Discover the difference between smash and traditional burger techniques at Hillman Beer. Learn why our burger preparation methods create the perfect patty for your beer pairing experience.
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Smash vs. Traditional: The Burger Technique Showdown at Hillman

At Hillman Beer, we take our burgers as seriously as our award-winning brews. The ongoing debate between smash burger enthusiasts and traditional patty loyalists inspired us to explore both techniques in our kitchens. Our family-owned brewery believes the perfect burger isn’t just about quality ingredients—it’s about how those ingredients come together. Whether you’re enjoying our creekside Asheville location or the mountain views at Old Fort, understanding the science behind your burger can enhance your entire experience. Here’s our breakdown of burger techniques and why our approach has won the hearts of craft beer lovers throughout Western North Carolina.

What Makes a Smash Burger Special?

The smash burger technique involves pressing a ball of ground beef firmly onto a scorching hot cooking surface. This seemingly simple method creates a culinary magic that many burger lovers find irresistible.

When you smash a burger, you’re creating maximum surface contact with the hot griddle. This contact triggers the Maillard reaction—a complex chemical process that creates hundreds of flavor compounds as proteins and sugars transform under heat. The result? A thin patty with a caramelized, crispy crust that’s packed with savory, umami goodness.

Smash burgers cook quickly, usually needing just 2-3 minutes per side. The thin profile means the beef cooks through rapidly while retaining moisture. The irregular edges of a properly smashed patty crisp up beautifully, adding textural contrast that complements the juicy interior.

The Case for Traditional Patty Formation

Traditional burger preparation takes a different approach. Rather than smashing, the meat is gently formed into patties of uniform thickness and cooked with minimal handling.

This method allows for more control over doneness—from rare to well-done—something that’s harder to achieve with the thinner smash patty. Traditional patties also retain more internal moisture and can provide a more substantial bite, which some guests prefer.

The gentle handling preserves the natural texture of the meat and allows for even cooking throughout. This approach works particularly well with our locally-sourced, grass-fed beef, letting the quality of the ingredients shine through without manipulation.

How We Do Burgers at Hillman

Our approach at Hillman Beer blends elements from both worlds to create what we believe is the perfect burger companion for our craft brews. We start with high-quality, locally-sourced beef from Western North Carolina farms, focusing on grass-fed options that deliver superior flavor.

Our signature grass-fed patty melt showcases our burger philosophy. We form the patties with a light touch, preserving the integrity of the meat without overworking it, then cook them on a properly heated surface that provides enough caramelization without drying out the beef.

What sets our approach apart is our understanding of how burgers pair with beer. A burger with good textural contrast—crispy exterior, juicy interior—stands up beautifully to our ESB (English Special Bitter), which has earned both GABF Silver and Gold medals. The mild hop bitterness cuts through the richness of the beef while complementing its savory notes.

Why Patty Formation Matters for Beer Pairing

The way we form and cook our burger patties isn’t just culinary preference—it’s about creating the perfect canvas for beer pairing. Different cooking techniques highlight different flavor compounds in the meat, which in turn interact uniquely with various beer styles.

The Maillard-rich crust of a properly cooked burger—whether smashed or traditional—offers bitter, caramelized notes that complement the maltiness in our Dingaudamnit Dunkelweisen. Meanwhile, the juicy interior provides a rich counterpoint to the crisp finish of our lighter offerings.

We’ve found that no matter which technique we use, maintaining the quality of ingredients and cooking with purpose makes all the difference. Our kitchen teams at both locations prepare each burger with the same care our brewers put into each batch of beer.

Come Taste the Difference

Ready to conduct your own taste test? Visit either our original Asheville taproom near Historic Biltmore Village or our Old Fort location housed in a converted historic hosiery mill. Order at the bar, find a comfortable seat, and we’ll bring your perfectly prepared burger right to your table.

Whether you’re a smash burger enthusiast or traditional patty purist, we think you’ll appreciate our thoughtful approach to burger crafting. Pair it with one of our award-winning beers, and you’ll understand why our combination of quality, service, comfort, and community has made us a beloved fixture in Western North Carolina’s craft food and beer landscape.