Alcohol

Asheville’s beer scene is evolving to new levels, Axios’ resident beer geek John Frank found on a recent tour.

State of play: A decade ago, I wrote a beer column for the News & Observer about how Wicked Weed Brewing and the arrival of national brewers — Oskar Blues, New Belgium and Sierra Nevada — planted the city firmly on the beer map.

What’s new: Newer players and the stalwart standouts now combine for an amazing tour of breweries that offer something for everyone.

The must-visit

Three breweries stand out from the crowd.

Burial: Back in the day, the small taproom was filled with scythes and odd antique farming equipment. Now it’s buzzing with so many people and beers you barely notice the deathly theme until you try to read the tap list.

• Sip: Anything. Hazy IPAs, sours and the most decadent stouts, you can’t go wrong here.

Hillman: A great lunch spot with good food — try the fried chicken sandwich with spicy mayo — that offers a wide variety of beers. The location just south of Biltmore Village has plenty of outdoor seating and fills with locals and tourists.

• Sip: The Oats and Hill stout is robust but not too heavy, meaning you can have more than one and drink it all summer.

Zillicoah: Situated just a few miles north in the town of Woodfin, the brewery’s sprawling waterfront campus on the French Broad River is worth an entire day itself. Sit at a picnic table, lounge in an Eno hammock, or rest by the fire while you taste classic, easy-drinking lagers made the traditional way with open fermentation.

• Sip: Sours, stouts and IPAs round out the menu, but go for the classic Helles.

What’s next: From there, create your own adventure.

Kick it old school

These mainstays are still hip.

Highland: The oldest craft brewery in Asheville remains one of the best to visit because it’s an experience — music venues, white-sand volleyball courts and a disc golf course, and tables in the pine forest that give you the western North Carolina feels.

• Sip: Whatever’s on the black and white boards signifying it’s taproom only.

Hi-Wire: This award-winning brewery continues to stay relevant with its South Slope Asheville location that is an experiment hub and fun place to try beers you can’t buy in the story

• Sip: Whatever’s new and only available here, but gravitate to the IPAs.

Wicked Weed: It’s hilarious to me to list them as old school, but since…