During my trip to Asheville, I was able to visit Sierra Nevada’s newest location. It is just a short drive from Asheville, about 20 minutes or so. I was lucky enough to get one of the last tour times. It is a long winding drive to the top of the hill and you are greeted by a massive beautiful building.
The tour starts with the history of Sierra Nevada. The company started in the 1980s. The Pale Ale accounts for 50% of their sales and has been brewed since 1981. Along the tour, I learned that this is North Carolina’s largest brewhouse and I would argue North Carolina’s prettiest brewery too.
During the tour, you get the opportunity to try many of Sierra’s Nevada’s beers. Here is what I got to try:
- Kellerweis had banana hints. They called it a breakfast beer.
- Pilsner was their current spring seasonal. This was a good easy drinking beer.
- Nooner which is a German pilsner. It is brewed with noble hops and is much more smooth.
- Ovila Saison is a Belgian. It is sweeter with hints of black peppercorn.
- Idaho 7 is a single hop beer that has black tea after notes.
My fav was the Kellerweis because it was a lighter beer. I think this would be the perfect peer to enjoy this summer by the pool.
Know before you go: Plan ahead to get a tour time you want. I got my tour time 2 weeks before and there were not very many spots left for the day. If for some reason you are unable to get a tour time you can still do your own self-guided tour and enjoy a beer at the restaurant.
For more information about Sierra Nevada Asheville, check out their website here.
