USA, NC: Green Man Brewery's three-year expansion project about to finish

Asheville's South Slope area continues to grow as Green Man Brewery's three-year expansion project is about to finish, WLOS reported on March 6.

In less than two weeks, the company's new building will be open to the public.

Pint by pint, Asheville's second oldest brewery built a steady following.

"I'm very excited," said one customer.

The current tap room, affectionately known as Dirty Jack's, quickly filled up. Soon, Green Man will take one of its trademark beers, an ESB, into its extra special brewery.

"It's been dubbed the Green Mansion. We'll see if that sticks," said Owner Dennis Thies.

The new building will have a shipping area, new bottling line, and eventually it's where they will make specialty beers. There is also a tap room and two outdoor areas.

The costs are nearing $6 million. Thies didn't spare a penny on the project, or ask the government for any help.

"We didn't get a penny from anybody," Thies said. "We didn't go to the city and probably could have, but I'm not smart enough to know how to do that. I didn't play the game well enough, I guess. I don't know, but we didn't want to take any money, honestly."

Several other local breweries have been promised tax incentives from the city and/or county. In Craft beer, more and more breweries have sold a share, or the company.

"I don't think you can say never. I've learned enough never to say never, but I'll tell you. If this isn't a testament to our dedication, or my family's dedication, or my wife and I's dedication to the brewery itself, then I don't know what is," Thies said. "If we were looking to get out, or cash in, I don't know that we would've done this. Doesn't seem like it would make sense."

He plans to take Green Man to new heights. The early reviews of the Green Mansion are promising.

"Very awesome. I don't know, no other words, no other words for it," Billy Smith said.

Smith was attending a benefit for the non-profit Open Doors. It was the first time people have been inside.

The new space officially opens Saint Patrick's Day March, 17.

11 March, 2016