USA, NC: Hi-Wire gets a new brew house in Asheville to increase production

A 30-barrel European brewing system has arrived at the new Hi-Wire production brewery near Biltmore Village and the equipment should be operational this summer, Asheville Citizen-Times reported on May 12.

“Once the fermenters and bright tanks arrive and are online, Hi-Wire will shift production of its core beer brands from its Hilliard Avenue brewery to the new spot at 2 Huntsman Place, Asheville,” brewery co-owner Adam Charnack said.

With the new system, Hi-Wire will add up to 25 new employees, Charnack said.

Hi-Wire is still renovating the new building, which has been dubbed “The Big Top,” keeping with the brewery’s circus theme. “I wish it was just as simple as plugging things in,” Charnack said. “The brew house manufacturer will be here to help us set it up.”

The new system will let Hi-Wire brew up to 50,000 barrels, making it one of Asheville’s leading production breweries. Hi-Wire currently sells its bottled and draft beers from Raleigh to the western end of the state. “We will be expanding (distribution) into more of North Carolina,” Charnack said. Further distribution is being considered, he said.

Hi-Wire is one of several brewery projects happening around Asheville, with New Belgium building on the French Broad River in West Asheville and Wicked Weed adding a new production site in Enka.

13 May, 2015