About Balsam Falls Brewing Co. (Sylva)
Balsam Falls Brewing Co. is one of the two big beer stops in Sylva, and it earns the distinction with long hours, a kitchen and a beer list that goes beyond the obvious. The taproom is at 506 W. Main Street, and its owners say they focus on classic styles and creative, one-of-a-kind beers.
What to expect
The Balsam Falls website shows beers and drinks with a lot of range: Urmensch (an Oktoberfest), Eww that Smell (a gose), Mango Habanero Salt Rock Wit, Covid with Lime (a Mexican lager), a Pina Colada cider and Have You Seen My Lemons, a hard lemonade seltzer. The list changes, so treat the page as a snapshot and check the tap menu when you arrive.
The brewery's story page mentions taproom renovations that volunteers helped with and a Founders Club formed to thank them, which tells you something about the loyalty the place has locally.
Food
The website describes the food as delicious eats and links a food and beer menu, so this is a place to sit down for a meal as well as a pint. Look at the tap menu page to see the current dishes and beers before you go.
Hours
According to the hours and contact page, Balsam Falls is open Monday through Friday from noon to 10pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 10pm. The weekend opening time means you can plan a morning stop if you are passing through. Call (828) 631-1987 with questions.
Why it works
Balsam Falls leans on a simple recipe: a comfortable taproom, a working kitchen and a beer list that shifts with the season. The Oktoberfest and the gose on the website show the range, from malty fall beer to a tart, salty wheat beer, and the lemonade seltzer and pina colada cider cover the people who would rather skip beer. Add the weekend morning opening, and you can use this as a brunch stop, a late lunch or a Friday dinner.
Things to know
The website does not mention a kids menu, tours or flights, and it does not say whether the taproom is family friendly. Call ahead if any of those matter to you.
Tips
- Sylva is a gateway town for the Cherokee and Cashiers area, so this makes a good lunch stop on a driving day.
- Walk West Main Street before or after. The downtown has other places to eat and shop.
- Pair it with Innovation Brewing, also on West Main Street at number 414, and compare the two taprooms.
- Weekend mornings open earlier than weekdays, so use Saturday or Sunday for a late brunch.
- Follow the brewery on social media for event updates. The website says event news is posted there.