It's been a great year for beer since last National Beer Day — see how far we've come
Ryan WiluszWhether you are an IPA guy or a saison gal, I think all beer aficionados can agree that nothing brings people together like the perfect combination of grain, hops, water and yeast.
We're talking beer, people. And while you may drink it to celebrate a sporting event or a promotion, April 7 is all about celebrating the drink itself.
That's because Sunday is National Beer Day. So let's take a look back at Knoxville's past year in beer with some of the biggest stories published on the topic since last April.
April 2018
Alliance Brewing Company expands
Alliance Brewing Company in South Knoxville opened up "The Other Side" of its building April 27 in what was formerly a clothing retail space.
The space has extra seating and can accommodate meetings.
Read the full article.
Brewhibition returns for fourth year
Nearly two dozen craft breweries from across the eastern side of the state served up their beer and cider at the Southern Railway Depot near Old City.
Roughly 1,500 people showed up April 28, leading organizer Stephanie Carson to believe the festival finally has carved a place for itself among Knoxville's springtime festivities.
Read the full article.
May 2018
Printshop Beer Co. opens in South Knoxville
South Knoxville's newest brewery opened May 31 at 1532 Island Home Ave.
Some of the first beer poured at Printshop Beer Co, was the brewery's Southie Cream Ale; Mosaic IPA; Sorachi Ace Sweet; Hazy IPA New England Style; Mezzo Milk Stout featuring chilies, vanilla and cinnamon; and a saison.
Read the full article.
June 2018
Knoxville celebrates Craft Beer Week
Breweries throughout town celebrated Knoxville Craft Beer Week June 9-16.
A sour beer release party and a glass recycling event were just some of the festivities that took place during the week-long celebration.
Read the full article.
Thousands show up for Knoxville Brewfest
More than 2,000 people quenched their thirst with craft beer June 16 at Knoxville Brewfest. Tickets cost $50 for unlimited access to beer from more than 81 breweries.
The event took place at World's Fair Park, marking the fourth change in venue during its eight years of existence.
Read the full article.
Total Wine pops cork in Turkey Creek
Total Wine & More held its soft opening June 21.
The superstore at 11370 Parkside Drive in Turkey Creek carries more than 8,000 wines, 3,000 spirits and nearly 3,000 beers.
Read the full article.
July 2018
Gypsy Circus Cider Company opens Knoxville outpost
Kingsport-based cider producer Gypsy Circus Cider Company arrived in Knoxville last July, opening an outpost at Hexagon Brewing Co.
The company announced it would occupy six taps at the brewery, and celebrated the announcement with a burlesque show.
Read the full article.
Bussell Island Distilling & Brewing Co. to open in Lenoir City
Lenoir City held an unveiling ceremony July 6 at the future site of Bussell Island Distilling & Brewing Co., which is on tap to move into a historic downtown building roughly one year from the announcement.
Read the full article.
Jim Gaffigan walks into a Knoxville bar — and narrates a shark movie
On July 24, Jim Gaffigan walked into Harrogate's Lounge and ordered a beer while in town working on a project.
He later made his way to Maple Hall, where he spontaneously narrated a shark movie in front of a small group of people.
Read the full article.
Knox News announces its first Brews & News event
Knox News announced in July that it will begin hosting Brews & News events, which allow community members to talk with reporters about potential stories in Knoxville and share their concerns.
The first event took place at Alliance Brewing Co. on Aug. 28.
Read the full article.
August 2018
Blackhorse Pub & Brewery moves to Gay Street; closes Bearden location
Blackhorse Pub & Brewery announced Aug. 4 that it would vacate its current location in Western Plaza the following week.
The brewery has since opened a downtown location on Gay Street.
Read the full article.
UT considers allowing alcohol at certain campus events
In August, University of Tennessee administration announced it will consider sweeping changes to the university's alcohol policy that would allow beer and wine at certain on-campus events.
The possible changes to what has been a dry campus are based on recommendations from a task force put in place in 2017.
Read the full article.
September 2018
Phillip Fulmer gets his own beer
Phillip Fulmer partnered with Yee-Haw Brewing Company in September for a limited-release Coach's Honey Blonde Ale made with honey from the beehives he maintains to raise money for bee conservation.
Read the full article.
Knox Brew Tours rolls into its 1,000th tour
Knox Brew Tours celebrated had a lot to celebrate in September — 1,000 things to be exact.
The 1,000th tour took place at the end of the month after first being introduced to Knoxville in 2014.
Read the full article.
October 2018
Knoxville Brewers' Jam changes venue for 22nd festival
Roughly 40 breweries participated Oct. 6 in the 22nd annual Knoxville Brewers' Jam at its new location, the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum lawn.
All of the proceeds went to Community Shares, a Knoxville-based network of 37 Tennessee organizations Executive Director Shelley Wascom says "are working to make lasting change."
Read the full article.
Abridged Beer Co. announces sour beer bar in Happy Holler
Jesse Bowers, owner of Abridged Beer Co., said in October that he plans to open a sour beer bar and barrel-aging facility, inspired by Asheville's Funkatorium, in the Happy Holler neighborhood around spring 2019.
The facility will be located at 109 W. Anderson Ave., where The Outpost held concerts through March 30, 2019.
Read the full article.
Old City Oktoberfest holds inaugural event
The inaugural Old City Oktoberfest had a few unexpected moments — like when a man in a sling won the steinholding contest and when a Vols football win caused a roaring cheer among the crowd.
But what was most surprising for festival organizer Mariah McLead was the number of people who showed up for a good time Oct. 13 — more than 1,000.
Read the full article.
Brews & News hosts Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs
The second Brews & News event hosted by Knox News featured a live Q&A with Knox County Mayor and WWE wrestler Glenn Jacobs on Oct. 18.
November 2018
Pretentious Beer Co. begins canning products
Pretentious Beer Co. released its first cans in November, with the goal of having one limited release each month.
The first release was Nov. 3 when the brewery canned roughly 100 four-packs of a raspberry creamsicle beer from its #TrendyAF series. The brewery later released cans of New Kids on the Floc, a triple dry-hopped New England double IPA.
Read the full article.
Knoxville hosts a 'refined' winter beer festival
In November, Knox News previewed the Knoxville Winter Warm-Up Beer Festival, which was held March 2 at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville. The festival focused on offering attendees a beer drinking experience that is more refined than many large, summer beer events.
Read the full article.
Elst Brewing Company to open North Knoxville tasting room
Elst Brewing Company, which currently focuses on distributing out of its Central Avenue facility to beer joints in Knoxville, said in November that it plans to open its own tasting room next door around the beginning of 2019.
Read the full article.
December 2018
12 beers of Christmas: Knoxville breweries release holiday-inspired drinks
As Buddy the Elf once said, "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is going out with friends for beer." Well, that's not exactly accurate.
But Knoxville brewers sure believe the statement is true.That's why they stocked up on Christmas and winter-themed beers to bring customers comfort and joy during the holidays.
Read the full article.
January 2019
Blackberry Farm Brewery opens Maryville taproom
Blackberry Farm Brewery opened a taproom within its barrel-aging facility near downtown Maryville on Jan. 10, offering 12 beers on tap and various bottles from its archive.
Read the full article.
Fanatic announces new taproom
Fanatic Brewing Company owner Marty Velas said in January that he plans to open The Fan Base taproom this spring at the brewery's current site on North Central Street.
Velas said he will offer 12 rotating taps, a funky atmosphere and the chance for customers to influence the types of beer he brews.
Read the full article.
Knoxville brew school instructors opening Next Level Brewing Company
Andrew Armstrong, Nathaniel Sears and Rick Cox — instructors at the Knoxville Brewing and Distilling Center — plan to create and serve the latest trending styles of beer when they open Next Level Brewing Company.
The owners said in January that they plan to open the brewery on Broadway this spring.
Read the full article.
TN breweries unite 'like never before' with beer for CA wildfire victims
Four Knoxville breweries were among more than 1,200 breweries, including 30 in Tennessee, selling Sierra Nevada's Resilience Butte County Proud IPA to raise money for the victims of the California wildfire.
Alliance Brewing Company,Abridged Beer Company, Schulz Bräu Brewing Company and Pretentious Beer Co. all participated.
Read the full article.
February 2019
Asheville-based craft brewer Hi-Wire opening taproom in South Knoxville
Asheville, North Carolina-based Hi-Wire Brewing announced in February that it will open its fourth retail taproom this summer in South Knoxville.
The taproom, which will be located at Sevier Avenue Retails, is the brewery's first outside of North Carolina.
Read the full article.
Council would support alcohol sales at Zoo Knoxville during business hours
The Knoxville City Council said in February that it would support Zoo Knoxville selling alcohol during normal business hours.
But that all depends on a bill making its way through the state legislature.
Read the full article.
March 2019
Knox News holds third Brews & News with new executive editor Joel Christopher
Joel Christopher headlined the third Brews & News event held by Knox News. The gathering took place March 5 at Elkmont Exchange and included a live Q&A with Christopher.
Craftbeer.com names Hops and Hollers one of the 'Great American Beer Bars'
With 32 draft beers and 125 bottles and cans, Hops and Hollers at 937 N. Central St. was featured by craftbeer.com in its 2019 list of "Great American Beer Bars."
Only one bar was selected from each state, and Hops and Hollers took home the gold for Tennessee once again after receiving the same honor in 2018.
Read the full article.
Alcohol sales set to begin during concerts at UT sports facilities
The House of Representatives joined the Senate in March when it passed a bill allowing alcohol to be sold during concerts at UT sports venues with a 70-21 vote.
The bill, which passed in the house 70-21, has been sent to the desk of Gov. Bill Lee.
Read the full article.
National Beer Day explained:. Where to find deals, plus the reason to celebrate