Since 2008, Wedge Brewing has been providing Asheville’s River Arts District with delectable beer options. Today, the establishment runs two locations: Wedge Studios and Foundation. However, the original and most popular spot is Wedge Studios, which is a space that houses artists of all forms. Both are hip and trendy buildings, so it doesn’t matter which venue you decide to frequent.
Walking into the patio of the Wedge Studios location is like walking into a permanent art exhibit. Old hardware, car parts, and other machinery line the dog-friendly outdoor space, strung up into twisted formations that will impress even the most stoic of visitors. Even the benches and tables are re-purposed from old equipment for a chic, industrial look.
If it’s raining during your visit, you’ll have to settle for the equally-as-impressive interior seating. A chalkboard hangs up behind the bar to inform you of your beer choices, while the plaster walls behind are adorned with t-shirts for sale and local artwork.
As the Foundation location of Wedge just opened in 2017, it’s still quite new. However, it still provides the same eclectic and open-space atmosphere of the original. Order your beer and hang out at the graffiti-filled back patio to catch some sun.
One important aspect of Wedge to understand is that they do not distribute their beers. This means you can only buy them on-site (a potentially devastating fact if you were planning on grabbing some more of their beers to go). Each brew is small batch so the brewers can focus on perfection rather than production.
Unfortunately, if you get hungry while you’re here, Wedge does not have a kitchen. However, they do have food trucks scheduled every day of the week to satiate your grumbling belly. Our favorites are the Bun Intended truck on Mondays and the El Kimchi truck on Saturdays, both at Wedge Studios.
A few of our menu favorite at beers at Wedge Brewing include:
Munich Dunkel
Dark and flavorful, this malty beer takes you on a journey of German-influenced hops. With an ABV of only 5.2 percent, this deep amber colored beer goes down easy.
Vadim Bora Russian Imperial Stout
This stout is a hearty recipe that Wedge claims was originally created for the Russian royal family, so you know it’s good. Drink in the potent chocolate and espresso flavors as they clash with the 168 pounds of raspberries added to the mix.
Silver Spike Transcontinental IPA
Searching for a hoppier concoction? You’ve found it with this West Coast IPA. It’s brewed Canadian Pilsen malt, 40 Crystal, and Centennial pellet hops for a citrus taste with minimal malt interference.
Payne’s Pale Ale
Maybe you’re not a fan of all that hops and malt. Maybe you just want a beer you can pound back without pondering the intricacies of it all. For those times, this American style pale ale is just perfect, as it’s brewed with standard Cascade hops.
Visiting either location is a snap, as there is ample parking at both locations. Stop by to blow off some steam after work, or check out one of the many events the brewery hosts. These include trivia nights, art shows, concerts, fundraisers, and more. With a 1,500-square-foot event space, nearly anything is possible.
Insider Tips
Keep in mind that both locations offer different beers, so always check what’s on tap before you head out if you’re looking for something in particular. Additionally, if you arrive at a time when there’s not a food truck, ask the bartender if you can buy some snacks, as they do stock light fare like chips and nuts.