Our Story’s Beginning

While raising a pint in 2018, three guys shared their love of the beverage and the types they liked. One was a craft beer brewmaster, one was a bar maestro, and one had recently bought a former North Carolina Prison. The night’s discussion “of perfect brews and perfect places to enjoy them” ended with a pact to create exactly that.

Original sketch and image of the Iron Key Brewing Company dream.

The old prison, its massive walls and steel doors breached and repurposed, set the theme. With spouses, friends, and foothills support teams to help with the labor, a brewery was born in 2020. It is a place people want to linger over a good pint.

In acknowledgement of its past as a place of incarceration, this brand new brewing company is named Iron Key. Why? The original prison key is still needed to unlock the doors. Come, stay awhile.These days, the doors are wide open. Serving time is fine at Iron Key Brewing Co.