It's no secret that you'll find a plethora of great craft brewery options in the city of Asheville, North Carolina.
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 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 Wicked Weed produces 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!
Have a specific question about visiting Wicked Weed? Jump ahead using the table of contents below:
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Where is Wicked Weed Located?
Wicked Weed's original Brewpub is located in downtown Asheville (91 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801).
The Brewpub's central location makes it a convenient stop for anyone visiting Asheville. Wicked Weed's 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 at Wicked Weed 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?
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.
My Wicked Weed 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 knowledgable 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 - Wicked Weed offered the best overall beer drinking experience. A very important aspect when evaluating breweries.
Important Things to Know About Wicked Weed
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 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 tour page here!
Wicked Weed 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 Sell Food
Wicked Weed boasts a full restaurant 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 sandwiches.
Can I Purchase Wicked Weed Beer and Swag at This Location?
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 Pets Allowed to Visit Wicked Weed?
Dogs are welcome at Wicked Weed on the patio.
Hopefully you found this post helpful! Be sure to stop back and let us know what you thought about Wicked Weed in the comments below.