When a brewery’s founders have backgrounds in science and engineering, odds are good that the beers it produces will be well-tested and consistent.
Such is the case with Erica and Joey Justice at Sweeten Creek Brewing, one of Asheville’s newer and more successful neighborhood breweries. Situated on the South side of town, the operation is a bridge between the Biltmore Village breweries (e.g. French Broad River Brewery and Hillman Beer) and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s East Coast facility in nearby Mills River.
The self-described “technical brewers” honed their industry skills at Highland Brewing Co. for a few years before branching off and opening Sweeten Creek in December 2015. Since then, they’ve grown their brewing system from one to 10 barrels and have refined the recipes for their Pale Ale, Pilsner and Session IPA — all of which were released as the brewery’s first canned offerings in late May 2018.
Other regulars include a Brown Ale, Porter and an “Asheville Style” IPA that merges East and West Coast influences on the style. A Black IPA is also frequently on tap and the brewery’s Irish Red has become an annual tradition each St. Patrick’s Day. All releases are available to-go in crowlers alongside a new line of seasonal cans that launched in June with Summer Sun Spiced Belgian-style Wit, soon to be followed by Happy Camper American Maerzen in mid-September.
Though there’s fairly snug indoor seating in the former motorcycle repair shop, plenty of shaded picnic tables are scattered outside, surrounded by nicely landscaped corners and a sprawling yard — complete with an outdoor bar — beside the brewery’s namesake body of water. There’s also an acclaimed sandwich shop on site, featuring a Reuben that’s amassed a minor cult following. (Article by Edwin Arnaudin)
Sweeten Creek Brewery
1127 Sweeten Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28803
Phone: (828) 575-2785
sweetencreekbrewing.com