St. Rains Archives

beer and St. Rains on a bar in an Asheville Brewery

Asheville is one of my all-time favorite places. It holds a very dear place in my heart, as my ex and I would camp in the area all the time in our 20s. I’ve done many of the big hikes in the Pisgah National Forest and driven many, many miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The city of Asheville itself is also pretty damn cool. I recently went on a brewery tour here with my friends from St. Rains, and y’all, what a time I had. You know I’m usually a light, trashy, Miller-Lite-in-a-can kind of girl, but I truly enjoyed getting to learn and taste my way through this area.

Having said that, I often go through periods of abstaining from alcohol (I’m in one of those 30-day stretches right now). I still want to imbibe when I’m out with friends, and after a while you get sick of soda water and bitters. Enter my new favorite drink: St. Rains. It’s an expertly crafted, artisanal THC-infused beverage. At 5mg a can, one (or two) does me just right, and I can enjoy my time out with friends without worrying about a hangover.

Lucky for me (and you!), St. Rains is poured at a many breweries around Asheville. Here’s a list to get you started.

Leveller Brewing Co. 25 N Main St, Weaverville, NC 28787

You won’t find a lovelier patio, or a more darling brewery to visit than this one. The inside is small but busy, with a beautiful bar and tanks lined up right against the walls of the tasting room (cool! I always love to see the production part). It’s a little moody in here, people are playing board games in the corner and some girlfriends are laughing. Don’t miss their Tractor Attachment, a Czech-style pilsner brewed with farmhouse malt from Riverbend. Think fresh-cut grass, crispy biscuit, and a soft mineral finish. They also have St. Rains, which is what I was drinking after beer sampling.

St. Rains founder, Bennett Christian

Wedge Brewing Company 37 Paynes Way, Asheville, NC 28801 + 5 Foundy St, Asheville, NC 28801

The Wedge actually has two fabulous locations. Whether you visit Wedge Studios or Wedge Foundation with its funky murals, good times are guaranteed. The Studios location has a wild outdoor area with a food truck, stage, and tons of sitting room, plus a grassy area if you want to picnic. Both locations are a blast and carry all flavors of St. Rains (my favorite is the OG Mango). Also, fun fact: The Wedge was the first brewery in Asheville to carry St. Rains. Cheers to that!

Pisgah Brewing Company 2948 US Highway 70, Black Mountain, NC 28711

Catch a show and make it a vibe in this outdoor venue with your favorite St. Rains. Located just outside Black Mountain, this two-stage venue and brewery features dozens of beers on tap as well as a large selection of THC favorites, including, you guessed it, St. Rains. I remember being here at the end of the day. I think I had already been to three, possibly four, other breweries. I was tired, and you know how your creativity and dopamine levels start to drop. As soon as I walked in, I felt better. Energy levels were high and very positive. People were kind, and the bartender was insanely helpful when I needed a photo or to get content from behind the bar. I can’t say enough good things about this place, which is also quite beautiful outside for enjoying your favorite beverage whether live music is happening that night or not. I vividly remember sitting on a picnic table overlooking the oak trees and stage, and the trickle of a stream, sipping a Pear Herer, and it was perfect.

Riverside Rhapsody Beer Company 995 Riverside Dr, Asheville, NC 28804

If you like beer and barbecue, well then you are in luck. Not only does Riverside Rhapsody serve delicious brews, they also have a killer barbecue spot on site, Iron & Oak Brisket Co., complete with massive smokers and huge-ass briskets. Y’all, it pairs so perfectly with a Riverside Rhapsody lager. Grab your beer from their rustic wooden tasting room, and order yourself up some barbecue. I paired mine with an OG Mango. In my defense, it is my favorite, and it’s also the flavor that pairs best with spicy or smoky foods, for sure. St. Rains is artisanal and intentionally made, and the organic juices in each flavor pair differently with different foods.

The Bier Garden 11 Florida Ave, Weaverville, NC 28787

The Bier Garden in downtown Asheville is an oasis of beer and also offers a full lineup of St. Rains. This restaurant, bar, and brewery serves over 200 beers from around the world, including their own, which you can see brewing in the back of the building. Again, I love drinking a beer in a hops field or by a tank and really taking it in. This spot is massive, with huge TVs for watching the game and a pool table should the mood strike. A perfect hangout place.

Eluvium Brewing Company 46 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801

The vibes in here are off the charts good. Very divey, very hometown bar feel, which I love (I have always been a dive bar girl over a club girl. I don’t know that I’ve ever been to an actual club). So I’m digging the vibes, the employees are chill, and the owner is actually drinking a St. Rains when I walk in, which makes for a very easy introduction. The bartender pours me a pint of her favorite brew and I head out to the patio, where the weather is perfect and the beer is ice cold. I take a sip, and it’s definitely an IPA. Not my usual style of beer, but clearly well made. I opt for an Ojai Kush St. Rains for my actual drink here.

Oklawaha Brewing Company

If disco balls and live music are your thing, then Oklawaha Brewing is for you. It’s a killer space that opens up like a huge garage door to the street, so you can sit and people watch (which I love to do when I am traveling alone). Dozens upon dozens of trophies and medals adorn the back of the bar. It’s the middle of the day in the middle of the week, and the place is popping. There’s a restaurant located in the back called Feta Flav, so you can pair your favorite beer or St. Rains with some Greek food.