Experience award-winning craft beer with Hillman’s exclusive tasting sessions featuring their GABF gold medal brews. Perfect for beer enthusiasts seeking premium beer experiences with expert guidance.
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Gold Medal Tastings: Exclusive Access to Hillman’s GABF-Winning Brews

Taste Excellence in Every Sip

At Hillman Beer, we’ve turned brewing into an art form that’s earned national recognition. Our exclusive Gold Medal Tastings offer you rare access to our award-winning lineup, including our Great American Beer Festival gold medal ESB. These intimate gatherings combine the warmth of family hospitality with the thrill of sampling some of North Carolina’s most celebrated craft beers. Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a seasoned beer enthusiast, our guided tastings create the perfect setting to discover what makes Hillman’s beers stand apart from the crowd.

These aren’t just tastings—they’re journeys through flavor led by the people who know our beers best. We’ve created these sessions to share not just our beers, but the stories, techniques, and passion behind each carefully crafted pint.

The Gold Medal Experience

What sets our tastings apart is the personal touch that comes from our family-run approach. During each session, you’ll be guided through a curated selection of our finest brews, including our GABF gold medal-winning ESB that perfectly balances British tradition with Appalachian character. You’ll learn about the brewing process directly from the people who create these exceptional beers, gaining insights you can’t find anywhere else.

Each tasting includes:

Award-Winning Selection

Sample our celebrated lineup featuring the ESB that earned gold at the Great American Beer Festival, alongside other standouts like our crisp Kölsch, tropical Hazy Half Back IPA, complex Four Fat Baby, and the smooth Old Fort Original gold lager. We serve each beer at its ideal temperature in proper glassware with the perfect pour—just as the brewer intended.

Expert Guidance

The Hillman family or our head brewers personally lead many of our tasting sessions. They’ll share the stories behind each recipe, explain brewing techniques in accessible terms, and answer all your questions. This isn’t about beer snobbery—it’s about honest conversations about great beer with the people who make it.

Perfect Pairings

We complement our beer tastings with selections from our scratch-made kitchen. Sample how our pub-style comfort food brings out different notes in each beer, with locally-sourced ingredients that showcase North Carolina’s culinary bounty.

Community Connection

Our tastings reflect what Hillman Beer stands for—bringing people together around great beer. Our community-style seating encourages conversation with fellow beer lovers in a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere where everyone from novices to aficionados feels welcome. We also aim to enhance the overall beer experience by partnering with local breweries to showcase their unique offerings. In addition, we’ve developed strategic b&bs for beer lovers, providing an opportunity to explore the best of local craft brews while enjoying the comfort of a cozy stay. Together, we create unforgettable memories and connections that extend beyond the tasting room.

Exclusive Tasting Options

We offer several tasting experiences to suit different preferences:

Medal Winners Flight

Focus on our award-winning brews with guided tasting notes that reveal what competition judges look for and how we achieved gold-medal status.

Brewer’s Choice Experience

Let our brewers surprise you with their current favorites, including limited-edition and seasonal offerings rarely available to the public.

Private Group Tastings

Gather your friends, family, or colleagues for a private tasting event customized to your group’s interests and experience level. It’s perfect for special celebrations or team building.

Join Our Table

Ready to experience some of North Carolina’s most celebrated beers in an authentic, welcoming environment? Contact us today to reserve your spot at our next Gold Medal Tasting. Whether you choose our Asheville location with its creek-side charm or our more spacious Old Fort brewery, we’ve saved a seat for you at the Hillman family table. Join us for an unforgettable hillman beer outdoor experience, where you can savor the rich flavors of our award-winning brews while surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of North Carolina. Bring your friends and family, and let the scenic views and vibrant conversations create lasting memories. Cheers to great beer and shared moments!

Come taste what makes our beers award-winners, and discover why Hillman has become a beloved fixture in North Carolina’s renowned craft beer scene. After all, great beer tastes even better when shared with friends—both old and new.