USA, NC: Fletcher’s Blue Ghost Brewing Co. in process of sale

Since 2016, Zach and Nicole Horn have poured many a brew at Blue Ghost Brewing Co., and through it all, they've poured their heart and soul into their business. But soon it will be time for "last call", BlueRidgeNow.com reported on January 19.

The Horns announced on social media Jan. 17 that they're now in the process of selling Blue Ghost. Zach Horn told the Times-News on Jan. 18 that selling the brewery, at 125 Underwood Road in Fletcher, was one of the toughest decisions he and his wife have had to make.

"Like many small business owners, you sometimes have to choose your business over your family. We have come to the realization that though we love Blue Ghost, the time we must sacrifice with each other and our children, to keep it operating successfully is costing us a price that we can no longer pay," Zach Horn said.

"In the end, the most valuable commodity that any of us have, more valuable than any amount of money, is time."

Several brewery closures and sales have occurred locally in the past few years, including Catawba, Archetype, Eurisko and Bhramari in Asheville. Urban Orchard closed one of its two cider taprooms, and Ginger’s Revenge closed its Asheville South Slope cocktail lounge recently.

Zach Horn said it was a very painful and sad to give up something that his family had poured their life into for so many years.

"We know, though, we will never regret being able to spend more time with each other and our children while they are still under our roof. We will never be able to buy back the time as a family that we would have to sacrifice to keep things going as they are," he said.

For the past seven years, Zach Horn said it has been like a roller-coaster ride.

"Opening the brewery with close friends, along with the help of many other friends and family while raising very young children, was an exciting adventure. Everything we did was new, and so many people were interested and helpful along the way," he said.

But with the highs also came the lows, Zach Horn said.

"It was also very challenging at times, but I am thankful for those experiences now. We have learned and been able to do so much along the way. We worked with so many superb employees and fantastic organizations and businesses."

The Horns said they wanted to thank all of their customers, especially loyal ones they saw every week.

"We can never express how thankful we are to our loyal and kind customers. Not only have they supported our business and our dreams, they have turned into wonderful friends," Zach Horn said.

"There are regulars that really got to know each other at the brewery (even creating the 'Fletcher Framily') and they have been visiting since we opened our doors for our soft opening in February 2016. Though we know we will not see them as often one day, they will always be there for us if we need them and us for them."

The Horns brewed their own beers, and there were many varieties available on tap: Blue Ghost LAGA (a golden ale), Blue Ghost Pale Ale, Blue Ghost IPA, Blue Ghost Porter, Blue Ghost Grapefruit IPA, and Blue Ghost Mango IPA. There were also special holiday brews.

The Horns' immediate plans are to sell the brewery.

As for the beers, he said they will brew them as long as they are they operate Blue Ghost.

"After that it'll depend on if someone takes it over or not and what they decide to do with our recipes," Zach Horn said.

Until the sale is final, the business will operate as usual, he said. It is open 1-9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 1-7 p.m. Sundays and 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. When the brewery is sold, Zach Horn said the family is planning to take a much-needed, weeklong vacation.

"Our daughter turns 9 next week, and not once in her life have we gotten away for more than a few days in the summer when they are out of school," he said. "It will be nice to take a breather and figure out our next steps."

Both Zach and his wife used to teach high school biology over a decade ago, so going back to a career in education is always an option.

"Our current hope is to spend as much of our summer with our children as possible, then substitute teach at their schools (Rugby Middle School and Glenn Marlow Elementary) next school year while we figure out our future plans," he said.

And according to their Facebook post: "We expect to have a final celebration with (our customers) before we pass the torch."

19 January, 2024