Tennessee Brew Works is an independently owned and operated craft brewery that opened in 2013 with a mission to create high quality craft beer that pays homage to the land, traditions, and culture of Tennessee. Tennessee Brew Works is currently located at 809 Ewing Ave. in Nashville and has a bar location at Nashville International Airport (BNA). Soon, it will be expanding its properties.
Tennessee Brew Works recently announced the expansion of its brand with a new Tennessee location, Lenoir City Barrel House, boasting a second manufacturing facility and a community focused, family friendly taproom. Tennessee Brew Works’ Lenoir City Barrel House is projected to open spring 2024. Situated 30 minutes outside Knoxville, the city is informally known as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. The future home of Tennessee Brew Works is a 21,000-sq-ft former fire station located at 200 East Depot Street in the center of Lenoir City.
Lenoir City Barrel House’s primary focus will be brewing and sharing old world and contemporary mixed fermentation beer styles, fermented in a range of wood tanks, stainless steel vessels, and oak barrels. In addition, the brewery will showcase experimental, historical, and small batch specialty beers, to include ales and lagers, as a significant part of annual production.
Head Brewer Matt Simpson brings decades of professional brewing experience to lead construction of the esoteric brewery. “I have wanted to build a brewery like the Lenoir City Barrel House for over 20 years,” said Simpson. “Imagination is not in short supply at Tennessee Brew Works; it is exciting to finally showcase our knowledge of wild and sour beers. We will extend the limits of modern brewing while paying homage to old world beer styles and techniques.”
Lenoir City Barrel House will be community focused, notably utilizing the built-in courtyard for indoor and outdoor family enjoyment. It will feature similarities to the Nashville location, focusing on beer-centric food with cuisine inspired by, and often utilizing Tennessee Brew Works craft beer in recipes. With an expanded kitchen, the Barrel House taproom will also provide an even greater array of food offerings, a commissary kitchen for catering services and more menu possibilities to coincide with a large private event space.
“We are excited to bring a unique and family friendly experience to Lenoir City,” said Alex Leibow, Tennessee Brew Works executive chef. “Staying true to our mission, we are focusing on sourcing local ingredients, creating a strong working relationship with the community, and ultimately delivering the best of Tennessee and craft beer in our culinary creations.”
The Lenoir City Barrel House will also serve as a live music venue, presenting musical performances from the area and beyond. An award-winning brewery, they more recently won a bronze medal in the coveted Great American Beer Festival competition for the Farmer’s Beat farmhouse ale, a collaboration between the brewery and Delvin Farms, the largest Community Support Agriculture (“CSA”) farm in the state.
Tennessee Brew Works proudly introduced the Tennessee Grain Initiative, with hopes of establishing a new cash crop for the state. The brand officially created the state’s first All-Tennessee grain beers in 2018, partnering with Batey Farms (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and Tennessee State Parks. The all-Tennessee grain State Park Blonde ale is notably the official beer of the Tennessee State Parks and benefits the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy for the preservation of the state’s 56 State Parks. Tennessee Brew Works have since partnered with Willis Farms (Hillsboro, Tenn.) as a major grain supplier too. The company later joined by the Tennessee Craft Brewer’s Guild (TCBG) for an expanded version of the initiative in what later became known by the TCBG as Farm-to-Tap.
“Agriculture is our state’s number one industry and we appreciate Tennessee Brew Works for contributing to that success,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “This company has gone above and beyond to form relationships with farmers and to highlight Tennessee-grown ingredients in their beers and on their menu. Our communities benefit from successful partnerships between local businesses and local farms. Tennessee Brew Works’ commitment to supporting Tennessee agriculture illustrates the positive impact that can result.”
“We are delighted that Tennessee Brew Works has chosen to open the Lenoir City Barrel House,” said Mayor Tony Aikens, Mayor of Lenoir City. “We look forward to a great partnership and their opening in Spring 2024.”
“We owe a special thanks to Mayor Aikens, the City Council, and the people of Lenoir City for welcoming Tennessee Brew Works to their wonderful city,” said Christian Spears, founder and president of Tennessee Brew Works. “We believe East Tennesseans will share our enthusiasm for this exciting vision of our new home at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains.”
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