Beer-Cation: Wedge Brewing Company Asheville, NC

Before we left for our recent trip to Asheville I put out some feelers as to the MUST go beer spots. I got many great answers to that question but there was only ONE  answer that was given by almost everybody, “You have to go to Wedge“. Literally almost everyone  I asked mentioned this place. Geez, give it a rest already, we’ll go to Wedge! Although a bit weary from a day at Bitlmore and beer shopping, we all headed there to enjoy our last night in Asheville.

Located in the lower level of the Wedge Studios in the River Arts District of Asheville, NC Wedge Brewing Company is one of the more unique brew pubs I’ve been to. A short walk from downtown the brewery is in the lower level of a three story warehouse originally built as a produce and livestock distribution center. These days it houses Wedge Art Studios, which includes the brewery. “Beer is Art” greets you on their website homepage and I would say that is true of both the beer and environment. You will find the brewery at 125-B Roberts St., they open at 11:30 am every day except Sunday when they are closed. No food (apart from bowls of free peanuts), but you will find food trucks onsite daily. I was told they also show movies outside on the big truck trailer painted with some red theatre curtains. What a fun place!

When traveling by foot it is a bit tricky to find, a good 30 ft or so past the building you will find a short flight of iron stairs that will lead you to the brewery. At the bottom of the stairs you find yourself in a outdoor area that is half art and half industrial. Located directly off the train tracks there are several generic picnic tables off in the gravel, a couple was playing corn hole and there was a pretty good crowd in general for a Monday Night. In a contradiction to the barren land of picnic tables, against the building itself is an amzing outdoor bar and seating area, both of which are created with some beautiful iron artwork. It is all very idustrial and fits pefectly with the trainyard vibe.

The bar itself was relatively small with a modest 5 Wedge beers plus 1 guest tap. The prices were amazingly inexpensive, averaging about $4 -$5 a pint and $10 – $12 a pitcher. Growler fills are also available at the bar. I quickly settled on a pint of Iron Rail IPA for me and Emily, with my eye on a Belgian Strong Pale Ale called Golem for my next round. (both excelent by the way!) The bartender was focused and efficent, reminding me a bit of myself behind the bar. He appricated my generous tip and was there to take care me for the rest of the night. I grabbed a bowl of peanuts and headed out to find my girls to relax, watch the trains and wait for some friends to show up.

Needless to say we had a great time, it was hard not to in such a great environment. We enjoyed a few more beers and when our friends had to go we had to decide on wether to head back to town for dinner or have something to eat from the food truck. We opted for the food truck and had a great meal from El Kimchi serving us some outstanding Korean BBQ/Mexican fusion goodness! I somewhat foolishly got us a pitcher of Iron Rail IPA, risking a misserable drive home the next day, but it was worth it! It was the perfect end to the day, drinking a great beer with my beautiful wife while watching our little princess play some corn hole.

So to echo what everyone in Asheville already knows… GO TO WEDGE!!!!