Discover the journey behind Hillman Beer’s award-winning Four Fat Baby Brown Ale, from inspiration to GABF Bronze Medal. Learn about the brewing process, flavor profile, and what makes this beer special.
_______________________________
The Four Fat Baby Story: Anatomy of a GABF Bronze Medal Beer
From Humble Beginnings to Bronze Medal Glory
In the cozy brewhouse of Hillman Beer, where family tradition meets brewing expertise, the Four Fat Baby Brown Ale wasn’t just another recipe—it was a passion project. This remarkable brown ale, which proudly brought home a Bronze Medal from the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), tells a story of craftsmanship, patience, and the Hillman family’s commitment to quality. While many breweries chase trends, the Hillman team—brothers Brad and Greig along with Greig’s wife Brandi—focused on perfecting a traditional style that would bring people together around communal tables at their Asheville and Old Fort locations.
The Birth of Four Fat Baby
Four Fat Baby began as many great beers do—with a vision for balance and complexity. The Hillman brewing team wanted to create a brown ale that honored tradition while offering something distinctly their own. They didn’t set out specifically to win awards; they simply wanted to craft a beer they’d be proud to serve and that their guests would enjoy sipping by the creek at their Asheville location or in the spacious beer garden in Old Fort.
The name “Four Fat Baby” captures the playful spirit behind this serious beer—approachable yet memorable, much like the brew itself. This reflects the Hillman philosophy: create quality experiences without pretension, where the beer speaks for itself without needing fancy jargon or trendy ingredients.
The Brewing Process: Crafting Excellence
What makes Four Fat Baby special isn’t revolutionary techniques or exotic ingredients—it’s attention to detail and respect for brewing fundamentals. The malt bill blends several specialty grains to create a foundation of nutty, toasted flavors with subtle chocolate notes. The Hillman team selected English-inspired malts to provide the characteristic color and depth expected in a traditional brown ale.
Water chemistry—often overlooked but crucial to great beer—was carefully adjusted to complement the malt character. The brewing team balanced hop additions to provide just enough bitterness to counter the malt sweetness without overwhelming the palate. Throughout fermentation, temperatures were closely monitored to ensure the yeast produced clean flavors with hints of complementary esters.
Each batch receives the same careful attention, whether it’s destined for competition or simply to be enjoyed alongside a house-made patty melt by visitors to the brewery. This consistency in quality reflects the Hillman commitment to excellence in every glass.
The Flavor Profile: A Brown Ale That Stands Out
Four Fat Baby presents in the glass with a deep amber-brown color and a creamy tan head. The aroma offers notes of toasted bread, light caramel, and hints of chocolate with a subtle nuttiness. On the palate, the beer delivers a satisfying malt complexity—toffee and chocolate flavors mingle with gentle roast character, while a balanced hop bitterness prevents the finish from being cloying.
What makes this brown ale medal-worthy is its remarkable balance—full-flavored yet surprisingly drinkable. It’s complex enough for craft beer enthusiasts to appreciate but approachable enough for newcomers to enjoy. This balance perfectly represents the Hillman Beer philosophy of creating beers that bring people together rather than intimidate with extreme flavors or high alcohol content.
The GABF Recognition: Validation of Craft
Winning a Bronze Medal at the Great American Beer Festival isn’t just an accolade—it’s recognition from industry experts that this small family brewery from Western North Carolina stands among the best in the country. The competition is notoriously fierce, with thousands of entries evaluated by experienced judges through blind tasting.
For the Hillman family, the medal represents validation of their brewing philosophy: focus on quality execution of classic styles rather than chasing trends. In a craft beer world sometimes dominated by ever-more-extreme beers, Four Fat Baby proves there’s still room at the top for a well-made traditional style crafted with care and expertise.
Pairing Four Fat Baby: The Complete Experience
At both Hillman Beer locations, the Four Fat Baby Brown Ale finds its perfect companion in their scratch-made food menu. The nutty, toasted flavors of the beer complement the grass-fed beef patty melt—a customer favorite—bringing out the rich flavors in both. For a memorable combination, try it alongside their house-smoked pork or with one of their seasonal specials featuring local ingredients.
The beer’s versatility makes it an excellent choice year-round, though many regulars particularly enjoy it during the crisp fall months when sitting creekside at the Asheville location or watching the leaves change from the expansive outdoor space in Old Fort.
Taste the Award-Winning Difference
We’ve saved a seat for you to experience Four Fat Baby and the rest of our carefully crafted beers at both our Asheville and Old Fort locations. Come taste what makes this award-winning brown ale special while enjoying our welcoming atmosphere and scratch-made food. Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or simply looking for a quality pint in good company, Four Fat Baby demonstrates what Hillman Beer does best—creating authentic experiences centered around exceptional beer.
Visit us to try Four Fat Baby on tap and take home a crowler or growler to share with friends. After all, great beer, like great stories, is meant to be shared.
