Hi-Wire Brewing set up shop on downtown Asheville’s South Slope in summer 2013. In just a few years, Hi-Wire Brewing has expanded into a larger production facility, but the South Slope Brewery remains its original, beloved taproom. The brewery boasts an industrial-chic vibe with a relaxed, casual atmosphere, so feel free to come as you are.
Whether you bring friends, family, or a date to the South Slope Brewery, you’ll feel right at home. Love treating yourself to a new sour brew? Regulars love solo jaunts to Hi-Wire Brewing’s downtown taproom since it’s a chill place to have a drink. The brewery is pet-friendly, so you can even bring your four-legged friend.
Hi-Wire Brewing is known for its approachable, balanced lagers and ales, but you won’t find just any beers at the South Slope Brewery. Rather than keeping all the brewery’s staples on tap, this location specializes in sour and wild ales. You’ll find some of the brewery’s most creative beers on draft here, and sour fans won’t want to miss their chance to sample a few.
So what should you try at the South Slope Specialty Brewery & Taproom? Ask the knowledgeable bartenders for a recommendation or put together your own must-try list before stopping by. The draft list changes based on availability and seasonality, but if you’re lucky, you’ll get to try some of these sour beers:
Brett Pale Ale
Looking for a funky brew that hits all your favorite sour notes? Try Hi-Wire’s Brett Pale Ale, a dry-hopped brew that’s aged for 11 months in white wine barrels and boasts a light, hoppy body.
Apricot Sour Ale
This brew balances sweet apricots with sour notes and has a dry, oaky finish. Though it requires an 11-month fermentation process, it’s well worth the wait, especially if you can snag a pint at the South Slope Brewery.
Flanders Red Sour Ale
Talk about a long fermentation process! This American take on a Belgian sour sits patiently for 18 months before it’s ready for you to enjoy. Don’t miss the cherry and vanilla notes with hints of oak from the white wine barrels used for aging.
Tart Wild Ale
A star of Hi-Wire’s wild brewing program, this Tart Wild Ale is fermented in gin barrels for five months. If you’re a fan of sours, you’ll love this light, peppy specialty brew.
Sour Pumpkin Ale
Can’t wait for Thanksgiving? This seasonal sour is your ticket to all your favorite holiday flavors in a single, cozy pint glass. With 8.6 percent alcohol by volume, this sour is no slouch, and it boasts fall notes like pumpkin, cinnamon, basil, and ginger.
Want to enjoy more than just a beer or two when you go out for drinks? Hi-Wire’s South Slope Brewery has big screens and games to keep you entertained. Settle in for some classic Nintendo action or watch the big game on TV.
Hi-Wire Brewing also has a full event calendar, so swing by for a round of Music Bingo, grab an inexpensive pint on $3 Tuesdays, or support a great cause on non-profit night. If you’re a true sour beer lover, don’t hesitate to ask about renting out the taproom space for your own event, too.
Insider Tip:
Don’t get Hi-Wire Brewing’s South Slope taproom confused with its Big Top taproom, which is located near the Biltmore Estate. The South Slope taproom is much smaller, more convenient to downtown Asheville, and known for its specialty sour beer program.