Sierra Nevada Takes Brewing to a Whole New Level in Asheville
Since its recent grand opening in North Carolina, the new Sierra Nevada Brewing Facility has been a tremendous success. Located just 20 minutes from Asheville, the facility is more than what you'd expect from a traditional corporate brewery. With its 350,000 barrel brewhouse, taproom, tasting room, restaurant and music venue, the facility is described by the company as a "Temple to Craft Beer". People are flocking to the Sierra Nevada Brewing Facility for the tours, scenery, music and food, and especially for the freshly-brewed beer.
Perched high upon a ridge beside a river, surrounded by natural forests, the brewery is close to many excellent North Carolina mountain communities in Asheville. The site was chosen for its lush surroundings and ample mountain water, and whether you are a nearby resident or visitor, there is enough to do, see and enjoy for an entire day or more. Tours of the Sierra Nevada Brewing Facility include:
Brewhouse Tour: A 90-minute tour (free for ages 12+) where you’ll peer into huge copper brew kettles, smell the fresh hops, and get hands-on as you navigate the entire beer-making process.
Trip Into The Woods Tour: This 90-minute tour (free tour for ages 12+) features a guided nature walk exploring the beautiful, forested property that the Sierra Nevada Brewery calls home. On this 1.5-mile, moderate hike you will learn about the surrounding natural resources - The French Broad River, native plants and trees, sunshine and all that North Carolina rain! They will tell you how they harness and protect these resources and about their long history of making great beer while minimizing the impact on the environment.
Beer Geek Tour: This is an intimate, 3-hour tour into the depths of what makes Sierra Nevada tick. Groups are small, while guides talk ingredients and craft beer history before inviting you into the new 200-barrel production brewhouse. You’ll venture into their hop freezer to take in the aromas, and wander through the cellar where you’ll sample brews right from the tanks.
IPA Tour: On this 1.5-hour tour you will learn the history of India Pale Ales, taste the differences between wet hops, fresh hops, and Sierra Nevada's innovative steam-distilled hop oil. You'll explore their flavorful portfolio of IPAs, including brews you’ll find nowhere else. This tour is for ages 21+ and is $25/person.
Not only is the Sierra Nevada Brewing Facility fun and interesting, it is energy efficient, using solar power for some of its larger machines. In fact, the facility is seeking LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. And now with more than 400 employees, it has been a boon to the nearby North Carolina mountain communities. Soon, the location will feature Beer Camps and Beer Hikes, as well as festivals and events that celebrate the age-old craft of beer.
Near the Sierra Nevada Brewery are some magnificent North Carolina mountain communities, including The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, one of the best places to live in Asheville. The Cliffs Asheville features incredible Blue Ridge Mountain homes with exclusive amenities. Residents at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove enjoy a happy, active lifestyle, with amenities such as:
- Access to 7 incredible championship golf courses
- Excellent tennis facilities
- Walking, hiking and cycling along miles of beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain nature trails
- Horseback riding
- Swimming, fishing, boating and water sports
- Fitness and wellness centers
- Health and beauty services
- Plenty of great places for dining and cocktails
As for homes at The Cliffs Asheville, there are many styles, sizes and locations for you and your loved ones to choose from. Homes at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove include classic mountain cottages, lakeside estates, chateau-esque mansions with beautiful mountain views, or you can build your custom designed dream home. No matter what home style you desire, there are dozens to choose from here in one of the best places to live in Asheville.
And with so much to do in downtown Asheville, Sierra Nevada is just one of many establishments of the local food and beer culture. Asheville is known for its foodie scene, as well as its hip cafes, music venues, and locally crafted brews. Sometimes called Beer City USA, Asheville has received accolades such as:
- 3rd Best Beer Town (USA Today)
- One of Top 5 Beer Cities (Forbes)
- #1 Beer City USA (Imbibe Magazine online poll)
- One of Five Secret Foodie Cities (Forbes blog)
- 4th of Top 10 Foodie Cities (Livability.dotcom)
Spring is a great time of year to check out The Blue Ridge Mountains, often called The Rockies of The East. While in town, explore one of the finest private communities in Asheville, The Cliffs at Walnut Cove. The Cliffs Asheville is not only one of the best places to live in Asheville, it is great place for food, beer, enjoying the outdoors, and finding the of home of your dreams.
