Oklawaha Brewing: A Gem in the Heart of Hendersonville

When Joe Dinan took over Oklawaha Brewing in 2020, it was a time of uncertainty. “I took over running Oklawaha independently in 2020. It was a wild time—we were coming out of COVID, and everything felt uncertain. Thankfully, I had an incredible support system around me, which gave me the confidence to take on such a big challenge,” Joe shares.

The decision to open a brewery was deeply rooted in Joe’s dual passions for hospitality and craft beer. “In my late 20s, I was working at a chain restaurant and a bank when I started homebrewing and devouring every book I could find on beer. That curiosity eventually led me to bartend and intern at Goose Island Brewing in Chicago. A year later, in 2010, I moved to Asheville and dove into the Western Carolina beer scene, starting at the Thirsty Monk Pub.”

Joe’s journey included roles at Wicked Weed Brewing and earning a certificate from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. He eventually realized that downtown Hendersonville was ready for a brewery of its own. “For years, I wondered when someone would open a brewery in downtown Hendersonville. After gaining experience and skills at Wicked Weed, I realized it was time for that ‘someone’ to be me,” Joe reflects.

Today, Oklawaha Brewing stands as a cornerstone of Hendersonville’s vibrant downtown, offering a taste of the town’s craft beer excellence. The name “Oklawaha” itself is an ode to the local creek.

Oklawaha Brewing is a cornerstone of Hendersonville’s vibrant downtown, offering a taste of the town’s craft beer excellence. Owner Joe Dinan shares the story behind the brewery’s name: “Oklawaha comes from the creek that runs through right downtown here in a greenway that runs parallel to it. It’s a little tiny creek that you can step over most days until we get a bit of rain… So, it is very tiny but mighty.”

The brewery has gained recognition for its diverse selection of craft beers. “Oklawaha features classic German-style lagers, hop-forward IPAs, and locally fruited sours,” Joe states. ““Here at Oklawaha, we definitely brew more lagers and hop-forward IPAs—those are our two sweet spots. Although we do have an amazing coffee stout, lagers and IPAs are the most popular. We also do our best to support local ingredients, buying at least 50% of our barley from River Bend Malthouse here in Western North Carolina. They use malt sourced within 500 miles, so it’s all southeastern malt.”

Oklawaha Brewing isn’t just a brewery—it’s a gathering place for Hendersonville residents of all ages. “Oklawaha Brewing is a community focused, community first brewery… giving people of Hendersonville a fun place to go and a great spot to meet up,” Joe says.

From trivia nights and bluegrass evenings to singer-songwriter sessions and full weekend bands, Oklawaha’s calendar is packed with ways to connect. “It’s very laid back… there’s a lot of families, multi-generational. And we’ve got a lot of repeat folks that come in for that and we absolutely love it,” Joe adds.

Hendersonville offers an unmatched blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and tight-knit community. From its award-winning breweries to its vibrant downtown and stunning outdoor recreation, there’s something here for everyone. “Hendersonville is an incredible destination. It’s not just the mountains and outdoor recreation, but also the culture, history, music, food, and everything in between,” Joe says.

Oklawaha Brewing thrives at the heart of this community. “What I love most is how kind, supportive, and tight-knit the community is. If it weren’t for this incredible town, we wouldn’t have just celebrated our 10th anniversary,” Joe reflects. The brewery also partners closely with local businesses and nonprofits, helping strengthen the connections that make Hendersonville so special.

Plan your visit today and let Oklawaha Brewing be your gateway to experiencing the very best of Hendersonville.