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French Broad River Brewery: Rising from the Flood

June 10, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

Craft Brewery of the Day - French Broad River Brewery in Asheville, NCFrench Broad River Brewery in Asheville, North Carolina 

Established in 2000, French Broad River Brewery has been a cornerstone of Asheville, North Carolina’s vibrant craft beer scene, located at 101 Fairview Road on the edge of Biltmore Village. Known for its European-inspired beers and community-driven taproom, the brewery has long been a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, offering live music, pizza, and a dog-friendly atmosphere. However, in September 2024, Tropical Storm Helene brought unprecedented flooding to Western North Carolina, severely impacting the brewery and testing the resilience of its team and community.

The Devastation of Helene
When Helene struck, the nearby Swannanoa River crested at a record-breaking 27.33 feet, sending approximately six feet of floodwater into French Broad River Brewery. The floodwaters, fueled by the convergence of Sweeten Creek and the Swannanoa, left a foot of mud, flipped massive beer tanks, and destroyed equipment, merchandise, and the taproom. Packaged beer and in-process brews were lost, leaving only a limited pre-Helene stock in stores to sustain the brewery for about two weeks post-storm. Owner Paul Casey described the scene as chaotic, with little that could have been done to prevent the damage short of elevating the entire building.

Despite the destruction, the brewery’s team rallied. Head Brewer Aaron Wilson, with 18 years at French Broad, and brewer Tres Howell took on critical roles in cleanup and reconstruction, with Howell even becoming the “boiler expert” to install a replacement. Elise Powell, a former bartender and sales manager, shifted the sales team’s focus to communication, ensuring partners and clients knew French Broad was determined to return. The brewery partnered with other local breweries, such as Asheville Brewing Company, to continue producing its beers off-site, maintaining a presence on retail shelves across North Carolina and parts of South Carolina.

The Road to Recovery
The recovery process was arduous, spanning nearly seven months. French Broad’s team undertook extensive cleanup, renovations, and rebuilding, with a focus on recreating the familiar taproom while enhancing the guest experience. Upgrades included new bathrooms, furniture, a stage, and a mural crafted from photographs donated by loyal customers, reflecting the brewery’s pre-flood memories. A new bar top and a rebuilt deck added to the refreshed space, which Casey described as a “third place” for the community—a welcoming hub beyond home and work.

The brewery’s optimism was palpable as it approached its reopening. Casey noted the emotional weight of the journey, emphasizing the team’s dedication and community support as key to their success. French Broad collaborated with Nectar’s Presents to launch a GoFundMe campaign, raising funds to support staff and recovery efforts, underscoring the brewery’s deep ties to Asheville’s music and craft beer scenes.

A Triumphant Reopening
French Broad River Brewery celebrated its soft reopening from April 16-20, 2025, followed by a full reopening on April 24. The taproom welcomed back patrons with flagship beers and live music, including performances by Boombox on April 18 and SunSquabi on April 19, reviving its popular outdoor music series. The reopening was hailed as a success story, with Casey expressing hope that it would mark the beginning of recovery for other Biltmore Village businesses, such as neighbors Eda Rhyne Distilling Company and Hillman Beer, which also faced significant flood damage but have since reopened.

The taproom now operates with a limited indoor capacity and ample outdoor seating, maintaining its family-friendly vibe with games like ping pong and foosball, and food from the adjacent Papa Nick’s Pizza & Restaurant. New merchandise, including tees and hats, replaced stock lost in the flood, and patrons can purchase six-packs, growlers, and kegs to go.

Current Beer Offerings
French Broad River Brewery has resumed serving its beloved core beers, brewed with the same recipes but with slight variations due to differences in water, equipment, and brewing methods at partner facilities. The current lineup includes:

Gateway Kölsch: A crisp, light German-style ale with a slightly sweet malt flavor and a noticeable hop finish. Brewed with Pilsner and wheat malts, German noble hops, and Kölsch yeast, it’s a refreshing staple.

Goldenrod Pilsner: A classic German Pilsner with a crisp, clean profile, featuring German noble hops and a light grainy malt character from German barley. Its medium-light body and high carbonation make it a crowd-pleaser.

Frog Horn IPA: A bright, hop-forward IPA with citrus and tropical notes, dry-hopped with Citra, Mandarina, and Amarillo hops. It offers a refreshing, light body without excessive bitterness.

Wee Heavy-er Scotch Ale: A rich, malty Scotch Ale with caramel and fruit notes, known for its robust flavor and smooth finish. It’s a favorite among patrons, with one TripAdvisor reviewer calling it one of Asheville’s best beers.

Cherry Limeade Seltzer: A gluten-free, light, and crisp hard seltzer with a hint of cherry and lime, offering a refreshing non-beer option.

The brewery also plans to reintroduce seasonal and small-batch brews, such as its Rye PA, Black IPA, and specialty Stout with sweet cherries, as production stabilizes. A recent collaboration with Asheville Brewing Company produced “The Best Days Ahead,” a sour beer available at the taproom, signaling French Broad’s return to creative brewing.

Looking Ahead
French Broad River Brewery’s recovery is a testament to the resilience of Asheville’s craft beer community. While the threat of future flooding remains, with Casey noting the challenge of preparing for such extreme events, the brewery is focused on rebuilding its legacy. Plans include reinstating its full live music calendar, with events like the weekly “Jerry’s Dead” Grateful Dead tribute nights and Sunday reggae sessions with Chalwa Roots. The brewery continues to serve as a vital community hub, welcoming dogs, families, and beer enthusiasts to its revamped space.

As Christopher Arbor, a Mountain Xpress contributor, noted during a 2025 visit, the brewery’s new mural and river rock-inspired can designs reflect its deep connection to the French Broad River, despite the river’s destructive power. With its flagship beers back on tap and a renewed taproom, French Broad River Brewery is poised to reclaim its place as one of Asheville’s oldest and most cherished breweries.

For those eager to support, visit the taproom, purchase merchandise, or find French Broad’s beers at retailers across the Southeast. The brewery’s story of recovery is far from over, but its return marks a hopeful chapter for Asheville’s craft beer culture.

French Broad River Brewery
101 Fairview Rd. #D
Asheville, NC 28803
Phone: (828) 277-0222
frenchbroadbrewery.com

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