Hillman Beer’s Power in Pints program donates $1 from every draft beer, cider, or seltzer sold to local Western NC nonprofits. Learn how the program works, which organizations have benefited, how to nominate your group, and why this family-owned Asheville brewery puts community at the center of every pour.
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Power in Pints: How Hillman Beer Turns Every Draft Pour into Community Change in Western NC

Key Takeaways

• Hillman Beer’s Power in Pints program contributes $1 from every draft beer, cider, or seltzer sold to a featured local nonprofit each month.
• The program runs across both Hillman locations in Asheville and Old Fort, North Carolina, amplifying its reach throughout Western NC.
• Past beneficiaries include environmental conservation groups, health services organizations, and social welfare nonprofits serving the region.
• Local nonprofits can nominate themselves or be nominated by community members to be considered as a monthly beneficiary.
• Power in Pints is a direct expression of Hillman Beer’s family-owned values: real beer, real community, real impact.

What Is the Power in Pints Program?

Power in Pints is Hillman Beer’s monthly charitable giving initiative that turns every draft pour into a direct contribution to a Western North Carolina nonprofit. For every draft beer, cider, or seltzer sold at either Hillman location, $1 goes to that month’s featured community organization. No gimmicks, no fine print. You order a pint, and a dollar heads straight to someone who needs it.

The program was built on a straightforward belief: a neighborhood brewery should do more than pour great beer. It should actively strengthen the community it calls home. Brothers Brad and Greig Hillman, along with Greig’s wife Brandi, launched Hillman Beer in Asheville in April 2017 after years of homebrewing passion turned into a full family operation. By the time they opened their Old Fort location in July 2020, the idea of giving back was already woven into their identity.

According to Brewers Association (2023), there are over 9,500 craft breweries operating in the United States, yet only a fraction have formalized giving programs tied directly to product sales. Power in Pints puts Hillman Beer in rare company.

What makes this program stand out is its consistency. This is not a one-time fundraiser or a seasonal campaign. It rotates monthly, so new organizations benefit regularly, and customers at both the Asheville taproom and the Old Fort brewery know their tab is doing double duty every single visit.

Power in Pints is Hillman Beer’s ongoing monthly initiative that donates $1 from every draft sale to a rotating local nonprofit in Western North Carolina. Launched by the family-owned Hillman Beer team, the program reflects a genuine commitment to community that goes well beyond standard brewery marketing.

How the Donation Process Works

The mechanics of Power in Pints are deliberately simple. Every month, Hillman Beer selects a Western NC nonprofit to feature. From the first day of that month to the last, $1 from every draft beer, cider, or seltzer sold across both locations is tallied and donated to that organization. Customers do not need to opt in or take any extra steps. The giving happens automatically with every order.

The monthly cadence matters. By rotating beneficiaries each month rather than committing to one annual charity, Hillman keeps the program dynamic and ensures a broader cross-section of Western NC causes receives support over time. Environmental conservation groups might be featured one month, followed by a mental health services provider or a local youth program the next.

According to Double the Donation (2023), cause-marketing programs tied to everyday consumer purchases generate significantly higher engagement than traditional fundraising appeals, with participation rates up to 4x higher when giving is passive and automatic. Hillman’s model aligns with this pattern perfectly.

The selection process for beneficiaries involves community input. Organizations can be nominated by the public, and Hillman’s team reviews submissions based on the nonprofit’s alignment with Western NC communities, its demonstrated local impact, and its operational presence in the region. Once selected, the featured organization is promoted across Hillman’s channels, giving nonprofits added visibility in addition to the financial contribution.

Both the Asheville and Old Fort taprooms participate simultaneously, which means the program draws from two distinct customer bases and two separate communities. That dual-location structure meaningfully increases the total monthly donation generated.

Power in Pints donates $1 from every draft sale automatically each month, with no opt-in required from customers. Hillman Beer selects a new Western NC nonprofit each month based on community nominations and local impact, distributing funds from both the Asheville and Old Fort locations.

Featured Community Partners

The organizations that have benefited from Power in Pints reflect the full breadth of Western North Carolina’s nonprofit sector. Past partners have included environmental land conservation groups, social welfare organizations, health and human services providers, and arts and culture nonprofits. This variety is intentional. Hillman Beer recognizes that community health means more than one kind of support.

One notable past beneficiary is the Foothills Conservancy, an organization dedicated to preserving natural lands and waterways across the Appalachian foothills region. Pairing a conservation nonprofit with a creekside brewery that draws on the natural beauty of Western NC felt like a natural fit. Hillman Beer’s Asheville location sits near Biltmore Village alongside a creek, and protecting that kind of environment resonates with their customers.

The WNC Bridge Foundation was also featured as part of a Power in Pints event in May 2022, bringing additional community attention to their services. Programs like these illustrate how Hillman does not simply write a check. They host featured events around the nonprofit partnership, creating in-taproom moments where customers can connect directly with the organizations being supported.

“Local businesses that embed charitable giving into their core operations rather than treating it as a PR exercise create more durable community relationships and stronger brand loyalty over time.”

Dr. Kathleen Buse, Professor of Business Strategy, Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management

Each featured partner also receives promotional support across Hillman’s social media and event pages. Nonprofits gain visibility with an audience that is already primed to care about local community, making the value of participation extend beyond the monthly donation total. You can keep an eye on current and upcoming partners through the Hillman Beer events calendar.

Power in Pints has supported a wide range of Western NC nonprofits including environmental conservancies, social welfare organizations, and health services providers. Hillman Beer amplifies the value of each partnership through in-taproom events and social promotion, giving featured nonprofits both funding and community visibility.

How to Nominate Your Organization

If you represent a Western NC nonprofit or know of one doing meaningful work in the region, Hillman Beer wants to hear from you. The nomination process is community-driven by design. Hillman believes the people who live and work in these communities are often best positioned to identify which organizations deserve recognition and support.

How to Submit a Nomination for Power in Pints

1. Confirm eligibility: The organization must be a registered nonprofit operating in Western North Carolina. It should have a demonstrated local presence and an active mission that serves the region’s residents or natural environment.
2. Gather your information: Prepare a brief description of the organization’s mission, the populations or causes it serves, contact information for the organization’s leadership, and any relevant links to their website or social channels.
3. Submit your nomination: Reach out to the Hillman Beer team directly through their website or stop by either taproom location to speak with staff. You can also call them at (828) 505-1312 to ask about the current submission process.
4. Wait for review: Hillman’s team evaluates nominations based on local impact, organizational credibility, and alignment with their community values. Selected organizations are contacted in advance of their featured month.
5. Prepare for your featured month: If selected, coordinate with Hillman’s team to plan any in-taproom events, promotional materials, or social media content that can maximize your organization’s visibility during the campaign period.

According to NC Nonprofits (2024), Western North Carolina is home to hundreds of registered nonprofit organizations serving communities from Asheville to the rural foothills. Power in Pints provides a unique earned-income supplement for smaller nonprofits that may not have access to large grant funding.

The Hillman Beer contact page is the most direct starting point for any nonprofit interested in participating. The team is approachable and straightforward to work with, which reflects the same no-nonsense warmth you will find at their taprooms.

Nonprofits operating in Western North Carolina can nominate themselves or be nominated by community advocates for a featured Power in Pints month at Hillman Beer. The process involves confirming eligibility, submitting organizational details, and coordinating with Hillman’s team to maximize impact during the featured period.

Measuring Community Impact

Quantifying the full impact of Power in Pints requires looking beyond the dollar total. Yes, the $1-per-draft model generates real, meaningful funds for local nonprofits each month. But the program also drives foot traffic, builds social media visibility for featured organizations, and creates community conversations that extend well past closing time at either taproom.

To put the financial potential in perspective: on a busy weekend across two active taproom locations, Hillman Beer can move a significant volume of draft pours. Consistent monthly participation across both Asheville and Old Fort means that featured nonprofits can reasonably expect hundreds to thousands of dollars generated during their featured month, depending on seasonal traffic patterns.

“Micro-donation models embedded at the point of sale are among the most effective forms of consumer-driven philanthropy because they remove friction from the giving decision entirely. The consumer gives without having to consciously choose to give.”

Prof. Deborah Small, Charles H. Ludington Professor of Marketing and Psychology, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Beyond direct donations, the awareness value is real. Many of the nonprofits featured through Power in Pints operate with limited marketing budgets. Being featured on Hillman Beer’s events calendar and promoted across their social channels connects these organizations with a highly engaged, community-oriented audience that might not have encountered them otherwise.

Impact Type	Traditional Brewery Fundraiser	Power in Pints Model
Frequency	One-time or annual	Monthly, ongoing
Customer action required	Yes (separate donation)	No (automatic with purchase)
Nonprofit exposure	Event-specific	Full month of promotion
Number of beneficiaries per year	1-2 typically	Up to 12 (one per month)
Community visibility	Low to moderate	High (dual-location, social, events)

The structure of Power in Pints ensures that impact compounds over time. As more organizations cycle through the program, Hillman Beer builds a growing network of community relationships, while customers see their regular visits accumulate into something larger than a bar tab. That ongoing narrative is part of what makes the program genuinely powerful.

Power in Pints generates both direct financial contributions and meaningful community visibility for featured Western NC nonprofits each month. Hillman Beer’s dual-location structure and automatic donation model make it a more consistent and frictionless giving mechanism than traditional brewery fundraisers.

Hillman’s Community Values Behind the Program

Power in Pints did not emerge from a marketing strategy session. It grew out of the same values that led Brad and Greig Hillman to start brewing beer in a garage in the first place: a belief that what you make should serve the people around you. From their first commercial pour near Biltmore Village in Asheville, Hillman Beer has operated as a gathering place as much as a taproom.

The physical design of both locations reflects this. The Asheville location’s creekside setting and locally sourced food menu are intentional choices that tie the brewery to the land and people of Western NC. The Old Fort location offers mountain views and a spacious layout built for lingering and conversation. These are not accidental design decisions. They are expressions of a hospitality philosophy that prioritizes connection.

Hillman Beer is a member of the NC Craft Brewers Guild, the Asheville Brewers Alliance, and the Brewers Association. They are certified as using craft malt, and their food and beer pairings reflect a kitchen that takes local sourcing seriously. Every one of these decisions reflects the same commitment to quality and place that powers the Power in Pints program.

“Family-owned businesses in the food and beverage sector that align their charitable programs with their operational identity create measurably stronger customer retention than those that treat philanthropy as a separate department.”

Dr. Russell Abratt, Professor of Marketing, Nova Southeastern University H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business

For Hillman, giving back is not a campaign. It is a habit. When you sit down at either taproom and order from the Asheville food menu or settle in with a pint at Old Fort, you are participating in a model of local business that believes profit and purpose belong in the same glass.

Power in Pints is a direct reflection of Hillman Beer’s foundational values as a family-owned brewery committed to community, quality, and place. The program is not separate from how Hillman operates but embedded in it, from the locally sourced food menu to the community-centered taproom layouts at both Western NC locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Power in Pints at Hillman Beer?

Power in Pints is a monthly charitable giving program run by Hillman Beer at their Asheville and Old Fort, NC locations. For every draft beer, cider, or seltzer sold during the featured month, $1 is donated directly to a selected Western NC nonprofit. Customers do not need to take any extra steps. The donation is automatic with every draft order placed at either taproom.

Which locations participate in Power in Pints?

Both Hillman Beer locations participate in Power in Pints simultaneously. The Asheville taproom near Biltmore Village and the Old Fort brewery both contribute to the monthly donation total, which means the program draws from two separate customer communities and generates a combined impact for the featured nonprofit each month.

How does Hillman Beer select which nonprofit to feature?

Hillman Beer selects featured nonprofits through a community nomination process. Organizations can be submitted by nonprofit representatives or by members of the public who want to advocate for a cause they care about. Hillman’s team reviews nominations based on local impact, operational presence in Western NC, and alignment with the brewery’s community values before selecting each monthly partner.

Can my nonprofit apply to be featured in Power in Pints?

Yes. If your nonprofit operates in Western North Carolina and serves the region’s communities or natural environment, you can reach out to Hillman Beer to submit a nomination. Contact the team through the Hillman Beer website or call (828) 505-1312 to ask about the current application process. Preparing a brief summary of your mission and local impact will help your submission stand out.

Does Power in Pints only support environmental organizations?

No. While environmental conservation groups like the Foothills Conservancy have been past beneficiaries, Power in Pints supports a wide range of nonprofit types. Past featured organizations have included health and human services providers, social welfare groups, and community development nonprofits. Hillman Beer intentionally rotates across cause categories to ensure the program serves the full breadth of Western NC’s nonprofit community.

How much does the program typically raise for a featured nonprofit?

The total donation depends on monthly draft sales volume across both taproom locations. While Hillman Beer does not publish a fixed donation guarantee, the combination of two active taprooms and consistent customer traffic means featured nonprofits can expect a meaningful contribution for the month. High-traffic periods like summer and fall foliage season in Western NC can significantly increase the total raised.

Is Power in Pints affiliated with any national charitable giving programs?

Power in Pints is a Hillman Beer original program developed independently by the family-owned brewery. It is not affiliated with a national franchise or third-party giving platform. This independence allows Hillman to keep the focus on Western NC nonprofits and maintain direct relationships with each featured organization rather than routing contributions through an intermediary.

Where can I find out which nonprofit is currently featured?

The current Power in Pints featured nonprofit is typically announced through Hillman Beer’s event listings and social media channels. You can check the Hillman Beer events calendar on their website or follow their social accounts for monthly announcements. Stopping by either taproom and asking a staff member is also a reliable way to get the latest information.

Come Drink. Give Back. Be Part of Something Bigger.

Every pint at Hillman Beer already comes with award-winning craft brewing, locally sourced food, and a seat in one of Western NC’s most welcoming taprooms. Power in Pints adds one more reason to pull up a stool: your order helps a local nonprofit do its work in the community you both call home.

Whether you are a longtime Asheville local, a visitor passing through Old Fort on the way to the mountains, or a nonprofit leader looking for a brewery partner that takes giving seriously, Hillman Beer has a place for you. Check the events calendar to see who is featured this month, or call the team at (828) 505-1312 to learn more about nominating your organization.

This is what a family-owned craft brewery looks like when it puts its values on tap. Come see for yourself at the Asheville taproom or the Old Fort brewery, and let your next round count for something more than a great night out.

Key Takeaways

• Power in Pints automatically donates $1 from every draft beer, cider, or seltzer sold at Hillman Beer to a featured Western NC nonprofit each month.
• The program operates across both the Asheville and Old Fort locations, creating a broader base of giving than a single-taproom model could achieve.
• Nonprofits across Western NC can be nominated by the public or self-nominate to be considered for a featured month of support.
• Past beneficiaries span environmental, health, social welfare, and community development sectors, reflecting a wide community investment approach.
• Power in Pints is not a marketing tactic but a direct extension of Hillman Beer’s family-owned identity and long-standing commitment to Western NC communities.