Our Story
Learn how Trailside started, what drives us, and how we’re building something special for our community.
About Trailside
Our Story...
Trailside Brewing was born out of a dream shared by David and his wife, Colleen Schnitzer, who moved with their three boys from Georgia to Hendersonville, NC in 2012.
Almost a decade later, that dream became a reality when Trailside opened its doors in May 2023 inside the newly renovated Lennox Station. The historic building-originally constructed in 1915 as a hosiery mill and later home to Hendersonville's first Lowe's, sits beside a former railroad line that has been transformed into the Ecusta Trail - which will eventually connect Hendersonville to Brevard.
Trailside first launched as part of the Socius Beer Collective, a family of four sister breweries founded by John Reynolds and Marty Mazzawai of Georgia. Marty and David have been best friends since preschool, and together they saw Trailside as a wonderful opportunity.
In July 2025, David and Colleen purchased Trailside Brewing from Socius Beer Collective. They are excited to carry the vision forward- building on the strong foundation of Socius while shaping Trailside into a community hub for Western North Carolina.
Today, Trailside Brewing is more than just a craft brewery. It's a place where people come together - to share a pint, enjoy great food, listen to live music and connect with friends and family in a welcoming space.
Trailside Brewing is your home away from home.
Meet the owners
David and Colleen dreamed of creating a local gathering space that combined their love of hospitality, community and craft beer.
After spending more than two decades professionally developing and leading programs for summer camps, David developed a deep passion for bringing people together through meaningful experiences. Colleen shares that same heart for connection, having worked in youth ministry for many years and continuing to lead adventure camps for teens each summer with Created for Adventure.
Together, David and Colleen envisioned Trailside Brewing as a local hub where people could gather, connect, and enjoy great beer in a welcoming environment.
What began as a craft brewery is growing into something even more—an energetic gathering place filled with good food, live music, family-friendly events, and of course, exceptional craft drinks.
The Schnitzers’ vision is simple: to bring people together over beer, to give back to the community they love, and to offer warm hospitality in the heart of the beautiful Western North Carolina mountains.
The Trailside Experience
Trailside Brewing includes four unique spaces:
The Taproom: Features 16 beers on tap, plus wine and non-alcoholic options in a warm, welcoming environment.
Trailside Table (Restaurant): Freshly launched! Our restaurant offers specialty food dishes designed to pair perfectly with your drink and your day.
The Grove (Event Space): This vibrant area includes a cocktail bar, espresso bar, wines, and NA drinks, perfect for weddings, parties, and all kinds of events. The Grove can host up to 250 guests comfortably.
The Beer Garden: An outdoor oasis with two fire pits, flower and vegetable gardens, and abundant seating. Many of our spring, summer, and fall events are hosted here under the stars.
Who We Are
Trailside Brewing Co. is located right on the new Ecusta Trail in Hendersonville, NC, just south of Asheville. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, we’re part of an adventurous, community that loves a good hike, bike ride, kayak trip—or a chill night by the fire.
We’re proud to be part of this local culture and to offer a space that reflects it. Whether you’re here to unwind or rev up, you’ll find someone here who gets it.
We’re big on:
# Crafting great beer with an experienced team
# Hosting community-forward events like trivia, live music, bingo, fly-tying, and more
# Providing top-tier service from a team that truly cares
# Supporting local causes and environmental efforts
# Creating a welcoming space where everyone feels like they belong
Our Brand
Trailside Brewing Company reflects our community’s beauty and adventurous spirit, reclaiming something lost and breathing new life into an old factory space in the Lennox Park factory just blocks away from downtown Hendersonville. We want to bring people together and build a sense of community with locals and visitors alike, sharing stories and good beer together in an environment that feels like home. Great beer and loving people well are two of our favorite things! We hope to inspire your next adventure whether you’re coming off the trail, going out on the trail, or just heading home after a long day at the office. Whereever your journey takes you, be sure to stop by and share it with us!
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a welcoming gathering place where friends, family, and neighbors can enjoy quality craft beer, cocktails and food - while giving back to the community we love.
Our Team
Our people are amazing and the heart of Trailside Brewing. We want you to feel at home while you’re visiting with us and we strive to make that happen from our Managers, to our Brewers to our service staff. We love serving you!
Meet our team!
David Schnitzer
CEO, Owner
David is the owner of Trailside Brewing, bringing over 20 years of experience as a camp director in Georgia and Western North Carolina. His love for the mountains, adventure, and building community inspired the vision for Trailside. When he’s not at the brewery, David enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife Colleen and their three boys.
Colleen Schnitzer
Owner, Marketing & Special events
Colleen is the co-owner and Marketing and Special Events Director of Trailside Brewing. She brings over a decade of experience working professionally in youth and family ministry through churches and camps. She’s passionate about community, connection, and adventure. When she’s not at the brewery, Colleen loves mountain biking, yoga, skiing, and exploring the outdoors with her family.
Dylan McCrory
General Manager & Private events
Originally from Mississippi, Dylan brings his passion for both people and great beer to his role as General Manager. He keeps the brewery running smoothly while fostering a welcoming atmosphere for staff and guests alike. Dylan enjoys spending time outdoors, creating art, diving into DIY projects, and home brewing beer-always looking for new ways to connect with the craft he loves.
Bubba
Head Brewer
Bubba is the Head Brewer at Trailside Brewing. He came to NC, in 2022, from Colorado, where he spent the previous 21 years. A work background of restaurant management, hospitality, and guest ranches, he eventually found brewing. Brewing started as a hobby that transitioned into a career. He enjoys his time off by fly fishing and dancing. Fun fact, he used to be an instructor in both. If you ask him what his favorite beer is, he will always say "The next one coming out".
Callie Horwath
Content Creator
Callie Horwath is a photographer and designer with a passion for the arts. She explores different creative mediums but primarily focuses on content creation for social media, collaborating with several local businesses. Callie works full-time at Ride Kanuga and Ride Rock Creek bike parks, where she contributes to marketing, events, and even trailbuilding. Proud to call Western North Carolina home, she first came to the area for the mountain biking and quickly built her life around the vibrant community it inspires.
Izzi Hughes
Live Music coordinator
Izzi is the owner & founder of Hummingbird Entertainment and serves as Trailside Brewing's talent buyer. Since Trailside opened - she has had the pleasure of booking the brewery's weekend entertainment. With nearly two decades of experience in the entertainment industry, Izzi combines her knowledge of being a musician herself and her love for her hometown's small businesses to create the perfect pairing with each booking. When she's not performing, scheduling shows, or DJing on local radio station, WTZQ, she enjoys traveling with her family, walking at the Biltmore Estate, and taking in a mountain view with a cold drink in hand.
