A husband and wife in Chapel Hill are tapping into the craft beer industry with their recent purchase of French Broad Brewery in Asheville, North Carolina.
Paul Casey spent over 20 years with QuintilesIMS before retiring as a vice president, but his entrepreneurial inclinations put him back to work shortly thereafter.
“I wanted to go out and pursue my own opportunities, and so, through the course of 2016, started looking at different businesses to buy into, and looked at a couple of different industries, and ended up on the craft brewery industry in late 2016,” he relayed.
After exploring the market for local businesses being sold, Paul and his spouse, Sarah, bought a rustic taproom situated over 200 miles west of Chapel Hill.
“With French Broad, my excitement, or our excitement, was around its history in the craft brew industry in Asheville — they are the third-oldest brewery [in town] — the connection to the French Broad River, which runs through the heart of Asheville; the fact that French Broad Brewery was, at one time, a first mover and pioneer,” he listed.
French Board Brewery has operated in Asheville since 2001 and offers six signature beers that are influenced by continental European production methods.
According to Paul, the quality of those beers is high enough to warrant the expansion of the brand, which currently faces stiff competition in Asheville.
“There are some fantastic breweries up there; there are some fantastic beers up there; there’s a lot of great talent up there,” he offered. “I think the French Broad brand, though, has something unique to offer with its history, and I feel like there is the opportunity to grow that brand stronger, locally in the market, but also downstate.”
The Caseys intend to develop the brewery without relocating to Asheville, but Paul explained that they are up to the challenge of managing a business remotely.
“We do plan on spending a fair amount of time up there, particularly in the first six to eight months, to make sure the business is going in the right direction, or the direction that we want it to go in,” he speculated. “So, that’ll be a number of road trips up [I-40], but certainly something that we’re excited about and certainly worth the sacrifice of not spending time in the Triangle and not spending time down at the coast.”
Distribution deals and taproom touch-ups are now being planned by Paul, whose connections in Chapel Hill may lead to a broadening of their customer base.
“I know a number of people in the Chapel Hill area that are in the restaurant and bar business, so I’m going to be knocking on their doors as soon as I am able […] to deliver product down here,” he predicted. “I would love to see people going into their favorite local establishment and being able to get a pint of Gateway Koelsch or the Wee Heavy-er Scottish Ale on tap.”
Other businesses owned by the Caseys include Purple Puddle, a specialty floral shop, and T1 Solutions, an information technology consulting outfit.
Photo by Brandon Wurtz/Brews Travelers 365
Related Stories
‹
![]()
He's Not Here to Reopen as a Bottle Shop With Outdoor SeatingAccording to their social media, He’s Not Here plans to reopen to the public today as the “Home of the Blue Cup and Bottle Shop.” The self-described “collegial haunt,” located on Franklin Street, will now be serving a selection of beer and cider 6-packs to-go. After being closed for months since Governor Cooper’s initial executive order […]

Now Beer This: Asheville Brews CruiseA long-time friend — and I mean a long time friend, we’re talking since 2nd grade — wanted to celebrate his 40-something-ieth birthday in Asheville. Of course, I was interested. But what to do? There are SO many cool breweries and beer-related experiences, if you’ve got 1 day, what do you do? My buddy chose […]
![]()
Parking, Water, Beer, Business, And Education!A new parking lot downtown, a new manufacturer in Mebane, and new honors for UNC and CHCCS. And more.
![]()
TerraVITA: A Chapel Hill Sustainable Food EventSigh. I know what’s bringing you down. Forget the clingy heat, forget the fact the worst of the summer sun is still to come and that is making this Monday drag on just a little longer than you like. You’re bummed that you didn’t score tickets to Farm to Fork this coming weekend. That sad […]

Siena Hotel Leadership Recaps Busy Week Hosting Mexico Men's National TeamWhile they were in Chapel Hill, the Mexico men's soccer national team stayed at the Siena Hotel – catching the attention of El Tri fans.
![]()
The 5:00 News - High School Graduation, Principal Controversy, Karen StegmanThe Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news, area high school seniors have graduation this weekend. We hear more details about the ongoing controversy at Carrboro High School around Principal Helena Thomas. We hear from Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson on the legacy of Karen Stegman as she is set to leave the town council early ahead of her move to Carrboro. A large economic development announcement comes to Greensboro. In sports, the Sienna Hotel responds to the throng of fans who wanted a glimpse of team Mexico, we hear from a Tar Heel football player on spring practice, and more.
![]()
Chapel Hill: Budget Vote, International Soccer, Karen StegmanChapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, June 12, discussing town news and events. She discussed her experience at the Mexico vs. Turkiye soccer friendly at Kenan Stadium on Tuesday; she outlined the town council's meeting from earlier in the week, including a preview vote on the budget; she discussed Karen Stegman's legacy on the Town Council as she is set to depart later this month. She also previewed upcoming community events and more.

Chapel Hill Discusses LUMO Rewrite Delay, Debates the Level of Public FeedbackThe Chapel Hill Town Council recently heard an update on its Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) rewrite, which is now behind schedule.

Parking, Parties and Team History: What to Know Ahead of Mexico vs. Türkiye Soccer in Chapel HillThe men's national soccer teams of Mexico and Türkiye will meet in Chapel Hill Tuesday for a friendly. Here's what to know before you go.
![]()
The 5:00 News - Local Government Budgets, Diamond Heels Season Ends, Inter-Local AgreementThe Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news, we hear the local government meeting schedule as they work toward passing their annual budgets. We hear from Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee on the town's budget, which was the first to pass locally. We learn more details on an inter-local agreement between the Town of Pittsboro and Chatham County to consolidate control of several downtown parcels. In sports, UNC Baseball's season came to what felt like an early end in losing to Arizona two games to one in the super-regionals, and more.
›
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines