the group, and we never leave anyone behind. Again, not having a van to load in and out of can be a good thing! :)
Cancellations
All cancellations must be made via email or phone call at least 72 hours before your tour starts to receive a refund. Tours run rain or shine, so please check the weather and plan accordingly.