Pisgah Brewing Co. in Black Mountain, North Carolina by Edwin Arnaudin
Founded in December 2003 just east of Asheville in Black Mountain, Pisgah Brewing Co. sold its first keg of Pisgah Pale to the influential Barley’s Taproom in April 2005. The beer now stands with Highland Brewing Co.’s Gaelic Ale and Green Man Brewery’s Porter as some of the most dependable local flagship brews and its popularity has afforded brewers the freedom to experiment with a range of styles.
Among Pisgah’s most successful creations, Vortex II (now known as Chocolatized) was one of Western North Carolina’s first Russian Imperial Stouts and Hellbender remains part of a select few annual barley wines made in the area. They and other small-batch offerings are available alongside year-round creations at the charming taproom, while 12-ounce cans and 22-ounce bombers may be found at area stores and bottle shops.
The place where such talented brewers as Kyle Williams (Brevard Brewing Co.) and John Silver (Homeplace Beer Co.) honed their craft before starting their own endeavors, Pisgah was a certified Organic institution until spring 2013. Newly tightened government regulations would have mandated changes to the brewing process, which Pisgah was unwilling to do. But while it dropped the designation, the brewery hasn’t altered its approach to making beer, including its use of organic grain as a base of each beverage.
Almost as famous as Pisgah’s beers are its live music shows. The outdoor stage has hosted the likes of Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, Jason Isbell, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Trampled By Turtles, Dr. Dog, Dawes and Lake Street Dive and its intimate indoor room features local and nationally touring acts on any given night.
Pisgah Brewing Co.
150 Eastside Drive
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Phone:(828) 669-0190
www.pisgahbrewing.com