Burial Beer Company - Vacations in a Glass

Burial Beer Company

Founded in June 2013, Burial Beer Company crafts Belgian-inspired ales and bold American styles. The brewery focuses on creativity, tradition, modernization, and preservation. The original brewery resides in the South Slope District of Asheville, NC. And the brewery began its life as a one-barrel system that grew to a ten-barrel system in just over a year.

Co-Founders Jessica and Doug Reiser and Co-Founder/Head Brewer Tim Gormley chose the brewery’s name in recognition of the New Orleans community’s Jazz Funerals which Jessica and Doug had witnessed while living in Louisiana. Specifically, the name celebrates the cycle of life through beer created from the harvest cycle of grains and hops.

Burial Beer Company Co-Founders – Jessica Reiser, Doug Reiser and Tim Gormley

I visited the Asheville South Slope District location in 2015. The taproom/brewery provides an intimate vibe that encourages lounging and relaxing while drinking some excellent brews. In addition, the site celebrates eclectic art and music. For example, a jazz brunch held on Sundays hearkens back to the New Orleans inspiration for the brewery name.

Visiting Asheville South Slope District location in 2015.

In the fall of 2016, Burial Beer expanded to a second location, the “Forestry Camp.” Built in the early 1900’s by the US Government as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps program, the two-story location now houses a twenty-barrel production brewery and locally-sourced restaurant. Further, Forestry Camp Bar and Restaurant sources local farmers and honors the ingredients to the farmers by telling their story.

By 2017, Burial had earned the award for “America’s Best IPA” from Draft Magazine and “#1 Saison” from Paste Magazine.

In 2019, Burial Beer opened a taproom in Raleigh, NC. The Burial team drew inspiration from chefs who have their large restaurants and their “to go” cafes, offering a different take on the customer experience. As a result, the Raleigh space, labeled “The Exhibit”, provides a boutique gallery to feature Burial’s beer and art. And the Raleigh location allows visitors to sample Burial’s wares and take their favorites to go.

Most importantly, today (19 June 2020) marks the 7th Anniversary of Burial Beer Company. Congratulations to the Burial team! Certainly, if you are in their area you should join their anniversary celebration today.