High Ground Brewing opens at Terra Alta

In October 2017, Dallas “DJ” Wolfe bought a basic, well-worn 2,400 sq. ft. warehouse building on a large lot in tiny Terra Alta, West Virginia. With this step he began a two-and a half year quest to open a small craft beer production facility and taproom there. This March, his High Ground Brewing became the state’s 26th active brewery to begin selling beer.

The business development process, while not necessarily so unusual for a small WV brewery, is nonetheless admirable in the sense that Dallas and his family took on most of the work themselves. Starting in July 2017, with the closing of his small business loan through Huntington Bank, the hard work began. Every facet of improving the old structure and property, installing the brewing equipment, and developing a final brewery operations plan, they pretty much handled in-house.

Dallas, his family and friends not only totally refurbished the building, they also made major improvements to the grounds, which had become overgrown through the years. “It was an eyesore back here,” said Dallas. They cleared and graded the property, graveled the large flat areas for use as a parking lot and beer garden. They tore down an old dilapidated structure and reused much of the salvaged wood in building out the new taproom.

On December 27, 2018, High Ground Brewing took delivery of its shiny new 10-barrel brewing system and tanks. The package system was designed and built by Alpha Brewing Operations out of Lincoln, Nebraska.

His decision to go with the Alpha Brewing Operations system was cemented after visiting with the Short Story Brewing folks in Rivesville. Short Story loved their Alpha system and had a good experience working with the company. Now Dallas, feels the same way. “I’ve developed a good relationship with them,” he said.

It took them two months to install the equipment and get everything hooked up and ready to go. They received their state brewery license at the end of January and held their first official brew day on February 27. A few weeks later, High Ground beer was being distributed to retail accounts in north central WV.

Good planning overcomes challenges

While a few unforeseen challenges appeared along the way, the overall project development went pretty smoothly. “Everything kind of fell into place,” Dallas said. “Our planning was good. When you have a good plan, all you have to do is execute it.” He credits his military background for giving him some solid planning skills. (He is an Army veteran and currently works with the WV Army National Guard.) “They say a good plan never survives the first contact with the enemy. Your ability to adapt and overcome challenges — that’s where you make your money.”

Dallas says their 10-barrel brewhouse is perfect size for a small distribution brewery. It allows him enough capacity to supply his taproom plus the regional market. He purposely chose a semi-manual control panel because he prefers to be a hands-on brewer rather than leaving everything on autopilot. High Ground is starting out with three 10-barrel fermentors, one 20-barrel fermentor, and one 20-barrel bright tank (which is reserved for lagering his pilsner). All the fermentors are uni-tank design, which allows the brewery to ferment, condition, and carbonate beer in the same tank.

Dallas expects to have the taproom construction finished by mid May. When it opens, High Ground Brewery will sell pints, flights, growlers, and kegs there. It will feature limited food service augmented by food trucks. For the summer months an outdoor beer garden will open. Dallas is developing relationships with a couple of local restaurants who will either set up food stand/trailers on site or make deliveries to beer garden patrons.

“We’re going to be a destination location with picnic tables, corn hole, fire pit,” he said. “There’s enough space for everybody to come out and enjoy the space. We have plans to build a pavilion and make it an awesome outdoor area.”

Committed to self-distribution

For the time being, High Ground will self-distribute its products across north central WV and a few other counties. Initially all beer will be kegged, but very soon, expect some special beers to be offered in bottles. Future plans include more fermentors, a small-batch canning line, and expanded distribution territory, but that will have to wait until his brewing and kegging operation proves itself. At present, Dallas says he is more concerned with building his brand the right way. He doesn’t want to rush things.

He feels he has a strong core team at High Ground Brewing. His father, Dallas D. Wolfe, is his outside man handling sales, deliveries, and line cleaning. He also led much of the construction and brewery build out. HIs wife, Jana, is in charge of marketing, advertising and social media. His old friend and home-brewing partner Adam Moats assisted him with the build out and now serves as a brewer. Adam also helps Dallas with recipe development. Dallas serves as general manger and head brewer. The last piece to put in place will be the hiring of a taproom manager, which will be done any day now.

High Ground Brewing’s core products

Five core beers are already in distribution. Soon a Pilsner will be added to the full-time menu. Upcoming summer additions will include Round Bale Saison and Company Kolsch. Then, there will always be another seasonal or two every few months, including some high ABV barrel-aged products.

Here are some details on the initial core beer line up.

Socked In: Mosaic – a hazy New England style IPA made with a simple, pale malt backbone and solely hopped with Mosaic. A beer brewed to showcase the hops without the bitterness. It’s the first beer of an expected single hop series. (Next will likely be Socked In: Copper featuring Michigan Copper hops.) 5.4% ABV

Mow Rider Wheat Ale – an American-style wheat with bitter orange peel and Citra hops. Fermented with a clean Americana ale yeast. The perfect lawn mower beer.

Caddell Mountain Pale Ale – a modern East Coast-style juicy pale ale with loads of Citra and Simcoe hops. A bit of Maris Otter malt in the grain bill adds a biscuity note to the taste and a little extra mouth feel. 5.6% ABV.

Biff Pilsner – This Pilsner is traditionally styled with all German malt and hops. High Ground’s twist to the beer is adding a little dry-hopping with German Spalt.

Mandatory Fun IPA – an East Coast-style IPA (with less bitterness and more juiciness). This subtle, easy-drinking 7.5% IPA features the Centennial hop and also has a touch of Citra hop. Nicely balanced.

Coal Train Baltic Porter – a dark beer with a smooth, light malty flavor. Roasty note come through but do not dominate. Some chocolate and toffee flavors too.

Breweries offer commerce, hope to communities

A business like High Ground Brewing has a lot more meaning in a small town like Terra Alta than it might in a Morgantown, a Fairmont, or even in Kingwood. A small brewery will bring traffic to town; it will bring people to town; it will bring business to town. It can be the catalyst that spurs new growth and hope in a community that really needs some TLC.

Terra Alta is situated high in the mountains of eastern Preston County, midway between Kingwood, WV and Oakland, Maryland. Like many small West Virginia towns, Terra Alta has fallen on hard times. The old retail and commercial district is basically a few blocks of distressed, half empty storefronts, rough streets, and an aging population. It’s a town much in need of new investment and new hope.

Terra Alta is so fortunate to have Dallas Wolfe and his family committed to being a part of its future. One more reason to praise West Virginia’s small breweries.

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High Ground Brewing
102 Railroad Avenue
Terra Alta, WV 26764

Brewery Website Link

Links to earlier articles about High Ground:
Feb. 2018
Oct. 2018