Bikes & Brews: Sidetracked, Overmountain celebrate 8 years

Joseph Ackerman and Michael Lowther had been friends for a while before they realized they had started their businesses about the same time.

“Our grand openings were within two weeks of each other,” said Lowther, owner of Overmountain Cycles.

Ackerman, Sidetracked Brewery’s brewmaster and owner, was stunned that the two had only recently discovered that their businesses shared nearly identical start dates. But it took much less time to decide to have a joint anniversary celebration and collaborate on a special beer to mark the occasion.

Sidetracked Brewery and Overmountain Cycles will celebrate eight years of business in Morganton with an evening of giveaways, contests, food, and an anniversary beer release on Saturday, June 14.

Here is what to expect:

• Overmountain Trail Ale beer release.
• Dashin’ Appalachian BBQ will be handling the grub from about 4-8 p.m. — or until they run out.
• A raffle that includes a $100 Party Card to Sidetracked, Sidetracked and Overmountain Cycles merchandise, a $100 value planter, barrel-aged bottles, gift cards from local businesses around town, and more.
• “Gold Sprints” 1v1 Indoor Bike Race — Overmountain Cycles will bring a set of Gold Sprints, which Wikipedia describes as “a bicycle rollers racing and social event, where riders on stationary bikes compete against each other in front of spectators.”

Ackerman describes the beer as “perfect for after a bike ride.” This pale ale rings in at about 5.3% ABV with caramel notes dry-hopped with Belma, a type of hop also known to impart strawberry undertones.

The Overmountain Trail Ale is the third Sidetrack local collaboration. The brewery created the Oak Hill Iron Scotch Ale (with Oak Hill Iron and Wood) and the Crosstie Brown Ale (with the nonprofit Waiting for the Train). Sidetracked hopes to have the Overmountain Trail Ale available in cans at the brewery by the end of the year.

Good to know: Cans are often better than bottles. Modern canning enables the cans to be quickly sealed, and cans block light better than glass. Oxygen and light are the enemies of good beer.

CHANGES IN 8 YEARS

Sidetracked and Overmountain have long passed a major milestone: being in business for more than five years. Almost 20% of small businesses fail in the first year, 50% in the first five years.

Their success doesn’t mean they haven’t had to overcome challenges.

Last year marked the first time in 20 years that more craft breweries closed than opened in the U.S. And Hurricane Helene forced the closure of Catawba Meadows and most of the Morganton Greenway System, which is a significant contributor to Overmountain Cycle’s bottom line because of its popularity with recreational cyclists. Adding to that is the surge in bicycles that occurred post-COVID, which has led to a saturated market.

Both men remain hopeful.

Lowther hopes to continue working with Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina on 4 miles of mountain bike trails at Catawba Meadows and Ackerman is optimistic about the daily events organized by general manager Tyson Conner to bring in customers to the brewery. Sidetracked beers can also be found in 25 restaurants in Burke, McDowell, and Catawba counties.

“I’m able to do what I love,” Ackerman said. “And I’m making better beer than I’ve ever made.”

Sidetracked Brewery is at 609 S. Green St. Overmountain Cycles is at 510 N. Green St. The June 14 event will take place at the brewery.