By Tabitha Evans Moore
Editor & Publisher

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — It was, by any measure, a short meeting.

The Moore County Beer Board convened last Wednesday to consider a single item: a beer permit application from Tristar Spirits, the operator of Company Distilling on the Lynchburg square. Board members reviewed the application, heard briefly from a company representative, Amber Burton, asked a handful of questions, and voted unanimously to approve.

In attendance were Chair Buford Jennings, Peggy Gold, Mark Waters, Dan Rifley, and Nathan Buchanan.

Start to finish, the formal business took about four minutes.

Company Distilling opened in May 2025 and has operated as a spirits-only tasting room since. They’re located just off the Lynchburg Square on Hiles Street. Burton who appeared before the board noted that the company’s other locations already offer beer service, and that the Lynchburg location is ready to add it.

Hours of operation, which factored into the board’s review, run 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays — Fridays for alternating Singo nights, Saturdays for live music.

The board raised its standard compliance reminders before adjourning: proper carding, careful attention to near-birthday IDs, and no open containers leaving the premises. Burton assured the board that ID scanning is already standard practice at every register for bottle sales, and will apply to beer service as well.

“Every single person” gets scanned, she said. “It’s a true age verification system, built into our registers.”

After the board officially adjourned, The Times had one more question.

What beers are you going to serve?

Four taps, draft only — no bottles. Burton said she’s in conversations with Cherokee Distributing and is also looking at local options, including Common John Brewing and Old Shed. The plan is a rotating mix.

A start date hasn’t been set yet. That, Burton said, would be determined now that the permit is approved. We’ll keep you posted. •

About The Lynchburg Times: The Lynchburg Times covers Metro Council meetings as part of its commitment to community accountability journalism. This work is support by our community partners at Barrel House Barbecue.