Jackson County Brewery Ale Trail

Spend an afternoon sampling local beers, local cider, wine, hard seltzer, and even housemade spicy ginger ale and exploring some fun Blue Ridge Mountain small towns west of Asheville. Find more than a 100 different brews on tap at six breweries in Sylva, Dillsboro and Cashiers - all in scenic Jackson County. Whether you enjoy a smooth golden ale, a refreshing IPA or a dark porter, we suggest trying a flight since there are so many choices. In addition, find many local restaurants, shops, hikes, waterfalls and attractions along the way.

Pick up their Ale Trail Map at any of the breweries or at their Visitor Centers in each town. Or download the Jackson County Ale Trail Map on their website. 

Jackson County Ale Trail Breweries

Dillsboro (See tour Dillsboro Town Guide)
Innovation Station (40 Depot St, Dillsboro): Located in a former railroad depot with views toward the Great Smoky Mountains, they have 32 taps, including great sours. They also offer local cider, wine, hard seltzer, and a housemade spicy ginger ale. They are kid and pet-friendly, open seven days a week, and have plenty of outdoor seating. Open daily.  (photo at top of page)

Sylva (See our Sylva Town Guide)
Innovation Brewing (414 W Main St, Sylva): Find 32 brews on tap, homemade ginger ale, and several ciders at this seven-barrel brew house. Try traditional ales as well as several IPAs and seasonal experimental beers. Pair your beer with a woodfired pizza or burger. Open daily. 

Balsam Falls Brewing Co (506 W Main St, Sylva): With more than a dozen beers, you may want to start with a flight.Ffind a rotating selection of IPAs, pale ales, and sours, along with staple beers, and cider, and hard seltzer. This husband and wife brewery utilizes fruits, herbs, and vegetables in their brewing process. Open daily. 

Lazy Hiker Taproom (617 W Main St, Sylva): The wide variety of brews includes their flagship mainstays such as Trail Mate Golden Ale and Slack Pack IPA. Get pizza, sandwiches, and burgers at Mad Batter Food and Film in the same building. Open daily. 

Cashiers (See our Cashiers Town Guide)
Whiteside Brewing Co (128 NC-107, Cashiers, NC): With six main-stay brews year-round with a seventh seasonal, they have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. The restaurant menu includes wings, soup, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and more. Closed on Wednesdays. 

Most of these breweries have live music and many special events. See our Jackson County Guide for many things to do. Go to the Jackson County Ale Trail website for more details.

Photo credits: Very top photo by Courtesy Birch Production Co. and Whiteside Brewing by Chelsea Cronkrite