Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Abernethy.
Hi Sara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My path is winding and a little eccentric, but if you boil everything I’ve tried and done in my career(s), it all comes down to one thing: I’m a creator. A proud Raleigh native, my professional path began as an opera singer and theatre artist. I eventually found a natural niche in the hospitality industry creating magical guest experiences on the restaurant floor or behind the bar. In 2017, after stints in Europe, New York and California, I returned home to Raleigh where I was greeted with a once in a lifetime opportunity to elevate one of the city’s landmark restaurant spaces into Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing. Since then, I’ve created and nurtured Wye Hill Brewing into the vital, standalone brewing brand that it is today, opened Glasshouse Kitchen in Research Triangle, our modern, upscale love letter to North Carolina and its bounty, and, most recently, developed and launched Tree Time, our premium, hemp-derived THC seltzer brand born right here in the City of Oaks.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. But nothing worth doing is ever easy! I jumped into restaurant ownership of Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing with a vision and a prayer, but I didn’t fully understand what the path was “supposed” to look like. We officially opened our doors to Wye Hill in 2019 and the pandemic hit not too long thereafter. Navigating that was, of course, extremely daunting, but even on a lesser scale, the food and beverage industry is one of grit, sacrifice and unrelenting hard work 24/7, 365. Struggles and tough times are inevitable in this industry. But that’s also what makes it so beautiful and worthwhile.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Tree Time?
Tree Time is our new premium hemp-derived THC seltzer that we officially launched in April 2026. It was born right here in Raleigh and inspired by our community and the city around us (hence the name, Tree Time… thanks, City of Oaks!) and shaped by the people who gather in our spaces every day. At its core, we saw an opportunity to create a THC beverage that actually tastes great, while also responding to what our community has been asking for… a thoughtful, enjoyable alternative to alcohol. Crafted with federally compliant hemp-derived THC, Tree Time blends bright culinary flavors with a balanced, approachable experience that offers consumers an opportunity to unwind mindfully. Gluten and preservative-free, Tree Time offers a line of refreshing flavor combinations and varying dosages. Our flagship flavors include Peach Ginger Mule, Blueberry Yuzu Lavender, and Spicy Cucumber Mint, among others, and we also offer seasonal flavors like Spring’s Strawberry Lychee Basil and Wildberry Key Lime. Unlike many products in the category, at Tree Time we place a clear emphasis on a clean-label approach, stabilizing our beverages through temperature controls rather than chemical preservatives. We also use domestically sourced Florida cane sugar in our THC seltzers. No chemical preservatives, no artificial flavors. I’ve spent years building food and beverage programs rooted in flavor, balance and guest feedback, so Tree TIme is both an evolution and continuation of what we’ve already built at Wye Hill and Glasshouse Kitchen. As demand for alcohol alternatives continued to grow, it became clear there was an opportunity to bring that same level of intentionality to THC beverages, especially in a category where taste and flavor hasn’t always led the conversation. We’re really proud of Tree Time and honored to have earned, right out of the gate, multiple honors at the prestigious 2026 High Spirits Awards, including Platinum, the highest medal honor, Gold and Bronze medal recognitions. We’re thrilled to offer Tree Time to our community and beyond. Raleigh, you finally have permission to chill!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
This is such a great question. Success to me looks like freedom to take on creative endeavors that light me up, slow mornings on my own terms (or… my children’s terms) , and the ability to create a day-to-day rhythm around the needs of my young family. Entrepreneurship is very challenging, but I feel like I have a say in designing my own destiny.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drinktreetime.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinktreetime
