Tennessee Beer Scene

Stop in Kentucky and buy beer. Tn has highest beer taxes in the US and screwy ABV laws that really limit why gets distribution here.

 

This isn't entirely accurate, and most of what is available in Kentucky is available in Indiana...

OP, I'm from Middle Tennessee, so I can't really comment on stores in East Tennessee, but something you need to know about Tennessee is that all beer that is 6.3% ABV and up must be sold in liquor store. Liquor stores in Tennessee are never open on Sundays and are rarely open on holidays. However you can buy 6.2% and below on Sundays after noon (or on holidays) from grocery stores, corner stores, gas stations, etc. Lastly, if you're looking for something interesting that isn't distributed to Indiana, I recommend Terrapin, Red Brick (their Brick Mason Series is quite good), Straight To Ale, Good People, and Lagunitas. If you're looking for Tennessee brewed beers, I recommend Yazoo, Blackstone, and Calfkiller (tap only). Jackalope Brewing (tap only) has a couple decent beers called Bearwalker and Rompo Red as well.

Hope that helps.

 

I would imagine that the beer scene in Norris Lake is garbage. I hope you're going through Nashville.

 

Norris is going to be tough. There are a lot of dry or semi-dry towns and counties around there, I think. The best you'll find in a convenience store will probably be Fat Tire or Brooklyn something.

You won't be that far from Knoxville, though, and there are a couple of good places there. The Casual Pint and Bearden Beer Market both offer good selections. I believe both offer growler fills, as well (haven't been to The Casual Pint yet). You can also try Earthfare or The Fresh Market for good grocery store beer selections.

Local and regional breweries include Sawworks and Smoky Mountain Brewery (Knoxville area); Yazoo, Jackalope, Blackstone, Turtle Anarchy, Calfkiller (Nashville area); and Highland, Duck Rabbit, French Broad (NC). I'm not sure if you get any of those in Indiana. I don't think the Alabama breweries are in Knoxville yet, but Good People and Straight to Ale are definitely worth trying if they are.

 

Norris is a beer wasteland. Lexington (Liquor Barn) and Northern KY (Party Source) are your best best bets. If you make it to Knoxville, check out McSrooge's

 

I'm currently located in Nashville and I know it is probably a little late. I thought I'd add that the relatively new Mayday Brewery in Murfreesboro has my favorite lineup of the Middle Tennessee breweries, but they are tap only.

 

Check out some Hop Project from Yazoo. Always different and always enjoyable IMO.

 

Around Norris, Knoxville is your best bet. Remember the schizo laws and high beer taxation. Above 6.1 ABV, it must be sold at a liquor store. And none open on Sundays. That said McScrooges is great for the high ABV. Bearden Beer Market and the Casual Pint handle a great selection of what is under 6.1 ABV. beerfoodlodging's advice for local beer is what I would give you. Enjoy! Hope we meet in person.

 

Just for clarification, any alcohol above 6.3 ABV / 5.0 ABW (not 6.1 abv) must be sold in a liquor store, where as anything alcohol (except wine) below 6.3 ABV / 5.0 ABW may not be sold at a liquor store and must be sold at grocery stores, gas stations, corner stores, etc. More reading here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_laws_of_the_United_States Here: http://beerpulse.com/2011/05/ten-qu...-tier-system-wonky-tn-liquor-law-and-sb-1224/ And of course, here: http://www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/op/2010/op/op10-92.pdf

 

So, 6.3 ABV. Thanks for clarification.

 

Lagunitas IPA on tap is a win imo. What resort?

 

Heading to Nashville in November... So any bar worth going to on Broadway ?

 

For good beer, or in general? There has been some very slow improvement in beer quality in the last year or so. Robert's Western World has some decent craft beer available and is probably your best bet for an authentic honky tonk experience.

The Flying Saucer is also on Broadway, but is at 10th Ave., a bit of a walk from lower Broad. Plenty to choose from there.

 

Haven't been to Roberts in a couple years, but Broadway Brewhouse was my go to on Broadway. Pub5 is a nice gastropub place basically on Broadway (across from Bridgestone) with a small but quality selection. A small walk away is Flying Saucer or Beer Sellar

 

Thanks all

 

These are great recommendations, and the only thing I would add is Beer Seller. It's a couple blocks north of Broadway and has a pretty decent beer selection.

 

Get to 12 South Taproom. Not too far out of downtown and great selection.