It's no secret that you'll find a plethora of great craft brewery options in the city of Asheville, North Carolina and the Wicked Weed Brewing Pub is my hands down favorite.
Asheville is known for mellow vibes, access to great hiking courtesy of the Great Smoky Mountains and for the world class brewery scene it offers.
At the time of this writing the number of local craft breweries in the town was approaching 30! That number doubles if you circle up the surrounding region!
Recently I was able to spend a weekend in Asheville to enjoy some hiking, campfire nights and of course some great craft beer!
It may not be entirely fair for me to say Wicked Weed Brewing Pub offers up the best beer in Asheville, since we were only able to hit five different beer venues during our weekend stay.
But the beer they produce is really good. It's really, really, really good and it was definitely our favorite brewery stop.
After putting down two flights, a pint and touring their facilities I've gotta say these people really know what they're doing! Wicked Weed specializes in West Coast style IPAs and barrel-aged sours.
I'm more of an IPA person myself, so I took the liberty of trying anything and everything I could get my hands on here with a hoppy profile.
This post will highlight what to expect when visiting Wicked Weed's original Brewpub in Asheville, North Carolina. While we didn't have an opportunity to visit the Funkatorium, I do hope to check that location out on a future visit. Once I do, I'll be sure to report back!
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Where is Wicked Weed Brewing Pub located?
Wicked Weed's original Brewpub is located in downtown Asheville (91 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801). If you're still deciding where to stay, you can browse great deals on Asheville hotels here.
The Brewpub's central location makes it a convenient stop for anyone visiting Asheville. Their central location puts it within short walking distance of many other local breweries.
This is a great area to go brewery hopping if that's on your Asheville itinerary. Before we settled into drinks here we stopped at nearby Bhramari Brewing for a warm up.
One of the best parts about visiting Asheville is that from pretty much anywhere you stand, you can throw a rock and hit a brewery.
I'd encourage you to have some of your favorites picked out ahead of time, but it's also fun to ask the bartenders and brew masters for their favorites as well.
When in doubt, always ask a local! That's how we ended up at Burial Brewing later that evening, another must hit brewery in Asheville.
Please be mindful that Wicked Weed has multiple locations in Asheville. In this post we're discussing the Brewpub location, but they have others including the Funkatorium and Wicked Weed West that we won't cover here.
What to expect when visiting Wicked Weed Brewing Pub?
Expect good beer and good vibes. The upstairs area when you first enter the Brew Pub is going to feel more like a restaurant than a bar.
The swag shop is located on this level and there's plenty of outdoor patio seating by the main entrance.
When we visited we headed straight for the bar in the basement. Down here you'll find a relaxed bar atmosphere, access to the brewery tour and another outdoor patio.
I liked the vibe in the basement better than upstairs so that's where I recommend grabbing a seat.
Booking a tour is going to make your experience a bit more interactive than simply popping in to try some beer.
After the tour we were able to pick our guides brain on Wicked Weed beer recommendations as well as ideas on where else to stop during our stay in Asheville.
How did Wicked Weed get its name?
Wicked Weed Brewery was established in 2012, but the intriguing backstory to its name reaches much further into history. As it goes, the name "Wicked Weed" was inspired by the historical figure, King Henry VIII.
Legend says that King Henry VIII once made a proclamation categorizing hops as a "wicked and pernicious weed" which also contributed to the naming of their flagship beer, Pernicious.
My Wicked Weed Brewing Pub top picks
Any IPA from this tap list is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
On the IPA front I'm going with Pernicious and Freak of Nature as my top picks. Pernicious is Wicked Weed's staple IPA and Freak of Nature is a boozier double IPA option.
If you're looking to round out a tasting with some non-IPA options I thought their Rustic Saison and Hefeweizen were both top notch. Their Elevation Kolsch is well done as well if you're looking for a lighter, more drinkable option.
The free brewery tour was also a must. Our guide was super knowledgeable and we really enjoyed learning about the history of how Wicked Weed got started. Free samples and a free souvenir glass don't hurt either!
Of all the breweries we visited - this place offered the best overall beer drinking experience. A very important aspect when evaluating breweries.
What type of beer does Wicked Weed specialize in?
Wicked Weed is well known for their West-coast style IPAs, particularly Pernicious which helped put them on the map.
If you're a fan of hops you're going to fall in love with Wicked Weed. For craft beer lovers who prefer a sour flavor profile consider making your way over to the Funkatorium during your visit to Asheville. Come back and drop a comment below to let us know what you liked at either location.
Does Wicked Weed Brewing Pub offer tours?
Yes! Not only does Wicked Weed offer tours but you should definitely sign up for one. They're free, fun and informative. You'll have the opportunity to sample beers, explore the facilities and learn about the brewery's history. Check out their brewery tour page here!
Does Wicked Weed Brewing Pub have parking?
We didn't see a dedicated parking lot for Wicked Weed. There are meters along Biltmore Avenue which should be your first option. If those are full you'll find parking garages sprinkled throughout the area. Don't be surprised if you end up needing to walk a couple blocks.
Asheville's downtown area is very walkable, so if possible try booking your accommodations nearby!
Does Wicked Weed Brewing Pub sell food?
Wicked Weed boasts a full restaurant and food menu in its upstairs area. During our visit, we only came for the booze so I can't speak to the food but everything we saw looked great.
Head over to their website to check out the current menu, which has offerings that you would expect of a brewhouse. Think apps, burgers and chicken sandwiches.
Can I purchase Wicked Weed beer and swag at the brewing pub?
Yes! Wicked Weed has a dedicated beer-to-go and swag shop on premise. Be sure to check out their selection of Wicked Weed branded gear before heading out.
Are dogs allowed at Wicked Weed Brewing Pub?
Dogs are welcome at Wicked Weed Brewing Pub on the patio when you elect for outdoor seating. The weather in Asheville is beautiful in the spring and fall so consider enjoying some outdoor dining while you're here.
If you're looking for other activities to do during your stay in Asheville be sure to check out my blog posts covering the Biltmore Estate and hike to Catawba Falls. I've also put together a video guide covering the Biltmore Estate you can find on my YouTube channel which covers footage I shot throughout the estate grounds and inside the Biltmore House itself.
Hopefully you found this post helpful. Be sure to send me a message on social media to let me know what you thought about Wicked Weed Brewing Pub in Asheville North Carolina!