Appalachian Vintner

JosephThompson

New Jersey

4.8/5  rDev +2.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

Quite simply, when you visit Asheville this is the store you should buy you beer. Then drive the 50 miles to Peabody's in Boone. Between the two, the resulting happiness from your purchases will worry those closest to you.

Apparently this is a new space for the store over the last few months. It is quite large. The wines were first thing you enter to and then there is a spot with couches and tables to relax. Behind this is something less than a half wall that houses a smaller bar area with four to five stools and a few drafts. All around this area is the beer selection.

Locals are represented well with French Broad, Olde Hickory, Foothills, Highland, Roth, Asheville, etc. Regionals. Domestic. Import. Very good selection of Evil Twin and Mikkeller. Belgians I thought were a nice sized selection and I picked up a couple Fantome Chocolats. Picked up an Outer Banks Brewing sour which I hadn't seen anywhere else.

Overall, the prices were better then Bruisin' Ales and considering the size of selection and the better atmosphere it's only natural that App Vintner would be the better store.

09-28-2012 17:15:33 | More by JosephThompson

CZmania

North Carolina

4.94/5  rDev +5.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

As a local I hate to do this since Appalachian Vintner is a great insiders location where you can now find hard to get selections which sell out quickly elsewhere. Why I'm doing this....the owners are really nice guys with one hell of a store that deserves a visit when you come to Asheville. Appalachian Vintner should deservedly be up there with the very best craft beer stores in the city. Hell, now I'm not going to be able to find a parking space and you guys are going to buy out the hard to find stuff before I get there. Such is life in "Beer City."

01-28-2011 14:51:26 | More by CZmania

CarolinaKevin

North Carolina

4.94/5  rDev +5.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Made the stop into Appalachian Vintner on a recent trip to Asheville, and was very impressed! The place is a little tough to find and I was a little weary since it looked like an old warehouse, but was very impressed upon walking in. They had a great selection of brews, along with wine. The service was very helpful and the prices were much better than Bruisin Ales. They had what seemed to be the only remaining Pisgah Valdez and Vortex II, along with all kinds of goodies. Even had Black Ops and Hopslam when I was in there. I will definately be frequenting this place, and i recommend everyone to do the same!

05-08-2011 04:53:48 | More by CarolinaKevin

scud

Indiana

4.94/5  rDev +5.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Stopped in here while I was in town after seaching on BA about best places to stop for beer while in Asheville. Glad I stopped in bc this store has a lot of great stuff to offer. Huge craft beer selection at fair prices, not a wine drinker but also have a big selection. I think it's cool they even sell growlers because where I am from, stores, don't do that. Didn't get to try a beer on draft but everytime I have checked the tap list online, there is something that would make me come in, if I only lived in NC. Chuck and Geoff are very helpful/knowledgeable, so if you have any questions, just ask them. If you only have time to shop at one place, from my experience, I'd make it this store.

12-28-2012 23:20:42 | More by scud

lcplvr

Tennessee

4.94/5  rDev +5.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Planned a trip to Asheville a couple of weeks ago for me and my hiking buddy and wanted to include a visit to Appalachian Vintner while we were there. Arrived at 11:30 a.m. and went in and was greeted by Chuck (I think that was his name) and he explained the layout of the store. We made our way to the bar and looked over the tap selections and began our afternoon sampling of many of the beers available. They serve 6 and 8 ounce half servings so you can try more of what's available which we really appreciated.

We moved from the bar to a table that had big cushioned chairs which made it very comfortable to sit and enjoy our tasting experience. Chuck made a point to check on us often (as he was stocking the shelves with wines and beers) and to offer advice on what was available in their bottle selections that we planned on getting to take home. And I thought the selection was great. Many beers available that I had not had the opportunity to buy before.
I live in Tenn. (about 60 miles from Asheville) and don't make it over there too often. But I know that when I am in the area I will definately be stopping back in at Appalachian Vintner to load up on what I can't get at home.

02-23-2013 06:27:45 | More by lcplvr

dogbones

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

The Vintner is my one stop shop for beer in Asheville. The brothers and Lilly (the dog) make everyone feel at home. They are very knowledgable and continuously go above and beyond to help their customers. In fact, I would say the word customer doesn't describe the relationship they try to achieve with their patrons. The brothers very quickly become friends!

The selection at the vintner is superb and their tap certainly makes every visit enjoyable! If it is not in stock, the brothers will do everything they can to get it for you!

If you are looking for a friendly, well stocked, generous beer store, this is your place! Other beer stores in Asheville could take lessons from the Vintner on hospitality!!

11-13-2011 23:19:56 | More by dogbones

elamon

Tennessee

5/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

I came in to this store while I was on a trip to Asheville, and let me tell you! I was so surprised when I walked in, the store is a big warehouse, but don't be fooled- it is very nicely put together. The staff was more than willing to help me on my search for coffee/chocolate flavored beers(i left with about 12)- the service guy even got me a bottle of beer from the downstairs cooler that I had been looking for that isn't in season right now!! Overall this visit trumped the one I took to Bruisin' Ales (which was a very cramped store, with all the workers being beer SNOBS. seriously, ever question I asked I felt like I was being mocked or talked down to-i quickly left). The people at AV are so nice and willing to help- I def. would recommend it to anyone visiting anywhere near Asheville! they have a great glass selection as well as a great wine selection!

12-18-2011 17:19:39 | More by elamon

hops1337

Mississippi

5/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Stopped by The Vint after a trip to Bruisin Ales. Pretty much like the other reviews said, THIS (the app. vintner) is THE place to go for beer in Asheville. Top notch service and selection, good prices. Got a case of Sculpin, a Black Ops, some Founders Centennial, Sweetwater Dank tank, and several more local and regional brews. I asked about some breakfast stout and they went to the back and got me a 4-pack. Amazing, it made my trip! In a weird spot but totally easy to find. Check this place out, you wont be disappointed!

01-05-2012 02:32:11 | More by hops1337

JdoubleA

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This is a review of the current store, they are moving to a new location nearby soon.

A- Pretty much a beer warehouse. Nothing special, but I don't go to a beer store for ambiance. I gave it a five because the "vibe" is "you looking for a really great beer, well we've got tons of really great beers. Where do you want to start?".

Q- Great.

S- Folks know their stuff and are willing to help, and also willing to let you be.

S2- Tons of beer. Plenty of stuff that is rare to me from a wide variety of breweries. I wish I had the wallet to let myself comb through this place more thoroughly, but once I hit my limit, I just stopped looking.

Food- N/A But seriously... pick up some LUSTY MONK mustard while you are here, that stuff is amazing. Regular and Honey are the best, the chipoltle one not so much.

V- Perfectly reasonable, and they also had a big sale table full of decent stuff that was at least half off.

02-10-2012 19:45:47 | More by JdoubleA

LionsMane

5/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $

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.

01-12-2013 19:10:27 | More by LionsMane