The Brew Lounge: Nashville

Showing posts with label Nashville. Show all posts

Saturday, July 28, 2018

TailGate Brewery in Nashville, TN

I routinely get requests from friends and family for travel suggestions and one this past week related to Nashville reminded me to wake up and finally post this bit about TailGate Brewery in Nashville. I visited the Music Row location in downtown Nashville (the production HQ facility is approximately 10 miles away in West Nashville) during the Craft Brewers Conference back in, ahem, May. Yes, my tardiness in this post disappoints me as well.

The four-year-old brewery recently announced it's embarking on a third location to be found in East Nashville. What I found when I visited for a couple hours was a brewery that serves as a beer geek destination, a fun neighborhood hangout for food and beer, and a bona fide sports bar. The night I stopped in, the Nashville Predators were in a home NHL playoff game and the atmosphere both in the city and at TailGate was electric.

As I was taking note of the atmosphere, I was simultaneously struck by the incredible diversity of beer styles on the draft list. An Altbier quickly became my first beer consumed in Nashville after making the drive from Pennsylvania and unpacking the car. One of my favorite, and oft-cited under-appreciated, styles. Was I skeptical about an Altbier in Nashville? Well, maybe just a bit until I recalled the German brewing heritage in Nashville that I was told about. And I was not disappointed. A Brown, a Saison, a Kolsch, a Pilsner, and a Double IPA all continued to keep me engaged as I stayed much longer than expected and watched the Predators win the game.

Of course they've got the requisite hazy IPA too. The forward-thinking brewery also had left a gift pack of beer and swag where I was staying so I could later enjoy at home some of their packaged goodies. The Welcome To Nashville Hazy IPA was in the package and, as one that is often critical and outspoken about this "style", I'll chalk this one up to meeting the style guidelines while still having enough assertive hop bitterness coming through to keep me interested. Well done. As were the others in the bunch — the Golden Ale, the Southeast IPA, and the Peanut Butter Milk Stout.

So, as I'll advise my friend in must-do recommendations when visiting Nashville, be sure to check out TailGate Brewery.

Speaking of German brewing heritage, the bonus picture here is of the conference's symposium collaboration beer — Mockingbird Maibock — given to all conference attendees. It was conceived and brewed by members of the Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild, of which TailGate is a member brewery. Nice naming of the beer to tie in the state bird of Tennessee and yet another very good beer experience from Nashville.

© Bryan J. Kolesar and The Brew Lounge, 2018. All content is owned and uniquely created by Bryan J. Kolesar. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Kolesar is strictly prohibited. Excerpts, images, and links may be used with advance permission granted and only provided that full and clear credit is given to Bryan J. Kolesar and The Brew Lounge with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Contact Kolesar at TheBrewLounge@gmail.com

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Wrap-up: Craft Brewers Conference 2018

(Click above for a full gallery of mostly, but not totally, beer-related pictures in Nashville at both the Craft Brewers Conference and World Beer Cup)
Am I late getting to you on the topic of the Craft Brewers Conference and the biennial World Beer Cup that accompanies it? Depends. If you follow me on the socials, then you'd likely seen me two weeks ago chattering about bars and breweries around Nashville - the host town in 2018 - and newsy bits from the conference itself, as well as "live-Tweeting" the area breweries of interest as they won awards during the ceremony on Thursday evening.

Last week, I shared the local highlights from the World Beer Cup awards. And above you'll find a picture link to a photo gallery of around 200 pictures, mostly beer-related, capturing the week in Nashville. Sounds like a lot, but at least I whittled it down from nearly 800. That's the kind of work I put in for you 😊

The Brewers Association briefly wrapped up its take on the week. Here are some of my own takeaways from what I heard, saw, and tasted during five days in Nashville.

- Diversity. This message came through loud and clear whether it was in a keynote address, in a breakout session, or in the off-site gathering of beer writers for a three-panel symposium presented to the North American Guild of Beer Writers. Cliff Notes version? Even if we don't have the solution for the still mostly white straight male dominated industry, if we're not attempting to take steps in the proper direction, then we're still part of the problem. For myself, wheels are already turning how I can be a part of the improvement.

- NashVegas. What the heck is that? Well, it didn't take long for it to be explained to me that Nashville is a much bigger party city that I'd realized. And, as a result, bachelorette parties what seems like every night. And, "pedal taverns". Shut down Broadway to show the Predators playoff hockey game, mix in beautiful weather, 15-20 square blocks of music and "regular" debauchery (though, I quickly learned, too, that Printer's Alley is not what it used to be), and it goes to another level. Might considering tossing Orleans in the name as well to capture the party essence. Oh, and rooftop parties atop every other bar.

- Stronger Together, and Independent Craft Beer logo. This mantra and this logo were repeatedly announced loudly as antidotes to both macro tampering as well as slowing growth in the craft segment. While I've long held that the craft segment has grown as much as it has and as quickly as it has over the past 10-20 years because of the support that brewers provide each other, as well as the role of suppliers, wholesalers, media (traditional as well as social)...anyone associated with the process of getting beer from tank to glass... I've been a somewhat slowly enthusiastic adopter of the Independent Craft Beer logo that the Brewers Association created and distributed in 2017. They announced that it's been used by over 3,300 breweries (on websites, marketing, and/or packaging) and had signed up another few hundred during the conference. I *do* believe in the message, yet a label does not ultimately convey quality; not really sure there is anything that actually can do that in a decisive and conclusive manner. But, for my part, I will continue to highlight only (or, at least, mostly) the positive with the idea that there are enough forums for scuttlebutt and that the weak can fall to the wayside with their help or on their own. Also, thinking of someway to emphasize the role of Independent Beer Media as well.

- Shout-out to the local Nashville beer scene. I discovered plenty of Nashville's beer scene, but gotta say it was mostly due to my own sleuthing skills. For past CBCs, I've been contacted as part of media outreach to familiarize people such as myself with the local brewing scene by way of tours, invitations, samplings, and the like. This year, not so much. (Could be my ranking has been downgraded?!) Though, hats off to TailGate Brewery for the personalized welcome bag of beer and related accessories. What did that inspire me to do? After unpacking at the condo, TailGate was my first stop for my first beer in Nashville, coinciding with the Predators playoff Watch Party. In addition to enjoying the four canned beers - Naked Statue Blonde, Peanut Butter Milk Stout, Southeast IPA, and Welcome to Nashville Hazy IPA - later back home, while on-site at the Music Row pub location, not only did I find the Barn Out Back Altbier remarkable and the Jasmine Saison, Sake Kolsch, and Farmhouse Rye very good, I had an accidental crossing of paths with the owners/brewers from Something Wicked in Hanover, Pa. First time meeting them even though they're in my Ale Street News coverage area. Some honky-tonkin' ensued from there through late into the night. So, I won on several fronts. But otherwise I was on my own. Brewery-wise, I found my way to Bearded Iris (great, if you're into IPAs, DIPAs, DDH-IPAs, NEIPAs, seriously that's pretty much it), Tennessee Brew Works (a few great classic styles including an Extra Easy ESB "English pub style" and an American Brown called King Chestnut), Jackalope (check out their Thunder Ann Pale and Bearwalker Brown), and Yazoo (great Pilsner that paired nicely with the Beer Writers Guild meeting and in lieu of spending more time there, brought some special bottles home with me). And on the bar front, Craft Brewed, City Tap, Acme Feed & Seed, Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint, and Kuchnia & Keller stood head and shoulders above and demonstrated that it's a year-round thing for them and not just a CBC week condition. (The Germantown neighborhood, on the whole, is an excellent destination for eating, drinking, and walking.) You want these on your short list when exploring the Nashville beer scene. Oh yeah, and of course a few honky tonk bars were on the docket each night!

That's about it for the big headlines. Much more and I'd be getting into insider baseball territory.

The 2019 Craft Brewers Conference was announced to take place in Denver. Will I be there? Will I see you there?

Wednesday, May 09, 2018

Wrap-up: World Beer Cup 2018 in Nashville, TN

(Click above for a full gallery of pictures documenting my week in Nashville for Craft Brewers Conference and World Beer Cup.)
Am I late getting to you on the topic of the Craft Brewers Conference and the biennial World Beer Cup (WBC) that accompanies it? Depends. If you follow me on the socials, then you'd likely seen me last week chattering about bars and breweries around Nashville - the host town in 2018 - and newsy bits from the conference itself, as well as "live-Tweeting" the area breweries of interest as they won awards during the ceremony on Thursday evening.

You can read the official press release farther down below. The numbers are truly amazing. First up, let's see how our neck of the woods (as defined by PA, DE, and NJ) fared in beer judging competition against beers from around the world. Grand total for the three state region: 3 gold, 9 silver, 2 bronze)

Pennsylvania
2SP (The Russian, silver)—If, by now, you can't see this one coming, you don't know Bob Barrar. Also, gold at Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in both 2016 and 2017.

Conshohocken (Puddler’s Row, silver)—I'll say likewise about this beer as well. Have had numerous sixtels of this on tap at The Brew Lounge and I keep you telling you all about it over and over again. Whether you're listening, well.... Won at WBC in 2016 in Philly as well.

Free Will (Olly, silver)—Again, not much surprise here as one of Free Will's foudre finest. Get it at the next Sour Sunday. Or at the Souderton Theater (you'll need to see the latest news for that reference).

Iron Hill-Media (Solzhenitsyn, bronze)—This, too, is becoming a regular thing in competition. This won at GABF last year and another World Beer Cup award in 2016.

Mad Chef (Mr. Dynamite, silver)—Now here's a little secret for you. I've gone as far as to say that this is one of the best brewpubs in the region that many of you haven't been to and more say they haven't heard of. These guys, Greg and Francisco, are stand up guys and are putting out equally well-done food and beer at their little place outside Lancaster. Really, you need to listen to me more often.

Penn (Penn Gold, gold)—This is the kind of recognition that warms me. Been around for over 20 years (30?) and still winning awards. Brooklyn Lager also took home a gold medal this year proving that it ain't all about the new, flashy, and afternoon 4-pack sales. Its first gold was at GABF twenty years ago in 1998.

Rivertowne (Maxwell’s Scottish, bronze)—Another one that has graced the winner's stage; this one, a recurring seasonal, won in 2014 at World Beer Cup. Enjoy their beers at the ballpark or arena in Pittsburgh.

Roundabout (Heini’s Good Cheer, silver)—If you're in the Pittsburgh area, I wonder if you know about Roundabout. It's in the hot Lawrenceville neighborhood and along with Hop Farm, Full Pint, and Arsenal Cider makes for an excellent stroll along Butler Street. This beer won silver at WBC in 2016 and silver at GABF in 2017. See a pattern here?

Sterling Pig (Shoat, silver)—Brian McConnell and I talked about beer styles, awards, and other such topics the night prior over some Buffalo Trace late in the evening. Then I wished him well and hopes that he'd be walking across the stage. If I can do the same for anyone else, let me know.

Two Rivers (Bangor Slate, gold)—Here's a personal sin. I've enjoyed many of their beers. Heard their name called for awards in the past. I still haven't been to their downtown Easton location. That must be addressed. Soon.

Weyerbacher (Riserva, gold)—Speaking of Easton, was just at Weyerbacher a couple months ago to refresh my memory and to bring home a couple Buffalo Trace barrels (hey, where have I heard that name before). The Riserva? Long a favorite of mine and one I gushed over when judging it during the Philadelphia Inquirer's Brewvitational a few years back. Another just award. And, gold, no less. Riserva took home a GABF last year too.

Delaware
Bellefonte (Grateful Haze Porter, silver)—Now I'm getting into undiscovered territory. Heard of them, but have not yet had the pleasure of an on-site visit. So, I've got no color commentary for you.

Revelation Craft (Peach Berliner Weisse, silver)—Ditto. But, they won for their gluten-free beer last year at GABF, so maybe there's a new guard in Delaware. Someone tell Dogfish Head and others!

New Jersey
Iron Hill-Maple Shade (The Cannibal, silver)—But, no ditto here. Another solid repeat winner from the Iron Hill family and one that I look forward to every year. At Belgium Comes to West Chester event too. Eddie! This has won twice at GABF in the past and this makes the second WBC award for The Cannibal.

2018 World Beer Cup® Winners Announced

8,234 entries from 66 countries compete at the “Olympics of Beer”

Nashville, Tenn. • May 3, 2018—The Brewers Association (BA)—the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American craft brewers—announced the results of the 2018 World Beer Cup Awards. The largest competition to date, the awards were presented at the conclusion of the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America® at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn.

Beers were judged during six sessions over a period of three days by an elite panel of 295 judges from 33 countries—72 percent of whom were from outside the United States. Judges evaluated 8,234 beers—a 25 percent increase in the number of entries from the 2016 World Beer Cup. Of the 2,515 participating breweries, 807 were from outside the United States.

Out of a possible 303 awards in 101 beer style categories, 302 were awarded. One gold award was not given in Category 36, International-Style Pilsener.

“Beer brings people together,” said Charlie Papazian, founder and past president, Brewers Association. “The World Beer Cup showcases the breadth of the global brewing community and winning an award symbolizes one of the greatest brewing achievements. Congratulations to all the winners on this remarkable accomplishment.”

Competition Highlights

Average number of beers entered per category: 82 (a 13 percent increase from 2016)

Most-entered categories in 2018:

377 entries in Category 93, American-Style India Pale Ale
196 entries in Category 94, Imperial India Pale Ale
196 entries in Category 28, Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer
190 entries in Category 29, Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout

Number of countries represented: 66 (a 20 percent increase from 2016)

Countries with the most awards:

United States: 242
Canada: 14
Germany: 9

Country with the highest winning rate: Belgium (10 percent)

Panama won its first-ever World Beer Cup award. All other award-winning countries were previous winners.

The Brewers Association introduced the World Beer Cup competition in 1996 to celebrate the art and science of brewing by recognizing outstanding achievement. The 2018 World Beer Cup is made possible by the generous support of sponsors including presenting sponsor Krones, and partner sponsors Barth-Haas Group, First Key Consulting Inc., MicroStar Logistics, SAHM GmbH + Co. KG, and Siemens.