Nashville’s craft beer scene has exploded in recent years, offering beer enthusiasts a diverse array of flavors and experiences. The city boasts numerous breweries and taprooms, each with its own unique character and specialty brews. From hoppy IPAs to rich stouts, Nashville’s craft beer offerings cater to a wide range of palates and preferences.
Local breweries in Music City often incorporate regional ingredients and draw inspiration from Nashville’s vibrant culture. Many taprooms feature live music, outdoor patios, and food trucks, creating a quintessential Nashville experience. Visitors and locals alike can explore the city’s beer culture through brewery tours, tasting flights, and seasonal releases.
Nashville’s craft beer community continues to grow and innovate, with new breweries opening regularly. This guide will help beer lovers navigate the city’s top craft beer destinations, highlighting must-try brews and unique brewery experiences across Nashville.
The Evolution of Nashville’s Craft Beer Scene
Nashville’s craft beer landscape has transformed dramatically over the years, with local breweries making their mark on the global stage. The city’s beer culture reflects its musical heritage, blending innovation with tradition.
Historical Overview of Nashville Breweries
Nashville’s brewing history dates back to the 19th century, but Prohibition halted progress until the 1980s. Yazoo Brewing Company, founded in 2003, played a pivotal role in reviving the local beer scene. They introduced unique flavors like their Sue smoked porter, setting a new standard for craft brewing in the city.
Tennessee Brew Works followed in 2013, focusing on using local ingredients and sustainable practices. Their Country Roots sweet potato stout became an instant hit, showcasing Nashville’s innovative spirit.
Influence of Local Brewers on the Global Craft Beer Trends
Nashville brewers have gained recognition beyond city limits, influencing broader craft beer trends. Southern Grist Brewing Co, established in 2016, quickly became known for their experimental brews and fruit-forward sours.
Their bold approach inspired brewers nationwide to push flavor boundaries. Nashville Craft Breweries collectively embraced collaboration, often partnering with local musicians and artists to create limited-edition beers that capture the city’s creative essence.
This fusion of music and brewing has become a signature Nashville trend, adopted by craft breweries across the globe seeking to embed local culture into their products.
Guide to Nashville’s Premier Craft Breweries
Nashville’s craft beer scene offers a diverse array of flavors and experiences. The city’s top breweries showcase unique styles, innovative techniques, and warm Southern hospitality.
Bearded Iris Brewing
Bearded Iris Brewing has made a name for itself with hop-forward beers. Located at 101 Van Buren St, this brewery specializes in New England-style IPAs and Double IPAs.
Their taproom features a rotating selection of fresh brews. Popular offerings include Homestyle, a hazy IPA, and Attention Please!, a double IPA.
Bearded Iris is known for its creative can designs and limited releases. The brewery often collaborates with other craft beer makers, resulting in unique flavor combinations.
Visitors can enjoy a laid-back atmosphere in the industrial-chic taproom. Food trucks frequently park outside, providing tasty pairings for the brewery’s bold beers.
East Nashville Beer Works
East Nashville Beer Works, situated at 320 E Trinity Ln, brings a community-focused approach to brewing. Their spacious beer garden is perfect for gathering with friends or family.
The brewery offers a diverse range of styles, from crisp lagers to robust stouts. Miro Miel, a honey blonde ale, and Cumberland Punch, a fruit-forward wheat beer, are local favorites.
East Nashville Beer Works also serves wood-fired pizzas, making it a great spot for dinner and drinks. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their practices, including using spent grain for compost.
Regular events like trivia nights and live music add to the vibrant atmosphere. The kid-friendly policy during daytime hours makes it a popular destination for families.
Jackalope Brewing Company
Jackalope Brewing Company, founded in 2011, has become a staple of Nashville’s craft beer scene. Their main taproom is located at 429B Houston St in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood.
Known for their inventive brews, Jackalope offers year-round favorites like Thunder Ann American Pale Ale and Bearwalker Maple Brown. Seasonal and limited releases keep the lineup fresh and exciting.
The brewery’s mythical creature theme extends to their quirky taproom decor. Visitors can enjoy flights, pints, or growler fills in a welcoming environment.
Jackalope is committed to community involvement, often partnering with local organizations for events and fundraisers. Their dedication to quality and creativity has earned them numerous awards.
Tailgate Brewery
Tailgate Brewery has multiple locations across Nashville, with their main production facility at 7300 Charlotte Pike. This expansive brewery is known for its wide variety of beer styles.
Tailgate produces over 200 different beers annually, ranging from traditional lagers to experimental sours. Their Peanut Butter Milk Stout and Southeast IPA are particularly popular.
The brewery’s spacious taprooms feature games, large screen TVs, and ample seating. Many locations offer a full food menu, including their famous pizzas.
Tailgate hosts regular events like trivia nights and beer release parties. Their commitment to innovation and quality has made them a favorite among Nashville beer enthusiasts.
Blackstone Brewing Company
Blackstone Brewing Company, one of Nashville’s oldest craft breweries, has been operating since 1994. Their production facility is located at 2312 Clifton Ave.
Known for their traditional brewing techniques, Blackstone offers a range of classic styles. Their St. Charles Porter, an award-winning robust porter, is a standout.
The brewery’s taproom provides a cozy, pub-like atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy flights or pints while learning about Blackstone’s brewing history.
Blackstone’s beers are widely distributed throughout Tennessee. Their commitment to consistency and quality has helped them maintain a strong presence in Nashville’s competitive craft beer market.
Emerging Stars of the Nashville Beer World
Nashville’s craft beer scene continues to evolve with exciting new breweries. These up-and-coming establishments are pushing boundaries and delighting beer lovers with innovative flavors and styles.
Southern Grist Brewing Company
Southern Grist has quickly become a local favorite since opening in 2016. Known for their experimental approach, they release new beers weekly. Their East Nashville taproom offers a rotating selection of 12-14 house-made brews.
Popular offerings include the Hill, a New England-style IPA, and Mixed Greens, a sour ale series. Southern Grist also collaborates with local businesses, incorporating unique ingredients like coffee and donuts into their beers.
The brewery’s success led to a second location in The Nations neighborhood. This expansion allows them to increase production and host more events.
Yee-Haw Brewing Co
Yee-Haw Brewing brings a taste of East Tennessee to Nashville. Originally from Johnson City, they opened a taproom in downtown Nashville in 2019.
Their core lineup includes the award-winning Dunkel, a German dark lager, and the easy-drinking Pilsner. Seasonal offerings like the Oktoberfest and Blackberry Sour add variety to their menu.
Yee-Haw’s spacious taproom features a full kitchen serving elevated pub fare. The outdoor patio offers views of Broadway, making it a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.
New Heights Brewing Company
New Heights Brewing Company, founded in 2016, focuses on hop-forward beers and barrel-aged specialties. Their taproom in the Pie Town neighborhood boasts a laid-back atmosphere.
Flagship beers include the Navel Gazer, an imperial stout, and the West Coast-style IPA called Woah Nelly. New Heights also produces small-batch releases, keeping their lineup fresh and exciting.
The brewery hosts regular events like trivia nights and live music. Their commitment to quality and innovation has earned them a loyal following among Nashville’s beer enthusiasts.
Specialty Taprooms and Beer Gardens
Nashville’s craft beer scene features unique taprooms and lively beer gardens that showcase local flavors and culture. These spaces offer memorable experiences for beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike.
The Experience of Beer Garden Culture
Beer gardens in Nashville provide a relaxed outdoor setting for enjoying craft brews. TailGate Brewery’s East Nashville location features a spacious beer garden with ample seating. Visitors can savor a variety of beers while enjoying 12-inch pizzas and soft pretzels. The atmosphere encourages socializing and leisurely sipping.
Some beer gardens incorporate family-friendly elements. TailGate Brewery includes a playground and dog-friendly area, making it suitable for the whole family. These spaces often host live music events, adding to the vibrant Nashville experience.
Taprooms with Unique Nashville Flavors
Nashville taprooms offer distinctive local flavors that reflect the city’s character. Many feature rotating taps with seasonal brews, allowing patrons to explore new tastes regularly. The Nations taproom serves hot chicken and barbecue alongside their craft beers, combining two Nashville specialties.
East Nashville boasts several taprooms with creative offerings. These venues often collaborate with local artists and musicians, showcasing Nashville’s creative spirit. Some taprooms focus on specific beer styles, such as hop-forward IPAs or rich stouts, catering to varied preferences.
Taprooms frequently offer tasting flights, enabling visitors to sample multiple brews. This approach lets beer enthusiasts compare flavors and discover new favorites among Nashville’s diverse craft beer selection.
Seasonal and Experimental Brews
Nashville’s craft beer scene embraces creativity and innovation. Breweries offer unique seasonal releases and push boundaries with experimental brews, delighting beer enthusiasts year-round.
Nashville’s Seasonal Beer Offerings
Nashville breweries celebrate the changing seasons with specially crafted beers. Spring brings light, crisp ales infused with local flowers and fruits. Summer sees refreshing wheat beers and fruity sours perfect for hot days.
Fall ushers in rich pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest lagers. Winter warms with robust stouts and spiced holiday brews. Many taprooms rotate taps frequently, ensuring fresh seasonal options.
Seasonal collaborations between breweries and local farms are common. These partnerships result in beers made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients that capture Tennessee’s agricultural bounty.
Innovative Brews and Collaborations
Nashville’s brewers constantly experiment with new flavors and techniques. Some infuse beers with unexpected ingredients like hot peppers, coffee, or even bacon. Others explore barrel-aging or wild fermentation methods.
Collaboration brews are popular among Nashville’s tight-knit beer community. Breweries team up to create limited-edition beers, often blending their unique styles and expertise.
Many taprooms have pilot systems for small-batch experiments. These allow brewers to test new recipes and get instant feedback from customers. Successful pilot brews sometimes become part of a brewery’s regular rotation.
Beer festivals showcase Nashville’s most innovative brews. These events give beer lovers a chance to sample cutting-edge creations from multiple breweries in one place.
Eco-Friendly and Community-Minded Breweries
Nashville’s craft beer scene includes breweries committed to sustainability and community support. These establishments prioritize eco-friendly practices and give back to local causes.
Sustainable Brewing Practices
Several Nashville breweries have adopted eco-friendly methods to reduce their environmental impact. They focus on conserving water, minimizing waste, and using renewable energy sources.
Some breweries recycle spent grain as animal feed or compost. Others have installed solar panels to power their operations. Water conservation techniques, such as closed-loop cooling systems, are becoming more common.
Barrique Brewing and Blending stands out for its sustainable approach. The brewery uses reclaimed wood in its taproom and emphasizes local ingredient sourcing to reduce transportation emissions.
Community Engagement and Support
Nashville’s craft breweries actively participate in community initiatives and charitable giving. Many host events to raise awareness and funds for local causes.
Jubilee Craft Beer Company exemplifies this commitment. The brewery donates 50% of its proceeds to the Oasis Center, supporting at-risk youth in Nashville.
Other breweries partner with local organizations for cleanup events, food drives, and educational programs. Some create special brews to benefit specific charities, engaging customers in their philanthropic efforts.
These community-minded practices help foster a strong connection between breweries and Nashville residents, creating a positive impact beyond the taproom.
Distinctive Beer Styles and Flavors
Nashville’s craft beer scene offers a diverse array of unique styles and flavors. Local breweries showcase their creativity through signature brews that capture the city’s spirit and reflect regional tastes.
Exploring Nashville’s Signature Beers
State Park Blonde Ale stands out as a quintessential Nashville beer. Brewed by Tennessee Brew Works, this light and crisp American blonde ale uses local grains. At 4.5% ABV, it’s an easy-drinking option that appeals to a wide range of beer enthusiasts.
The official beer of Tennessee State Parks, State Park Blonde Ale gives back to the community. A portion of its proceeds benefits the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy.
Nashville breweries excel in producing hop-forward IPAs, rich stouts, and Belgian-style ales. The Black Abbey Brewing Co. offers The Rose, a Belgian-style blonde ale, and The Special, a Belgian-style dubbel. These beers showcase the city’s affinity for European-inspired brews.
Profile of Unique Brews
Craft beer innovation thrives in Nashville, with breweries constantly experimenting with new flavors and styles. TailGate Brewery in East Nashville is known for its ever-changing selection of creative beers.
Some standout local brews include:
- Nut Brown Ale from Nashville Brewing Co.
- The Rose and The Special from The Black Abbey Brewing Co.
- Various hop-forward IPAs from TailGate Brewery
These beers highlight Nashville’s brewing prowess, combining traditional styles with modern twists. Local ingredients often play a key role, infusing brews with a distinct Tennessee character.
Nashville’s craft beer scene continues to evolve, offering beer lovers new and exciting flavors to discover with each visit to the city’s numerous taprooms and breweries.
Plan Your Nashville Craft Beer Tour
Nashville’s craft beer scene offers diverse options for beer enthusiasts. Explore local breweries and attend beer events to fully experience Music City’s brewing culture.
Creating a Brewery Itinerary
Start your tour at Bearded Iris Brewing, known for its innovative IPAs. Next, visit Southern Grist Brewing for experimental flavors. Include Tailgate Brewery on your list for its wide selection and pizza pairings.
Don’t miss East Nashville Beer Works, offering a laid-back atmosphere with a great outdoor space. New Heights Brewing Company is worth a stop for its small-batch creations. Finish at Tennessee Brew Works to enjoy locally-inspired beers.
Consider using Music City Brew Hop for a guided experience. Their trolley tours visit multiple breweries in a single day, providing a safe and convenient option.
Events and Beer Festivals
Mark your calendar for Nashville’s annual beer festivals. The Music City Brewers Fest showcases local and regional craft beers each summer.
Attend tap takeovers at various bars throughout the year to sample limited releases. Many breweries host their own events, like Oktoberfest celebrations or anniversary parties.
Check brewery websites and social media for special release dates. Some offer beer and food pairing events or collaborations with local chefs.
Consider timing your visit during Nashville Craft Beer Week, typically held in spring, featuring special brews and events across the city.
