TailGate Brewery is taking over Yazoo's Madison production facility
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TailGate and Yazoo, two giants of Nashville's craft beer scene, are coming together in the latest shakeup for the city's network of breweries.
Why it matters: This is one of several ownership changes that have reshaped the local beer landscape in recent years.
The latest: TailGate Brewery announced Tuesday it had bought Yazoo's Madison brewery and taproom, bringing the two brands under one roof.
- Yazoo founder Linus Hall is coming on as a TailGate employee. TailGate also offered jobs to every Yazoo employee, according to the announcement.
Between the lines: The 6.5-acre Madison campus will become TailGate Brewery's primary production hub. Yazoo beer brands will continue to be produced there, too.
- TailGate will take over operation of the taproom space with its signature lineup of pizzas. The Madison location will become its ninth taproom statewide.
What they're saying: The deal gives TailGate much-needed room to expand its production, founder and owner Wesley Keegan said.
- "We've just outgrown our capacity, and desperately need more room for (brewing) activities," Keegan said.
- TailGate will maintain its West Nashville headquarters and taproom, and production will still take place there.
Worth noting: This isn't a sale of Yazoo's beer brands to TailGate. Those joined the R.S. Lipman Brewing portfolio in 2025, according to the announcement.
Flashback: Linus and Lila Hall launched Yazoo in Marathon Village in 2003, establishing themselves as pioneers in Nashville's craft beer production. They initially distributed kegs of Dos Perros and other beers to local bars and restaurants.
- Yazoo started bottling beer in 2005 and moved to the Gulch in 2010, then Madison in 2019.
- "It's been a wonderful ride the last twenty-three years, but it's time for me and Lila to start a new chapter," Linus Hall said in the statement.
The big picture: This is the latest in a long list of local brewery ownership changes.
- Memphis-based Wiseacre bought Bearded Iris in July 2025, while Knoxville's Xul completed its purchase of Southern Grist in February 2026.
- Jackalope acquired Black Abbey earlier this year.
By the numbers: As we recently reported, Nashville craft beer and cider retail sales fell 3.8% by volume in the 26 weeks ending Aug. 8.
What's next: TailGate said it would take over operations later this year. The purchase has already closed, but the announcement did not include a specific date for the taproom switchover.