Tennessee Brew Works doubled down on creative partnerships with local growers for a new release, a blackberry beer that is available now.

• The Cul2vate Kölsch beer was brewed with blackberries provided by the Cul2vate nonprofit farm.

Why it matters: The company's collaborative approach has been met with stellar growth in recent years, culminating in the expansion into East Tennessee with a new manufacturing facility and taproom slated to open in Lenoir City in early 2024.

• The brewery tells Axios it produced 5,500 barrels in 2021, a 57% increase over the year before.

What he's saying: "Continuing our mission to showcase the best of Tennessee, the Cul2vate Kölsch embodies the synergies between the Tennessee farming community and craft breweries," Tennessee Brew Works founder and president Christian Spears says.

Flashback: Tennessee Brew Works won a bronze medal in the field beers category at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival for its Farmer's Beat — a farmhouse ale/saison brewed with beets from Delvin Farms.

• In 2018, the brewery also launched the Tennessee Grain Initiative with the goal of pairing Tennessee breweries and farmers.
• As part of that launch, Tennessee Brew Works released the State Park Blonde, the first commercially brewed beer made with all Tennessee grains. It's the official beer of Tennessee state parks, and a portion of the proceeds goes to state park conservancy.

Flash forward: The Lenoir City Barrel House kicks Tennessee Brew Works' farmer-fueled approach into overdrive.

• The brewery, housed in a former fire station, will showcase experimental and small-batch specialty beers, the brewery announced when it unveiled the barrel house last month.
• "This company has gone above and beyond to form relationships with farmers and to highlight Tennessee-grown ingredients in their beers and on their menu," Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Charlie Hatcher said in a press release.
• "Our communities benefit from successful partnerships between local businesses and local farms."

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Metro Council voted late Tuesday to ban smoking and vaping in all 21-and-up bars and music venues.

Be smart: Just a handful of dive bars still allow smoking. Until this year, state law permitted age-restricted venues to allow it.

Catch up fast: The legislature and Gov. Bill Lee passed into law a measure giving local governments the ability to implement total bans.

• Davidson County became the first county to take advantage of the new law.
• A coalition led by Musicians for a Smokefree Tennessee pushed the legislature to pass the enabling legislation.

Why it matters: Proponents say closing the smoking loophole is a needed public health measure, putting Nashville in line with most major U.S. cities.

• Opponents criticized the measure as unnecessary and argued anyone choosing to spend time in a smoky bar at this point knows the health risks of doing so.
• Nashville's ban includes exceptions for hookah bars, THC vapor bars and cigar bars.

What he's saying: "As a national leader in healthcare, music, and hospitality, it's a huge and long-awaited step towards protecting those who work hard to make Music City the place so many people want to live in and visit," smoke-free coalition leader Jamie Kent said in a press release.

📍Children in Department of Children's Services custody spent a combined 1,134 nights in the department's offices over the last five months, reflecting the agency's struggle to find immediate housing. (Tennessean, subscription)

🔍 U.S. Rep. Mark Green, who is running for re-election in Tennessee's 7th congressional district, called the redistricting process "inherently unfair." His district was reconfigured as part of an effort that eliminated a safe Democratic seat in Nashville. (Tennessee Lookout)

☕️ Barista Parlor is planning to open a new location and main office in Wedgewood-Houston in 2023. (Nashville Post, subscription)

🍪 Sweet 16th Bakery in East Nashville is closing at the end of the month. (WKRN)

Writer and producer Phil Rosenthal brought his Netflix show "Somebody Feed Phil" to Nashville.

• The streaming docuseries follows the "Everybody Loves Raymond" creator as he eats his way through cities around the world.

The latest: The Nashville episode was part of season six, which was released this week. It features Rosenthal visiting many of the city's buzziest restaurants and riding a pedal tavern on Lower Broadway.

• Country music star Brad Paisley, actress Patricia Heaton and producer T Bone Burnett make appearances in the 47-minute episode.

Dig in: Rosenthal's menu reflected the vibrance of Nashville's culinary scene.

• He started with a classic: biscuits and breakfast at the Loveless Cafe.
• He also visited Prince's Hot Chicken, Locust, Arnold's Country Kitchen, Rolf and Daughters, and Daddy's Dogs, among others.

Plate of play: Paisley tagged along for a visit to Joyland, where celebrity chef Sean Brock explained the city's appeal.

• "One of the things that drew me to Nashville early on was its soul," Brock said. "It's not just music anymore. … This town supports people doing good work and honest work."
• "What that does for someone like me is gives me the courage to open a crazy restaurant project because you know that you're going to have the support."

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