Wicked Weed Brewing was founded in December 2012 in Asheville, North Carolina, launching as a brewpub with an ambitious vision from the very start. The name is a nod to hops, historically described as a "wicked weed" by King Henry VIII of England. The brewery quickly established itself as one of the most talked-about craft operations in the American South, and in 2017 it was acquired by The High End, a craft-focused division of Anheuser-Busch InBev. From the beginning, Wicked Weed built its reputation on balancing experimental brews with approachable classics. The original brewpub consistently hosts more than 25 beers on tap, spanning a wide range of styles. The brewery is particularly known for its hop-forward beers and its sour and wild ale program, leaning into funk and fermentation-driven complexity. Pernicious IPA emerged early on as a flagship, helping to anchor the portfolio alongside more adventurous offerings. At its peak, Wicked Weed employed more than 200 people across multiple locations in Asheville. The brewery's blend of bold hop character, sour beer craftsmanship, and a lively taproom experience made it a destination for beer lovers visiting North Carolina's mountain city.