Located in Asheville’s trendy West Asheville/Haywood Street neighborhood, the Bier Garden was voted the “best sports bar” in Western North Carolina by “WNC” magazine. It’s easy to see why. The eatery/pub has one of the most extensive beer selections in the city, with more than 250 choices from around the globe, as well as more than two dozen television screens. You’re sure to find an old favorite or a beer to sample for the first time.
If beer isn’t your passion, there is also a small, but well-considered, wine list and a full bar. The menu here favors bar food, sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads. There’s also a small children’s menu, and kids (and parents) are made to feel welcome (something that’s not always the case in some area sports bars and breweries.)
You can watch virtually any sporting event on one of the flat screen or big screen monitors scattered around this large eatery, and the place can get a little crowded on college football and NFL days. There’s music on weekends and selected weekdays, with a DJ spinning top 40 tunes. However, be warned, the sound system could use an upgrade.
On the down side, the food here is definitely hit or miss, depending on who is cooking that day. In addition, the menu here does not cater to vegetarians or vegans. There are only a few “veggie-friendly” options from which to choose. We’ve found the service to be inconsistent, an increasingly common complaint in Asheville as more and more restaurants pop up in the area.
A few of our favorite menu items at Bier Garden include:
Pretzel Trio
This variation of a traditional German favorite features an intriguing mixture of flavors that you really have to sample to fully appreciate. This huge, 10-ounce soft pretzel is served with cinnamon frosting, ale cheese and German mustard. The sweet and tangy combo is delicious!
Beer Cheese Burger
How can you resist a burger with such a name? We can’t. This 10-ounce Angus beef burger is topped the house-made ale cheese sauce, crisp fried onions and a toasted pretzel bun. Sides include traditional fries, sweet potato fries and fried pickles, but we like the grilled asparagus, something you don’t see on most local menus.
Bier Garden Bratwurst
You would expect a restaurant called Bier Garden to have an excellent bratwurst sandwich and this eatery doesn’t disappoint. This large sausage is topped with sauteed sweet onions and peppers, cherry pepper relish and a delicious dark ale mustard. You’d think you were in Munich!
Belgium Juicy Watermelon Beer
You have to taste this local, seasonal beer to truly appreciate it. Don’t be put off by the name. This golden ale is light, refreshing and offers hints of watermelon, papaya and key lime. It’s our summertime favorite at Bier Garden.
Angry Orchard Cider
Another seasonal favorite, the Angry Orchard Cider hails from Ohio’s apple country. This semi-carbonated, hard cider has an aroma of green apples and notes of both sweet and tart apples.
Insider Tip:
Tables in the dining area at the Bier Garden fill up fast. If you’d prefer to sit there rather than at the bar, it’s best to arrive early, particularly on game days. Ask for a seat by one of the front windows in the summer. The windows open in the front of the restaurant and give you a European sidewalk cafe feel (without being subject to rain.)