Shutdown prompts breweries and tap rooms to find creative solutions

To-go options become popular with Swannanoa Valley craft beverage scene

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo

Tonya Engelbrecht, a bartender at Lookout Brewing Co., welcomes walk-up customers on March 19. The brewery was one of several businesses in the Swannanoa Valley to begin offering to-go options as bars and tap rooms across the country have been shut down to combat the spread of COVID-19. Fred McCormick

On a normal Thursday afternoon, the staff at Lookout Brewing Co. would be welcoming new and familiar faces to its Black Mountain tasting room, but two days after an order from the governor to shut down all dine-in service for bars, restaurants and breweries, it was far from business as usual. 

However, on March 19, as businesses continued adapting to the rapid changes brought about by the COVID-19 emergency, employees at the brewery were tucked behind a plastic curtain separating them from walk-up customers as they filled to-go orders. 

“This was a way I can help my staff,” said Lookout owner John Garcia. “With the closings of restaurants and breweries around the state, we’ve been communicating through a group text. I asked my employees what they thought about us offering delivery, and they came up with this idea instead.”

Lookout will begin opening Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 2 - 6 p.m., offering carry-out service for patrons with no close contact. Customers walk up, place an order, swipe their debit or credit cards on a reader placed on a table just outside of the brewery, and an employee reaches through the plastic curtain to place the product nearby. 

“We’re able to avoid direct contact, allow for social distance and continue serving our customers,” Garcia said. “This crew of mine is really the best, and this can definitely help them with some much needed emotional, social and monetary support through this difficult time.”

Lookout was one of several breweries, cideries and tap rooms in the Swannanoa Valley offering to-go service. Black Mountain Brewing, Black Mountain Cider & Mead, Pisgah Brewing Co., BAD Craft and the Merry Wine Market were among the local establishments to offer some form of carry-out service. Oak & Grist Distilling Co. was also offering curbside pick-up for its whiskey and gin. These businesses, and others, are posting regular updates regarding their hours and operations on their respective social media pages. 

“We’re partnering with Foothills and Four Sisters Bakery to offer curbside and delivery services,” said Randy Giles, owner of BAD Craft, which sells local craft beer, art and desserts. “Everyone is trying to help out where they can.”

Randy Giles, owner of BAD Craft on Cherry Street, is offering carry-out and delivery service to local customers. The store is also partnering with Foothills Local Meats and Four Sisters Bakery to provide delivery throughout the town. Fred McCormick

BAD Craft will deliver any of their products, within Black Mountain, during normal business hours. Customers can call the Cherry Street store and place their orders. The business will also deliver orders for Foothills and Four Sisters. 

“We’re all trying to find ways to work together, and we felt like this would be a creative way to do that,” Giles said. “Those are obviously two great local businesses, so we’re happy to support what they’re doing.”

In addition to a walk-up carry-out window, Foothills Butcher Bar is offering heat and eat meals, deli meats and a limited supply of grocery items. Four Sisters has pre-cooked pizzas and bread subscriptions.

Black Mountain Brewing will sell to-go crowlers between 4 - 7 p.m. and The Merry Wine Market will provide curbside service. 

Pisgah Brewing Co., in addition to live streaming musical performances, is holding its BrewThru with adjusted business hours. Neighboring Black Mountain Cider & Mead has to-go growlers available of their offerings, as well. 

“Just last week, none of us knew we’d be shutting our doors for an indefinite amount of time,” Garcia said. “Now the whole community is trying to figure out how to keep moving forward while doing what we can to prevent the spread of this virus.”