Brew-sic City: Craft Beer of Nashville
It’s no secret that Nashville is fast becoming the Brooklyn of the Bible belt. Artisanal granola shops and organic markets dot hipsterified East Nashville, which feels a world away from downtown’s delightfully cheesy honky-tonks and garish stores peddling buy-one-get-two cowboy boots. And while it’s most enjoyable to crack open a cold PBR while sampling the local country music acts, it would be a crime for any craft beer lover to visit Music City without visiting at least one of the many excellent local breweries. Here are three of my favorites:
Located in the trendy Five Points neighborhood, Fat Bottom boasts a spacious outdoor area and cheerful wait staff, who helped us find a prime table in the midst of a large private event an
d accommodated my request for a smaller beer flight. Their Ginger Wheat and signature Ida Blonde Ale were my favorites; a Lychee Weisse was ambitious but less successful. Huge points for an inviting atmosphere and great for big groups!
How can you not love a place that brews a beer called “Walk the Lime”? As an unapologetic fan of puns and 
pints, I was into this place from the moment I glimpsed the menu. Tennessee Brew Works is within spitting distance of downtown’s biggest tourist attractions, and it is seemingly run by branding geniuses. “Finely Tuned Craft Beer” is the tagline here, and after enjoying the Basil Ryeman saison, I have to agree. Their Country Roots Sweet Potato Stout was also a winner among my dark beer-loving friends.
This had to be the most hit or miss of our Nashville brewery tour.I sampled a Blueberry Saison that tasted of, well, neither blueberry nor saison. But a Four Roses Bourbon Sour was among the most mind-blowing beers I’ve had anywhere. Plus, Jackalope has free bags of chips! Win-win.
One Reply to “Brew-sic City: Craft Beer of Nashville”