Asheville stands among America’s best craft beverage destinations, packing dozens of breweries, distilleries, and wineries into its walkable downtown. The city’s drinking tours range from practical to playful – with walking brewery tours being the smartest choice for first-timers. I especially love the guided downtown pub walks, where passionate locals share both beer knowledge and colorful neighborhood stories. For something different, try the electric bike brewery tours, letting you cover more ground while staying responsible. The floating bar cruises on the French Broad River offer a refreshing twist on traditional tastings. Moving beyond beer, the craft cocktail scene deserves attention through excellent mixology workshops in historic venues. Let’s explore the finest drinking tours this mountain city has to offer.
Key Points
- Asheville offers a diverse range of brewery tours, including guided walking tours, electric bike crawls, and expert-led experiences with beer tastings and snacks.
- Distillery tours provide insight into the local distillation process and offer tastings of various spirits, while some include cocktail-making classes.
- Wine tours and tastings showcase the region’s vineyards, featuring educational experiences, food pairings, and scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- Unique tour experiences, such as haunted pub crawls, floating bar crawls, and drag queen bar crawls, offer a distinctive spin on Asheville’s drinking scene.
- Asheville’s bars are renowned for their innovative cocktails made with local ingredients, and mixology classes allow visitors to learn the art of cocktail-making.
Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour
The Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour offers beer enthusiasts a chance to explore the city’s thriving craft beer scene.
With a 99% traveler recommendation and a Badge of Excellence, this tour allows participants to sample 10 local beers at three top breweries, led by a Cicerone-certified guide.
Conveniently starting and ending at Hi-Wire Brewing, the tour includes all craft beer samples, gratuities, and the flexibility of free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling up to 24 hours before the experience.
Travelers consistently praise the knowledgeable and engaging guides, who provide an educational and fun-filled exploration of Asheville’s brewing history and diverse beer offerings.
Read our full review: Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour Review
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Asheville: Ultimate Late Night Haunted Pub Crawl
Asheville’s Ultimate Late Night Haunted Pub Crawl offers adventure-seeking visitors a chilling nighttime exploration of the city’s haunted pubs and taverns.
The 2-hour tour takes participants to several locations with alleged supernatural occurrences, where they’ll learn about the ghostly legends and enjoy nightcaps.
At $464.04 per group (up to 4 people), the tour provides an immersive experience led by knowledgeable guides.
Guests will visit the historic Thatcher Hotel, which is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a former owner, and the Asheville Masonic Temple, home to eerie tales of the occult.
This unique tour combines the city’s vibrant nightlife with its spooky past, offering a one-of-a-kind way to experience Asheville’s haunted hotspots.
Read our full review: Asheville: Ultimate Late Night Haunted Pub Crawl Review
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Electric Bike Brewery Crawl of Asheville
For beer enthusiasts seeking a unique way to explore Asheville’s thriving craft beer scene, the Electric Bike Brewery Crawl offers an engaging and eco-friendly experience.
This highly-rated tour allows participants to cycle between three popular microbreweries, enjoying a complimentary drink at the first location.
With electric bikes included, the tour eases navigation through the city’s hilly terrain, accommodating travelers of various fitness levels.
Praised for their knowledge and friendliness, the guides provide insights into Asheville’s architecture and wildlife.
Complemented by positive reviews highlighting the fun, social atmosphere, and excellent brewery choices, the Electric Bike Brewery Crawl is an ideal way for beer lovers to discover Asheville’s vibrant craft beer culture.
Read our full review: Electric Bike Brewery Crawl of Asheville Review
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Asheville: Terrors, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl
One of Asheville’s most thrilling and spirited experiences is the Terrors, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl.
This 2-hour small-group tour takes visitors on a chilling journey through Asheville’s haunted pubs and bars. Guests will learn about the city’s dark past and supernatural tales while sampling local craft beers.
The tour includes stops at several establishments, each with its own ghostly history. Participants will have the chance to interact with the spirits and enjoy spooky activities.
With an experienced guide leading the way, this unique tour provides an unforgettable mix of history, horror, and happy hour.
At Kč 570 per person, it’s a must-do for anyone seeking a truly haunting experience in Asheville.
Read our full review: Asheville: Terrors, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl Review
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Floating Bar Crawl Tour
The Floating Bar Crawl Tour in Asheville offers a unique way to experience the city’s vibrant craft beer scene while enjoying the great outdoors.
This guided tour combines brewery visits with a relaxing float down the French Broad River. With a maximum of 12 travelers, it promises a small-group experience. Participants can bring their own beverages and have the chance to spot wildlife like bald eagles.
While reviews are mixed, many praise the guides for making the experience enjoyable. However, some guests felt the tour didn’t align with expectations of a traditional pub crawl, citing issues like inadequate brewery stops and lack of transportation back to vehicles.
The host acknowledges the feedback and emphasizes the tour’s unique nature.
Read our full review: Floating Bar Crawl Tour Review
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Asheville: Expert-Led Brewery Walking Tour With Beer Samples
Asheville’s Brewery Walking Tour offers a captivating 3-hour experience that allows visitors to explore the city’s thriving craft beer scene with the guidance of certified beer experts.
For $65, guests can taste local beers, learn about the beer-making process, and visit the best breweries in Asheville. The tour is wheelchair accessible and features a live guide, with the option for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.
Reviewers praise the tour’s storytelling and overall enjoyment. While food isn’t included, there are opportunities to purchase refreshments along the way.
With a 5/5 rating, this expert-led tour is an excellent way to discover Asheville’s vibrant brewing culture.
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Asheville Signature Guided Brewery Tour
This 4-hour Asheville Signature Guided Brewery Tour invites visitors to embark on an immersive exploration of the city’s renowned craft beer scene.
Priced from $105 per person, the tour accommodates up to 14 travelers and is operated by City Brew Tours Asheville.
Highlights include alcoholic beverages, snacks, and an expert local beer guide who provides round-trip transportation and hotel pick-up/drop-off.
While not wheelchair accessible, the tour is suitable for most participants, with free cancellation available up to 24 hours prior.
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, praising the knowledgeable guide and enjoyable brewery experiences, though some customers reported issues with pick-up and tour cancellation.
Read our full review: Asheville Signature Guided Brewery Tour Review
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Asheville: Guided Craft Brewery Tour With a Snack
Immerse oneself in Asheville’s renowned craft beer scene on this guided tour, which whisks participants to three local breweries or cider houses over the course of four captivating hours.
For £77.68 per person, the experience includes tasting up to 12 craft beers, beer-flavored pretzel snacks, and round-trip transportation with a local expert beer guide.
Guests enjoy VIP access to brewery workings and local history. The tour operates rain or shine and has a flexible booking policy, allowing for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Certain restrictions apply, such as a minimum participant requirement and the exclusion of pregnant women, those under 21, or anyone wearing open-toed shoes.
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Asheville Terrors Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl
Visitors can embark on a spine-chilling journey through Asheville’s haunted past with the Asheville Terrors Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl.
This unique combination of a ghost tour and pub crawl explores the city’s allegedly haunted locations while making stops at several bars. The tour starts at Wedge Brewery Downtown and ends at Packs Tavern, with participants hearing spooky stories along the way.
The small group size of up to 15 travelers ensures a personal experience. While drinks are at the participants’ own expense, the tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and service animals are welcome.
Guests are advised to arrive 15 minutes early and look for the guide with a lantern and a black US Ghost Adventures t-shirt.
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Beer Flight Drag Queen Bar Crawl Tour
The Beer Flight Drag Queen Bar Crawl Tour in Asheville offers a captivating experience that seamlessly blends the city’s vibrant beer scene with the dazzling world of drag performance.
This highly-rated tour takes visitors to three local breweries, where they can indulge in craft beer flights and wine or seltzer tastings.
The highlight of the tour is the VIP seating at a drag show, providing an up-close glimpse of the area’s thriving LGBTQ+ entertainment.
With a knowledgeable tour guide, inclusive environment, and a moderate physical fitness level required, this tour caters to a wide range of travelers seeking a unique blend of local culture and entertainment in Asheville.
Read our full review: Beer Flight Drag Queen Bar Crawl Tour Review
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Recap
Asheville offers a variety of exciting drinking tours for visitors. From guided brewery walks to haunted pub crawls and electric bike brewery tours, there’s something for every taste. Whether you’re interested in sampling craft beers, experiencing the city’s nightlife, or exploring its spooky side, Asheville’s drinking tours provide a unique and memorable way to explore the city.