Greetings from Chicago, I'm trying to get some info for a friend who's taking a road trip from here to Florida. Really trying to find out if there are any good breweries he should stop at with tap rooms, bottle sales etc...on his route there or back. The cities he'll be in or near are: Clarksville Montgomery Nashville Memphis Mobile Birmingham Jackson Pensacola Panama city Jackson Some places are on the way there, some on the way home and I'm not 100% on his route but I think it's mostly highways not interstates. I know some of these cities are outside this region but I figured I'd try here since they're fairly close.
If he stops by Huntsville AL there are several good Breweries There. If I had to pick one I would say Straight to Ale but thats just me personally. Nashville has Yahzoo which is good, Birmingham has Good people and Avondale. There is lots of good beer down this way it just depends on what you like.
Don't think much in Clarksville at all. I haven't been to Memphis in awhile, but they are making big strides with new breweries popping up. Wiseacre is getting alot of buzz. Nashville/Franklin Breweries: Yazoo, Black Abby, Tennessee Brew Works are all worth a stop. In Cool Springs, right off 1-65, I highly recommend Cool Springs Brewery. Great beer...usually some unusual stuff...solid food (recommend fish and chips...pretty authentic since owners father owned a shop in London and now comes in every few weeks to make sure they are doing it right. As far as bottle shops, I highly recommend Craft Brewed in Nashville, followed by Midtown. Both have low grav and high grav side (yes they have to be separate here). In Franklin, my favorite place is Red Dog Liquors. Off of I-65 at the hwy 96 exit. In Huntsville, check out Wish You Were Beer. Ask for Uncle Jedi. He is kind of a beer legend in these here parts. If he is up for trades, I'm sure folks are up for some off the beaten path Illinois stuff (myself included), so just beer mail!
I highly recommend Tennessee Brew Works in Nashville and agree with the previously suggested bottle shops. Blackstone is a really solid brewpub as well. Straight to Ale is definitely worth it in Huntsville. In Birmingham, I'd definitely recommend the bottle shop Hop City. Good People is pretty good too.
if he goes through Memphis, he should go to Wiseacre. Tap Room is open Thursday 4-8 Friday 4-10 Saturday 1-8. There is a great place on Cooper called The Growler. They have a lot of Memphis beers on tap
Huntsville: Blue Pants or Straight to Ale both have tap rooms. Birmingham: Good People Brewing is right off I-65 and has a cool tap room. Montgomery: Railyard Brewing is also pretty close to the interstate. Beer is pretty good but the burgers are great. Fried moon pie with bourbon caramel ice cream is worth the stop.
