The quiet ambiance of Asheville with its pristine waterways, mountain vistas, and laidback outdoorsy culture has culminated into a perfect storm of culinary extravaganza. The city has quickly gained a reputation as one of the most underrated vacation destinations in the country and for good reason. Besides being home to some of the best hiking trails and unique historical destinations like the extravagant Vanderbilt mansion, Biltmore Estate, the area has become known as the brewing capital of the East Coast. After an ambitious city project to revitalize the old industrial district into a modern chic locale, it laid the canvas for the modern industrial aesthetic we associate with craft brewing today. Besides its modern brand appeal, the old industrial framework meant that the city was still linked to major roads and railways meaning they could easily ship out their products to thirsty customers all over the nation. What drew many breweries to settle here wasn’t just the revitalization effort but the large areas of wilderness that allowed for companies to expand to meet the needs of the operation. The city’s proximity to numerous pristine waterways also feeds brewing’s most important resource water.

As numerous craft beer facilities began to crop up around the city so too did the restaurant scene. Asheville is as widely known for its breweries as it is for its unique restaurants serving all sorts of modern concoctions of old favorites served in a laidback ambiance. It didn’t take long for some of the biggest names in the craft brewing business to take notice and when the legendary New Belgium Brewing Company came knocking on the city’s door for a home, Asheville happily obliged. After the arrival of New Belgium, other major crafting companies began moving in including Sierra Nevada and Oskar Blues. Besides these familiar brands, the city boasts over a hundred local specialties regularly served as well as numerous beer festivals scheduled every year. Beer is so popular in Asheville that it’s even an ingredient in many of the city’s most popular dishes.

If you’re a newcomer to the brewing scene or just want to spend a relaxing day out there are plenty of tours on offer. If you’re looking to explore the day-to-day operations of a brewery in-depth you can’t go wrong with a tour of Asheville Brewing Company. Besides getting a behind-the-scenes look at the facility you can feel free to relax on their patio or even catch a movie in their theater while sipping on your nice local craft. If you want to kick things up a notch feel free to stop by the enormous New Belgium Brewing Facility. On this tour, you’ll not only get to sample some of the company’s most popular beverages but you’ll get the chance to see everything that goes into the daily operations of a facility this large. Another local favorite you may want to venture into is Wedge Brewing Co. Wedge not only offers a state-of-the-art brewing facility but an amazing restaurant packed with plenty of delectable dishes. This brewery is also situated in the heart of the city’s art district so after filling your stomach feel free to wander the numerous local galleries.

There are a couple of incredibly fun local tours available as well. If you’re a true beer aficionado or want to explore the locals in greater depth this is for you. The Asheville Brew Cruise takes you on a walking tour downtown and into some incredible hidden gems. Learn all about the history and art of brewing and get plenty of samples along the way. Another amazing tour is Asheville Tours, you’ll also get a walking tour downtown plus a riding tour to some of the more out-of-way breweries on the outskirts of town. Enjoy plenty of samples along the way and interviews with some of the city’s master brewers.

You don’t have to just be a fan of beer to have a great culinary adventure in Asheville. There are also wonderful food tours available as well. Wander in and out of some of the city’s best restaurants and sample the incredible food they have on offer. If you’re not sure where to have that special vacation dinner or can’t settle on where to eat this tour is for you. Looking for a special place to relax after a day spent at our CEC CME conference in Asheville? Then look no further than the Rooftop Bar. Stretch out on a luxurious outdoor seating area, sip on a glass of wine or cocktail, and enjoy panoramic views of the amazing city. If you enjoy wine more than beer or are looking to bring back something special from your vacation besides the wonderful memories you’ll make consider stopping by the Biltmore Estate Winery. The extravagant old mansion of the Vanderbilt’s Biltmore is a must-see destination in Asheville. Just as luxurious as all the rooms they have on display are the numerous wines they have available on the grounds. Take a tour of the facility and sample some incredible wines and bring a couple of bottles back home with you. These bottles are perfect to enjoy on a lazy summer evening, paired with that special homecooked meal, or family celebration. Once you uncork a bottle, pour into a cool glass, and enjoy it’s sure to bring a flood of amazing memories back of your time in Asheville if you chose to join us this year.

Upcoming CME Conferences & Online Learning

Want to attend a live CME conference in a beautiful locale or complete an online course from the comforts of home? At Continuing Education Company, we provide you with options to make your medical continuing education fun, engaging, and relevant. Check out our conference calendar to view the dates and locations of upcoming conferences as well as the online learning courses and live streaming that are currently available. And, for a limited period of time, take advantage of our Special Offer! Attend one of our LIVE conferences in person and you will receive a FREE online 15 credit CME course from CME365™.