In search of the perfect summer day trip to escape the summer heat? Sierra Nevada Brewery in Asheville is a hot spot to escape the summer heat and perhaps enjoy a cold beverage too. Kristina recently visited this brewery and shares the scoop on why so many locals flock there!
One of the cities with the most breweries per person is Asheville, just an hour from our lovely town of Greenville. So the options are many when it comes to enjoying a cold brew and leisurely hanging out with family and friends at a brewery. I’m here to tell you the Sierra Nevada Brewery, right outside of Asheville, is about to become your new favorite brewery (if it wasn’t already).
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About Sierra Nevada Brewery
On a gorgeous summer day, after a morning of hiking, a beer was in order. Sierra Nevada has been a favorite brewery of mine for awhile (hello, Kellerweiss and Porter.!) because they not only make excellent beer, but it’s totally affordable as well. I had heard the rumors that the brewery was incredible and I needed to see it for myself.
To say I was floored would be an understatement. This place is stunning. From the pavers in the ample parking lot to the aesthetics of the taproom and brewery to the garden full of sunflowers, tomatoes, and basil, Sierra Nevada Brewery is gorgeous – and fun!
Since we didn’t have a reservation for a tour (more on that in a bit), we headed right for the taproom, a cavernous space of tables with bar stools and high tops. Of course, a bar offering all of the brewery’s signature beers on tap was at the center.
We opted to head outside, where there awaited us were welcoming tables, rocking chairs, adirondack chairs, a large green space, gardens, cornhole games, and an outdoor beer bar.
Yes, please!
Dining at Sierra Nevada
You have a few options when it comes to dining or enjoying a beer at the Sierra Nevada Brewery. First, you can be seated at the dining room for table service. This is where the majority of the food is available. But, its also where on a busy Saturday you will wait awhile for a table.
As you enter the taproom, if you do not want to dine-in, bypass this line and head to the right. You’ll see a sign for the beer line. Here’s my tip- skip this one. Upstairs there is another bar with the same offerings. We found there was no line up there!
You can also purchase your favorite beer or hard kombucha at the Back Porch, which is also another place where you can order some food. The Back Porch offers some snacks like nachos, and a few other items like hot dogs and salads.
Sierra Nevada Brewery is Kid-Friendly
On the way to grab a Southern Summer Saison, I noticed an enclosed playground with sand tables, a sandbox, chalkboard, picnic table, and umbrella stand. This place thought of it all. Even though I wasn’t there with my kids that day, I was already planning to come back with them. There is also a huge green space by the stage, where lots of kids where running and playing.
Sierra Nevada offers a full menu of delectable items inside their tap room dining room and a smaller menu for their outdoor bar. Think huge bar pretzels with mustard, bison hog dogs with pale ale chili, smoked pork tacos, and even a nutella + strawberry jam sandwich for the kids (I actually really wanted to taste this one).
Games + Music at Sierra Nevada Brewery
My family and I grabbed our beers and strolled through the garden, admiring the gorgeous flowers and vegetable garden. We took up a game of cornhole for a while, which was awesome. It’s really fun to play the game while drinking good beer in the garden of Sierra Nevada Brewery.
By the time we were done, the band was about to take the stage so we hung out in the shade and relaxed to the tunes of great music. Before we left for the day, we had to check out the “high gravity” beer section upstairs, which had even more tables and rocking chairs, and indoor cornhole games. It was a work of art and overlooked the entire outdoor area, main stage, and gardens.
What a view. I think I’d go hang out there if I went with my husband.
Sierra Nevada Brewery Tours
So apparently these tours are crazy popular. We weren’t able to get a reservation for when we wanted to go so I have to go back. Obviously.
The 45-minute tour is for persons 12+ years and includes a tour of the brewery and a few samples. This one costs $9 per person.
Other tours are more extensive like the three-hour Beer Geek Tour ($75/pp, ages 21+), Hop Head tour ($35/pp, ages 21+), and the Beyond the Pale Tour ($25/pp, ages 12+)
Sierra Nevada is an ideal destination for a family outing, a day date, or a place to go chill after hiking or a trip near Asheville. As the brewery will remind you, please drink responsibly.
Visit Sierra Nevada Brewery
Sierra Nevada Brewery
100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, NC
828.681.5300
Hours are Sunday – Thursday from 11 am – 9 pm, and Friday – Saturday from 11 am – 9 pm.
Have you been to Sierra Nevada Brewery yet?