How Hillman Beer Chooses Its Monthly Power in Pints Partners

At Hillman Beer, community has never been an afterthought. From the family-owned origins in Greig and Brandi’s garage to two taprooms designed around conversation and connection, the brewery has always treated its neighbors as part of the extended Hillman family. The Power in Pints program is one of the most direct expressions of that value — a monthly initiative where every pint sold becomes a small act of support for a Western North Carolina nonprofit. But how does Hillman Beer choose its Power in Pints partners each month? The answer says a lot about who they are.

What Is the Power in Pints Program?

Power in Pints is Hillman Beer’s recurring community giving program. Each month, the brewery selects a local nonprofit organization to spotlight and support. A portion of pint sales during that month goes directly to the chosen partner, turning every round at the bar into a contribution to something larger than the beer itself.

The program sits at the intersection of two things Hillman Beer does well: brewing beer worth coming back for, and building spaces where people want to gather. According to the Brewers Association (2023), independent craft breweries are increasingly recognized as anchor institutions in their local communities, with many adopting giving programs as a core part of their identity rather than a side initiative. Hillman Beer fits that description — Power in Pints is not a marketing campaign. It is simply what they do.

Both the Asheville and Old Fort locations participate, meaning the program reaches two distinct Western NC communities each month. That geographic spread matters, because the needs and organizations across the region vary considerably.

The Power in Pints program channels a portion of monthly pint sales at Hillman Beer directly to a vetted Western North Carolina nonprofit. It is a standing commitment to community investment, not a one-off promotion, and it operates across both brewery locations in Asheville and Old Fort.

How Hillman Beer Evaluates Potential Partners

Choosing the right nonprofit partner each month requires more than a quick vote. Hillman Beer looks at a combination of factors to make sure every selected organization is genuinely serving the Western NC community and aligns with the values the brewery has held since day one.

The primary considerations include local presence and impact. An organization needs to be rooted in Western North Carolina and actively working to improve life here. That could mean food access, arts programming, environmental stewardship, youth education, or any number of other causes — the category matters less than the demonstrable connection to the people who live in this region.

Nonprofit status is also a baseline requirement. The organization must hold recognized nonprofit standing, which protects both the brewery and the communities it serves. According to the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits (2022), there are more than 36,000 registered nonprofit organizations in North Carolina, with a significant concentration in Western NC. That breadth means there is no shortage of worthy candidates — but it also means the selection process needs clear criteria to be fair and consistent.

Beyond legal standing, Hillman Beer pays attention to organizational transparency. How does the nonprofit communicate its work? Does it have a track record of responsible stewardship? These are the kinds of questions that reflect the brewery’s own commitment to honesty and straightforward communication. They want to stand behind every partner they spotlight.

“The best community programs aren’t the loudest ones — they’re the ones built on consistent, honest relationships between businesses and the neighborhoods they call home.”

Dr. Lenora Hanson, Professor of Community Development, Western Carolina University

Hillman Beer evaluates Power in Pints partners based on local presence, nonprofit status, demonstrated community impact, and organizational transparency. These criteria reflect the same values of honesty and genuine connection that shape how the brewery operates every day.

How Nominations Work and Who Can Apply

The nomination process is intentionally open. Hillman Beer welcomes nominations from anyone in the community — whether you represent a nonprofit yourself, know an organization doing great work nearby, or simply want to see a cause you care about get some well-deserved recognition and support.

If you are a Western NC nonprofit interested in being considered, the path forward is straightforward: reach out to Hillman Beer directly through their website or by stopping in at either taproom location. The Asheville location near Biltmore Village and the Old Fort brewery are both good starting points for a conversation. The brewery’s team reviews incoming nominations and reaches out to organizations that meet the eligibility baseline.

There is no elaborate application infrastructure here. This is a family-run brewery that values directness, and the nomination process reflects that. What matters most is that your organization is genuinely serving people in this region and that you can speak clearly about the work you do and why it matters. According to Independent Sector (2023), the estimated value of volunteer time in the US reached $31.80 per hour, underscoring how much community organizations depend on visibility and support from local businesses to amplify their reach.

Hillman Beer also looks at timing and fit when confirming a monthly partner. Some months may already be committed, and the brewery tries to rotate across different cause areas over time so the program represents the full range of community needs in Western NC. You can stay up to date on current and upcoming partners by following the Power in Pints page on the Hillman Beer website.

Nominations for the Power in Pints program are open to any eligible Western North Carolina nonprofit, with no complicated application process required. Hillman Beer prioritizes directness and genuine community fit, reviewing nominations on a rolling basis across both taproom locations.

Why Transparency Matters to Hillman Beer

Hillman Beer has never been in the business of pretending to be something they are not. Their brewing philosophy is built on making beers people actually want to drink, without chasing trends or dressing things up unnecessarily. The same thinking applies to their community programs.

Transparency in the Power in Pints selection process is not just good practice — it is consistent with everything the brewery stands for. When a customer orders a pint knowing that a portion goes to a vetted local nonprofit, they deserve to understand how that nonprofit was chosen and why. That knowledge turns a simple transaction into something more meaningful.

For nonprofits considering a nomination, that same transparency works in their favor. Hillman Beer’s process is not a black box. The criteria are grounded in real questions about community impact and organizational integrity, and the brewery is willing to have honest conversations with organizations at any stage of the process. Visiting either taproom location in Old Fort or Asheville is one of the most direct ways to start that conversation.

The broader trend supports this approach. According to Charity Navigator (2023), donor trust in nonprofit organizations is directly tied to transparency and accountability, with highly rated organizations seeing meaningfully higher engagement from supporters. When Hillman Beer selects a partner with care, they are also signaling to their customers that their dollars are going somewhere real.

Transparency in the Power in Pints selection process reinforces Hillman Beer’s core identity as an honest, community-rooted brewery. By making the criteria clear and the process accessible, the program earns the trust of both customers and the nonprofit organizations it supports.