Experience Hillman Beer’s rotating seasonal craft brews and special events throughout the year. Plan your visit to catch limited-edition releases and community gatherings at our Asheville and Old Fort locations.
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Seasonal Specialties: When to Visit Hillman Beer Throughout the Year
A Year-Round Craft Beer Experience
At Hillman Beer, we believe every season brings its own character – both in life and in brewing. While our award-winning ESB remains a constant favorite, our brewing calendar celebrates the changing seasons with specialty releases that highlight the unique qualities each time of year has to offer. As a family-owned brewery with locations in Asheville and Old Fort, we’ve created a beer experience that evolves throughout the year, giving you new reasons to gather around our tables with family and friends. Whether you’re a local or planning a trip to Western North Carolina, here’s your guide to catching our most anticipated seasonal releases and events.
Spring Offerings: Fresh Beginnings
As mountain wildflowers begin their colorful display across Western North Carolina, our spring brewing schedule embraces the season’s spirit of renewal. Early spring brings our refreshing Kölsch-style ale, perfect for those first warm afternoons on our creekside patio in Asheville. By mid-spring, we introduce our popular Berliner Weisse – a lightly tart wheat beer that pairs wonderfully with the fresh salads on our spring menu.
Spring also marks the return of our community “Pints for Parks” events, where a portion of proceeds supports local conservation efforts. The awakening landscape makes this the perfect time to visit our Old Fort location, where mountain views and open-air seating create an ideal setting for sampling our seasonal releases alongside locally sourced spring dishes.
Summer Sips: Peak Season Specialties
Summer at Hillman Beer means extended hours on our patios and a brewing schedule that caters to those long, warm evenings. Our summer wheat beer, infused with hints of local citrus, has become a seasonal staple that regulars look forward to each year. For hop lovers, our summer IPA series features rotating single-hop expressions that showcase different hop varieties throughout the season.
Both locations host Summer Brewers’ Dinners – special ticketed events featuring multi-course meals paired with exclusive small-batch brews not available during regular service. These intimate gatherings often sell out quickly, so watching our social media channels for announcements is recommended. The Old Fort location also features occasional live music on summer weekends, creating the perfect backdrop for enjoying our seasonal offerings.
Fall Favorites: Harvest Season
When the Blue Ridge Mountains burst into their famous fall colors, our brewing takes on deeper, more complex flavors. Fall brings the much-anticipated return of our Dingaudamnit Dunkelweisen – the very first beer the Hillman family brewed together in their garage. This German-style dark wheat beer offers notes of clove, banana, and caramel that perfectly complement the changing season.
October features our annual Harvest Festival at the Old Fort location, combining beer specials with local food vendors and family-friendly activities. As temperatures cool, we release our amber ale made with locally sourced honey, creating a smooth transition into the later fall season. For many locals, fall at Hillman Beer has become a tradition – a time to gather around our fire pits with a rich, malty brew while enjoying the spectacular mountain sunset views.
Winter Warmers: Comfort in the Cold
Winter sees our brewing shift toward heartier styles that stand up to the mountain chill. Our winter stout series includes variations like coffee stout, chocolate stout, and our special barrel-aged offering that’s released in limited quantities each December. These robust beers pair perfectly with our winter comfort food menu featuring house-made soups and hearty sandwiches.
Both locations host special release parties for our winter seasonals, creating warm gathering spaces during the colder months. The Asheville location’s indoor fireplace becomes a cozy centerpiece for winter visits, while our Old Fort taproom transforms into a mountain retreat where guests can escape the chill with friends and family. Don’t miss our “Dark Beer Month” in February, when we showcase the rich diversity of darker beer styles from traditional to experimental.
Plan Your Visit to Hillman Beer
Ready to experience Hillman Beer’s seasonal specialties? We’ve saved a seat for you at either of our family-friendly locations. Visit our Asheville brewery at 25 Sweeten Creek Road (open Sunday-Tuesday 11am-9pm, Wednesday-Saturday 11am-10pm) or join us in Old Fort at 78 Catawba Avenue (open Sunday 12pm-9pm, Monday-Tuesday 11am-9pm, Wednesday-Saturday 11am-10pm).
For the most current information about seasonal releases and upcoming events, follow us on social media or sign up for our newsletter. Come be part of our family and discover why, no matter the season, there’s always something special brewing at Hillman Beer.
