ASHEVILLE – An award-winning Mid-Atlantic brewpub is coming to Western North Carolina, further elevating Asheville’s “Beer City USA” moniker.
Voodoo Brewing Co. is projected to open in mid- to late-October at 3578 Sweeten Creek Road in Arden.
Bill Osborne, franchise owner and local resident, strategically selected the city and the South Asheville neighborhood for the new venture.
“There’s enough beer in Asheville, but what areas could use a little bit more beer without having to travel as much?” Osborne said.
Osbourne said he desired to break away from a 26-year career in the electrical manufacturing industry, and beer was the way to go. Voodoo Brewing’s product quality is to complement Asheville’s established beer industry. And the brewpub model that incorporates an in-house restaurant was another draw.
In 2005, Voodoo Brewing Co. was founded in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Nearly 15 years later, the craft beer brewery began to expand and now has more than a dozen corporate-owned and franchised locations across Pennsylvania, Colorado, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee.
In August, a brewpub debuted in Cincinnati.
The Arden location will be the first in North Carolina.
Voodoo Brewing renovations
The nearly 3,500 square feet commercial building offered an existing kitchen-taproom layout, as it’s the former home of 12 Bones Smokehouse.
Renovations are to revitalize the building and customize the space to fit Voodoo Brewing’s “quirky and eclectic” vibe, Osborne said.
A wall was knocked out to construct a new 30-foot concrete-top bar that goes the length of the back of the building. The kitchen was opened to increase space and improve flow.
The pet-friendly back patio and smaller front patio will be set up with picnic tables for plenty of outdoor seating and activities, like cornhole.
The brewpub has a parking lot, too.
Details for the grand opening and ribbon-cutting events will be announced.
Pub grub
Voodoo Brewing locations have similar dining menus but with a local flair, tweaks and ingredients, Osborne said.
Voodoo Brewing’s hours are not set but will include lunch and dinner service, daily.
The menu will feature items such as 12-inch pizzas, nachos, pretzels, sandwiches, mussels and burgers with a vegetarian mushroom patty substitution option.
Kids menu will be available, too, as the brewpub is open to all ages.
What’s on tap
Voodoo’s flagship beers include Good Vibes West Coast IPA, Where Our Secrets Go Imperial Stout and Oh Mama ― a traditional golden American lager that was brewed in collaboration with the rock band, Styx.
Once the Arden Voodoo Brewing opens, the beer will be available for retail sale in area stores and in the taproom.
In addition to Voodoo Brewing’s flagship and seasonal craft beers, the bar will stock wine and nonalcoholic beverages.
Voodoo will make hard seltzer cocktails, though the brewpub will not have a full bar with spirits.
Job openings
Voodoo Brewing is hiring for positions including head bartender and line cook. The staff will total 15-20 employees, Osbourne said.
Open positions are posted on major job boards, including Indeed, listed under the company name GoMo LLC.
Brew news you may have missed:
Voodoo Brewing Co.
Where: 3578 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden.
Opening: Tentatively mid- to late-October 2023.
Info: For more, visit voodoobrewery.com and facebook.com/voodooasheville and follow on Instagram at @voodooasheville.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with asubscription to the Citizen Times.
