Happy spring, Asheville. Recently, I (Branded Content Editor Stephanie here 👋) spent an afternoon on the north side of town and got to hit up the Moog Store for an in-store showroom presentation, and then headed to Archetype Brewing.

It was basically my ideal Asheville afternoon — read along to learn more about Bob Moog, the history of synthesizers, the beer you can’t miss at Archetype, and how you can Try This.

The showroom is just one part of what goes on at Moog Music. | Photo by the AVLtoday team

What we tried (with pricing):

During my free tour of the Moog showroom, I learned a ton about:

The history of electronic music
How synthesizers work
Why Bob Moog’s inventions shaped music as we know it today

Plus, I got to play around on a ton of different Moog instruments and ask questions.

Conveniently, Archetype Brewing is right next door, so I stopped by afterwards to grab a beer, snack on a charcuterie board + enjoy some live music. It was the perfect local-friendly hangout spot, and all the beers I tried made me super hoppy (sorry, had to).

Pro tip: Stop by for their Sundays special of a pint + charcuterie board for $20. Not to be cheesy, but you won’t regret it. 🧀

Archetype’s refurbished event space can be rented for staff parties, weddings + rehearsal dinners, or even comedy and music shows. | GIF by the AVLtoday team

What not to miss:

Archetype North’s 1920’s refurbished private event space on the side of the tap lounge (that doubles as a venue for public events) is super cozy and geared towards locals. Plus, they always have something fun going on. Think: Locals night with $4 beer every Wednesday, trivia every Sunday + more.

Pro tip: If you like spicy things, order the Carolina Reaper farmhouse ale. It’s made with hot peppers and has a tasty kick on the finish. If you happen to miss it, try sipping on the Talking to Plants Belgian-style witbier.

Cheers to live music. | Photo by the AVLtoday team

What we’re still talking about:

Lots of tours are “look but don’t touch” — not at Moog. Having the opportunity to try out different synthesizers and a theremin for myself was such a unique and cool experience. Plus, my tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and demonstrated how everything worked (shoutout to Zach).

A Moog synth in action. | GIF by the AVLtoday team

How you can experience this:

The Moog Store is open six days a week, Mon.-Sat., and offers tours every weekday at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. — claim your spot in advance via email or phone (828-251-0090). We recommend snagging the later tour for the full experience, since Archetype opens at 5 p.m. on weekdays + 4 p.m. on weekends.

Whether you’re drinking one of their core beers or a special small batch, there’s a brew for every palate at Archetype. | Photo by the AVLtoday team

Bonus: Got something coming up? Archetype’s event space can hold up to 120 people — get more info on their website.

This space is the international headquarters of Moog Music. | Photo by the AVLtoday team

Things to know if you go:

Experience: Moog Store in-showroom presentation + beer at Archetype
Price: The Moog Factory tour is free, and Archetype beers start at $5.50 a pint.
Website:
- https://www.moogmusic.com/visitmoog
- https://archetypebrewing.com/
Address:
- Moog Store: 160 Broadway St.
- Archetype Brewing North: 174 Broadway St.
Hours:
- Moog Store: Mon-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 12-5 p.m.
- Archetype Brewing North: Mon.-Fri. 5-9 p.m., Sun. 4-8 p.m.
Social:
- Moog Store: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
- Archetype Brewing: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram*