Stopped at Asheville Pizza and Brewing for lunch while passing through Asheville over Thanksgiving weekend. My first 'beermapping' stop.

As I was continuing on, I only had one beer, but was impressed with the Chiva IPA. Nice full hoppy flavor.

Not sure how to rate 'beer selection'. Most of the beer was draft, local beers. Think they might have few bottles, but the taps are their main game. They had about 12 beers on tap that ran a pretty full gamut of styes and tastes. One of them has to hit near your favorite sstyle.

The Shiva IPA was recommendation of the bartender. She was very friendly and informative about their different beers.

My wife had the Cider. Light and fruity. Not my cup of tea, but more to her tastes.

Again, not sure how you define 'atmosphere'. Little bit of an ecletic (sp?) place. Bar was full of regulars in a holiday Friday afternoon. Regulars drink from a pewter mug they keep on the wall. Lots of families in restaurant area. Friendly place.

Pizza was good.

They have $5 special where you get to keep the logo pint glass after you drink the pint. I did.

All in all, a way better place than any chain.

If I lived in Asheville area, this would easily be a part of my regular rotation.

reviewed on: 2008-12-01 00:18:43

The original Asheville location before Asheville Brewing opened up. This one is part restaurant, part bar, part movie theater and part game room all rolled into one. Actually it is 4 general areas under one old movie theater roof. The beers have gone from barely drinkable to quite tasty over the years and the food here is nothing to scoff at, tasty and inviting.

The vibe is eclectic and seems to drive the beer selection and the patrons generally are as well. This is up off Merrimon and has plentiful parking. Look for the spaceship poking out of the roof and you cannot miss it.

reviewed on: 2008-08-17 10:52:20