The leaves still have some color; a nip is in the air; what could be better than sipping cider in western NC? According to Trips to Discover, there are six superior places to go in NC for cider tasting, and the Asheville area is home to three of them!
First on the list is Black Mountain Ciderworks + Meadery which features heirloom apples and local honey. The article notes that the aim at this cidery is to create cider that’s never been filtered, is 100% juice, and has not added sugars or artificial flavors. They recommend “The Mayan”, a pineapple sage mead, or “Blue Christmas”, with blueberry and cardamom.
In nearby Asheville, the authors recommend Noble Cider and Urban Orchard Cider. Noble Cider, Asheville’s first hard cider company, taps into the local craft brewing recognition the city has received and produces gluten-free ciders, also using only real fruits and no artificial ingredients. Their recommendations are The Village Tart, the Spice Merchant, or one of the seasonal offerings such as The Journeyman that includes cranberries, oranges, cinnamon and habaneros. Urban Orchard Center, a family-owned cider bar, have ciders that have all been aged a minimum of eight months and are all naturally gluten free. Recommendations include Watermelon Lager or Sunglasses at Night.
Cider tasting is only one local activity that makes a trip up here worth the effort. If you’re more of a craft beer connoisseur, you may prefer a Brew Cruise or a self-directed tour through any of the large number of craft breweries that led to the Asheville area being named a top Beer City. For additional activity options, take a look at the Greybeard Activities page to get an idea of what’s available in the area. Also, the Greybeard Events page contains special events, many of which are worth the trip up to participate in.
And yes, autumn is a gorgeous time of year to visit western NC, but it’s hard to find a time that’s not great to head up here. Winter is wonderfully crisp and makes a great family getaway that include hikes to waterfalls and quiet times by a roaring fire. Spring brings wildflowers and special exhibits like the Chihuly at the Biltmore exhibit. And summer can mean an adventure-packed vacation including zip lining and white water rafting.
Please take a moment to use our advanced search option for our western NC rental homes and select the amenities you want to have while you’re here. Alternatively, contact Greybeard Rentals directly and speak with a representative who can steer you in the right direction in choosing a great vacation home. Heck, why not come four times this year and experience all of the seasons for yourself.
