Asheville Breweries After Hurricane Helene: What’s Open, What Changed, and Why Now Is the Time to Visit

Hurricane Helene’s Impact on Asheville’s Brewery Community

When Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 27, 2024, the damage it left across Western North Carolina was unlike anything the region had seen in living memory. Asheville, a city that had spent the better part of two decades building one of the most celebrated craft beer scenes in the American South, was hit hard. Floodwaters from the Swannanoa and French Broad rivers surged into neighborhoods and business districts, displacing residents and shutting down operations across dozens of blocks.

For the brewery community specifically, the flooding hit some of the most beloved pockets of the city. The River Arts District, home to several well-known taprooms and creative industrial spaces, experienced significant structural flooding. Downtown Asheville, another hub for craft beer, saw business interruptions across the board as access roads were blocked, utilities were disrupted, and the immediate priority shifted from hospitality to basic human infrastructure.

According to North Carolina Department of Commerce (2024), Western North Carolina sustained billions in economic damage from Hurricane Helene, with small businesses in Buncombe County among the hardest-affected categories. The brewing industry, which had grown into a significant employer and tourism driver for Asheville, faced both physical damage and a sharp decline in visitor foot traffic in the weeks and months following the storm.

The cultural weight of that loss matters. Breweries in Asheville are not simply places to drink. They function as neighborhood living rooms, as employers, as event spaces, and as economic multipliers for the restaurants, hotels, and shops nearby. When they close or scale back, the ripple effect moves far beyond a missed pint.

“Small independent breweries are among the most community-embedded businesses in any city. They’re not chains. When they struggle, an entire social ecosystem around them feels it.”

Julia Herz, Former Craft Beer Program Director, Brewers Association

Hurricane Helene caused severe disruption to Asheville’s brewery scene, particularly in flood-prone areas like the River Arts District and downtown core. The storm’s economic and social toll on Western North Carolina’s craft beer community was significant, given how deeply breweries are woven into the city’s identity and economy.

Brewery Status Report: What’s Open in Asheville Right Now

The honest answer to the question everyone is searching: yes, Asheville breweries are open. Not all of them, and not all at full capacity, but the city’s craft beer scene is very much alive and welcoming visitors. The picture varies significantly by neighborhood and by how severely individual properties were affected by flooding.

The River Arts District saw the most disruption. Several breweries in that corridor sustained direct water damage and required significant repairs before reopening. Some have resumed limited operations; others are still working through rebuilding timelines. Downtown Asheville’s situation improved faster, with many businesses returning to regular hours by early 2025. South Asheville, including the area near Biltmore Village along Sweeten Creek Road, fared considerably better in terms of direct flood damage and has seen steady recovery in foot traffic.

According to the Brewers Association (2025), craft breweries that maintained consistent community presence and communication during disaster recovery periods retained significantly higher customer loyalty than those that went dark on communications.

For visitors planning a trip, calling ahead or checking brewery social media before arriving is still the best practice. The situation continues to evolve, and business hours may differ from what was standard before Helene. That said, the overall direction is one of recovery and reopening, not closure. Hillman Beer’s Asheville taproom has remained one of the consistently accessible anchors on the south side of the city throughout this period.

Asheville breweries are open in 2025, though the recovery picture varies by neighborhood. The River Arts District faced the most serious damage, while areas like South Asheville and Old Fort remained more accessible, making them natural starting points for visitors supporting the city’s post-Helene brewery scene.

Hillman Beer: Standing Strong After the Storm

When the floodwaters receded and Asheville began to take stock of what remained standing, Hillman Beer was still here. Both locations, the taproom at 25 Sweeten Creek Road near Biltmore Village and the flagship space at 78 Catawba Avenue in Old Fort, continued operating and serving as places where neighbors could gather, exhale, and feel a little less alone in a hard moment.

That continuity was not accidental. It reflects the way Hillman Beer has always operated: as a family-owned brewery where Brad, Greig, and Brandi Hillman are not distant owners but present, hands-on participants in the daily life of their taprooms. When the community needed gathering spaces, Hillman Beer’s creek-side seating and warm interior offered exactly that.

The Old Fort location, with its over 10,000 square feet of space along Mill Creek and its 32-tap system, had particular capacity to absorb the kind of sustained, community-oriented use that a recovery period demands. Mountain views, outdoor seating, and a relaxed pace made it a destination for both locals processing a difficult season and visitors who wanted to show up in a meaningful way.

Reviews from the post-Helene period speak directly to this. India Watson, a regular visitor, noted: “So glad they were able to re-open after Hurricane Helene. Stop in and support this great local business.” Cecilia Davis, visiting Biltmore Village, wrote that “it’s sad to see that the village still has many places closed after the 2024 floods, but Hillman Beer was a bright spot.” These are not marketing statements. They are the words of people who walked in the door and found something worth holding onto.

Hillman Beer’s award-winning beers, including the GABF Gold-winning ESB, did not change in quality during this period. That consistency matters. When so much around a community is in flux, the reliability of a well-made pint in a welcoming space carries more weight than it might in ordinary times.

Hillman Beer’s two locations remained operational after Hurricane Helene, providing consistent, welcoming spaces for community members and visitors during a difficult recovery period. The brewery’s family-owned structure and deep local roots made it one of the most stable anchors in Asheville’s post-storm brewery scene.

The New Asheville Brewery Experience in 2025

Visiting Asheville’s brewery scene in 2025 is a different experience from what it was in 2023 or early 2024. That is not a warning. It is worth understanding so that visitors arrive with accurate expectations and leave with genuine appreciation for what the city is building.

Some taprooms that were previously packed on weekend afternoons are now finding their footing again. Others that survived the storm have leaned harder into their community identities, programming events, hosting local fundraisers, and collaborating with neighboring businesses in ways they had not before. The result is a brewery scene that feels less like a curated tourist circuit and more like an actual neighborhood ecosystem.

The food and neighborhood culture around Asheville’s breweries has also shifted. Locally sourced menus, like the one Hillman Beer has always maintained using grass-fed beef from Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview, have become even more of a differentiator. Supporting local supply chains is now understood, not just as a quality decision, but as a community act.

“After a disaster, the businesses that survive and thrive are those that become community infrastructure rather than just commercial destinations. Breweries are uniquely positioned to do exactly that.”

Dr. Stacy Mitchell, Co-Director, Institute for Local Self-Reliance

Visitors who come to Asheville in 2025 expecting the pre-Helene version of the city will miss something real. Those who arrive curious and open, willing to sit at a communal table, order a locally made meal, and ask the person behind the bar how things are going, will experience something that no polished tourist brochure could manufacture. That is the Asheville that has always been worth visiting, and it is still very much here.

According to the U.S. Travel Association (2024), travelers who visit communities post-disaster report higher satisfaction scores and stronger emotional connection to those destinations than during typical visits, often returning more frequently as a result.

The Asheville brewery experience in 2025 is more community-rooted and purpose-driven than before Hurricane Helene, with taprooms leaning into local partnerships, scratch-made food menus, and neighborhood events. Visitors to places like Hillman Beer are stepping into a genuine, evolving community story rather than a polished tourist stop.

Supporting Through Sipping: Why Your Visit Matters

There is a real and reasonable concern that visiting a disaster-affected area too soon feels exploitative. It is worth addressing that directly: visiting Asheville’s breweries right now is not disaster tourism. It is economic oxygen for small business owners who are still paying rent, still paying staff, and still working through insurance claims and reconstruction costs.

When you order a pint at a family-owned brewery in Asheville, that money does not disappear into a corporate headquarters somewhere else. It pays a brewer’s salary. It covers the cost of locally sourced hops and grain. It keeps a small-town taproom in Old Fort, NC open for the neighbors who rely on it as their community gathering place. The economics of craft brewing are thin-margined and local by nature, which means visitor spending has a disproportionately direct impact.

Hillman Beer’s scratch-made food menu, which sources beef from Hickory Nut Gap Farm and produce from regional growers, means that every meal ordered at their taproom also supports those upstream producers. The support extends well beyond the brewery itself.

Michael Barnes, who drove 2.5 hours specifically to visit Hillman Beer, captured the spirit of this well: “It was exactly what we wanted. Super good atmosphere, really good food and super good beer.” That drive, that choice to show up, represents exactly the kind of intentional support that makes a tangible difference for a business still in recovery mode.

The question to ask is not whether it is appropriate to visit Asheville. It is how to visit thoughtfully: choosing locally owned businesses, tipping generously, buying a crowler or a merchandise item, and telling people back home what you found. Those are the actions that convert a visit into genuine support.

Visiting Asheville breweries after Hurricane Helene is a meaningful economic act, not disaster tourism. Every dollar spent at a locally owned taproom like Hillman Beer circulates through a web of local suppliers, staff, and small business owners who are actively rebuilding their livelihoods.

Rebuilding the Beer Community: Collaboration and Resilience

One of the less-reported stories coming out of Asheville’s post-Helene recovery is how the brewing community responded to one another. Breweries that had working equipment shared it with those that did not. Taprooms that maintained power offered cold storage to neighbors who had lost theirs. Staff from shuttered locations were quietly absorbed by those still operating. None of this made national headlines, but it defined the character of a community that has always understood that independent breweries rise or fall together.

Hillman Beer’s roots reinforce this mentality. The Hillman family did not come to Asheville with a franchise model or a venture-backed roll-up strategy. Brad Hillman started homebrewing in Brooklyn in 2006, and the family moved to Asheville in 2015 with the kind of commitment that only comes from people who intend to stay. Their first beer, the Dingaudamnit Dunkelweisen, was brewed in a family garage. That origin story is not a marketing footnote. It is the reason the business responds to adversity the way it does.

Steve Stanek, who visited Hillman Beer with a group, said it plainly: “Oh this place is a gem.” That kind of straightforward affection is earned, not manufactured, and it comes from the accumulated decisions of a business that has consistently put quality, people, and place ahead of trends or shortcuts.

The broader Asheville brewing community shares this character. The city’s craft beer scene grew out of a genuine passion for the craft, not a calculated attempt to become a tourist destination. That same organic energy is now driving its recovery. Hillman Beer’s Old Fort location, with its historic building, mountain views, and expansive outdoor space, continues to embody the kind of authentic, place-rooted experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

Asheville’s brewery community responded to Hurricane Helene through mutual support, resource sharing, and resilience rooted in genuine local commitment. Hillman Beer’s family-owned origins and deep community ties have made it a natural part of that collaborative recovery story.

Plan Your Post-Helene Brewery Tour Around Hillman Beer

Planning a brewery visit to Asheville in 2025 does not require a complicated itinerary. It requires a little flexibility, some advance checking on hours, and a genuine openness to the experience the city is offering right now. Starting with Hillman Beer makes practical and personal sense for a few reasons.

The Asheville taproom on Sweeten Creek Road, near Biltmore Village, has maintained consistent operations and offers creek-side seating, a full locally sourced food menu, and a rotating tap list anchored by award-winning beers. It is a reliable first stop, and the surrounding neighborhood gives visitors a genuine look at how South Asheville is moving forward. From there, the drive to Old Fort along I-40 takes roughly 30 minutes and opens up the full 32-tap experience in a more expansive, mountain-town setting.

A few practical notes for the thoughtful visitor:

• Check hours before you go. Some breweries in harder-hit areas are still operating on adjusted schedules.
• Plan to eat. Both Hillman Beer locations serve a full food menu, and a meal supports the operation far more than a single beer.
• Bring cash or be prepared to tip well. Small hospitality businesses are still absorbing pandemic and storm-related financial stress.
• Talk to the staff. The people working in Asheville’s taprooms right now have stories worth hearing.

Hillman Beer can be reached directly at (828) 505-1312. For a broader look at what the Biltmore Village area offers beyond the brewery, the neighborhood food guide on their site is a useful starting point. Their full menu, including the Wednesday Burger Special and house-prepared Reuben, is worth reviewing before your visit.

“Recovery tourism, when done thoughtfully, is among the most effective tools a community has for rebuilding economic confidence after a natural disaster. The key word is thoughtfully.”

Dr. Lori Pennington-Gray, Director, Tourism Crisis Management Initiative, University of Florida

The Asheville brewery experience is not what it was in September 2024. It is something more intentional now, shaped by what the community went through together and what they are building in response. That is exactly why it is worth visiting.

A post-Helene brewery tour anchored at Hillman Beer’s Asheville and Old Fort locations gives visitors a structured, meaningful way to experience the city’s recovery while supporting locally owned businesses that have been central to the community throughout the storm and its aftermath.

What Visitors Are Saying

The people who have walked through Hillman Beer’s doors during this period have shared what they found there. Their words say more than any marketing copy could.

“It’s sad to see that the village still has many places closed after the 2024 floods, very heartbreaking, but Hillman Beer was a bright spot. Everyone was happy, welcoming, and super friendly. A great place to support while visiting the area.”

Cecilia Davis, Visitor, Biltmore Village Location

“So glad they were able to re-open after Hurricane Helene. Stop in and support this great local business! The atmosphere is casual and inviting, the staff are very friendly, the beer selection is great, and the food is fantastic.”

India Watson, Regular Visitor, Asheville Location

“We drove 2.5 hours to get to Asheville and after reading through all the options, we landed at Hillman’s to start our adventure. It was exactly what we wanted. Super good atmosphere, really good food and super good beer!”

Michael Barnes, Visitor

“Oh this place is a gem! Our team came out upon recommendation and we weren’t disappointed. Great beer selection but the food was SO DELICIOUS. Fries and chips were homemade too. Lots of seating for big groups.”

Steve Stanek, Group Visit

“Great brewery. Good beer and lots of outdoor seating. I personally like sitting along the stream on the other side on nice days. Brought my folks when they visited me. We really enjoyed our time here.”

Donovan Wick, Local Regular

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Asheville breweries open after Hurricane Helene?

Yes. Many Asheville breweries are open as of 2025, though the recovery picture varies by neighborhood. South Asheville and Old Fort locations like Hillman Beer have maintained consistent operations. Breweries in the River Arts District and parts of downtown were more severely affected and have had varied reopening timelines. Calling ahead or checking social media before visiting remains the safest approach.

Was Hillman Beer affected by Hurricane Helene?

Both Hillman Beer locations, at 25 Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville and 78 Catawba Avenue in Old Fort, remained operational through and after Hurricane Helene. The brewery continued serving its community during the recovery period and has been specifically noted by visitors as a stable, welcoming presence in an otherwise difficult season for the area.

Is it appropriate to visit Asheville so soon after the hurricane?

Yes, and in fact visiting Asheville now is one of the most direct ways to support local recovery. Small, family-owned businesses like Hillman Beer depend on foot traffic and visitor spending to sustain their operations and their staff. Thoughtful visits to locally owned breweries, restaurants, and shops are exactly what the local economy needs during a recovery period.

What is the best area to start a brewery tour in post-Helene Asheville?

South Asheville, particularly the area around Biltmore Village and Sweeten Creek Road, offers consistent access and strong options. Hillman Beer’s Asheville taproom at 25 Sweeten Creek Road is a reliable and welcoming starting point, with creek-side seating and a full locally sourced food menu. From there, the Old Fort location makes an excellent second stop, about 30 minutes east on I-40.

What makes Hillman Beer different from other Asheville breweries?

Hillman Beer is family-owned and operated, with founders Brad, Greig, and Brandi Hillman actively involved day-to-day. The brewery focuses on well-executed classic beer styles rather than trend-chasing, has earned multiple Great American Beer Festival medals including a GABF Gold for their ESB, and maintains a scratch-made food menu sourced from local farms. That combination of craft focus and community grounding sets it apart.

What beers should I try at Hillman Beer?

The ESB is the must-try, having won both Gold and Silver at the Great American Beer Festival. The Four Fat Baby brown ale, which earned a GABF Bronze, is another strong choice. The Old Fort Original gold lager and the Kölsch round out the core lineup, and seasonal rotations offer additional options. The tap list at the Old Fort location, running 32 taps, offers the broadest selection.

Does Hillman Beer serve food?

Yes. Both Hillman Beer locations serve a full scratch-made menu sourced from local farms and producers. The menu includes burgers made with grass-fed beef from Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview, NC, a house-prepared Reuben, seasonal salads, shareable starters, and weekly specials including the Wednesday Burger Special. The food program is a genuine part of the experience, not an afterthought.

How can I contact Hillman Beer before visiting?

You can reach Hillman Beer directly by phone at (828) 505-1312. Current hours, tap lists, and menu information are also available on their website. Given the ongoing recovery in Asheville, calling ahead is always a good idea when planning a visit, especially if you have a larger group or specific event needs.

We’ve Saved a Seat for You

Asheville is open. The beers are cold, the food is made from scratch, and the people behind the bar have been through something real and are still showing up every day. That deserves to be met with the same kind of showing up.

Whether you start at the creek-side tables on Sweeten Creek Road or pull up a stool at the 32-tap bar in Old Fort, Hillman Beer is ready to welcome you. Not as a tourist passing through a recovery zone, but as someone who chose to be part of the story of what comes next for this community.

Call (828) 505-1312 to plan your visit, check current hours and tap lists at the Asheville location page or the Old Fort location page, and take a look at the full menu before you arrive. Come be part of our family.