Nestled into the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, Asheville is a gem of a location and a great place to have the perfect vacation. There’s a lot to see and do here, from a vibrant gallery and museum district to fantastic architecture, mountain hikes, shopping, music, and more. Asheville and the Brevard area really do have it all!
There are many things to do in Brevard and Asheville, NC, but one of the best is sampling the local fare at some of the best restaurants around. The locals call the Asheville food scene “Foodtopia” because it’s not just about eating or drinking – it’s about the whole experience and the friendly atmosphere – and the breweries here are some of the best you’ll find.
When it comes to the best breweries in Asheville, NC, then Sierra Nevada Brewery in Asheville, NC, has to be on the list – if not at the top! Settle in for a culinary adventure because we’re about to get you up close and personal with this local hotspot. After that, check out the Asheville vacation rentals and Brevard, NC vacation rentals you can call home while you’re here.
About the Facility
At Sierra Nevada in Asheville, NC, they believe that “good beer can do a lot of good.” They claim that in the ’80s, the brewery launched a beer revolution, which continues today with its commitment to great beer, great food, and sustainability.
It all started with Ken Grossman creating a hand-built brewhouse in 1980 with a mishmash of pipes and tanks. The first batch was five barrels of stout before he tried to make a pale ale. It clicked ten batches down the road, and Ken presented a beer to America that would take the craft beer scene by storm. In 1987, a permanent location was built, and eventually solar panels went up, the beer kept flowing, and today this place is a crown jewel of the eating and drinking scene in western North Carolina.
Over the years, Ken has maintained a commitment to sustainable brewing. Sierra Nevada says that “over the years, we’ve passed up chances to brew more easily and cheaply, choosing not to shortchange our values or the environment.” This commitment to low-impact brewing, including using solar power and anaerobic digesters in the brewing process, has helped divert 99.8 percent of solid waste away from landfills! In the Mills River area, the brewery does all it can to lower its carbon footprint, keep the air clean, and create some of the best brews.
The Taproom Menu
One of the best parts of visiting any area is getting the chance to be part of the local culture. When you visit Sierra Nevada, you become part of what’s all around you. The Taproom at Sierra Nevada purchases from farmers they trust, and they encourage eco-conscious methods from the people they buy from. They employ sustainable kitchen practices and produce food in their estate gardens right on the site.
The menu is a local-food showcase emphasizing seasonal ingredients. Sierra Nevada is committed to the highest quality meats, dairy, cheese, and produce. To top it off, their organic kitchen garden brings you the freshest ingredients.
Everything on the Taproom menu is good, so it’s hard to decide what to try! You can start with the Duck Fat Fries, featuring hand-cut potatoes, duck confit, aged cheddar, hot aioli, and pale ale raspberry mustard. You can try delicious hot wings, a large Bavarian pretzel with sharp cheddar, or go for the cheese plate featuring artisanal cheeses, beer jam, and assorted nuts.
You can’t go wrong with an Audition Greens salad with local greens, winter squash, goat cheese, and a tasty sage-sherry vinaigrette if you have fresh greens on your mind. The Fregola Pasta Salad will delight you with dehydrated apples, dried figs, walnuts, and watercress – a fruit and nut lover’s dream.
If you love a good sandwich, dive into a Farmhouse Burger or the Cured Ham & Brie Toast, featuring local ham, brie, and IPA peach preserves, all on whole-grain toast. Enjoy pizzas topped with fresh veggies or sausage, try a shepherd’s pie, malt braised short ribs, or Local Mushrooms & Brassicas with cauliflower broccoli squash puree, and more.
Top it all off with Chai Pot de Crème featuring black tea whipped ganache, cookie crumble, and spiced cookie butter, or the Hummingbird Cake with cream cheese, pineapple curd, and shortbread crumble.
Kids can select from burgers, pizza, grilled chicken, and more. There’s something for everyone!
The Draught Menu
If you love the food, you’ll love the brews! You’ll find American Black IPA with pine and grapefruit notes and Big Little Thing Imperial IPA with a tropical, juicy taste on draught. Get a frosty pint of the Oktoberfest for a decadent, malty treat or the spicy Session Rye for a beer with a bite.
Love kombucha? Try the Ginger, Lemon & Hibiscus or Watermelon, Sea Salt, Lime & Mint for a treat. You can also find wines for any taste, including chardonnay, prosecco, Pino, Riesling, and more!
If you go non-alcoholic, try the Hop Splash. Get the taste of what you love, but without the alcohol.
All the brews here are top-notch. Local tip: Visit more than once and stay awhile. It’s that good.
Directions to Sierra Nevada
Getting to the Mills River location is easy if you’re in Brevard. Just take NC-280 E to Sierra Nevada Way in Asheville. Continue on Sierra Nevada Way until you get to the brewery at 100 Sierra Nevada Way.
From Asheville, take I-240 W/US-70 W from Broadway Street. Then, take I-26 E to NC-280 W/Airport Road. Take exit 40 from I-26 E! Continue on NC-280 W until you get to the brewery.
You can reach the brewery at (828) 708-6242 or email at millsrivertaproom@sierranevada.com.
Plan Your Stay
Sierra Nevada brews and glorious mountain views await. When you’re ready, we’ll be here to help you plan the stay of your dreams…the stay you deserve.
Sierra Nevada in Asheville, NC, would be enough reason to visit the area. But this part of the state is so rich in art, food, music, mountains, and history, and it’s certainly not the only reason. A vacation here is unlike any other, and at Pete Key, we know why you travel, and we know how to make you comfortable while you’re here.
Vacation rentals in Asheville and Brevard are a must if you want to live like the locals so you can dine like the locals. If you’re planning to come to North Carolina, consider staying in a home away from home.
Rentals may feature amenities such as high-speed internet and cable TV, in-rental washer and dryer, fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes, entertaining outdoor spaces, and close proximity to the things you want to do and see. Whether it’s a one-bedroom loft for a cozy getaway or a majestic mountain cabin where everyone can get together and relax, Pete Key is the place. Our pet-friendly rentals are a great choice if you want your furry friends to come along for fun.
