In the heart of Appalachia is everyone’s favorite brewery. Big Timber Brewing Company, located in Elkins, West Virginia, started as a dream ––but after seven years of reality, co-founder, Ashley Kwasniewski, is still as giddy as ever.
After high school, Kwasniewski, a recreationist, traveled before eventually settling in Missoula, Montana. Upon her arrival in the Montana mountains, she met her husband and eventual business partner, Matt Kwasniewski. The duo immediately got to work on their vision to operate a successful brewing company.
Following Mr. Kwasniewski’s brewing internship in 2011, the two moved to North Central West Virginia to formally open Big Timber Brewing Company. Founded in 2014, the company has experienced rapid and widespread success. They were winners of the Horizon Award and the 2019 Brilliant Stream award for the Best Brewery in West Virginia.
A few of the community’s favorite selections include the Big Timber Blonde, Double Bit IPA, Frost Notch (seasonal), and Porter.
“We’re still using those tried and true flavors that we started Big Timber with,” commented Kwasniewski. “We want to become a regional brewery and continue to expand our beer profile.”
While many businesses in the state experienced a decline in business, Big Timber Brewing Co. continued to grow. They purchased and renovated a new brewing location and continued progress on an impressive new taproom.
“We also want to become better employers,” said Kwasniewski. “We want to be [a place] where you can support your family.”
They like to say that their name pays homage to the surrounding forests and the industry that built our community. The Kwasniewski’s love beer and the process of making a beer that others love, too. In other words, they want to create “a product that our town and our state can take pride in.”
The Big Timber team promises their unwavering commitment to beer, community, and their dream to build on what has become an already overflowing success.
If you’d like to keep up with Ashley and Big Timber Brewing Company, you can visit www.bigtimberbrewing.com.
PWV QUICK BITS | ASHLEY KWASNIEWSKI
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- PIECE OF ADVICE: “You should do it. Write it down on paper, and then listen to what you want to do,” advised Kwasniewski.