Veteran-Owned Great Wilderness Brewing Opens in Pulaski with Ribbon-Cutting

Great Wilderness Brewing Company opened its doors in downtown Pulaski with a public grand opening at 3:00 p.m. and a ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 at 91 1st St NE, becoming the first brewery to operate within the town limits. The event drew local television crews and was billed as a celebration of “bold craft beer” and a veteran-owned business moving into Pulaski’s historic district.

The brewery is owned by a United States Marine Corps veteran identified as Scot Rockafellow in WFXR and WDBJ coverage and listed as Scott Rockafellow in WSLS reporting; that discrepancy remains unconfirmed. Rockafellow framed the enterprise as a continuation of service, telling WDBJ, “Community outreach, there’s no better way to say it than community outreach.” He added, “It’s about my outreach within the veteran community around mental health and suicide awareness. That is a big push.”

Great Wilderness occupies a more-than-120-year-old building in downtown Pulaski that Rockafellow said represents the culmination of seven years of planning and roughly two and a half years of construction, according to WDBJ. The owner and local coverage positioned the brewery as part of an effort to revitalize a downtown that has struggled to keep businesses long-term, with the new taproom intended as a gathering place for residents and visitors.

Operational details announced at opening include weekly service five days a week with the taproom closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, as reported by WSLS. The brewery offers a “gluten reduced” beer; WFXR relayed the Facebook explanation: “It comes from a tap that is made with all gluten free ingredients but made on the same equipment as others. That’s why it’s labeled as gluten reduced instead of gluten free.” WFXR also noted a VIP-only soft opening would be announced on the brewery’s Facebook page.

Beyond pints, Rockafellow is developing a scholarship program aimed at helping service members transitioning out of active duty pursue trade careers such as HVAC and electrical work, with the scholarships expected to be supported through brewery proceeds and community partnerships, WDBJ reported. He emphasized the personal significance of the project, saying, “This project has meant everything to me,” and adding, “I’m just excited to finally get to open the doors to the public.”

Local reaction captured by WSLS included an unnamed resident who said, “I think it’s a great thing. We need more restaurants, we need more entertainment, and I think this is gonna be a combination of both. I think things are looking up for Pulaski. We’re gonna have great times here and I’m looking forward to it.” The brewery has outlined plans to develop its outdoor space with a possible live music stage, beer garden and cornhole leagues as it settles into the 91 1st St NE location.