USA, NC: Guidon Brewing Company coming to Hendersonville later this year

The Seventh Avenue district has become a rallying point for craft beer in Hendersonville, with a third brewery on the way, the BlueRidgeNow.com reported on March 17.

Guidon Brewing Company is set to open at 415 Eighth Ave. next to Southern Appalachian Brewery later this year. Hendersonville couple Mike and Connie Baer are creating a veteran, American, German and family owned brewery dedicated to the art of brewing high-quality, carefully crafted beer.

Mike Baer, a U.S. Army veteran, was stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga. when he began preparing for the private sector. A homebrewer since 2003, Baer’s friend put a bug in his ear that he should open his own brewery.

After leaving the Army, Baer starting looking into professional brewing schools to get some credentials. He saw the Asheville region has several and the couple liked the area, so they decided to move. Mike attended the professional brewing science program at South College Asheville.

The Baers wanted to be a part of the town they live in, so they decided to open a brewery in Hendersonville. It took a while to find a spot, Baer said, but they eventually found the location on Eighth Avenue.

A guidon (pronounced gi-don) is a flag used by all branches of the U.S. military, but primarily used today by the Army. Each branch of the Army has a distinct flag, Baer explained, and then the units within those branches are even more distinct.

The guidon goes where the commander goes. The flags served as an identifier and rallying point in earlier wars for troops on the battlefield.

Baer designed is own guidon as the brewery’s logo. The gold on black represents Baer’s service in the army. The “B” represents the family name The “4” signifies the Baers and their two children. The “2” pays homage to Mike and Connie’s respective countries of origin: the U.S. and Germany.

The brewery is located next door to Southern Appalachian Brewery and down the street from Triskelion Brewing Company on Seventh Avenue. The location choice wasn’t on purpose, but rather one of the few places in town that could support a brewery, Baer said.

“It’s the rallying point for craft beer. It’s a good place to hang out,” Baer said.

“I’m a firm believer in when it comes to breweries the more the merrier,” he added. “It’s one of those few business where being in proximity to other breweries is a good thing.”

The main building will house the taproom with a loft area inside and an outdoor deck. The brewing equipment will be separate from the taproom, a three-barrel system, seven-barrel fermenter, similar in size to Triskelion.

Baer plans to start simple and small with a traditional lineup of beers: an IPA, porter, stout and maybe blond ale to start.

“Once those are set into motion and on tap, then we’ll start branching out and thinking outside the box, doing some one-offs, experimentals and seasonals,” he said.

Baer is also looking into environmentally friendly brewing practices and recycling promotion, and green spaces throughout the brewery. As they progress, Baer hopes to add features such as solar panels and a water reclamation system to minimize wastewater.

Baer is hoping to open this summer.

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