Zillicoah Beer Co. Rises Again: Reopened & Revived After Hurricane Helene 🏞️🍻
It’s official: Zillicoah Beer Company is open again.
After nearly a year of flood damage from Hurricane Helene, this beloved Woodfin brewery along Riverside Drive has reopened its doors — bringing back craft beer, good vibes, and that riverside charm we missed.
In September 2024, Helene’s floodwaters from the French Broad River damaged Zillicoah heavily. The brewery shut down operations and faced major recovery and rebuilding.
For about 11 months, they worked to rebuild both the structure and spirit — restarting brewing with collaborations, repairing facilities, and restoring the taproom.
Zillicoah officially reopened its taproom on August 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
Business hours returned to what they were pre-storm soon after reopening.
The atmosphere is familiar yet refreshed — open-fermented farmhouse ales, lagers, and other beer styles continue to be central.
They welcome dogs (leashed) outdoors, fire pit & picnic table spaces, covered patios, and a food truck on site — one of the food trucks there is Little Oven Pizzeria as you can see in the photos.
Indoor and outdoor seating, river views, relaxed vibes. Free parking.
Here are some impressions from people who’ve been back since reopening or visited before the storm:
“Great atmosphere. Tons of seating inside and outside. French Broad runs right by facility … Dog friendly. Great beers. Had a farmhouse ale that was delicious and the husband had a barley wine that was great.”
“Such a great, wide open, chill brewery. The outdoor area is HUGE. Would be a great spot to meet a group. Great spot to chill right on the river. The beer is excellent. There is also a food truck on site … Will definitely be back.”
“My favorite brewery in North Carolina and beyond. Without a doubt, some of the best beer you’ll find anywhere. So glad they’re back at it again!”
If you love riverside views, craft beers with character, and locations that tell stories, Zillicoah is more than just a brewery — it’s a symbol of resilience. The mix of indoor/outdoor, dog-friendly setup, and food trucks makes it ideal for afternoons with friends or casual weekend exploration.
We’re almost a year past Helene, and seeing Zillicoah back up and running feels like a win for Asheville’s beer community. If you haven’t yet, go check it out. Drink a beer, soak in the river view, support a local business that weathered the storm and came out stronger.
See more photos on the Asheville Beer Community Facebook Page!
Great breweries must prove it: exceptional places demand exceptional media.
If all you’re doing is “posting,” you’re losing interest — and leaving real business on the table. Storytelling and meaningful media build relationships, and relationships build growth.
At To Asheville & Beyond, we don’t stage photos or create fake scenes. We capture the real deal — authentic, compelling content that shows your place as it truly is.
So the choice is simple:
Get with it, or get left behind.