Some of our favorite afternoons with Trixie are spent on a brewery patio with friends. Western North Carolina has no shortage of breweries, and many of them welcome dogs.
Visit our page, “Heal Asheville,” to schedule an online visit.
These are five of the breweries we enjoy most with Trixie. What we look for is room to spread out, so dogs and people can relax without being crowded, and a setting that feels comfortable for everyone, whether you’re coming with kids, a group of friends, or just your dog. I’ve also added a few notes from the vet side of things along the way.
1. Highland Brewing, East Asheville
Highland has indoor and outdoor spaces with lots of room to spread out, which makes it an easy choice when we’re bringing Trixie. Asheville’s original craft brewery sits on a 40-acre campus at 12 Old Charlotte Highway, with a taproom, an outdoor meadow, and food trucks. There’s a separate kids’ play area, a disc golf course, and sand volleyball courts, so there’s something for nearly everyone in the group.
Good to know: Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the taproom and meadow when they’re leashed and kept close, but policies can change, so check before you go. A big, busy space is great for social dogs; for a dog who gets overwhelmed, a spot at the edge of the meadow can make the visit more relaxing. Visit Highland Brewing
2. Frog Level Brewing, Waynesville
Frog Level sits right next to running water, which gives it a lovely ambience and keeps things a little cooler on warm days. The brewery is at 56 Commerce Street in Waynesville’s historic Frog Level district, with indoor seating and a creekside beer garden along Richland Creek. The neighborhood was hit hard by Hurricane Helene, and the brewery reopened quickly with only minor damage inside.
Good to know: This brewery is a popular destination so it is often busy. It may be difficult to find a quiet corner if you have an anxious dog. Visit Frog Level Brewing
3. Turgua Brewing, Fairview
Turgua has lots of outdoor space to spread out and listen to live music. It’s a farmhouse brewery at 3131 Cane Creek Road in Fairview, where leashed dogs are welcome outside in a large field with fire pits and heaters for cooler weather. Its live music events are billed as both family-friendly and dog-friendly.
Good to know: Leptospirosis is on my radar in this part of North Carolina, and it can spread through water contaminated by infected wildlife, so we bring fresh water for Trixie and don’t let her drink out of the creek. Bug spray for the humans is a good idea, too, and always stay current on your dog’s flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Live music is part of the fun, but some dogs find loud sounds and crowds stressful. A seat farther from the stage gives a sound-sensitive dog some breathing room, and it’s always fine to sit outside where it’s quieter instead. Visit Turgua Brewing
4. Sierra Nevada, Mills River
Local events often happen at Sierra Nevada, so there’s usually something going on when we visit. The brewery is at 100 Sierra Nevada Way in Mills River, with a taproom, a back porch and garden, and an open-air amphitheater with a wooded backdrop that hosts regional musicians.
Good to know: Dogs are welcome on the back patio and other outdoor areas, but only service animals are allowed in the indoor dining room. On ticketed concert days, the back porch may close early and dogs aren’t allowed onsite, so it’s worth checking the event calendar before bringing your dog. Visit Sierra Nevada Mills River
5. Hillman Beer, Asheville
Hillman is a smaller brewery with two outdoor seating areas and a creek nearby for ambience. The taproom is at 25 Sweeten Creek Road, just outside Historic Biltmore Village, with shaded seating along Sweeten Creek in the back and open seating out front.
Good to know: Hillman welcomes leashed dogs who are quiet and well-behaved, and we’d especially recommend it for dogs who are comfortable settling in calmly. A smaller space means dogs sit closer to their neighbors, so a dog who is reactive or easily excited may enjoy one of the roomier spots on this list more. Visit Hillman Beer
Before You Bring Your Dog to a Brewery
A few habits help every brewery visit go smoothly, for your dog and for everyone sitting nearby.
- Keep beer away from your dog.
- Be thoughtful with food truck snacks. Rich, fatty, or heavily seasoned food can upset a dog’s stomach, and some ingredients, like onions and garlic, aren’t safe for dogs at all.
- Bring water and a bowl, and find shade on warm days. Patios and pavement can get hot quickly.
- Keep the leash short and your dog close, so servers, kids, and other guests can move around easily.
- Ask before letting dogs greet each other. Not every dog, or every person, wants a visitor.
- Watch for signs your dog has had enough, like pacing, panting, whining, or trying to leave. Heading home early is always a kind choice.
- Check each brewery’s current dog policy before you go, since rules can change, especially on event days.
If your dog spends a lot of time around other dogs in public spaces, it’s worth asking your vet which vaccines make sense for that lifestyle.
Trixie is most comfortable on her travel outdoor dog mat. It’s good for her to have her own spot and to keep her off of gravel or mulch. Don’t forget a treat or toy to keep your pup occupied!
When to Call Your Vet
Most brewery afternoons end with a sleepy, contented dog. Here’s how we think about the times they don’t.
Go to an emergency vet or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away if your dog:
- May have drunk beer
- Is panting heavily, restless, vomiting, or seems unusually warm after a possible exposure
- Seems wobbly, confused, or collapses
- Is bitten by another dog and the wound is deep or bleeding
Schedule a house call within a day or two if:
- Vomiting or diarrhea from a snack lasts more than a day
- A minor scrape or nip from another dog looks red, swollen, or isn’t healing
- Your dog develops a cough in the days after spending time around other dogs
It’s usually fine to monitor at home if:
- Your dog is tired after a long outing but eating, drinking, and acting like themselves
If you’re ever unsure, it’s always okay to reach out. That’s what we’re here for.
Cheers to Good Company
One of the things we love about this area is how many breweries make room for dogs and the people who love them. Whether you’re after a big meadow, a creekside table, or live music under the trees, there’s a spot here for most dogs and most moods. Pick the one that fits your dog today, bring water, and enjoy the company.
Trixie thoroughly enjoys meeting people and children, so bringing her with us is a good way to socialize her. But it is work when you bring your pet to a brewery or out in public, so please be sure to watch them if you bring them. It’s ok to leave them at home.
About the Author
Dr. Jordyn Sthay, DVM, is a house call veterinarian with Heal Asheville, serving Asheville, Fairview, Arden, Biltmore Forest, Weaverville, Hendersonville, Canton, Candler, Woodfin, Oakley, Biltmore Lake, Fletcher, Mills River, Swannanoa, and Black Mountain. She focuses on senior, palliative, and feline care, and she sees pets with her veterinary partner, Dr. Matthew Parisi. Read Dr. Sthay’s full bio.