When Hurricane Helene brought devastating floods to Asheville’s River Arts District, it forced businesses like Hi-Wire Brewing to rethink everything. Co-founder Adam Charnack shares the emotional journey of losing nearly everything—equipment, artwork, office space—but gaining a new mission in the process.
The brewery’s distribution center and facilities were submerged under more than 7 feet of water. Despite losing over 1.4 million empty cans and hundreds of thousands of filled products, the team persevered. By collaborating with other brewers and repurposing their space, Hi-Wire is turning tragedy into transformation. They’re now planning to make their River Arts location a year-round community destination, complete with pickleball courts, golf simulators, and an e-bike tour company.
This is a powerful story of resilience, identity, and rebuilding—not just for Hi-Wire Brewing, but for the entire River Arts District.
