To friends of Foothills everywhere,

It’s been a tough few weeks. The alarming advance of the COVID-19 Coronavirus in our cities, state and country has upended our everyday lives. I wanted to reach out to you personally about what we’re doing here at Foothills to support our community and practice safe gathering during these uncertain times.

Like so many businesses, the safety and health of our fellow employees, our brewery and event guests, and our community is our top priority. We are closely monitoring advisories from federal and state government and health officials and implementing their recommendations. Our already-diligent cleaning and food and beverage service protocols have been scrutinized and adjusted as we continue to meet the current need for heightened awareness in these areas. Here’s an update on the precautionary and preventive steps we’re taking:

• Much of our focus is on areas in which we are already diligent. Attention to use of clean glassware and silverware, keeping fingers off the rims of glasses and serving areas of plates, wiping down high-contact surfaces (tables, bar and chairs) between seatings, not allowing tap spigots to touch beer as it’s poured . . . all are health and safety regulations we’ve always enforced to employees, and will continue to do so rigorously.
• In an effort to limit possible germ transmission surfaces, we have removed sugar packets and salt and pepper shakers from all tables (still available on request), and will be using disposable paper menus for the foreseeable future.
• We’ve increased the frequency with which we sanitize common areas (door knobs, bathrooms etc.) and will increase the timing of those based on the number of visitors we have.
• If you come in for a growler fill, be prepared to wait a couple of extra minutes, as we are sanitizing all growlers prior to filling. (pro tip: sit at our ultra-clean bar and have a beer while you wait.)
• We’ve canceled all brewery tours for now. We also have also made the painful (but appropriate) decision to canceled next month’s CraftHalf Half Marathon, 5K and Block Party. We’ve also postponed our St. Patrick’s Day celebration slated for Saturday March 14th – but please don’t let that stop you from coming by. We’ll still be open, and still be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day – in fact we have a brand new Red Irish Ale that just went on tap to help celebrate.

In short? We’re practicing more vigilance in general, above and beyond what we normally practice as a responsible food and beverage provider. We’re taking full responsibility for keeping our environment safe and clean. Similarly, we ask all of our patrons to be extra responsible as well. If you are even slightly ill or worried about being in contact with someone who is then please exercise the same caution. And if you need some of Chef Shane’s cooking (who doesn’t) in the meantime? Door Dash and TakeOut Central are still delivering. Additionally, we will be implementing curbside pickup of food orders from the pub. Just call the pub (336-777-3348) and order (here’s our online menu), then pull up right in front of our place at 638 W. 4th Street – we’ll bring it out to you.

Country star Thomas Rhett has a song out right now called “Ain’t Nothing That a Beer Can’t Fix”. Sadly, that’s not literally true. But sometimes, at least for us, having a beer does help make things better. So rest assured, if and when you decide to visit us for that beer, you’ll be able to do so in a safe and clean environment. Let’s get through this together.

Stay safe and healthy,

Jamie Bartholomaus
President & CEO
Foothills Brewing

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Center for Disease Control
World Health Organization
NC Department of Health & Human Services