From Fallen Forest to Fermentation: Helene Salvaged Oak Barrel Aged Brown Ale in Asheville

A Collaboration Rooted in Resilience

This past weekend, something extraordinary happened at Burial Beer Co.'s South Slope location. We gathered to witness head brewer Tim Gormley craft the first batch of Echoes of the Forest brown ale—a beer that tells the story of Western North Carolina's resilience in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

But this isn't just any craft beer. It's fermenting in six handcrafted white oak barrels made entirely from trees felled by the historic storm that devastated our region in September 2024.

The Story Behind the Barrels

When Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, it damaged approximately 40% of Buncombe County's trees and impacted 821,906 acres of forestland across 39 counties. The destruction was heartbreaking—but it also presented an opportunity to honor these fallen giants in meaningful ways.

Enter our partners at Green River Woods, who salvaged the storm-damaged white oak, and Appalachian Cooperage, whose master craftspeople transformed that timber into six beautiful barrels. Each barrel is a testament to Appalachian craftsmanship and the enduring strength of our community.

Brewing Hope, One Barrel at a Time

Watching Tim Gormley work was like witnessing alchemy. The Echoes of the Forest brown ale recipe he created is now aging in these special barrels at Burial's Forestry Camp, each one carrying the story of the forest that once stood and the community that refused to break. The barrels will continue fermenting until the beer's official debut at Sharpen the Blades on April 18.

More Than Just a Beer

This collaboration represents everything Echoes of the Forest stands for: transforming loss into art, supporting local artisans, and bringing our community together around shared experiences. Every sip supports our mission to honor Hurricane Helene's fallen trees through public art and education.

We're incredibly honored to partner with Burial Beer Co., one of Asheville's most beloved breweries, along with Appalachian Cooperage and Matt Christie of Green River Woods. Together, we're proving that resilience can be crafted, one collaboration at a time.

Sharpen the Blades - Saturday, April 18 at Forestry Camp

It's official — the Echoes of the Forest Oak Aged Brown Ale makes its debut at Burial Beer Co.'s Sharpen the Blades event on Saturday, April 18, from 2–6 PM at Forestry Camp, 10 Shady Oak Dr., Asheville. A 5.7% malt-forward brown ale with oaked essence and a tannin character that lingers like the memory of Helene itself — draft only, and you can only get it here.

Stop by the Echoes of the Forest table to meet our team, see woodworking from our artisan partners, and enter to win a raffle prize of locally crafted woodwork. Free admission — all pours à la carte.

This isn't just a beer. It's resilience in a glass. It's echoes of yesterday, rooted in tomorrow.

A Special Thanks to Our Partners

None of this would have been possible without Appalachian Cooperage, whose master coopers hand-built six stunning white oak barrels from Helene-salvaged timber, and Matt Christie of Green River Woods Fine Furniture, who sourced the white oak from his network of local arborists and sawyers. Matt — one of our own partner woodworkers and an Asheville urban wood salvager since 2008 — found the right trees and got them where they needed to go. From forest floor to barrel stave to brown ale, this is Appalachian collaboration at its finest.

A Thank You to Tim Gormley

Tim — from all of us at Echoes of the Forest, thank you. When you said yes to this collaboration, you gave our mission something we couldn't have built alone: a way for people to taste the story of these trees. Watching you craft the Echoes of the Forest Oak Aged Brown Ale from salvaged white oak barrels has been one of the most meaningful experiences in our journey so far. We're overwhelmed with gratitude for your craft, your generosity, and your belief in what this work means. We can't wait to raise a glass alongside you at Sharpen the Blades. Cheers, Tim. 🍺

— The Echoes of the Forest Team

Stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for updates on the brewing process and release details.

Support our mission at echoesoftheforest.org/donate