Our Story
In the early 2000s, while sharing a pint with his new beau-frère in Montreal, a vision was born in brewer and cofounder Zach Riner. Experiencing someone’s story for the first time, or telling your own, is never safe but we believe it’s good. As people, we are messy. In the midst of this mess, however, are some of the most inspiring stories waiting to be told.
Fast forward to 2017, with cofounder Casey Hancock, General Manager Tasha Winburn, who brought over 25 years of experience in hospitality, Culinary Director Ryland Culbertson, and a support team of four other local partners on board, the journey to create an environment for these stories to be shared began to take shape. Our shared love for Hartsville and the desire to see it grow helped sharpen our vision to not only tell the stories of those who inspire us, but to create an environment where the old meets the new—a place our city's rich history can be appreciated while celebrating the new generation of Hartsville to come.
Wild Heart Brewing opened its doors on April 14, 2021. It’s been a wild ride ever since.
In early 2022, Ryland moved back home to grow his family and found Culbertson Kitchen, a wood-fired kitchen serving the freshest local meat and produce the South Carolina Upstate has to offer. In early 2024, Ryland and his wife Katie opened Sanitary Market, an organic grocery store and bakery in downtown Laurens, SC.
Later that year, Assistant Brewer Meaghan Stevens, who apprenticed under Zach, took an offer from Lonerider Brewing as Head Brewer and moved to Raleigh to start the next phase of her brewing career.
In 2023, Jerry “Peaches” Rivers, having retired after 24 years of service in the United States Air Force, joined Wild Heart Brewing as an apprentice and later Assistant Brewer. Jerry brought brewing experience from Crossbones Brewing in Dunn, North Carolina.
Tasha manages both the kitchen and front of house, always working on keeping our menu exciting and delicious, while Zach expands the beer program, offering new beers throughout the year and shipping Wild Heart Brewing’s craft beer throughout South Carolina.
What will our next chapter be?
