News

Where is county's 13th craft beer pub opening?

Boone-based Appalachian Mountain Brewery is opening a taproom and restaurant at North Mills River Road and N.C. 280.

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 5, 2022

MILLS RIVER — A fourth taproom opening in Mills River would be the 13th craft beer purveyor in Henderson County, which had zero breweries in 2010.
Boone-based Appalachian Mountain Brewery is opening a taproom and restaurant in “a reimagined mechanic shop” on Old Mills River Road at N.C. 280 across from Ingles supermarket, the company said.
The taproom, which will not include a microbrewery, will have 3,000 square feet of indoor space and a 4,000-square-foot outdoor beer garden, offering room for games, activities and event hosting space.

Kelischek and his cousin founded AMB in 2013, making it the first microbrewery in Boone.
“We are beyond excited to open our first taproom outside of Boone,” AMB said in announcing the new venture. “Located in Mills River, at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest and only minutes from Asheville, our new location will allow us to expand our Southern mentality and our award winning liquid across WNC.”
AMB was cofounded by Nathan Kelischek, an Asheville native who recently moved back to his hometown. He did not respond to an email from the Lightning seeking more information on the taproom and restaurant.
Kelischek’s company, MR Management-Asheville LLC, bought the two-thirds-acre property for $900,000 in May of this year, land records show. It’s valued on the tax books at $442,000. Cooper Construction Co. is doing the renovation work, which is valued in a building permit application at $579,000.
“Our Mills River Taproom will feature a 32-beer tap-list that showcases unique small-batch beers, ciders, seltzers and a curated cocktail list,” AMB said. “We’re also excited to offer a unique food menu that will showcase local ingredients and regional tastes, as we put our unique Southern spin on elevated pub foods.”
The brewery’s food truck in Boone features shared plates of hummus, pimento cheese and street corn dip mixed with cilantro, mayo, cayenne, lemon juice, salt and pepper, with tortilla chips, wood-fired garlic cheese bread and three-cheese, margherita, Italian, veggie and buffalo soldier pizzas, plus daily specials including barbecue and soups.
While Asheville’s proliferation of microbreweries began in 1994 when retired engineer Oscar Wong started Highland Brewing Co., Hendersonville’s surge of small breweries did not get under way until Kelly and Andy Cubbin opened Southern Appalachian Brewing Co. in the Historic Seventh Avenue District in 2011. Other breweries in the county are D9, Dry Falls, Guidon and Oklawaha in Hendersonville, Blue Ghost in Fletcher, Mills River, Burning Blush and Sierra Nevada in Mills River and Sideways in Etowah. Blue Ridge Beer Garden is expected to open this month on South Church Street in downtown Hendersonville.