Find out which Asheville breweries were affected by Hurricane Helene, which have reopened, and why Hillman Beer remains open and welcoming visitors.
_______________________________

Which Asheville Breweries Flooded During Hurricane Helene? A Status Guide

What Hurricane Helene Did to Asheville’s Brewery Scene

Hurricane Helene made landfall in late September 2024, delivering catastrophic flooding to Western North Carolina. Asheville, which sits in a river valley surrounded by mountain terrain, bore some of the worst of it. The French Broad River and its tributaries overflowed dramatically, sending floodwaters into neighborhoods, businesses, and beloved local gathering spots across the city.

For Asheville’s brewing community — one of the densest craft beer scenes per capita in the country — the storm was a serious blow. According to NC Craft Brewers Guild, Western North Carolina is home to over 100 craft breweries, many of which are concentrated in low-lying areas near the French Broad River corridor, including the South Slope brewing district. These locations, while popular for their industrial character and walkability, proved especially exposed to flooding.

Several well-known names sustained damage ranging from waterlogged taprooms to destroyed equipment. Others, situated on higher ground or farther from waterways, came through with limited impact and were able to reopen relatively quickly. The disparity in outcomes has left many visitors and locals asking the same question: which Asheville breweries are actually open right now?

According to NC Emergency Management, Buncombe County experienced some of the most severe storm impacts in the state, with entire road networks cut off and utilities disrupted for weeks following the storm. This broader infrastructure damage slowed recovery timelines for businesses even where physical flood damage was limited.

Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding across Asheville in September 2024, hitting the city’s densely packed brewery scene hard. Low-lying areas near the French Broad River corridor were most affected, and recovery timelines across Asheville breweries have varied considerably depending on location and damage severity.

Which Asheville Breweries Were Affected?

Several prominent Asheville breweries reported significant flood damage following Hurricane Helene. While conditions continue to change and businesses are updating their status regularly, here is a general picture based on publicly available reporting as of early 2025.

Breweries located in or near the South Slope neighborhood and River Arts District experienced some of the heaviest impacts. These areas sit in proximity to the French Broad River and saw floodwaters reach into taprooms, storage areas, and production facilities. Some operations reported losing equipment, inventory, and months of prepared product.

Brewery Area	Flood Risk Level	General Status (Early 2025)
South Slope / River Arts District	High	Mixed — some open, some still recovering
Downtown Asheville	Moderate	Many reopened with varying capacity
Biltmore Village / Sweeten Creek area	Lower	Generally operational
Old Fort / Eastern foothills	Lower	Generally operational

It is worth noting that flood impact and current operating status are two different things. A brewery may have sustained damage but reopened quickly through community support, insurance, or temporary arrangements. Others may have avoided direct flooding but faced extended closures due to supply chain issues, road access problems, or staffing challenges tied to the broader regional disaster.

The most accurate way to confirm any individual brewery’s current status is to check their official website or social media channels directly before planning a visit. Conditions across Asheville breweries are still evolving as recovery efforts continue.

Asheville breweries in the South Slope and River Arts District faced the highest flood risk from Hurricane Helene, while those located in the Biltmore Village corridor and the Old Fort area generally fared better. Status across Asheville breweries continues to change, and direct confirmation with each location remains the most reliable approach.

Hillman Beer: Open at Both Locations

Hillman Beer is open and welcoming guests at both its Asheville and Old Fort taprooms. For anyone planning a visit to Western North Carolina and looking for a confirmed, operating destination, both Hillman locations are fully up and running.

The Asheville taproom at 25 Sweeten Creek Road near Biltmore Village sits away from the most flood-affected corridors of the city. The location features creek-side seating, a warm industrial interior, and a food program built around locally sourced ingredients, including grass-fed beef from Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview, NC. It draws a mix of locals and visitors looking for a genuine, unhurried experience rather than a tourist-circuit stop.

The Old Fort location at 78 Catawba Avenue is equally worth the short drive east from Asheville. Spread across more than 10,000 square feet of a historic building, it offers extensive outdoor seating along Mill Creek, mountain views, and a 32-tap system that gives guests access to a wider range of Hillman’s beers and rotating selections. Old Fort itself sits in the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge and was not within the most severely impacted flood zones.

“We’re not trying to reinvent beer. We’re focused on making classic styles really well — beers that you want to have a second pint of.”

Brad Hillman, Co-Founder, Hillman Beer

Hillman’s beer lineup has earned that confidence. Their ESB (Extra Special Bitter) took both Silver (2018) and Gold (2019) at the Great American Beer Festival, and their Four Fat Baby brown ale earned a Bronze in 2017. These are not novelty pours — they are well-executed, approachable beers that hold up across visits.

Hillman Beer remains open at both its Asheville location near Biltmore Village and its Old Fort taproom, making it a reliable destination for visitors during the post-Helene recovery period. With award-winning beers, a scratch-made food menu, and welcoming spaces at both sites, Hillman Beer offers a grounded, confirmed experience in Western North Carolina.

Why This Matters for Travelers Planning a Western NC Trip

Planning any trip to Asheville right now requires a bit more groundwork than it did before September 2024. The city is recovering, and it is recovering with real energy — local businesses, including many breweries, are eager to welcome visitors back. Tourism spending is one of the most direct ways outsiders can support the region’s recovery.

According to U.S. Travel Association, communities recovering from natural disasters that maintain consistent visitor traffic during the rebuilding period see measurably faster economic recovery compared to those that experience prolonged visitor drop-off. Showing up matters.

That said, arriving without checking ahead wastes everyone’s time and can lead to frustrating experiences. A few practical steps make any Asheville brewery visit run more smoothly right now:

• Confirm operating hours directly with any brewery you plan to visit, as schedules have shifted across the city.
• Check road access in advance, particularly for locations in or near the River Arts District or along the French Broad.
• Build flexibility into your itinerary — some spots may be operating at reduced capacity or with a limited menu.
• Consider pairing your Asheville visit with a stop in Old Fort, which offers a quieter, equally rewarding experience and has faced fewer post-storm complications.

Hillman Beer’s two locations offer a straightforward answer to the uncertainty. Both are open, both are fully operational, and both deliver the same quality that earned the brewery its reputation well before any storm hit. Visitors looking for more detail on what to expect can plan their visit to Hillman Beer ahead of time to make the most of their trip.

Travelers researching Asheville breweries after Hurricane Helene should verify status before visiting, as recovery across the city continues at different rates. Hillman Beer’s Asheville and Old Fort locations are confirmed open, offering a dependable destination for visitors supporting Western NC’s recovery through local tourism.