10/15/2026
A little update from the Iron Key family. ♥️🔑
Six years ago, Bob Bundy happened upon an old prison in Columbus, NC. The defunct building quickly turned into an exciting conversation. After some dreaming and planning, the now group of three, Bob, Dave and Chris managed to drag their families and partners into a grand new adventure that would become Iron Key Brewing Company. After a successful launch, Iron Key was hit with its first big blow. Bob had been diagnosed with ALS. This sent lightning bolts through our family who had just finished enjoying a wonderful trip to the area, which we still lovingly refer to as "vacation land." A decision had to be made: do we abandon this amazing opportunity, or do we come together and push forward. We decided it was time for our little family to make the move from Kansas City to WNC (Vacation Land). That was almost three years ago and now Iron Key is a 6-year-old staple in our peaceful little town of Columbus. Our family has continued to grow and change... some of our partners have moved on, and some of our partners are ready for a quieter life. Every once in a while, just like it did for Bob, life puts an opportunity in front of you that makes you stop and ask some bigger questions.
Recently, we've had interest from people asking about the future of Iron Key and the possibility of selling the business. Those conversations prompted us to take a hard look at where we are, where Iron Key is, and what the next chapter could look like.
And we've realized that we're open to the conversation.
After very careful consideration of Iron Key’s future and our family's future, we have decided that, for the right person and the right opportunity, we're open to passing the keys and selling this amazing business. 🔑
We want to be very clear about what that means—and what it doesn't:
+ Iron Key is OPEN and is going to continue to serve great b**r and great food indefinitely!
+ We're brewing b**r, serving food, booking events, making plans, and continuing to invest our energy into making Iron Key the best it can be.
There is NO ending date circled on the calendar. We're simply opening the door to conversations about what the future could hold.
And we're going to be thoughtful about those decisions, because there is a lot here worth protecting that our family and partners have poured their heart and soul into.
An incredible team. Criminally good b**r and food. Regulars who have become friends. Live music, trivia nights, celebrations, packed taproom nights, quiet afternoons over a pint, and six years of memories made inside these walls.
Iron Key has become a gathering place for this community because so many people have had a hand in making it one.
If the right person(s) come along—someone who recognizes what exists here and sees the potential for everything still ahead—we're ready to explore what passing the torch could look like.
Until then?
We're still right here. 🍻
Come have a b**r. Bring your friends. Grab some food. Show up for the events. Keep making memories here.
Whatever the next chapter eventually looks like, we're incredibly proud of this one. And we're excited to see where the story goes from here.
See you in the Big House!
The Iron Key Family ♥️🔑
