Explore the best ways to safely navigate Asheville’s brewery scene with our comprehensive guide to transportation options, including hotel shuttles, rideshares, and designated drivers.
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Getting Around Asheville’s Breweries: Smart Transportation Options

Asheville’s craft beer scene is legendary, with dozens of breweries scattered throughout the city and surrounding areas. But enjoying a brewery tour comes with the responsibility of planning safe transportation. Whether you’re a visitor staying at a local hotel or a resident showing friends around town, knowing your transportation options is essential for a worry-free experience. Here’s your comprehensive guide to navigating between Asheville’s breweries safely and conveniently.

Hotel Shuttles: Convenience From Your Doorstep

Many Asheville hotels understand the draw of the local brewery scene and offer dedicated shuttle services to accommodate beer enthusiasts. These shuttles provide a convenient option that begins and ends right at your accommodation.

Several downtown and Biltmore area hotels offer complimentary or low-cost shuttle services that can drop you within walking distance of brewery clusters. Some even create custom brewery routes based on guest requests. When booking your stay, ask specifically about brewery transportation options—hotels near Biltmore Village can easily access our Hillman Beer location at 25 Sweeten Creek Road, along with other nearby breweries.

The advantage of hotel shuttles is clear: no need to worry about parking, navigation, or finding a ride back after sampling Asheville’s finest craft beers. Plus, your driver often doubles as a local guide with insider knowledge about the best breweries to visit.

Rideshare Services: Flexibility On Demand

Uber and Lyft operate extensively throughout Asheville, offering flexible transportation that allows you to create your own brewery itinerary. Rideshare services shine when you’re planning to visit breweries in different neighborhoods or want to adjust your schedule on the fly.

Downtown Asheville and the South Slope brewing district typically have the shortest wait times for rideshares, while more distant locations like our Old Fort brewery might require a bit more planning. We recommend checking the app in advance to ensure availability, especially during peak times like weekends and holidays.

For groups larger than 4-6 people, consider scheduling an XL vehicle or making multiple bookings to ensure everyone can travel together. The cost-effectiveness of rideshares increases when splitting fares among friends, making this an economical option for small groups.

Brewery Tours: Education And Transportation Combined

Asheville offers numerous guided brewery tours that bundle transportation with beer education. These range from walking tours of the South Slope brewing district to van tours that cover wider geographical areas, including breweries like our Asheville location.

Tour companies typically provide comfortable vans or buses with knowledgeable guides who share insights about Asheville’s brewing history and the unique characteristics of each brewery. Many tours include behind-the-scenes access and reserved tastings, enhancing your overall experience.

The social aspect of brewery tours adds another dimension to your experience—you’ll meet fellow beer enthusiasts and potentially make new friends while enjoying Asheville’s craft beer scene. For visitors unfamiliar with the area, these tours take the guesswork out of planning while ensuring safe transportation.

Designated Drivers: The Classic Solution

Sometimes the simplest solution is the most reliable. If you’re visiting with friends or family, consider rotating the designated driver role. This person can still enjoy the brewery atmosphere and sample non-alcoholic beverages, as most breweries (including both Hillman Beer locations) offer craft sodas, kombucha, or other alcohol-free options.

To make the designated driver role more appealing, many Asheville breweries offer special perks like free non-alcoholic beverages or discounted food. At Hillman Beer, we appreciate designated drivers keeping our community safe and are happy to accommodate them with our full food menu and non-alcoholic options.

If everyone in your group wants to participate in tastings, consider hiring a professional designated driver service. Several local companies specialize in driving your personal vehicle while you enjoy Asheville’s breweries, eliminating the need for one person to abstain.

Public Transportation: Budget-Friendly Options

Asheville’s public transit system, ART (Asheville Rides Transit), provides affordable transportation with routes that cover many brewery-dense areas. The S3 and S6 routes serve the South Slope brewery district, while the N1 and N2 routes can get you close to breweries in north Asheville.

While buses don’t run late into the evening, they can be useful for daytime brewery visits, particularly if you’re staying at a downtown hotel. Combining public transit with rideshares for your return trip can be a cost-effective strategy.

Brewery Hopping By Foot

For the South Slope “Brewery District,” walking is often the most practical transportation method. Over a dozen breweries sit within a mile radius, allowing you to create your own walking tour. Our Asheville location is a short distance from this district, making it an easy addition to a walking brewery tour if you’re willing to walk about 20 minutes from downtown.

Walking between breweries gives you the chance to explore Asheville’s unique architecture and local shops while building in a healthy break between tastings. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes and check the weather forecast!

Planning Your Brewery Transportation

Whichever transportation option you choose, we recommend planning ahead, especially during peak tourist seasons (spring through fall) and weekends. Consider factors like:

• The distance between breweries on your itinerary
• Operating hours of both breweries and your chosen transportation
• Group size and budget considerations
• Weather conditions if walking is part of your plan

Visit Hillman Beer Safely

At Hillman Beer, we’re committed to responsible enjoyment of our craft brews. Both our Asheville and Old Fort locations are accessible via multiple transportation options. Our Asheville brewery is conveniently located near Biltmore Village, while our Old Fort location offers a beautiful destination worth the short trip from Asheville.

We’ve saved a seat for you at our family table—just make sure you have a safe way to get here and back! Whether you’re sampling our award-winning ESB or trying one of our seasonal specialties, we want your experience to be worry-free.