With more than 100 breweries in Asheville and surrounding mountains, Asheville’s nickname of ‘Beer City’ fits. Beginning with the opening of Highland Brewing in 1994, craft brewing has since exploded in Western North Carolina with the opening of other breweries such as Green Man Brewing, Sierra Nevada, Oskar Blues, New Belgium, and more.

Breweries like these draw tourists all around the region. Events such as the State of Origin Craft Brew Fest in Morganton, the Tryon Beer Fest, Asheville Beer Week, and the Stomp & Brew in West Jefferson also highlight the region’s craft brews. 

Not all of WNC’s craft beverages are alcohol-based. Maker of sparkling lemonades, limeades, and ginger beer, Asheville’s Devil’s Foot Beverage Company’s new taproom, The Mule, is set to open in October. Also, Marshall’s Buchi kombucha has found its way into several major grocery retailers such as Whole Foods and Publix.

According to the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, the area’s growing craft beverage industry accounted for 3,471 jobs, $168 million in labor income, $935 million in total economic contribution, and an estimated $115 million in state, local, and federal tax revenues from transactions such as taxes on production and corporate profits in 2019.

Source: Riverbird Research