Discover why Hillman Beer’s locally-sourced burgers outshine national chains, supporting Asheville’s economy while delivering superior flavor and sustainability.
_______________________________

Asheville vs. National Burger Chains: Why Local Wins

When hunger strikes in Asheville, you face a choice that goes beyond satisfying your appetite. Opting for a burger at Hillman Beer instead of a national chain creates ripples throughout our community. Our grass-fed beef patty melt isn’t just a delicious meal—it’s a vote for local farmers, sustainable practices, and Asheville’s unique culinary identity. With every bite at our Sweeten Creek Road brewery or Old Fort location, you’re tasting the difference that local sourcing makes while helping keep Western North Carolina’s economy thriving.

The Real Cost of Chain Restaurant Burgers

National burger chains might tempt you with convenience and familiar branding, but their impact on Asheville comes with hidden costs. When you spend at corporate chains, as much as 80% of your money leaves our community immediately. These businesses typically import pre-portioned, frozen patties from industrial farming operations hundreds or thousands of miles away, creating a substantial carbon footprint before the first bite.

Chain restaurants also tend to offer lower wages and fewer advancement opportunities than independent establishments like Hillman Beer. Their standardized menus rarely reflect Asheville’s culinary creativity or commitment to sustainability. While their prices might seem lower at first glance, the true cost—to our environment, local economy, and food quality—tells a different story.

The Hillman Difference: Farm-to-Table Burgers

At Hillman Beer, we’ve built relationships with local farmers who raise grass-fed cattle using sustainable practices. These partnerships mean fresher ingredients with significantly shorter supply chains. Our patty melt and burger offerings feature beef from animals raised without hormones or unnecessary antibiotics, resulting in meat that’s not only better for you but noticeably more flavorful.

Our kitchen team prepares each patty by hand, seasoning it with care and cooking it to order. We pair these quality patties with locally baked buns and produce from area farms whenever possible. This approach creates a burger experience that’s uniquely Asheville—one that respects our region’s agricultural traditions while supporting its economic future.

How Your Burger Choice Strengthens Asheville’s Economy

Every time you choose a locally-sourced burger at Hillman Beer, you help create a cascade of positive economic impacts. For every $100 spent at our family-owned brewery, approximately $68 stays within the Western North Carolina community—more than twice what remains when spending at national chains.

Your purchase directly supports at least three local businesses: our brewery, the farmers who raised the cattle, and the bakers who crafted the buns. It also helps maintain agricultural land in our region, preserving Western North Carolina’s scenic beauty and rural character that attracts visitors year after year.

As a family-owned business founded by siblings Brad, Greig, and Brandi Hillman, we reinvest in Asheville by creating quality jobs with fair wages. Our success has allowed us to expand from our original Asheville location to Old Fort, bringing our community-focused approach to another Western North Carolina town.

Taste the Local Difference

The most compelling reason to choose Hillman Beer’s locally-sourced burgers might be the simplest: they taste better. The short distance from farm to table means fresher ingredients with more flavor. Grass-fed beef offers a complexity and richness that factory-farmed meat can’t match, while seasonal local produce provides the perfect complement.

Our grass-fed beef patty melt has become a customer favorite precisely because quality ingredients make an unmistakable difference. Paired with one of our award-winning craft beers—like our GABF Gold medal-winning ESB—it creates a dining experience that chains simply can’t replicate.

Come Taste the Difference at Hillman Beer

We invite you to experience the difference local makes at either of our family-owned locations. Whether you’re visiting our Asheville brewery near Biltmore Village or our Old Fort location, you’ll find the same commitment to quality, community, and authentic flavor.

Next time you’re craving a burger, remember that your choice matters. Join us at Hillman Beer, where quality, service, comfort, and community come together on every plate and in every pint.