7 Unmissable Reasons Why Tennessee Brew Works Is Nashville's Hottest Brewery In 2025
Step into the heart of Music City, and you'll find a craft brewery that perfectly blends the state's agricultural heritage with its world-famous music scene: Tennessee Brew Works (TBW). As of late 2025, this Nashville staple is more than just a taproom; it's a dynamic culinary and entertainment hub that continues to define the Tennessee craft beer landscape, pushing boundaries with both its "farm-to-tap" philosophy and ambitious expansion plans.
The brewery, located at 809 Ewing Ave, has solidified its reputation by creating high-quality, finely tuned craft beer that pays direct homage to the land, traditions, and culture of Tennessee. Recent developments, including a high-profile airport bar opening and a new East Tennessee location, prove that TBW is not slowing down, making it an essential destination for both locals and tourists seeking an authentic Nashville experience.
The Finely Tuned Core: Must-Try Flagship Beers and Limited Releases
Tennessee Brew Works operates on a "farm-to-tap" philosophy, using only natural ingredients and sourcing from local farms whenever possible to ensure every pint is fresh and deeply connected to the region. This commitment is evident in their core lineup, which has become synonymous with the Nashville craft beer identity.
- Hippies & Cowboys (American IPA): This is arguably TBW's most famous brew. Clocking in at 6% ABV, this American IPA is a classic, well-balanced hop-forward beer that has become a staple across the state and is often cited as a must-try for IPA enthusiasts visiting Nashville.
- Southern Wit (Witbier): A refreshing, lower ABV (5.15%) Belgian-style Witbier, the Southern Wit is perfect for Nashville's hot climate. It offers a crisp, citrus-forward profile with a subtle spice, making it incredibly sessionable.
- State Park Blonde Ale: A light, approachable, and easy-drinking Session/Light Ale. This beer is a great introduction to craft beer and is even used in the batter for their popular Baja Shrimp Tacos, showcasing the brewery’s beer-centric cuisine concept.
- 1927 IPA: Named for the year the Tennessee General Assembly passed a bill to prohibit beer (a law that was quickly overturned), the 1927 is a bolder IPA at 7.5% ABV, a favorite among those who prefer a stronger hop presence. Its spent grains are even utilized in the kitchen for their Spent Grain Falafel.
- Cutaway Rye IPA: Offering a spicy, complex malt bill thanks to the rye, this IPA (6% ABV) provides a unique twist on the style, appealing to drinkers looking for depth beyond a standard West Coast or New England IPA.
For those seeking something truly unique and vintage, look out for their limited-edition barrel-aged releases, such as the B.A. Red Ale 2023 Ltd Edition, which was aged in George Dickel Tennessee Whisky Barrels, adding layers of oak, vanilla, and smooth whiskey notes to the English-Style Red Ale.
The Beer-Centric Culinary Revolution by Chef Alex Leibow
A visit to Tennessee Brew Works is incomplete without experiencing their food menu, which goes far beyond typical pub fare. Executive Chef Alex Leibow has developed a refined, regionally sourced culinary philosophy that expertly integrates TBW's craft beer directly into the dishes. This is not just food served with beer; it is food *made* with beer.
The menu highlights local ingredients and Southern comfort with a gourmet twist. Key menu entities that demonstrate this beer-centric approach include:
- The Famous Five Beer Burger: A signature dish featuring Creekstone Farms Beef, topped with white cheddar cheese and two beer-infused sauces: a Southern Wit comeback sauce and a Basil Ryeman ketchup.
- Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich: A must-try, featuring a fresh farm egg gribiche and Extra Easy cheese, with the chicken prepared using their own Hippies & Cowboys beer.
- Spent Grain Falafel: A sustainable and flavorful appetizer that utilizes the leftover 1927 IPA spent grains, demonstrating the brewery’s commitment to minimizing waste and maximizing flavor.
- Baja Shrimp Tacos: The shrimp is battered using the light and crisp State Park Blonde Ale, giving the batter a unique, airy texture and flavor.
The brewery also hosts special events like the 2025 Spring Beer Dinner, where Chef Leibow creates a unique, multi-course menu designed to showcase the refined treatment of their regionally sourced ingredients, with each course perfectly paired with a specific TBW brew.
Expansion and New Horizons: The 2025 Updates
The year 2025 marks a period of significant growth and expansion for Tennessee Brew Works, solidifying its status as a major regional player in the craft beer industry. These updates mean that more people, both in Nashville and across the state, will have access to their finely tuned craft beer.
New Nashville International Airport (BNA) Bar
In a major move to capture the tourist market and provide a taste of Nashville to travelers, Tennessee Brew Works has opened a new bar space within the Nashville International Airport (BNA), located at the A/B Concourse intersection. This partnership with Delaware North and Fraport USA ensures that TBW is one of the first and last tastes of Music City for visitors, with plans for expanding hours as flight traffic increases.
The Lenoir City Barrel House
Further demonstrating their commitment to the entire state of Tennessee, the brewery has announced the expansion of its brand with a new location in East Tennessee: the Lenoir City Barrel House. This new venture not only increases their production capacity but also brings the TBW experience—including their unique beers and culinary philosophy—to a new regional audience.
The Nashville Live Music Experience
True to its Nashville roots, the brewery is a vibrant live music venue. The industrial taproom, complete with oak barrel tables and a spacious patio, provides an intimate setting for both established and emerging artists.
The centerpiece of their weekly schedule is the long-running tradition of the Tennessee Dead. Every Wednesday, this Grateful Dead tribute band takes the stage from 6–8 PM, offering a lively, no-cover show. To sweeten the deal, TBW offers 2-for-1 craft beer specials all day long on Wednesdays, making it one of the best mid-week deals in the city for music and beer lovers.
Beyond the Tennessee Dead, the brewery hosts a robust calendar of events and concerts, featuring artists like Roderick August and Senie Hunt, ensuring there's always a fresh soundtrack to your pint. They are a recognized venue on calendars like Shazam and Do615, reinforcing their role in the local music ecosystem.
Limited-Edition Collaborations and Event Brews
TBW frequently partners with local events and organizations to create unique, limited-time brews that drive topical authority and excitement. A notable example for 2025 is the Grand Prix Blonde. This limited-edition beer is released in the buildup to the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix, presented by WillScot. The 4.5% ABV blonde ale is a special release that connects the brewery directly to Nashville's high-profile sporting events.
This dedication to local collaborations and seasonal offerings keeps the tap list fresh and gives visitors a reason to return, knowing there will always be something new and unique on tap that reflects the current culture of Music City.
Why Tennessee Brew Works Remains a Nashville Essential
From its humble beginnings with a mission to honor Tennessee's land and traditions, Tennessee Brew Works has evolved into a craft beer powerhouse. The combination of their farm-to-tap integrity, the innovative beer-centric menu crafted by Executive Chef Alex Leibow, the vibrant live music program featuring the Tennessee Dead, and the aggressive 2025 expansion into BNA and Lenoir City, all cement its status. For anyone visiting or living in Nashville, TBW is more than a brewery—it’s a definitive taste of the modern Tennessee experience. It is a true embodiment of the state's culture, delivered one finely tuned pint at a time.
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- Name : Nicole Fritsch PhD
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