Asheville’s Hi-Wire Brewing announces $3 million expansion to make more beer

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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hi-wire_brewing_logo_2013Asheville’s Hi-Wire Brewing this morning announced a $3 million expansion that will allow it to greatly increase the amount of beer it makes. The craft brewery will open a new production facility, as a yet undisclosed location, and add 15 jobs.

Adam Charnack, a co-owner of Hi-Wire, said Friday morning that the brewery will invest about $1.6 million in equipment, but the overall investment in the equipment and new facility will total just more than $3 million. Charnack said Hi-Wire’s current downtown location on Hilliard Avenue (on Asheville’s South Slope) will continue to be an outpost for more speciality and unique beers. The new facility, which will be in Asheville, will allow the brewery to increase capacity from 4,000 to 17,000 barrels, with the potential to grow to 50,000 barrels a year.

The press Hi-Wire press release states: “The new facility, which includes a tasting room, will enable increased statewide distribution and significantly higher production of its six-pack products with a new bottling line. Hi-Wire’s current brewery with seven employees at 197 Hilliard Avenue on Asheville’s South Slope will focus on featuring more special releases of unique styles and barrel-aged beer.

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The announcement of Hi-Wire’s expansion caps off a remarkable year in the growth of Asheville’s independent craft breweries. More on that soon. Here’s the press release from the Buncombe County Economic Development Commission:

In conjunction with the Buncombe County Commission, Asheville City Council, and the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County (EDC), Hi-Wire Brewing announced today it will add 15 jobs and invest $1.62 million in a new brewing facility and equipment.

Hi-Wire’s investment will increase capacity from 4,000 to 17,000 barrels, with the potential to grow to 50,000 barrels a year. The new facility, which includes a tasting room, will enable increased statewide distribution and significantly higher production of its six-pack products with a new bottling line. Hi-Wire’s current brewery with seven employees at 197 Hilliard Avenue on Asheville’s South Slope will focus on featuring more special releases of unique styles and barrel-aged beer.

Since opening in June 2013, Hi-Wire Brewing was named Best New N.C. Brewery in 2013 by RateBeer and was awarded the most medals at the 2014 N.C. Brewer’s Cup. Hi-Wire’s light-hearted circus theme and artist-drawn labels embody the fun, authenticity, and creativity of its deep-rooted handmade craft.

“Hi-Wire is one of the success stories in the emergence of the City’s South Slope as a major economic engine. The City of Asheville’s focus on revitalizing this district will stimulate more private capital investment and employment, along with public improvements to infrastructure and walkability,” said Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer.

“We are grateful to the City of Asheville and Buncombe County for their support. And we wouldn’t be where we are today without all of our loyal fans in Asheville and across North Carolina. We’re excited about the opportunity to produce a lot more of our popular Hi-Wire LAGER and flagship beers,” remarked Adam Charnack, co-owner and Ringmaster of Hi-Wire Brewing.

“In the tradition of Asheville’s brewing community, Hi-Wire opened on day one with great beer and high demand. It’s exciting to see the company growing fast and adding good jobs,” commented David Gantt, Chairman of the Buncombe County Commissioners.

“The future is bright for young entrepreneurs like Adam at Hi-Wire whose dedication to quality and high growth elevate Asheville’s reputation as a national leader in craft brewing. The community’s sustained efforts to grow strategic target clusters have reached critical mass in the brewing industry,” said EDC Chairman Paul Szurek.

Hi-Wire Brewing, located in downtown Asheville, N.C., embraces its craft from top to bottom, from its hand-produced beers to its artwork, hand-drawn by a local artist. Hi-Wire was awarded the most medals at the 2014 N.C. Brewer’s Cup and the Best New N.C. Brewery for 2013 by RateBeer. Hi-Wire’s award-winning beers are available on draft at North Carolina bars, restaurants, and its downtown Asheville tasting room, as well as in 6-packs at retail outlets. Featuring four year-round beers—Hi-Wire LAGER, Prime Time PALE, Bed of Nails BROWN, and Hi-Pitch IPA—as well as a rotating selection of seasonal offerings, Hi-Wire Brewing invites you to “Walk on the Wire Side.” For an up-to-date listing of places to find Hi-Wire’s beer, visit hiwirebrewing.com.

The Economic Development Coalition (EDC) for Asheville-Buncombe County is a public-private partnership committed to: creating and retaining high quality jobs, community leadership, and being a resource for better business decisions. The EDC accomplishes this mission through its four core services: business retention and expansion, small business and entrepreneurship, research, and marketing and recruitment. The EDC is funded by Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, the Town of Weaverville, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and the AVL 5×5 Campaign. Visit www.ashevillechamber.org/economic-development.

Here’s the release from Hi-Wire:

ASHEVILLE, NC – December 12, 2014 – Hi-Wire Brewing is expanding by building a new production facility in Asheville, NC that will significantly increase its beer output. Since opening in June, 2013, Hi-Wire has been unable to keep up with demand for its beer, and has maxed out its original, Downtown Asheville facility. By building a new facility that will focus on dramatically increasing output of its year-round and seasonal beers, Hi-Wire will be able to expand its capacity from roughly 4,000 barrels per year to approximately 17,000 barrels per year with the ability to grow to 50,000 barrels per year.

Owner Adam Charnack puts it succinctly, ““The reception to all of our beers to-date has been fantastic. With 300-400% growth in our first year and a half, having been awarded the Best New Brewery in NC for 2013 by Ratebeer, and having won the most medals at the 2014 NC Brewer’s Cup, we can’t wait to have the ability to make more beer and more styles of beer. So, thank you, Asheville, and thank you, North Carolina!”

The $3 million-plus investment will allow Hi-Wire to continue to brew more of its award-winning beer in Asheville while at the same time expanding its lineup, since it will refocus its original, Downtown Asheville brewery on adding more offerings to its lineup.

“One thing, in particular, that we’re really excited about with the new facility is the ability to make a lot more of our Hi-Wire LAGER. That beer takes eight full weeks to produce, which means it requires a lot of tanks to hold all that beer while it properly ages. With our new facility we’ll finally have the space to make much more Lager, while our downtown brewery will be refocused toward brewing interesting, unique additions to our lineup”, says owner Chris Frosaker.

While details on the new facility are still being finalized, a few things are for certain: the new production brewery will be right in the middle of town and will feature both a tasting room and an entirely new tour program unique to Asheville. Hi-Wire is also planning a big release party slated for some time in mid-2015 to celebrate its opening. Several collaboration brews with breweries all across the Southeast are also in the works to celebrate the expansion.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

3 Comments

  1. RedHotPoker December 15, 2014

    So, do I understand that HiWire is investing THEIR OWN MONEY instead of taxpayer money granted from city council ???

    HOW can that BE ???

    Why isn’t THIS business eligible to be a winner by the city ???

    Reply
    1. chris December 16, 2014

      “Why isn’t THIS business eligible to be a winner by the city ???”

      Because you’re a tool.

      Reply
      1. RedHotPoker December 18, 2014

        (or MAYBE, they’re not evil democrackkks ???)

        ROFLMAO!

        Reply

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