Beloved brewery and bar chain closing, no bankruptcy

If you watch “Bar Rescue,” the Paramount Network show hosted by veteran bar operator John Taffer, you learn a few things very quickly.

First, a lot of people open bars who have no business opening bars. Maybe they always dreamed of operating a bar, or just really like drinking in bars.

But most of them never appear to have read a book on bar operation, Googled “how to run a bar,” or even watched a few episodes of “Bar Rescue.”

What Taffer also teaches is that the more specialized you make your bar, the more you limit your clientele. In a crowded market, it might make sense to offer a market-appropriate concept that doesn't yet exist but that serves the market well.

In most cases, however, a specific concept can limit your business. A full-on sports bar, for example, suffers on the nights and weekends when there's not major sports to watch.

One of the most famous “Bar Rescue” episodes featured Taffer visiting a Pirate Bar. They dressed as pirates, served grog, and had the full over-the-top theme, despite being in a business district.

The only people who enjoyed the bar worked there, and it was the wrong concept for probably anywhere, but certainly for where it was.

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Taffer gave the place a makeover, and it seemed poised for success. The owners, however, seemed more into having their own fun than running a successful business, and they turned it back into a pirate bar soon after.

That's often the case with heavily themed bars on “Bar Rescue,” but not with one popular group of taprooms and an associated brewery.

TRVE operates two taprooms and an associated brewery.

Image source: Shutterstock

Heavy metal taprooms bucked the trend

TRVE was the rare bar that had a specialized concept, but was also incredibly welcoming. The company was built around the owner's love for beer and heavy metal, but not at the expense of alienating non-metal fans.

The Denver location, for example, hosted a weekly game night.

“Every Tuesday we’re stoked to host anyone who wants to roll dice, sling spells, allocate resources, or get a crescent wrench out of an incredibly sensitive (and apparently non-anaesthetized) patient. Call your pals, bring your games, and treat yourself to some hot chicken and cold beer,” the taproom and brewery chain shared on its website.

Owner and founder Nick Nunns shared his mission when he opened in an Instagram post.

More bankruptcy:

“In 2011, with a mediocre business plan, no professional brewing experience, and way less money than I needed, I opened TRVE with no grander machinations than making some good beer and listening to the music I liked,” he wrote.

The Asheville location of TRVE also hosted a game night, and both locations had a busy calendar that was not just heavy metal-driven.

Beloved taprooms and brewery closing

Nunns shared the surprising decision to shut down in the same July 4 Instagram post.

“It is with a heavy heart that I’m announcing that this is the end for the TRVE taprooms. It hasn’t been an easy choice, but this brewery has run its course, and for a huge number of reasons, it’s the right time to send this thing off into the lake trailed by a fiery arrow,” he wrote.

Nunns made sure to thank the many people who helped on his nearly 15-year journey.

“I cannot have done any of this alone; my sincerest and deepest thanks to everyone who made their indelible marks on TRVE. From the maniacs in the brewery to the masochists behind the bar, you were all such an immense part of why this place was what it was. I always wanted so much more for you all,” he added.

The founder and owner also saluted his regulars.

“Equal thanks go out to all the patrons who called this place home. Heavy Metal Cheers it certainly was. Y’all kept the lights on, hell or high water,” he added.

The company's taprooms will close July 12, but the fate of its beer-making operation, which operates out of New Image Brewing, remains unclear. The news, however, does not appear to be good.

“I constantly say that our beer got good when I stopped making it. So much of our notoriety is largely thanks to Zach, who truly made our beer program what it is today. I am so sad that we are having to do this when the beer coming out of Asheville is some of the best you’ve made in your career. I hope your continued quest for perfection in your art never ends,” Nunns added.

Fans of TRVE were devastated by the news.

“There would be no Blood Of Gods without the spirit and inspiration of TRVE to lead the way. The joy in celebrating craft and creativity reverberates through eternity,” wrote BloodofGodZine, a magazine TRVE supported.

InnovationBeer gave the TRVE brand a proper send-off.

“I remember visiting the Denver location with my teenage sister and 70-something dad, and…how cool it was for me to watch both ends of the age & otherwise spectrum enjoy the environment there. How I love(d) your beer and your bartenders so much,” it posted.