Where the hell is French Broad Brewing? That’s what I wanted to know. I was walking along Brooks Street, just a scant half mile from my hotel trying to find French Broad with the assistance of Siri, but she didn’t seem to know where it was either. One thing I’ve learned in decades of beer hunting is that when I’m out looking for breweries in a city, it’s best to do it on foot. It’s much easier to do than navigate unfamiliar byways behind the wheel of a car, and besides, you shouldn’t drink and drive anyway.

There’s Catatwba! More on them in a later review. Finally, I gave up on Siri and tried Google Maps on my phone, which seems much better at walking directions. That sent me back down Brooks Street and onto a side street called Fairview Road where I found-French Broad Brewing! It’s in an old industrial park if you ever go looking for it.

Upon arrival, I ordered up a French Broad Wee Heavy-Est Belgian-Style Scotch Ale and proceeded to drink it. I had had French Broad beers many times before of course both in Asheville (but not at the brewery taproom) and in Georgia. This one was new to me, though, a variation on their idiosyncratic Wee Heavy-Er Scotch Ale and apropos for my first visit to the brewery.

The French Broad Tap Room is open 7 days a week from 1PM to 8PM. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Asheville. The prices are bargain-basement and amongst the best you’ll find in Asheville (Hi-Wire is also very reasonable in my experience). Here in Atlanta, French Broad beers run about $4.50 for a bomber, reasonable indeed, but at the brewery you can buy some of them for $32 for a case of 12 on Sundays. That’s an amazing $2.67 each.

While we’re talking prices, pints will run you just $3.75 and $2.75 on Mondays. A growler fill is $9.50 for 64-ounces and $8.50 on Wednesdays. My glass of Wee Heavy-Est was served in a strange glass that the bartender told me was less than a pint because it was 9% alcohol by volume, though it didn’t look much smaller to me. I had that, a sample of their excellent Goldenrod Pilsner, and a pint of my favorite French Broad beer, the Rye Hopper Ale, and took home a logo pint glass-all for $12.

My glass of French Broad Wee Heavy-Est Belgian Style Scotch Ale arrived a dark chestnut color with a minimal tan head formation and hints of funk and sweet molasses in the nose. Taking a sip, the beer features sticky molasses, brown sugar, raisin, chocolate and slight phenols in the palate, plus a bit of yeasty Belgian funk, a hint of smoke, and malt sweetness and warm alcohol in the finish.

This is a very tasty and interesting beer indeed and I’m glad I got to sip it fresh on tap at the brewery. I think I might like just a bit more Belgian character, but that’s a small quibble, and with all this sweet malty goodness going on for just $3.75 I can’t help but rate it highly.



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