Rural Tennessee, home to "Tastfully Engineered Beer"

Howdy y'all! I'm on vacation right now in Northeastern Tennessee visiting my folks and of course priority number one after getting settled was to seek out local brews!

My first stop was "Libation Station," a beer and tobacco store in Johnson City, TN. This proves to be the best selection I've found in these here parts. Tons of micro brews from all over the country and craft imports from the four corners of the globe. The only hitch down here is that the state caps "beer" at 6% ABV, so a lot of the usual Belgians and strong ales are missing. You can read my full review of the store on BeerAdvocate.com.

Next stop, Depot Street Brewery in Jonesborough, TN. This seems to be the only micro brewery in the whole area. I first visited Depot Street a few years back and they've grown a lot since then. The building is still a small, almost shack-like structure right on the rail lines in this historic little town, but their production has grown to fill it right up. Besides being offered on draft at dozens restaurants and bars in the surrounding areas, they now have 4 beers available in bottles. You can pick up any of 6 or so brews in growlers at the brewery for $6 plus deposit. And they offer a great Customer Appreciation program - Buy 10 growlers, get 1 free and buy 20 growlers and get an insulated growler bag! After tasting all the brews, I think my favorite are the Roundabout Rye Stout and the Freight Hopper IPA (75 IBUs). I've posted full reviews of these on BeerAdvocate.com as well, user-name SFLpunk.

Since this area is so close to the booming and brewing mecca of Asheville, NC, I'm hoping that more breweries will start setting up shop here. The success of Depot Street and their Tastefully Engineered Beers is turning the heads and taste buds of folks who might normally just drink macros and they are paving the way for a fledgling beer culture. Just today they were hosting a meeting of the State of Franklin Homebrewers club featuring "monster" beer style mash-ups.

So next time you're in Tennessee, don't pass up the chance to seek out Depot's brews!

Cheers from Tennessee! I'll be back to work on Wednesday.
Jeff

For more info on Depot Street Brewery, visit their website.