Pisgah Brewing Company is located in Black Mountain, NC about 10 miles east of Asheville, specializing in brewing hand-crafted, certified organic beer. The Brewery also features a tasting room and live music venue.
By: Wind Fox
Nestled in a small pocket in the mountains, Pisgah Brewery looks very unassuming from the road – as if an industrial revolution-era factory were built in the 1990’s. In fact the only indicator it is even in the building is a small metal sign by the road, but as you drive up the front is awash in Pisgah Brewing markings. Opening the door and clanking down the metal stairs, you are funneled into the tasting room on your left. In there, taps along the wall hold the promise of deliciousness in the form of many craft brews, locally made kombucha, and usually root beer or another non-spirited drink. Opposite the bar, a waist-high stage sits ready for whichever act might be there to quench our musical taste-buds. As we walk past the bar, the path outside leads around the building, through a gate, across a bridge, and into a field with a much larger stage, a natural timber-constructed behemoth with entire trees acting as the supports on both sides. It is this venue that has been responsible for bringing much more musical diversity and talent into the small, friendly, artistic community of Black Mountain.
Drawing people from Asheville and far beyond, outdoor shows have included musical acts as Keller and the Keels, Leftover Salmon, Bruce Hornsby, Old Crow Medicine Show, the Pimps of Joytime, and Trampled by Turtles – all of which helped turn that field stage into quite the outdoor party. What once appeared as an empty field suddenly is full with an assortment of local food trucks, beer tents, merchandise tents, smart containers for keeping cup waste contained, and people dancing and hula-hooping. Sounds resonate from the stage, which easily has the power to send notes of music to every corner of the field. The resident sound-man George does a great job as always, knowing how to play to the size of a room and the style of a band, making the music “be there” but not overpowering the senses. On a given night, it could almost any genre of music, even music that defies inclusion into one specific “category”. One thing is certain, no matter the style of music, a good time will be had by all.
Upcoming events for the outdoor stage include gritty southern rock and soul by J.J. Grey and Mofro on July 10th, some legendary Americana with elements of Texas blues and bluegrass in the form of Robert Earl Keen coming July 16th, and you can relive past memories of Grateful Dead shows or experience it for the first time when Dark Star Orchestra performs for two nights August 7th and 8th. Along that theme, Phuncle Sam, a fantastic local Grateful Dead cover band, will be playing the indoor stage on July 25th. That same taproom stage has hosted such talent as the Duhks, the Screaming J’s, Sol Driven Train, Empire Strikes Brass, Rumpke Mountain Boys, Secret B-sides, Orgone, and Toubab Krewe.
Last but certainly not least, Perpetual Groove – fresh off of a two-year hiatus – sees the return of guitarist Brock Butler, bass player Adam Perry, Matthew McDonald on keys, and drummer Albert Suttle – with Brock, Adam, and Matthew sharing vocals. From Athens, GA, their music could be described as having elements of trance, electronic, jazz, and rock infused with some funky, soulful beats. They will be performing at Pisgah Brewing on August 29th, with opening act the Mantras, a funk-driven, Middle Eastern flavored, electronic band with a somewhat metal edge out of Greensboro, NC.
Future plans for the venue include expansion of the outdoor stage, in the hopes of making it more convenient for larger acts to perform. The newly purchased Appalachian Performance Motors building, next to the field parking area, has plans to be converted into a new production space for the brewery. Come out and watch this brewery and phenomenal music scene develop and expand right before your eyes – having already seen the continual progression, I can only imagine what else the future may have in store. The one thing you can truly count on is that Pisgah Brewery will always put quality first – whether it be music or beer, speaking of which my personal favorite is the Pisgah Pale Ale.
So whether your preference is grooving to Reggae, dancing your booty to some Funk, enjoying high-energy Bluegrass, Jazz, Blues, or whatever music moves you – you will likely find it at Pisgah Brewing. I should note that there is a tap for water easily accessible on the wall in the tasting room, if you happen to partake too much or just want hydration. Remember to bring cash, though there is an ATM on site, as that is all the bar accepts.
For more information, visit pisgahbrewing.com or call (828) 669-0190.
moe. at Pisgah Brewing in 2014
