It’s no secret that some of us like to imbibe, tipple and even booze it up a bit, and with so many great local watering holes and breweries, it’s no surprise. When it comes to wetting your whistle, you know what you want - many of the bars and brewers elected the best of all things beer and booze are the same folks who you said served your spirits best in years past.

Jack of the Wood: Best Bar

Xpress readers have crowned the Highland Brewing Company king of beers once again, while finally finding room in their hearts (and pint glasses) for Pisgah Brewing Company’s certified-organic ways.

When it comes to cocktails, you’ve still got a hankering for the usual - Usual Suspects, that is. This year the Merrimon Avenue hot spot edged out Tressa’s for the best of the cocktail slingers, while Temptations appears to have done good by its name, seducing Xpress readers with both dessert and drink. You still love Barley’s for their beer - and what’s not to like, when there are more than 40 brews on tap?

So, a toast to you, choosy drinker - and to your designated drivers and the hardworking folks behind the bar. Don’t forget to leave ‘em a tip.

- Mackensy Lunsford

Bar

Jack of the Wood
95 Patton Ave, Asheville
252-5445
Westville Pub
777 Haywood Rd, Asheville
225-9782
Usual Suspects
791 Merrimon Ave, Asheville
350-8181

Beer selection

Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria
42 Biltmore Ave, Asheville
255-0504
The Bier Garden
46 Haywood St, Asheville
285-0002
Westville Pub
777 Haywood Rd, Asheville
225-9782

Cocktail selection

Usual Suspects
791 Merrimon Ave, Asheville
350-8181
Tressa’s Downtown Jazz & Blues
28 Broadway, Asheville
254-7072
Flying Frog Wine Bar & Cafe
Battery Park Ave, Asheville
254-9411
Temptations
5 Biltmore Ave, Asheville
252-0775

Locally brewed beer

Highland Brewing Company
Asheville Brewing Company (ABC)
French Broad Brewery
Pisgah Brewing Company

Wine selection

Zambra
85 Walnut St, Asheville
232-1060
Asheville Wine Market
65 Biltmore Ave, Asheville
253-0060
Flying Frog Wine Bar & Cafe
1 Battery Park Ave, Asheville
254-9411