Independent and growing: TailGate Brewery doubles production in Nashville

Nashville headquarters gets major expansion

TailGate Brewery just doubled its brewing capacity at its Nashville headquarters. The expansion includes a new 30-bbl brewhouse and 760 more barrels of fermentation space, bringing the total cellar capacity to 1,100 bbls. A new 100-bbl horizontal lagering tank supports the brewery’s popular Lager Projekt series. TailGate also added a second centrifuge to streamline production and improve beer clarity. This investment ensures TailGate can support increased demand across its beer, cider, and THC sparkling water lines. From the press release:

As we grow across the state and expand our portfolio to include non-beer beverages like cider and THC Sparking Water, it’s important that we develop the infrastructure to support it,” said Wesley Keegan, sole owner and original founder of TailGate Brewery. “We’re growing but doing it in a way that allows us to maintain our independence, a great workplace and the quality we’re known for.”

TailGate is Tennessee’s fastest-growing brewery

Founded in 2014, TailGate Brewery has grown from a single location to nine taprooms across Tennessee, plus an airport outpost. It’s a prime example of how an independent brewery can thrive in a competitive landscape by focusing on quality, innovation, people and awesome pizza.

Core beers, constant innovation

TailGate produces four award-winning core beers:

• TailGate Orange – their signature orange wheat ale
• Wizards’ Order IPA – a rotating IPA series introduced in 2024
• TENN Golden Lager – a clean, crushable staple
• TailGate Cider – a fan-favorite across all taprooms

Each year, TailGate brews something like 250 to 300 unique beers. Limited-run beers are released weekly and served exclusively at TailGate taprooms. From Pickle Gose to Key Lime Pie Sour, the brewery pushes boundaries with its rotating offerings. Styles range from the traditional, German-inspired biers of its Lager Projekt, to barrel-aged specialty brews like Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial PB&J Milk Stout. Course, TailGate isn’t just about beer. The brewery is also Nashville’s first cidery and produces a rotating line of crisp, craft ciders. Its locally made seltzers continue to grow in popularity, and its non-alcoholic Nashville Sweet Tea brand launched two new flavors in 2024: Lemonade and Sunshine Tea.

Pizza that pairs perfectly

TailGate is equally known for its scratch-made food menu. The brewery specializes in Detroit-style pizza and constantly rotates its Pizza of the Month. Popular pies include inventive flavors like Cacio e Pepe (made with creamy black pepper sauce and a ricotta and parmesan blend) and Hot Honey (made with marinara, mozzarella, jalapeno, sausage, pepperoni, and a hot honey drizzle). Guests can also build their own pizza, with vegan and gluten-free options available at every location.

Tours now available at the Nashville HQ

TailGate’s recently expanded Nashville facility now offers guided brewery tours. These immersive experiences showcase the entire brewing process — from pilot brews to the canning line. Guests can also check out the brewery’s barrel-aging program and in-house tap handle manufacturing. Tours end with a guided tasting, followed by access to 30+ beers on draft and a full menu in the taproom.

New taprooms and retail growth

In 2024, TailGate opened its ninth taproom in Murfreesboro, one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. It also expanded its Chattanooga patio and added a new outdoor bar. Thanks to a partnership with Lipman Brothers, TailGate doubled its grocery placements and added more draft handles across Tennessee. It also launched 19.2-oz cans of its core lineup, targeting venues, gas stations, and convenience stores.

Named a Top Workplace (again)

TailGate Brewery was named a Tennessean Top Workplace for the second year in a row. The company provides 100% employer-paid healthcare, competitive wages, and a strong internal culture for more than 250 employees. Founder Wesley Keegan has been recognized for building a people-first workplace in a challenging industry. In a time when many independent brewers are struggling, TailGate Brewery is expanding — thoughtfully, sustainably and with good people. With a laser focus on quality, a broad beverage portfolio, and a commitment to team culture, TailGate is currently leading Tennessee’s craft beer scene.

Only in Tennessee

Also kind of cool: TailGate beer is available only in Tennessee — on draft and in retail — keeping its brand strong, regional, and hyper-local. Whether you’re sipping a lager in Chattanooga or grabbing a 19.2 oz TailGate Orange at a gas station in Nashville, TailGate delivers consistent quality and local flavor. Find taproom locations, tour info, and what’s on tap at tailgatebeer.com or follow @tailgatebrewery on social media.