Nashville beer info

I'm not a fan of Flying Saucer because I think their food is just ok. I prefer 12 South because while they may not have as many taps, what they do have is really good and their food is very good as well.

New taproom opening this week also, Black Abbey. Their beers are very good from what I've had.

As far as places to get hard to find stuff, the really good bottle shops like Midtown, Craft Brewed, Red Dog and Bottle Shop already have the reputation so will be picked thru. Finding those small non-beer liquor stores that might still have stuff sitting on the shelves is the real issue.

 

12 South Taproom is overpriced in my opinion, and I personally feel that their food is awful. Flying Saucer's food isn't exceptional, but it's above average for a bar. Midtown and Frugal are you best shot at getting anything obscure or hard to find as they not only get everything, they get the largest quantities of everything. Yes, they probably get shopped more than other stores in town, but their supply is beyond adequate. I wouldn't recommend Red Dog or Bottle Shop as their beers are typically old and past their prime (Especially IPAs), and the owner of Red Dog (Who is the father of the Bottle Shop owner) is adamantly outspoken against wine and high grav beer in grocery stores (As well as gas stations, corner stores, etc).

 

I would say 99% of every liquor store owner is opposed to wine in grocery stores. If that is a reason not to shop somewhere, I'm sure the owner of Midtown isn't a big supporter of wine in grocery stores.

I frequent both stores alot and never gotten an older bottle. Are there occasionally some left over stuff, sure. Most stores have that, but I know if I go to any store now and see a 6 pack of Celebration Ale that is likely isn't fresh. Everyone is different, but I've never liked Frugal's...I just don't think their high grav side has a great selection.

I like 12 South's food and so do most everyone I know and never found it pricey, but like before, everyone is different. I've just never been blown away by the Saucer. Nothing wrong with it, but just don't like their food selection...plus I just don't go there much. Probably a hold over when it used to be a huge smokey mess there. Since I live in Franklin, I generally go to CSB, Mellow or TA for my beer drinking/food.

 

Wow, this is unusual for me: I think that 12South's food is above average - and everyone I know agrees - and that Saucer's food is either pedestrian or below average - and everyone I know agrees. WRT price, that's just as subjective as taste, but I haven't found the average 12S lineup to be out-of-line expensive. Pretty normal, going to reasonable/good during their daily specials. It does get super crowded at peak hours, and there's 0% attention paid to sound management, so I wouldn't bother going if I wanted to have a conversation or at 7PM on a Friday.

A word of warning to all: ordering the "nachos" at Flying Saucer will result in a plate of 10-12 tortilla chips carefully plated with toppings, almost like potato skins.

 

I think I'm making a last minute work trip tomorrow. I read this thread and a couple others. I think Craft Brewed looks pretty sweet after peeping their facebook page. I know they got new seasonal Sweetwater and Brown Shugga, so that makes me think maybe they have new Terrapin possibly. Also being able to fill growlers would be sweet. If anyone has seen anything interesting at other stores recently, let me know please!

 

If you see any of the barrel-aged Laikas from Straight to Ale, they're a good bet. Bottle only, as far as I know. Schlafly's Tasmanian IPA is also really good.

 

Glad this thread popped up. I'll be there for a Bach party next weekend. Im pumped