LOVE these guys!! HUGE store, huge bar and patio. The best selection and best service in Asheville period. All the local breweries, hard to find imports, Trappist Ales, sours, barrel aged beers and a whole wall of glasses for sale. 10 tap lines with rotating local, domestic and import craft beer, cask system. Free parking in a HUGE lot next to the building. They usually have things in the cellar as well, if you are willing to talk to them. Even some Russian River.......!

Where to start here. These guys (Chuck, Jeff & Sam) are super service oriented people. It’s kind of like visiting your good pals beer store...everytime. The selection is the best in Asheville hands down, with the prices blowing the doors off the closest competitor. I’ve scored some real west coast gold here too: Lost Abbey, Russian River etc. unfortunately due to trophy hunters looking for another notch in their belt, these beers are only available to regulars now. Totally understandable IMO you have to show support to get beers they’ve gone WAY out of their way for. The local brew selection is the best in town too with a large growler selection from Pisgah, Nantahala, Catawba and Green Man. Website is usually not completely up to date with new arrivals so their ratebeer site usually is better, but a phone call has worked too. 10 tap lines rotating local/import sours, barrel aged beers and a cask pump, I had the Foothills Hoppyum IPA primed with honey last time, holy mother. NEVER seen a draft beer here that was not at least some what rare. Beautiful space, clean glassware, filtered water, large bar with seating for 25+ with tables and two large comfy couches. Beer area is in the back, well lit and spacious with shopping carts in the front when you walk in. Patio outside for smokers, fresh air. Wine selection is also huge if you are into that and dogs are welcome. Parking lot beside the store is massive, free and clean and there are also at least six other lots around the store that you can park at for free so getting in and out is a breeze. Best in Asheville for sure. If you visit take your time and talk to the owners they are super helpful and usually have something lying around that is not easily seen. If you are looking for specifics give them a call they will usually order beers that are not in stock.

Honestly a great store, newer but really showing some serious potential. Four local taps so you can have a pint and walk around, huge selection of my favorite WNC brewery Pisgah. Guess you can call ahead and pre-order if you know when you are going to be in town. Owners are very nice and know their beer pretty well, the shop quotes around 6000 square feet for its size, seems to be bigger. Lots of free parking, also have a huge wine selection. All in all in the next few years this place could be the best in Asheville. Guess we will see.

AMBIANCE - Huge yet welcoming space with great music, friendly dog, pleasing atmosphere. There’s a section for extra special beers that is truly a pleasure to shop. SERVICE - Awesomely knowledgeable, helpful, friendly. SELECTION - More than enough of pretty much everything, plenty of North Carolina stuff, lots of cold offerings as well. VALUE - You might find things cheaper in some grocery stores, but as far as the good stores in town, they have the best prices. OVERALL - This will be my first stop every time I visit Asheville, which is a lot. Stock up here and then hit Bruisin’ and Hops and Vines to pick and choose.

Located in on an industrial block about a 1/2 mile from the entrance to the Biltmore Estate. Lots of space on the inside. They have equal inventory wine and craft beer. They had fairly strong Belgian and national craft selections. The service was top-notch. Both of the brothers, I forget their name off-hand, have a passion for their field and are happy to assist folks in finding something special. They also have a bar area with four taps. Update 7/2012: the new location is fantastic; more space, more selection, more taps, same great service.

Made it to Appalachian Vintner on a recent visit to Asheville and I was very impressed. The store seems to be in an odd location but it is worth searching for. The service was top notch. Not sure if I spoke to an owner or an employee but he obviously knew a ton about beer. The selection was great, especially of Western North Carolina beers. The prices were equal to or better than the other stores I visited in the area. Overall this should be a must visit, along with Bruisin’ Ales, if you are looking for beer in Asheville.

This place has huge, open room with spacious paths between shelves of wine and beer. There is a nice bar at which there are four good taps and some beer literature. I had an hour to kill so enjoying a 2010 Irish Walker and an Olde Hickory Brewer’s Reserve helped occupy me. The guys that run this store are super nice, eager to help and knowledgeable. The beer doesn’t move as fast as other stores in the are so for things like KBS or Hopslam it would be wise to check here. I was still able to find some fresh quality IPA’s so I was happy. It’s just that Bruisin’ Ales has set the bar so high for selection and rotation that I am spoiled when coming to Asheville. But the facts that Appalachain Vintner has a nice bar, prices are a little lower and they have their own parking lot will lure me in again.

Outstanding selection and very helpful staff. A hidden gem in the Asheville beer scene. Prices a little high, but who’s really counting.

Stopped by here because it was close to where I was staying and Bruisin’ was closed on Monday. Very cool place! Nice selection, plus they carry wine. 10 taps or so, well chosen. The staff was friendly and made a few suggestions, but were not overbearing. Nice place, and I may have to put it on my regular rotation...

My vote for #1 beer store in AVL. The ’staff’ is the owner. That’s almost always a good thing & in this case certainly is. Had a 2011 Breakfast Stout from the tap while I shopped and even through I was on a budget, still found some fun stuff without spending a ton.Looking forward to going back when I can buy more!