So I am coming down to Knoxville TN for a few days and know nothing about its local beer culture. Seeing as I am a Chicagoian we have a pretty rad scene here. However, I hope to bring back a little of the Knoxville beer scene back for my friends in Chicago. So what beer bars, breweries and bottle shops should I hit up while I am there. Also, any what goodies should I seek out to bring back home. Also, one of the days I hope to make the day trip to Asheville NC. I really want to hit up Wicked Weed. Also, just any great food or sights I need to see on this trip is much appreciated. Ive never been to Knoxville before. Thanks again for all of your help.
Knoxville's beer scene is coming up, but still well behind Chicago's (used to live there). Where you are staying and access to transportation is going to be a huge factor as we don't have anything noteworthy when it comes to public transit, but a few things to note: High ABV beers are still sold only at bottle shops (liquor stores, package stores, take your pick). Anything above 6.5% is going to require one of those stores to help you out. Probably the best bottles to return with are Yazoo Sue (smoked porter, lightly smoked), Black Belle from Blackstone Brewing, Blackberry Farms Saisons, and Yazoo Embrace the Funk, if you like sours. Adjective Animal from Wiseacre is also quite good, but seeing as Chicago has so many awesome DIPA options from Pipeworks, 3 Floyds, etc., it's maybe lower on the list. I haven't seen Astronaut Status from Wiseacre around in awhile, but it may be randomly at another bottle shop if you stumble across it, and if you do, definitely pick it up. Sue is cheap, Adjective animal is about normal price, and the other bottles are pricey, but very good. Bottle shops: McScrooge's is pretty widely regarded as the best selection around. You can also check out Farragut liquors, Cedar Bluff Wine and Spirits, and Corks Wine and Spirits. Downtown Wine and Spirits hits a home run on occasion if you're downtown (which most people tend to be). Casual Pint is a chain that serves lower ABV stuff and has decent options, but rarely is there anything truly memorable to take home (they're all over). They may have the occasional local brewery on tap. Downtown has Suttrees for high grav stuff that's really nice, and I've never been, but heard good things about Hops and Hollers (near downtown, but not walking distance necessarily). For food, Tomato Head is local and really tasty, and is great for vegetarians to boot. You can also try Stock and Barrel for burgers (both downtown). If you want a bar for cocktails, The Oliver hotel downtown has a bar called Peter Kern's that's got great cocktails, it's a little speakeasy inside the hotel hidden behind a wall. Other beer joints of mixed to decent quality: Scruffy City (good), Carolina Ale House (decent to good), Twin Peaks (hooters/sports bar kind of joint, decent), and if you go way west, Mind yer Ps and Qs (above average to good). Hope that helps @Srodri10. Any other questions, just ask.
