ASHEVILLE, NC – The historic brewing hub of Asheville, North Carolina, has been severely impacted by the catastrophic floods caused by Hurricane Helene, which devastated the mountainous regions of the Carolinas. The storm has led to significant closures and damages across numerous local breweries, leaving the region’s vibrant brewing scene in turmoil.
Asheville Breweries Face Severe Flooding
The flooding, described as a once-in-a-lifetime event, has left a trail of destruction across the region. Asheville’s longstanding breweries, including some of the area’s most beloved establishments, have been forced to halt operations as they assess the damage.
Highland Brewing, one of Asheville’s oldest craft breweries, has announced it will remain “closed indefinitely” following the disaster. The brewery, which operates two locations in the city, expressed its concern for its team’s safety and shared its commitment to reaching out to employees during this trying time.
Sierra Nevada Brewing, which operates an East Coast facility in Mills River, NC, also closed its doors temporarily, citing the severe impact of the storm. The company communicated via social media, offering its support to the local community as it deals with the aftermath.
New Belgium Brewing, with its Asheville campus, similarly reported its closure, offering heartfelt condolences to the community in a post on social media. “We’re heartbroken at the devastation throughout WNC, and we can’t wait to be able to welcome back our community,” the brewery wrote.
Ginger’s Revenge, known for its gluten-free alcoholic ginger beer, also paused operations in the wake of the floods. The company shared a post expressing sympathy for the destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene, keeping the safety of its employees and the community in its thoughts.
Hi-Wire Brewing, which saw both its headquarters and its RAD Beer Garden submerged, has confirmed that all Asheville locations are closed. “The devastation in our community is overwhelming,” the brewery posted, extending its support to affected families and businesses.
Wedge Brewing and Wicked Weed Brewing are among the other local breweries to close their doors, with both businesses using social media to announce their temporary shutdowns due to flood damage.
The Impact on Local Businesses
The catastrophic flooding has disrupted more than just the breweries. Several other local businesses and homes have been destroyed, and the loss of life is also being reported. As the region struggles to recover, Asheville’s brewing community is banding together, offering support to those who have lost their homes, businesses, and livelihoods.
In the face of such adversity, the resilience of the Asheville brewing community remains strong, and many of the impacted breweries have expressed a deep sense of gratitude for the support they have received from their customers and peers alike. The recovery, however, is expected to take time, and the future of these businesses remains uncertain.
British Scientists Suggest Downsizing Pints to Curb Excessive Drinking
In unrelated beer news, a study out of the UK has sparked debate over the size of pints served in British pubs. Researchers have proposed reducing the traditional Imperial pint (20 fluid ounces) to a smaller size—two-thirds of a pint—as a measure to encourage healthier drinking habits. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, found that switching to smaller glass sizes resulted in a 9.7% drop in sales, which researchers saw as a positive development for public health.
While the move is backed by health experts, it has met with mixed reactions in the pub and bar industries, where it could impact revenue.
As Asheville’s breweries work to rebuild, the larger beer industry is also dealing with shifting trends and challenges, from natural disasters to health-driven changes in consumer behavior.
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