Major changes shake the Nashville craft beer industry
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The Nashville craft beer scene got a major shakeup over the last month with news of two long-running breweries being acquired by in-state competitors.
Why it matters: The acquisitions underscore a topsy-turvy time for craft breweries, which are being confronted with declining sales on the heels of rapid expansion.
Catch up quick: Bearded Iris was acquired by Memphis-based Wiseacre Brewing Co.
- Knoxville's Xul Beer Co. is taking over the Nashville brewery Southern Grist.
State of play: By craft brewery standards, Bearded Iris and Southern Grist are veterans. Bearded Iris opened in 2014, followed by Southern Grist in 2016.
- They became two of the most popular local breweries.
Driving the news: Bearded Iris will remain its own brand with distinct beers, but it will operate under the Wiseacre umbrella.
- Production is expected to shift to Wiseacre's facility in Memphis, but Bearded Iris leadership will remain in place, the Nashville Business Journal reports.
- Wiseacre's Tiny Bomb pilsner and Bearded Iris's Homestyle hazy IPA are two of the most popular individual beers produced in Tennessee.
The intrigue: After initially indicating both of its taprooms would remain open, Bearded Iris announced Tuesday its Sylvan Park location will cease operations on Sept. 26.
- Black Dynasty Ramen, which shares space with the brewery, will also depart on the same day. Black Dynasty announced over the weekend it is planning to open a new shop.
- Bearded Iris's original taproom in Germantown will remain open with upgrades on the way, the brewery says.
What he's saying: "Germantown is where it all started for Bearded Iris, and we always want to maintain a strong presence there," Bearded Iris co-founder Kavon Togrye told the Memphis Beer Blog.
Yes, but: The Xul-Southern Grist arrangement appears different. An Instagram post last week indicated Xul will take over Southern Grist and run its two taprooms by the end of the year. Xul said more details will be released soon.
- The arrangement gives the award-winning Xul the chance to expand in the Nashville market, where it currently has a light presence.
- Xul and Southern Grist are both celebrated for their quirky spins on sour beers. Xul is best known for its PB&J mixtape sour.
"Southern Grist will always be part of the story, living on in spirit as Xul brings their Knoxville-crafted liquid gold to Nashville," Southern Grist said in its post.
Editor's note: This story was updated with additional details about Bearded Iris's taproom plans.