Big Timber in Summer 2026
July 7, 2026
Over the past decade, no other West Virginia craft brewery has had the market impact of Big Timber Brewing in Elkins. And they’re still on a roll. Head Brewer Matt Kwasniewski says this past year has been their best ever for beer sales.
Who says there’s a downturn in craft beer sales. Certainly not at West Virginia’s best brewers.
The West Virginia Beer Roads podcast crew visited with Big Timber’s Matt Kwasniewski and learned about their beer sales growth and much more. Matt shares his observations on Big Timber’s operations and on numerous other aspects of West Virginia’s craft beer market. It’s a beer market that appears to be a pretty healthy one for our local brewers.
LISTEN to the podcast here
Listen in to hear Matt Kwasniewski describe aspects of their success. Every state or region needs a local brewery that covers all the trade categories and one you can always find when you want a good beer, no matter what part of the state you’re in. Big Timber Brewing fills that role in West Virginia.
A modern era sales record
Big Timber Brewing achieved sales of over 6,000 barrels last year. It’s been many decades since a West Virginia brewer sold that much beer. Those sales are a testament to three big things: 1. beer quality, 2. talented staff, and 3. business smarts. Big Timber Brewing has them all. You don’t get to be the state’s largest brewery without them.
You also have to give tons of credit to the two individuals who handle the load of the day-to-day brewing work. That’s Chris Newsom, lead brewer, and Brian Reymiller, brewer. These two guys bring both the talent and the experience to keep Big Timber Brewing at the top of its game.
Tourists love local beer
Big Timber Brewing has been helped along by the growth of tourism that has accellerated across its region of the state. Big Timber is fortunate to have taproom locations in two heavy-impact tourist areas: Elkins and Davis. Both areas show off the beautiful high Appalachian Mountains and West Virginia craft beer.
In Elkins, Big Timber shares the local beer market with Fox Hops Brewery, and in Davis, with Stumptown Ales. Together these brewers create a powerful beer magnet, attracting large numbers craft beer fans, and quenching the thirsts of thousands. That’s not to say that they don’t have plenty of local customers too, because they certainly do. However, the growing intensity of four-season tourism brings with it a business climate that is perfect for brewery growth.
A forested taproom
If you have not yet visited Big Timber’s Elkins taproom, get over there, please.
It’s the quintessential brewery taproom for showing off the bounty of the hardwood forests that cover the mountains of the region. The use of local hardwoods—including white oak, hickory, maple, yellow poplar, white ash, and even magnolia—make the taproom both a dendrological and zymergical showcase. Ask about the woods used for the taproom’s walls, ceilings, floors, bar, and more.
Deftly managed by BTB’s co-owner, Ashley Kwasniewski, the taprooms offer a most attractive and relaxing atmosphere that moves thousands of pints along with tons of BTB-emblazoned merchandise. The taprooms are beautiful, cool advertisements for both the Elkins and Davis regions.
Big Timber’s big time distro
Most impressive is just how co-owners Matt and Ashley Kwasniewski and their key brewing and marketing staff have navigated the difficult waters of both brewing and distributing beer. Their products are the West Virginia beers you can find in every Kroger and Walmart across the state. That’s an accomplishment. They’ve also secured wide distribution in GoMarts, Sheetz, ParMar, Little General, bfs, and other convenience-store chains. Then, of course, their beers are tap regulars in many West Virginia bars and restaurants.
Sharing credit in this department are Jared Wray, sales manager, and Wayne Border, on-premise sales and promotions. They have mastered the challenges of working with beer distributors, retailers, and bars to achieve the best distribution of any West Virginia craft beer brand.
Big Timber beer at the state’s top beer festivals
This summer, you’ll also find Big Timber beer booths at West Virginia’s top beer festivals, including Rails & Ales in Huntington and Mountaineer Brewfest in Wheeling.
BTB LINKS
Big Timber Website Link
BTB Facebook Page
Taproom Addresses
Big Timber Elkins
2 Davis Avenue
Big Timber Davis – Logging Camp Taproom
737 Williams Av.
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