Friday, August 30, 2013

Nashville Beer Scene

In lieu of any actual brewing, I figured I'd post up a summary of where the mid-state brewery scene is at, as it's been growing like crazy lately.  We've been rated by a few publications as one of the fastest growing and best craft beer scenes, plus we have the whole music thing going for us as well.  Some brewery taprooms to visit and/or tour, some great beer bars and speakeasies, usually a good festival on any given weekend, and a bunch of quality music venues...


Nashville Brewery District:


Yazoo - The big daddy of Nashville breweries.  Celebrating it's 10th birthday next month, Yazoo has won several WBC and GABF awards and has started a very promising sour program.  Available in bottle shops, restaurants, and bars throughout Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama.  Taproom on Wed-Sat, and tours available on Saturdays.
Jackalope - Two year old brewery that has started to catch its groove.  One of the only female-owned breweries in the Southeast.  Available at bars and restaurants in Nashville, and will start canning this year.  Taproom on Thurs-Sat, and tours on Saturdays.
Czann's - New brewery that has started distributing to local bars in the past few months.  Taproom in 2014.
Tennessee Brew Works - New brewery that opened this summer.  Taproom opening soon.


Other Nashville Breweries:


Blackstone - The other big daddy of Nashville breweries.  The oldest and most decorated brewery in town, with several awards at the GABF. Available in bottle shops, restaurants, and bars throughout the region.  Also available at their great brewpub/restaurant.  Tours available occasionally.
Bosco's - Another long-time brewer in Nashville who is very consistent and highly regarded.  Two great brewpub/restaurants in the Nashville area.
Fat Bottom - Year old brewery in East Nashville.  Beers available at bars around town and at their taproom/restaurant.
Rock Bottom - Biersch chain restaurant/brewery. Best view of the city with their rooftop bar overlooking Broadway and 2nd Avenue.
Black Abbey - Newly opened brewery focusing on Belgian styles.
Honky Tonk - Another brand new brewery preparing to open.
Little Harpeth - Another new brewery focusing on lagers.


Other Breweries in the Region:


Cool Springs Brewery - Well established brewpub/restaurant in Franklin. Very creative, and on-par with the best breweries in town.
Turtle Anarchy - Year old brewery in Franklin.  Very solid and consistent, with a creative focus on variations of stouts.  Taproom Thurs-Sat and tours on Saturdays.
Granite City - Chain reataurant/brewery
Calfkiller - Crazy creative and out-there brewery. Most beers don't shoehorn into any particular style, but all are great beers.
Mayday - Another year old entry in the 'Boro.  Taproom hours late in the week and on weekends.  Host to the local homebrewing group.
Jubilee - They have been contract brewing their brown ale for some time, and now are contract brewing two beers at Mayday.  50% of proceeds to charity, and good beers.


Festivals:


We have a busy beer schedule in the Nashville area... (I'm likely missing a few, but this is a pretty representative list...)

Feile - Franklin Main Street Brew Fest - March
East Nashville Beer Festival - March
Yazoo Funk Fest - April
Eastside Brew Ha Ha - May
Brew at the Zoo - May
Music City Brewer’s Fest - July
Nashville Predators Craft Beer Festival - August
Yazoo Mini Funk Fest - August this year, variable times ongoing
Taste of Tennessee Craft Brewers Festival - September
Beer Fest in the Gulch - September
BeerFeast Nashville - September
Nashville Beer Festival - October
Germantown Oktoberfest- October
Tennessee Volksfest - October
Tennessee Beer Festival - October
Music in the Middle Beer Festival - October
12 South Winter Warmer - December
Science of Beer - December

And, starting in 2015, the Southern Brewers Conference... 

Plus several smaller fests, events, brewery birthday parties, beer runs, etc...


Creators of Other Libations:


Corsair Distillery - Award Winning distillery in Yazoo's old brewery, with tours and a beer taproom.
Collier and McKeel Distillery - Another great distillery also in the old Yazoo location.
Arrington Vineyards - A great vineyard that makes Napa-quality wines.  Owned by Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn.


About Town Beer Haunts:


Hops+Crafts - Taproom and growler fill station with 35 rotating taps and the best barkeeps in town.
Craft Brewed - Another growler fill station with 20+ taps, bottles, and a taproom.
The Filling Station - Another growler fill station with 20+ taps.
The Hop Stop - Another growler fill station with 20+ taps
KayBob's Grill and Ale - BBQ restaurant with a 16 tap growler fill station
Flying Saucer - Extensive tap and bottle list at this chain bar/restaurant.
Broadway Brewhouse - Five bar/restaurant locations around town, and a great tap list.
12South Taproom - Good tap/bottle selection and a great porch.