Discover exclusive, family-led brewery tours at Hillman Beer’s Asheville and Old Fort locations. Go behind the scenes of award-winning brewing with private tastings, curated food pairings, and VIP creek-side experiences.
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The Ultimate Hillman Beer Experience: Private Brewery Tours in Asheville & Old Fort

There’s something special about stepping into a brewery where the owners know your name. At Hillman Beer, the family behind the award-winning brews invites you to experience craft beer in a way most visitors never will. Our private brewery tours offer an intimate glimpse into the art and science that goes into creating Western North Carolina’s most authentic pub experience.

Whether you’re celebrating with friends, planning a corporate outing, or simply want to dive deeper into craft beer culture, our exclusive tours connect you directly with the people, processes, and passion that make Hillman Beer a standout in Beer City USA and beyond.

The Hillman Difference: Family-Crafted Excellence

What began as a homebrewing passion in Brooklyn has evolved into two distinct brewery locations that stay true to the Hillman family vision. When you join a private tour, you’re not just visiting a brewery—you’re being welcomed into a family tradition.

Brad and Greig Hillman, along with Greig’s wife Brandi, remain hands-on in daily operations, often personally leading private tours. This family connection means your experience goes beyond scripted talking points to authentic conversations about brewing philosophy, business challenges, and the joy of creating spaces where people connect.

Private tours include exclusive tastings of their Great American Beer Festival gold medal-winning ESB (Extra Special Bitter), as well as limited-edition brews not available to the general public. You’ll sample beers directly from the tanks, giving you a unique perspective on how flavors develop throughout the brewing process.

The Hillman approach balances deep respect for traditional brewing methods with thoughtful innovation. Your tour guides will explain how this philosophy shapes everything from recipe development to serving temperature, giving you insight into why proper glassware and perfect pours matter so much to the Hillman family.

Behind the Brewing Process: Secrets of Award-Winning Beer

Private tours grant you access to brewing areas typically off-limits to visitors. You’ll walk through the entire beer-making journey, from grain selection to packaging, with explanations tailored to your group’s level of brewing knowledge.

The brewing system at the Asheville location offers a fascinating contrast to the expanded operation in Old Fort. Your tour guides will demonstrate how scaling production while maintaining quality requires both technical precision and creative problem-solving.

You’ll learn about the water profiles that influence Hillman’s distinctive flavors and how Western North Carolina’s natural resources contribute to their brewing approach. The technical aspects of temperature control, yeast management, and fermentation monitoring become accessible through hands-on demonstrations designed for both novices and beer aficionados.

For those interested in the science behind the craft, the tour includes discussion of how subtle adjustments in brewing parameters create dramatically different beer styles. From the crisp, clean profile of their Kölsch to the complex character of Four Fat Baby, you’ll gain appreciation for the expertise behind each carefully crafted pint.

Curated Food and Beer Pairings: A Taste of Western North Carolina

The full Hillman experience goes beyond exceptional beer to include their thoughtfully developed food program. Private tours feature customized food and beer pairings not available on the regular menu, showcasing the culinary team’s creativity alongside the brewery’s best offerings.

Your private tasting might include their grass-fed beef patty melt paired with the ESB, highlighting how the caramelized onions complement the beer’s malty backbone. Or perhaps you’ll experience the house-made falafel wrap alongside the Kölsch, demonstrating how the beer’s subtle sweetness balances the earthy chickpeas and bright herb flavors.

The culinary team sources ingredients from local farmers and producers, reflecting the same commitment to quality and community that drives the brewing operation. During your tour, you’ll learn about these partnerships and how seasonal ingredients influence both the beer recipes and food specials.

For groups with specific dietary needs or preferences, Hillman’s kitchen creates custom pairing menus that accommodate while maintaining the integrity of the flavor experience. Whether you’re vegetarian, gluten-sensitive, or have other dietary considerations, the culinary team ensures everyone in your group enjoys memorable pairings.

Creek-Side VIP Experiences: Nature Meets Craft Beer

The Asheville location’s creek-side seating area transforms into an exclusive retreat for private tour groups. With the gentle sounds of Sweeten Creek as your backdrop, you’ll enjoy dedicated service in a natural setting that captures the essence of Western North Carolina.

Weather permitting, this outdoor space becomes your private oasis for guided tastings, special releases, and conversations with the brewing team. Custom seating arrangements accommodate your group size, whether you’re a couple celebrating an anniversary or a team of colleagues building connections outside the office.

Evening creek-side experiences feature ambient lighting that creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for savoring complex beers like the Four Fat Baby. The connection between the natural setting and Hillman’s commitment to authentic, grounded beer experiences becomes tangible as you relax in this uniquely Asheville setting.

For photography enthusiasts, the interplay of natural light, flowing water, and carefully crafted beer offers compelling visual opportunities. The creek-side experience particularly shines during spring flowering season and fall color changes, adding seasonal dimensions to your private tour.

Dual-Location Tour Packages: Experience Both Breweries

To truly understand the Hillman vision, consider the comprehensive dual-location tour that showcases both the original Asheville brewery and the expanded Old Fort facility. These packages include transportation between locations, allowing your group to experience the distinct character of each brewery while enjoying the journey through Western North Carolina’s beautiful landscape.

The contrast between Asheville’s cozy, creek-side setting and Old Fort’s more spacious, industrial-yet-welcoming atmosphere tells the story of Hillman’s evolution. Your guides will highlight how each location develops its own personality while maintaining the core Hillman values of quality, comfort, and community.

At the Old Fort location, you’ll sample the Old Fort Original gold lager created specifically for this second brewery, learning how the beer’s development reflected the family’s growing connection to the community. The expanded production capacity at Old Fort allows for behind-the-scenes exploration of larger-scale brewing equipment and packaging operations.

Transportation options range from comfortable shuttle services to premium vehicles for smaller groups seeking a more luxurious experience. The scenic drive between locations becomes part of the journey, with knowledgeable drivers sharing insights about the region’s brewing history and natural attractions.

Accommodations and Local Partnerships: Complete Your Visit

To enhance your Hillman Beer experience, we’ve cultivated relationships with select accommodations near both brewery locations. These partnerships provide exclusive packages that include welcome gifts of Hillman merchandise and specialty beer not available for general purchase.

In Asheville, stay within walking distance of the brewery at partnered boutique hotels that reflect the same attention to quality and guest experience that defines Hillman Beer. These accommodations offer convenient access to both the brewery and Biltmore Village’s shopping and dining options.

For the Old Fort location, consider nearby mountain retreats that complement the brewery’s more relaxed atmosphere. These properties provide scenic views and outdoor activities that pair perfectly with afternoon brewery visits.

Beyond lodging, we connect tour participants with complementary local experiences that round out your Western North Carolina visit. From guided hikes to artisan studio tours, these curated activities reflect the region’s rich culture and natural beauty while allowing plenty of time for your brewery experience.

Corporate and Special Event Hosting: Celebrating at Hillman

Hillman Beer transforms ordinary gatherings into memorable events centered around craft beer appreciation. Both locations offer customizable spaces for corporate retreats, team building activities, celebration dinners, and special occasions.

Corporate groups particularly appreciate the brewery’s unpretentious approach that makes craft beer accessible to everyone from enthusiasts to occasional beer drinkers. Team-building activities might include guided brewing sessions, blind tasting challenges, or food and beer pairing competitions that engage participants while creating shared experiences.

For celebrations like milestone birthdays, anniversaries, or pre-wedding gatherings, the Hillman family works with you to create personalized experiences that honor your occasion. From custom beer releases to specialized menus featuring the guest of honor’s favorite flavors, these thoughtful touches elevate standard gatherings into extraordinary memories.

Event planning includes coordination with local vendors for any additional services your gathering might require. From flowers to photography to music, the Hillman team leverages their deep community connections to help you create a seamless, cohesive event centered around exceptional beer and food.