USA, NC: Triskelion Brewing Company to close its doors for good

Triskelion Brewing Company in Hendersonville will close its door for good later this month, BlueRidgeNow.com reported on June 2.

The owners shared their reasoning for the closure in a vulnerable social media post on May 31. Owner Jonathan Ayers opened up about his struggle with alcoholism, and the new journey for he and his wife, Triskelion co-owner Becky Ayers.

The Ayers first opened Triskelion Brewing Company in December 2017 and have become a staple in Hendersonville’s Seventh Avenue District. The brewery will be the center of a farewell bash starting at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18, the last day for the business. The event is being hosted by The Lunch Bus.

The Ayers’ post on their Facebook page was greeted with over 150 supportive comments, and hundreds of interactions.

Jonathan Ayers shared the following message about what has led to this moment:

“We would love to lie and say it was with a heavy heart… but the truth is… our hearts are not heavy with this decision, because our lives are not the same as they once were.”

“See, when you own and run a business… you need to love it.

“You need to feel the love, passion and excitement about what you do. You are the one in charge, and you create the expectations that the customer and employees take their cue from. Five years ago, when we opened our doors, we did have that fire and love for (beer), and the brewing industry. We poured everything into creating this experience… but then August 26, 2020 happened.

“It was the middle of COVID in that awkward place where bars and restaurants could open up, but so much of the world was still shut down. This is when my life and the life of my wife were forever altered.

“For the first time my wife finally held me responsible for my alcoholism, and together we both began our journey on the road of recovery for our hurts and addictions. As an alcoholic it was easy for me to pour everything into my addiction. As a codependent, it was just as easy for her to pour everything into her addiction of controlling me.

“But that fateful day changed everything, because it was the day God stepped into our lives and our marriage.

“I spent the next nine weeks in Black Mountain at different rehabilitation centers, facing my addiction, learning the reasons I was hiding, and developing the tools that keep me sober. She spent the time trying to find help for (herself) and she discovered her own issues in the process and began to learn and deal with codependency.

“After those first nine weeks were up, we were succeeding (in making) our marriage work with (healthy and new) tools, new knowledge and with hope. Slowly over the next several months we began to take back lost ground in our marriage and home, facing our fears and emotions. But we did it together this time with God in the center of our lives. We found a new spiritual home and a forever family through Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered 12-step program that helps people walk through any hurt, habit, hang-up or addiction. We found a church that accepts you where you are in life, and will love you and give you hope and grace. Together in this new environment we dealt with pain and trauma from our individual pasts, the hurt we had done to each other, and accepted the mercy and love of God as we forgave ourselves and then each other.

“Since that time, we stepped into leadership roles, teaching the same lessons taught to us, and giving hope. Trust me when I say once you get set free from the darkness of despair and bondage of addiction, you want to help and give hope to everyone still where you were. When the lights come on and the chains fall free… you will NEVER be the same again.

“And that is where our fire, passion and love in life moved to. We LOVE to be honest about our faults, vulnerable with our feelings and to share the love and hope of God who saved our lives and souls. Of a God who loves and gives freely with mercy to all. Of a God who on my very worst day, in all my shame and guilt… loved me completely and still called me his beloved son. It is his powerful love and grace that has kept me sober for the last 21 months. But neither of us have had a passion for the business since we started our recovery journey.

“The brewing industry was beginning a fundamental change back in 2018-2019. Then came COVID and it has radically changed this industry from the inside out. Honestly, we don’t have the desire or drive to try and figure out or navigate this new shift. So, in late September, we decided to wrap things up and either sell the property or the business.

“We privately reached out and spoke to a bunch of people about it. Some local, others in Asheville and even breweries in the central part of the state who were looking to open up a satellite in Hendersonville, but nothing solid stuck.

“So, a few weeks ago, we decided to get our proverbial ‘ducks in a row’ and schedule a closing of the taproom while we get the property ready to be listed. And that brings us to today, the day we announce that we will close down on Saturday June 18.

“Between now and then, we wanted to drop the price on all the beer we have left. We need to make all the inventory go away or we will be dumping it, so I sure hope you are ready to drink this place dry.

“But more than that, we wanted some time to be able to love on all our friends and customers we have come to know in the last five years. Since we had this paradigm shift in our lives, we have really developed some deep and meaningful friendships, and we wanted an opportunity to show our appreciation back. We love you all, and while we are a little sad to go… we are truly happy and looking forward to whatever the path and opportunity God has in store for us.

Ayers ended the post with a summation of Isiah 58:11, “Where God guides, he provides."

Triskelion Brewing Company is located at 340 7th Ave. E. in Hendersonville. The hours are 4:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday.

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