Breweries in Nashville – The Music Hub Unites With the Best Craft Beers

7Breweries in Nashville have grown around the city’s music culture and have become an inherent part of it.

If you wonder what’s brewing in these taprooms in Nashville, read on to get a clearer picture of the craft beer scene for your next weekend tour plan with your friends or family.

It is time for you to “hop” on to this journey and get your spirits high while visiting the most exclusive Nashville breweries around you.

Nashville Beer Breweries	Number of Active Beers	ABV (Lowest to Highest)
Yazoo Brewing Company	56	4.5 – 10 percent
East Nashville Beer Works	30	4.5 – 7.5 percent
Southern Grist Brewing Company	223	4 – 13.9 percent
Bearded Iris Brewing (Germantown)	126	5 – 10 percent
Crazy Gnome Brewery	16	5.1 – 8.3 percent
Blackstone Brewing Co.	18	4.1 – 13.2 percent
Fat Bottom Brewing Co.	13	4.4 – 6.4 percent
Jackalope Brewing Company – The Ranch	17	8.8 – 4.4 percent
Tennessee Brew Works	33	4.2 – 10 percent
Barrique Brewing and Blending	36	4.2 – 9.8 percent
The Black Abbey Brewing Company, LLC	19	3.4 – 8 percent
HonkyTonk Brewing Co.	15	5 – 9 percent

Best Breweries in Nashville

1. Yazoo Brewing Company

– Location

900 River Bluff Dr, Madison

– Highlights

• Guided tour
• Taproom
• Outdoor patio
• Limited edition beer collection
• Dog-friendly
• Indoor sitting
• Pop-up food truck

Yazoo one was established way back in 2003 and has served some of the best in-house brews for the past two decades. Linus Hall started his journey as a brewer when he accidentally bought a home beer brewing kit but eventually went on to produce some of the finest beers that Nashville has to offer. In the beginning, it was just Hall himself distributing his own beer kegs such as his Pale Ale, Dos Perros, Spring Wheat, and Onward Stout across to various local pubs, eateries, and diners.

He was quick to become popular among the locals of Nashville, and he soon started his award-winning Hefeweizen beer. This is when they started to bottle their beer and expanded their production. In 2019 Linus made a brand new production unit on 6.5 acres of land. His brewery is a self-owned business, and the man is a very hands-on leader and loves to take part in the brewing process.

– Must-try In-house Brews

• Perception of Reality
• Zure Bruine
• Embrace The Funk series of beers

2. East Nashville Beer Works

– Location

320 E Trinity Ln, Nashville

– Highlights

• Beer garden
• Family-friendly
• Dog-friendly
• Host events
• Taproom
• Outdoor space
• Live music nights
• Beer club
• Dart games

The East Nashville Beer Works believe and go by the philosophy that beer is all about community. This brewhouse promises to offer you a “good time” when you are on their premises.

They are people who put the customers first and ensure that every step of the way, from food to beer, everything they do is for the customer’s experience. The East Nashville Beer Works has been termed one of the most family-friendly breweries in east Nashville.

They are very adaptive people who will love for you to host a beer and movie night or a beer yoga session in their open garden. They host some of the best curated live music nights with great musicians from across town.

They insist on their space to become a place for all communities to come together and live a shared experience of indulging in some exclusively crafted beer. They have a great variety of in-house brews, from light beer to IPA and dark beers; they have a pint for everyone at the bar.

– Must-try In-house Brews

• East Bank, Miro Miel
• Lato Est Birra (Cans)
• The Pitch Beyond The Pines – Coastless IPA
• 5-Year Golden Beer – Dry-Hopped Golden Ale

3. Southern Grist Brewing Company

– Location

1201 Porter Rd, Nashville

– Highlights

• Creative beer selection
• On the go beers
• Lounge
• Porch
• Pet-friendly
• Taproom
• Host parties
• Live events

Southern Grist Brewing Company opened its doors in 2016 and has never looked back since. They have forever been appreciated for their creatively dynamic beer menu and changing new beer varieties. They do not shy away from using the most innovative ingredients like berries, exotic fruits, and even marshmallows. This brewery started as a passion project of three corporate employees who met at work and loved to make their own beer brews over the weekend.

Things took a turn real quick when they planned to give up on their monotonous corporate lives and set out on crafting beer as a full-time activity in their 430 sq ft brewery. The founders’ wives were also quick to join in on this adventurous ride, and they have had fun brewing on their premises since then. They have now expanded to a 9,900 sq ft space with more than 600 unique craft beers to offer because of the rising customer demand.

– Must-try In-house Brews

• Hill – Passion Fruit Dragon Fruit Mango
• DDH Mixed Greens 56 – England IPA
• Raspberry Blueberry Cobler
• Pity Whop
• Mango Upside Down Cake – IPA

4. Bearded Iris Brewing (Germantown)

– Location

101 Van Buren St, Nashville

– Highlights

• Hop forward beers
• Cans to go
• Group reservations
• Taproom
• Quirky merchandise
• Kid-friendly
• Dog-friendly
• Vegan beer available

The Bearded Iris Brewing creators and masterminds believe that beer tasting is meant to be a subjective experience. They indulge in individualistic live experiences of their beer tasting and deliver on it. Bearded Iris believes that excellent quality does not necessarily come from a great variety. That is the sole reason they want to perfect their craft in making the three genres of beer that they make, namely IPAs, DIPAs, and pales.

This might look a little non-diverse to some beer lovers out there, but they have really aced the beers that they make. They put extra care into curating their ingredients and use every single one of them to its fullest potential. The beer here promises to give every visitor a memory so good that they want to come back. Their hop-laden beers are always on top of the charts and are a classic favorite with all locals and visitors.

– Must-try In-house Brews

• Chief of Chiefs DDH
• Attention Please – Double IPA
• 2616 Flamingo Road
• Double Homestyle
• Sneak Peak – Barrel-Aged Stout

5. Crazy Gnome Brewery

– Location

948 Main St, Nashville

– Highlights

• Outdoor patio
• Cozy space
• Crawlers to go
• Kid-friendly
• Dog-friendly
• Pop-up food trucks
• Pre-order options
• Quality merchandise
• Host private events

Founder Grayson had been obsessing over brewing his own craft beer since the age of 20. He has faced many problems along the way, like a tornado in 2020 along with the pandemic that nearly shut his business down. However, he rose to the occasion and turned things around with his very dynamic in-house brews. Over a very short time, he has become a favorite among the locals, and his pub is now a go-to place for some authentic beer-laden comfort.

Although it is a smaller brewery, it is extremely cozy to enjoy a lovely lazy evening with your close ones. The place encourages visitors to try out the local food around their brewery to experience the most authentic and wholesome beer adventure.

From making experimental Irish Stouts with locally ground roasted coffee to going big on the hop game, they have done it all in this little brewery. Also, keep tracking their social media or website for regular updates on their quirky events and new beer releases.

– Must-try In-house Brews

• Crooked Smile
• Kalamity Kolsch
• Copper Doodle
• Celtic Grounds
• It’s Probably an Acronym

6. Blackstone Brewing Co.

– Location

2312 Clifton Ave, Nashville

– Highlights

• The oldest brewery in Nashville
• Multiple awards won
• Taproom
• Food bus
• Guided brewery tours
• Historical tours
• Founders tour

The Blackstone Brewing Co. was started way back in 1994, making it one of Nashville’s first and oldest breweries. In 2011 they shifted gears and got into the game of a new age beer-making process when they constructed and launched a one-of-a-kind brewing and bottling facility for all their craft beer.

Not only do they brew state-of-the-art beers, but they have also won multiple awards and medals — their Coffee Stout. St. Charles Porter was awarded the best Brown Porter beer at the Great American Beer Festival.

They offer guided tours around the brewery to let you see every brewing process step up close. They also offer a historical tour of the craft breweries Nashville scene.

They even have exclusive private tours with co-founder Kent Taylor. But all of these need to be pre-booked because these are really coveted and are filled up way in advance.

– Must-try In-house Brews

• HopJack IPA
• St Charles Porter
• Nut Brown Ale
• Session Player IPA
• Adam Bomb IPA
• Dark Matter – Dark Cascadian Dark Ale

7. Fat Bottom Brewing Co.

– Location

800 44th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209

– Highlights

• Taproom e-gift card available
• Taproom
• Group reservations
• Pick up orders
• Great food

Their beers are brewed with inspiration from different brewing styles from across the world. This brewery was started in 2011 and has become very popular among the locals and visiting tourists of Nashville. You can book the 3,000 sq ft indoor place for private events and even gift beer e-cards to your friends and family. They also have a great outdoor beer garden to enjoy the food and in-house brews.

– Must-try In-house Brews

• Knockout IPA
• Teddy Lover – Pilsner
• Two-Piece – Summer Wheat

8. Jackalope Brewing Company – The Ranch

– Location

429B Houston St, Nashville, TN 37203

– Highlights

• Local delivery and pickup
• Brewery tours
• Merchandise shop
• Sustainability
• Hosts private events
• Conducts local event nights
• Beer tasting

The Jackalope Brewing Co. offers exclusive brewery tours and has a great taproom where you can taste their exclusive brews. This brewery was started by three friends as a passion project in 2011 but soon became very popular among beer lovers. The brewmasters at this brewery have taken the initiative to make this place sustainable and environmentally friendly, making it a great crowd-puller.

– Must-try In-house Brews

• Thunder Ann – American Pale Ale
• BearWalker – Maple Brown Ale
• Fennario – IPA.

9. Tennessee Brew Works

– Location

809 Ewing Ave, Nashville, TN 37203

– Highlights

• Natural ingredients
• Locally sourced product to honor the local land
• Live music nights
• Ingredients from local farmers
• Award-winning brewers
• Fine dining restaurant
• Hosts gatherings

The brewers found this place to pay homage to local tales and make great quality beer in the process. They use natural ingredients sourced from local farms to make their exclusive in-house brews. They have live music events and food options on the premises, making it very popular among locals and tourists alike.

– Must-try In-house Brews

• State Park – Blonde Ale
• Extra Easy – Amber Ale
• Wildwood Flower – Honey Blonde Ale

10. Barrique Brewing and Blending

– Location

30 Oldham St, Nashville, TN 37213

– Highlights

• Membership available
• Bottle Club
• Online store
• Food to order
• Sour brewery
• Beer to go

The Barrique Brewing and Blending Company specializes in a unique open fermenting brewing style of sour beers. They also produce a range of lagers, traditional English beers, and IPAs. They have a great taproom and members-only exclusive offers for customers. They offer in-house food and an online beer store for customers to enjoy.

– Must-try In-house Brews

• 20 Degrees of Everywhere – Doppelbock
• Flanders Style Cherry    Sour – Flanders Red Ale
• Karla Rose Nectarine – Wild Ale.

11. The Black Abbey Brewing Company, LLC

– Location

2952 Sidco Dr, Nashville, TN 37204

– Highlights

• Fellowship Hall – exclusive taproom
• Great merchandise
• Beer sampling
• Hosts events
• Dog-friendly patio
• Outside patio sitting
• Private tours

The Black Abbey Brewing Co. takes inspiration from Martin Luther King’s journey against the corruption of the church. The makers believe that the beers are born out of defiance and conviction and that gives each of their beers a very unique flavor and story. All their beers are handcrafted and can be tasted in their taproom.

– Must-try In-house Brews

• The Rose – Belgian Blonde
• Forty Four Porter – American
• River Running Hibiscus Gose – Sour.

12. HonkyTonk Brewing Co.

– Location

240 Cumberland Bend, Nashville, TN 37228

– Highlights

• Pick up available
• Pre-order online
• Taproom
• Kid-friendly
• Foosball table

The brewers at HonkyTonk Brewing Co. love to play in-house beer games to keep the “spirits” high during customer visits. They even sponsor bike riding events to promote their exclusive in-house beers. They specialize in hazy IPA and all their beer is available inside the taproom and for online order, pick up, and delivery.

– Must-try In-house Brews

• King Bee Honey Blonde 6pk
• Blueberry Lemonade 4pk
• Cherry Berline 6pk

Nashville’s Music Influence on Its Breweries

Breweries in Nashville TN are not a new thing for sure. They have been around in this art of craft beer brewing for a while now. In fact, they started brewing beer locally way before other cities did, all thanks to the music scene in Nashville city.

There are historical records of the beer brewing in Nashville dating back to as early as 1815 when the locals produced gallons of locally brewed beer as a form of livelihood for the pubs that were on the rise due to the upcoming music scene.

But they were not very popular since people were not very familiar with the concept of locally brewed beer. The businesses finally started booming when the craft beer scene picked up across the country in the early 1960s.

Present Brewery Scene in Nashville

At present, there are more than 27 breweries in Nashville Tennessee. The city and its craft beer business took quite a bad hit during 2020 due to the pandemic, as was the case with most businesses across the world. But, this did not dampen their spirits. Come 2021; the craft breweries have all upped their games to offer something unique to each brewery to attract the maximum number of visitors.

This music city is also a destination for many bachelor and bachelorette parties. The local brewers have rightly identified their customers and diversified their products, offers, and scenes to let all their visitors feel the Nashville vibe.

Nashville has something to offer for all kinds of taste palettes, from beer novices to experienced beer connoisseurs. From an excellent pale ale to a hard-hitting dark stout, there is something for all of you.

FAQ

Are there beer and music festivals in Nashville?

Yes, Nashville hosts beer and music festivals throughout the year. Some popular ones include the Music City Brewer’s Fest and the East Nashville Beer Festival.

What makes Nashville brew houses unique?

Nashville’s brew houses are known for their unique blends of traditional and modern brewing techniques, creating distinct and flavorful beers that showcase the city’s diverse cultural influences.

Where do Nashville breweries get their brewing supplies?

Nashville breweries source their brewing supplies from various suppliers, including local and regional providers, as well as national and international distributors.

Summing Up

So the next time you are planning a trip and want to indulge in some good old adventure, check out the beautiful music and craft beer scenes in Nashville. It is perfect for anyone who needs a pitcher of relief from the hectic workweek. With the best local beer brews and great music, it makes the perfect getaway for some unfiltered fun time.

• Nashville’s brewery scene is intertwined with its music culture.
• The breweries are mostly in a cluster in the heart of the city, with more than 27 amazing breweries in the city alone.
• Most breweries have live music scenes with facilities like pre-order and beer to go.
• Blackstone Brewing Co is the oldest brewery with beers like  Nut Brown Ale, Chaser Kolsch, Pumpkin Ale, Dark Matter, and others.
• Southern Grist Brewing Company is one of the most popular top breweries in Nashville, with more than 600 craft beer offerings.

So, the next time you visit Nashville, keep this list close to guide you to the best breweries in town and lead you to some of the finest craft beers you will find.