ELKINS, W.Va. — A decade ago, West Virginia’s craft beer scene was still in its infancy. With just a few brewers experimenting on small scales, the industry was more of a passion project than an economic force. Today, it’s a different story.
According to the National Brewers Association, craft beer sales declined by 4 percent in 2024. For the first time since the early 2000s, there are more breweries closing annually than opening. The trend, however, isn’t extending into West Virginia.
Big Timber Brewing Company in Elkins is representative of the continued growth of the industry in the state. When owner Matt Kwasniewski sold his first keg of beer on May 4, 2014, he could not have imagined how much both his business and the state’s craft beer landscape would grow.
“Originally, I did all the production and a lot of the bookkeeping,” Kwasniewski said. “My wife was our only bartender, and then we had someone helping us with outside sales. That was basically it.”
From those modest beginnings, Big Timber has become the largest craft beer distributor in West Virginia. All 20 of the drinks on tap in the brewery’s Elkins resturant are made on site, featuring 17 beers alongside a nonalcoholic root beer, a seltzer and an alcoholic seltzer. Their canned selections are now available in grocery stores across the state, including an officially licensed collaboration with West Virginia University.
The brewery’s rise reflects the broader growth of the state’s craft beer industry. In 2011, West Virginia was home to only five craft breweries. By 2024, that number had grown to 36, with the industry contributing an estimated $264 million to the state’s economy and producing more than 21,000 barrels of beer annually.
“In so many of West Virginia’s tourism destinations, it’s become common for visitors to expect a good craft brewer who can provide a unique experience,” Richie Heath, executive director of the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association, said. “I think you’ll continue to see growth on this front.”
That connection between craft beer and community is a hallmark of the movement. Breweries across the state emphasize local sourcing and local hiring, ensuring that growth benefits the people who live and work nearby.
“For our merchandise, we try to use local,” Kwasniewski said. “A buddy of mine makes all our tap handles. We buy some local hops for our fresh hop beer every year.”
Craft beer is now the second-fastest growing manufacturing sector in West Virginia — and breweries like Big Timber are helping define what sustainable, community-based growth can look like.
Kwasniewski remains optimistic about the future.
“We’ve grown a lot, but there’s always room to do more,” he said.
This article was adapted from a television news story using AI. All reporting, facts and quotes from sources are original. AI was only used to assist with formatting and style for a digital platform.