Discover the story behind Hillman Beer’s GABF Gold and Silver medal-winning Extra Special Bitter (ESB) – a testament to family craftsmanship and brewing tradition in Western North Carolina.
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Family-Crafted Excellence: Inside Hillman Beer’s Award-Winning ESB

In the heart of Western North Carolina’s thriving craft beer scene, one family-owned brewery has quietly captured national attention with a beer that embodies their commitment to tradition, quality, and community. Hillman Beer’s Extra Special Bitter (ESB) stands as their crown jewel, earning both Gold (2019) and Silver (2018) medals at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival. But what’s the story behind this award-winning brew? At Hillman’s welcoming taprooms in Asheville and Old Fort, this celebrated beer represents something more than medals – it’s the culmination of a family’s brewing journey and dedication to their craft.

The Birth of a Champion: Hillman’s ESB Story

The story of Hillman Beer’s ESB begins not in a commercial brewery but in much humbler settings – first in Brad Hillman’s Brooklyn apartment in 2006 and later in Greig and Brandi Hillman’s garage. While many craft breweries chase trends toward ever-hoppier IPAs or increasingly exotic ingredients, the Hillman family took a different approach, focusing on perfecting traditional styles that showcase balance and craftsmanship.

Their ESB represents the culmination of this philosophy. This British-style ale strikes a perfect harmony between malty backbone and hop character – not overwhelming in any direction, but remarkable in its precision. When the family opened their Asheville location near Biltmore Village in 2017, this recipe had already been refined through countless homebrew batches and friendly tastings.

What Makes This ESB Special?

The Technical Excellence

ESB (Extra Special Bitter) is a notoriously challenging style to master. Despite its name, the beer isn’t actually bitter by modern craft standards – instead, it requires perfect balance. Hillman’s version showcases traditional English malts that provide notes of biscuit, light caramel, and subtle toasted bread, complemented by earthy, floral hop character from authentic British hop varieties. The result is a medium-bodied, amber-colored ale with remarkable drinkability and depth of flavor.

What impressed GABF judges enough to award consecutive medals was likely the technical precision. The beer finishes clean with just enough residual sweetness to balance the hop presence. At approximately 5.5% ABV, it remains true to style while offering enough complexity to reward thoughtful sipping.

Family Craftsmanship

Unlike beers produced at larger operations, Hillman’s ESB benefits from direct family oversight at every stage of production. The three Hillmans remain hands-on in their business – it’s not unusual to find one of them working the taps or checking on a brew. This personal attention shows in the consistency and quality of their flagship beer.

Brad, the head brewer, brings technical precision from his homebrewing background. Greig contributes business acumen and operational expertise, while Brandi helps ensure the complete experience – from beer to food to atmosphere – creates the welcoming pub environment central to Hillman’s identity.

Recognition on the National Stage

Earning consecutive medals at the Great American Beer Festival is no small achievement for any brewery, but particularly remarkable for a relatively young, family-owned operation competing against established breweries with far greater resources.

When their ESB claimed Silver in 2018, it put Hillman on the national craft beer map. Returning in 2019 to upgrade that medal to Gold cemented their reputation as masters of traditional beer styles. These accolades place Hillman among North Carolina’s most decorated breweries and have drawn beer enthusiasts from across the country to their taprooms.

Experience It Yourself

What makes Hillman’s ESB truly special isn’t just technical excellence or medal counts – it’s how perfectly it complements the experience of visiting their brewery. Whether enjoyed alongside their locally-sourced pub fare (the house-made Reuben makes a perfect pairing) or sipped while relaxing at their creekside Asheville location, this beer embodies Hillman’s community-focused approach.

The ESB pairs particularly well with several signature menu items – the rich malt character complements their grass-fed beef patty melt, while the balanced hop presence cuts through the richness of their comfort food offerings.

Visit Hillman Beer

Ready to experience this award-winning ESB for yourself? Visit Hillman Beer at either their original Asheville location near Biltmore Village (25 Sweeten Creek Road) or their spacious Old Fort brewery (78 Catawba Avenue). Both locations offer the complete Hillman experience – quality beer, excellent food, and the warm welcome that comes from a family-owned business where the owners themselves might be the ones pouring your pint.