A few years back, I was visiting my cousin in Tennessee while still living in California. His roommate was on the cusp of moving out; he’d gotten a job with a major beer distributor in Vegas to learn more about the industry. “The ultimate goal,” he told me, “is to move back to Tennessee in a few years and open my own brewery.”
What lofty aspirations, I thought, assuming he’d never make it back to the South and see his dream realized. After all, this is a whiskey state. What place did beer have?
Well, he made good on his promise, and in 2013, Kellan along with his brother Davin Bartosch debuted Wiseacre Brewing Co. in Memphis to a state-full of thirsty beer drinkers. It took no time for the colorful, graphic art-decorated cans to be staples in every bar across Tennessee—and even beyond. You won’t visit our house without finding an Ananda or a Tiny Bomb in the fridge, and I hear bartenders all over suggesting it to patrons when asked for a beer recommendation.
But the Bartosches aren’t the only ones putting this state on the beer map. A decade before, Yazoo was already making a name for itself, and a slew of Nashville breweries like the female-owned Jackalope followed; today, Middle Tennessee alone boasts more than a dozen breweries in its grand division alone—Tennessee Brew Works, Bearded Iris and New Heights are newer favorites of mine, just to single out a few.
Similarly in the eastern part of the state, Saw Works became Knoxville’s first brewery in 2010; now, in Big Orange Country alone, there are a handful in the space—Crafty Bastard, Balter Beerworks, Alliance—that have cropped up in the years since I moved away, tantalizing my tastebuds each time I’m back in town.
Yes, Tennessee may be known for its whiskey, but its beer scene is quickly gaining steam.
You may recall me talking about a little whiskey event, Grains & Grits, back last fall. Well, the event was such a success that the same organizing body is producing a similar beer festival—Hops in the Hills, returning for its third year—right at the gateway to the Smoky Mountains in Maryville. And if there’s anything I love as much as craft beer, it’s drinking craft beer while outdoors, the Smokies towering in the distance.
Each June, Hops in the Hills anchors event for Summer on Broadway in Maryville, a weeklong celebration which will include The Big BBQ Bash (a Kansas City Barbecue Society competition), Maryville Farmers Market, Smoky Mountain Dock Dogs, Napa Know How Auto Fest and many other activities. A full schedule is available here.
Those of you attending Hops in the Hills are in for a true treat. There are so many delicious beers represented—some big dogs, the others small fries you haven’t heard of (yet)—from all over Tennessee, but also Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina and even a couple California companies on hand, and it promises to be a most excellent, boozy event.
More than 40 breweries, bottle shops and taprooms are participating, including:
- Blackberry Farm
- The Casual Pint
- The Last Days of Autumn Brewing
- Saw Works Brewing Company
- Depot Street Brewing
- Wiseacre Brewing Co.
- Blount County Home Brewers
- Crafty Bastard Brewery
- Tennessee Brew Works
- Yee-Haw Brewing Co.
- Schulz Bräu Brewing Company
- Fanatic Brewing Company
- Calf Killer Brewing Company
- Cold Fusion Brewing
- Hexagon Bewing Company
- Mill Creek Brewing Co.
- Pretentious Beer Co.
- Tri-Hop Brewery
- Wild Heaven Beer
- Catawba Brewing Company
- Highland Brewing Co.
- Good People Brewing Company
- Lily Pad Hopyard Brewery
- Gatlinburg Brewing Company
- Public House on High
- Gypsy Circus Cider
- Ace Premium Craft Cider
- Beer Lover’s The Carolinas
- The Falls City Brewing Company
- Garr’s Beer
- Hap & Harry’s
- Hi-Wire Brewing
- Napa Smith Brewery
- Kentucky Ale
- Blue Pants Brewery
- Blackhorse Pub & Brewery
- World’s Fair Beer
- DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works
- TailGate Beer
- bearded iris brewing
- Bear Republic
- New Heights Brewing
- Mantra Artisan Ales
You guys, it’s like my dream event! Craft beer, summertime and Smoky Mountain magic—who wouldn’t want to go to Hops in the Hills?
My go-to beer is from Dothan, Alabama’s local brewery – the Snipe Hunt IPA – Folklore Brewery and Meadery. I’d love to win this giveaway!
One last chance to win here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVmto2_D9Wm/
!
Wow, that looks awesome! My girlfriend is a big brewer, I’ll show her when she gets home tonight.
You guys should apply to win Phillip’s contest here then:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVmto2_D9Wm/
Being from Atlanta, I love some classics from Monday Night Brewery!
We like to mix it up with a good variety of craft brews, but currently, I’m all about Bell’s Oberon!
All those awesome breweries! I always like the labels on the beers the most – they are usually so beautifully artsy!
Ooooo that is tough!! I’ve always been a porter girl so I’ll go with a classic, Founders Porter.
I’m SO a porter girl, too! We need to do a beer tour together someday. I’m so intrigued by that Bend festival!
We should! Maybe we can shoot for a meetup next year?
We are a hop loving house, but the usual go-to is yuengling.
Yunegling is our go-to of big beers, as well (particularly at concerts, etc.). P.S. If you still want to go to Hops in the Hills, there’s one more giveaway going on via Instagram (ending today):
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVmto2_D9Wm/
Wiseacre!
Oh you know we always have Tiny Bomb in the fridge! Psst, if you still want to go to Hops in the Hills, there’s one more giveaway going on via Instagram (ending today):
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVmto2_D9Wm/
Bearwalker from Jackalope hands down!
My go-to craft beer is Spartanburg SC’s RJ Rockers Son of a Peach,
Sour beers and saisons all day long
Go to beer is Yee Haw Eighty! Local 😊
LOVE Yee Haw! If you don’t have tickets yet, you should enter this giveaway, Marion:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVmto2_D9Wm/
!
New Belgium La Folie! On those sour beers right now
YUM! If you still want to go to Hops in the Hills, there’s one more giveaway going on via Instagram (ending today):
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVmto2_D9Wm/
Thank you for the opportunity to win!!!
Blackhorse Vanilla Cream Ale is my go-to!
Go to craft beer anything from Crafty Bastard!
Nothing better than drinking a good craft beer while enjoying the East TN outdoors.
It varies, but usually something from one of the 3 (!!!) microbreweries within 1/2 mile of our condo (I always tell people we live in the middle of the Beermuda triangle. 🙂 ) Motor Row, Vice District, or Batterbrau are our local go-tos!
Would love to win thanks for the offer.
Wow, in Maryville! Thank you for posting this, seems tough to find out about events like this.
Oh, and I sure hope I win those passes. Thanks for that as well.
Yee Haw Eighty, and my Honey loves Radlers, and Son Of A Peach.
Bell’s Two Hearted!
Chicken Scratch…. yum!
My go to beer is Laugunitas IPA, although I am always up for a good double IPA! Thanks for the contest!
I’m an eclectic soul so my go to beer is one I haven’t tried yet.
Either an Irish beer called Smithwick’s or something new from a local craft brewery.
Wise Acre’s Gotta Get Up to Get Down
We live in Knoxville and our go to beer is schulz brau brewery! Can’t take it home yet, but an evening in their beer garden with a cold one is a go-to plan for my husband and I!
Loving the craft beer scene in our Scruffy City of Knoxville!!! My go to spots are Crafty Bastard and Alliance. Hops in the Hills sounds like an awesome event.
At home, I currently have Elysian Spacedust IPA on tap… it’s a new fav😊
Thanks for the great read, as always Kristin!!!
We’re hop heads and our go-to is always the Sweetwater IPA! We live in Maryville and would love to go the festival but can’t afford it because we just adopted a dog!
Definitely would add this to my bucket list. I haven’t been to any festivals outside of my country only Octoberfest and I’m so jealous right now of your photos. Hoping to see more of your adventures!