Review · ASHEVILLE

Asheville Brewery Tour

★ 5.0 · 5 reviews 2 hours (approx.) From $94 Operated by Asheville Tours and Excursions · Bookable on Viator
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Beer tasting gets a monster-truck upgrade. This two-hour private outing pairs Asheville beer culture with an open-air ride, local stories, and several brewery stops. I like the unusual transport, and I like that guides such as Peter and Scott add humor and local context rather than simply handing you a flight of beer. The main drawback is the short schedule: with several stops, food, and sightseeing packed into two hours, each brewery visit may feel brief.

The price is $94 per person, which is not cheap for a two-hour activity. Still, the private format, included admission, transportation between stops, beer samples, and food mentioned during the tour can make it fair value if you want a ready-made night out instead of arranging breweries on your own.

Key points before you book

Asheville Brewery Tour - Key points before you book

  • Monster-truck transportation: You ride on an open-air, high-riding truck fitted with LED lights, music, radiant heat, and misters.
  • Three main stops: The route includes Asheville Brewing Company and other handpicked breweries, with additional detours possible.
  • Private setting: Only your own group participates, giving the outing a more personal feel.
  • Guides make the difference: Peter is praised for humor and Asheville history, while Scott receives strong marks for creating a fun evening.
  • Beer and food are part of the fun: Tastings can be paired with pimento cheese dip, wings, and even hot fish.
  • Simple logistics: The tour begins and ends at 36 Montford Ave, lasts about two hours, and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.

Riding Asheville’s brewery circuit by monster truck

Asheville Brewery Tour - Riding Asheville’s brewery circuit by monster truck

The first surprise is the vehicle. Rather than moving between breweries in a standard van, you climb onto an open-air monster truck with a high riding position, LED lighting, a stereo system, radiant heat, and cooling misters.

That setup changes the mood right away. The ride is part transportation and part entertainment, with the city passing by as music plays and the group moves from one beer stop to the next. I like this approach for a birthday, bachelor or bachelorette outing, family celebration with adults, or any evening when the ride itself matters as much as the beer.

It is also worth setting the right expectations. This is not a quiet tasting room tour. The truck is designed to be playful and social. If you want a calm, detailed conversation about brewing methods at every stop, the music and movement may feel distracting. If you want an easygoing night with a bit of spectacle, the format fits well.

The open-air design also makes weather relevant. Radiant heat is available, and the truck has misters, but you should still dress for the conditions. The tour data does not promise a particular weather policy, so check the current arrangements before booking if rain or cold is a concern.

A few more brewery tours around the USA worth a look

Starting at 36 Montford Avenue

Asheville Brewery Tour - Starting at 36 Montford Avenue

You meet at 36 Montford Ave, Asheville, North Carolina 28801. The activity returns to this same point, which simplifies the evening and removes the problem of finding your way back from a distant final brewery.

The meeting point is near public transportation, useful if you do not have a car. The private format is another practical advantage. Only your group takes part, so you are not folded into a large bus crowd or asked to adjust your evening around strangers.

The activity lasts about two hours. That is long enough for a lively introduction to Asheville’s brewery scene, but it is not a full-night crawl. You should think of it as a compact tasting route with transport and entertainment, not a slow afternoon spent at several taprooms.

Because the tour is booked an average of 32 days ahead, popular dates may fill early. That advance-booking pattern is especially important for weekends, celebrations, and peak travel periods. I would reserve once your schedule is firm, then keep the cancellation deadline in mind.

Asheville Brewing Company and the first beer stop

Asheville Brewery Tour - Asheville Brewing Company and the first beer stop

The stated first stop is Asheville Brewing Company. The tour description presents it as the opening point in a wider route through the city’s well-known breweries and smaller local beer rooms.

You should expect the guide to introduce the brewery, explain why it belongs on the route, and arrange included admission. The exact beers available can change, so no fixed flight or brewery menu is promised. That flexibility is normal for a brewery outing, since taps and seasonal pours shift over time.

The value of this first stop is not just the sample in your glass. It gives you a starting point for understanding Asheville’s beer identity. The city is known for a strong craft-brewing culture, and the guide adds local color about how the places you visit fit into the city.

The route may also include some food. One evening featured pimento cheese dip, wings, and hot fish alongside the beer. Those items should not be treated as a guaranteed menu, but they show the kind of casual pairing that can turn a tasting into a more substantial night out.

Three main stops, plus room for detours

The outing includes three main stops according to the tour details, with fun detours along the way. That gives the two-hour schedule more variety than a single brewery visit, but it also means you will be moving at a brisk pace.

At each location, you can expect a different atmosphere. Some stops may be neighborhood beer rooms, while others may be larger halls with a wider menu. The tour description specifically points to a mix of local favorites and lesser-known places, though it does not name every brewery on the route.

I like this structure because you do not have to research a route, monitor opening times, or decide who will drive. The guide handles the movement, and you get a sampler of Asheville’s beer scene in one outing.

The tradeoff is depth. Three stops in two hours leaves limited time at each one, especially if the group also pauses for food, stories, and city views. If you already know Asheville’s breweries and want to spend an hour at each taproom, you may prefer planning your own crawl. If you are new to town and want an efficient introduction, the compact pace makes sense.

Beer tastings with food along the way

The beer is the center of the activity, but the food details help explain its character. One outing included a broad range of beers, pimento cheese dip, wings, and hot fish.

That combination suggests a casual, generous style rather than a formal tasting with a strict progression from light beer to dark beer. You can expect the food to help soak up the alcohol and keep the evening comfortable, but the provided information does not state that every food item is included on every departure.

The same applies to the beer selection. You may sample award-winning craft beers and a wide variety of styles, but the specific pours depend on what each brewery is serving. This is a good reason to ask at booking what is covered in the $94 price and what must be purchased separately.

At the final stop, one outing ended at a place with an exceptionally large beer selection while an Ohio State game played. That detail shows how the evening can shift from brewery sampling to a relaxed sports-bar-style finish. It may appeal to you if you like having a game or lively public setting at the end of a tour. It may be less appealing if you prefer a quiet final tasting.

Local stories from Peter and Scott

The guides are a major part of this experience. Peter receives especially strong praise for his humor and his knowledge of Asheville, with the tour serving as more than a ride between beer stops.

That matters because brewery tours can become repetitive when the guide only lists beer styles and production facts. A guide who can connect the stops to Asheville’s culture gives you a better sense of place. I would specifically request Peter if he is available, since his personality and local storytelling are a repeated strength of the experience.

Scott is also singled out for making the evening fun. The comments tied to his tour describe a relaxed night with food, beer, music, and local cultural details. If you are booking for a group, guide style can shape the entire evening, so asking about guide availability is sensible.

The supplied information does not promise a particular guide, so you should not assume Peter or Scott will lead every departure. The best advice is to request a preferred guide at booking, then treat that request as subject to availability.

What the $94 price really covers

At $94 per person, this is a premium activity for two hours. The price is easier to justify when you value convenience, private transportation, a guide, multiple stops, and the unusual truck ride.

You are paying for more than beer. The fee helps bundle the route planning, driving, local commentary, entertainment, and access to several places into one reservation. For a group celebrating something, that can be worth more than the cost of individual tasting pours and rideshares arranged separately.

Still, the value depends on what is included at the breweries. Admission is included, but the details do not spell out the number of beer samples or whether all food is covered. I would confirm those points before paying, especially if you are comparing this outing with a self-guided brewery day.

The private format strengthens the value for small groups. You are not sharing the activity with unrelated people, and the guide can focus on your party. For a solo visitor or a couple, the per-person cost may feel high. For a group that wants a single organized evening, the price is easier to accept.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want Asheville’s beer scene without handling the planning. It suits first-time visitors, small private groups, beer fans who enjoy variety, and anyone who likes a little theater with their transportation.

It is also a good fit for a celebration. The truck, lights, music, and private setup create a festive mood before the first tasting begins. The food stops make the evening feel more rounded than a sequence of quick samples.

You may want another option if you dislike loud music, open-air vehicles, or a tight schedule. It is also not ideal if your priority is detailed brewing instruction at one particular brewery. The tour gives you a broad taste of Asheville rather than a long, technical look at one production floor.

A moderate level of physical fitness is requested. You should be comfortable getting into and out of the truck and spending time in an open-air vehicle. Service animals are allowed.

Timing, cancellation, and practical planning

The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket, so you can keep the booking details on your phone. Confirmation arrives at booking.

You meet at 36 Montford Ave and return there at the end. Since the tour involves beer, the return to the original meeting point is useful if you plan to use public transportation or arrange a ride from one known location.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted. I would check the start time carefully and avoid waiting until the last day to change your plans.

Wear clothing suited to the weather. The truck has radiant heat and misters, but the ride remains open-air. Comfortable clothing also makes sense because the tour involves several stops and a moderate amount of movement.

Should you book the Asheville Brewery Tour?

Book it if you want a private, social introduction to Asheville beer with a memorable ride and a guide who adds jokes and local stories. I especially like the combination of Peter or Scott-style guiding, several brewery stops, casual food, and a return to the original meeting point.

Think twice if you want a slow, technical brewery study or if $94 feels high for a two-hour outing. Before you reserve, ask what tastings and food are included, request Peter or Scott if desired, and check the weather.

For a celebration or a first visit to Asheville, I think the unusual truck and private format give this tour its strongest value. For serious beer collectors, a self-planned route may offer more time at each taproom.

FAQ

How much does the Asheville Brewery Tour cost?

The price is $94 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at 36 Montford Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, USA.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the meeting point at 36 Montford Ave.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is admission included?

Admission is included in the tour price.

What type of vehicle is used?

You ride in an open-air, high-riding monster truck with LED lights, a stereo system, radiant heat, and misters.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.

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