MCEDP

The renovations of the 7,000 square-foot historic former Pinehurst steam plant are underway and taking shape to create the Pinehurst Brewing Company. Retaining as much of the original structure and character of the steam plant as possible, the new brewery is on schedule to open this fall.

“The building renovation turned out so good, so authentic. Our community is rich with history and here was an opportunity to bring back this asset and reintroduce it to the world as a microbrewery. I think when people are there, they will feel a special sense of place,” said Tom Pashley, President of Pinehurst Resort.

The Pinehurst Brewing Company has also hired its brewmaster, Eric Mitchell, formerly the head brewer of Heist in Charlotte NC.  Mitchell, one of the nation’s hottest young brewers of cold beer, has won recognition from the World Beer Cup and others while at Heist. His IPA, called “Citraquench’l”, consistently ranks among the Top 10 IPAs in the U.S. and, last year, his fans braved the winter cold and camped out in line to be among the first to buy a new release of “Cataclysm,” Mitchell’s bourbon barrel-aged stout.

“I was hired to be myself and focus on the beers that I enjoy making. I enjoy nice, crisp hoppy lagers, New England-style IPAs, and stouts,” Mitchell said, anticipating he will commence brewing several weeks prior to the scheduled opening.  “We will let the consumers decide what is going to be the brewery’s core beers.”

“With Eric as head brewer, the quality will be high from the first day we open the door. He has a proven track record in the very competitive Charlotte market, and we are confident that he will thrive here to create the best beers possible,” Pashley said.

Mitchell said he’s looking forward to the opportunity to build a brand from scratch.  “Being attached to such prestigiousness as Pinehurst. This is hallowed ground,” he said.

Mitchell is also a golfer, with a single-digit handicap, and Pashley said that would give him insight into what golfers are looking for on-and-off the course.

“Eric has almost an intangible quality: he is a serious brewer and a knowledgeable golfer,” Pashley said. “To find someone who can combine those two passions is the perfect scenario.”

“The fact that we have this building and restored it in a way that we are proud of, and have an exceptional brewer creating beer for our guests, it is way beyond my expectations. I can’t wait for the community to see it,” he said.  “We hope this next incarnation of the building as the Pinehurst Brewing Company provides a surge of energy for the entire community.”

The brewery is among the most significant of recent additions to Pinehurst Resort, which includes its new short course, The Cradle, and a redesign of Pinehurst No. 4 by noted golf architect Gil Hanse.