Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Asheville Ale Trail offers up details released by Catawba Valley Brewing owners at Sunday’s dinner at FIG. As I reported last week, Catawba Valley is opening a boutique brewery at 2 Fairview Road near Biltmore Village:
Catawba Valley Brewing Owner Billy Pyatt gave us a sneak preview of the plans for the new brewery, which will be located at #2 Farview Rd, site of the old Patterson Oil Building. Located just behind the building where the evening’s announcement event was held, it also places the new brewery directly across the street from French Broad Brewing Co. This puts the area on the map as a new brewery hot-spot, offering craft beer enthusiasts two great breweries right next to each other and all within walking distance of the popular shops and dining of Biltmore Village.
This impressive new facility will serve as a small seven barrel ’boutique’ brewery with four fermenters, one brew kettle and mash tun for Catawba brewers to concentrate on experimental and specialty brews. “It will be a great place to experiment with with new beers and ideas…Asheville has a sophisticated beer audience, and we believe this facility gives us the chance to really get in to the heart and culture of Asheville’s brewing scene and show people what we’re capable of” says Pyatt. The facility will also function as a distribution center to assist with Catawba’s expanding operations in WNC, as well as a tasting room and outdoor biergarten, all with ample parking to make for a top notch visitor experience.
Catawba is ready to move, and move fast. All permits have been submitted to the necessary agencies, and once approved Scott and Billy predict that the operation can be up and running within just a few months. While no opening date has been declared, if the permits receive the expected approvals the brewery could be open as soon as late summer or early fall.
