Latest news with #TailGate
Style Blueprint
19-05-2025
- Business
- Style Blueprint
TailGate Brewery: Where Beer Meets Big Dreams
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit At TailGate Brewery, beer has always been the star of the show. But if you've spent even one afternoon at one of their lively, colorful taprooms, you know the real magic is in the community they've built — brick by brick, pint by pint. Over the past decade, TailGate has transformed from a bold, one-location dream into a flourishing Tennessee staple, with a footprint that keeps expanding. Pin What began as a small brewery in Nashville has grown into an eight-location powerhouse (plus a TailGate-branded outpost at the Nashville airport), and each taproom buzzes with energy and local pride. Trivia nights, live music, signature pizzas, craft seltzers, cold brew coffee — you name it, TailGate has mastered it. And while other breweries might have expanded quickly to ride a trend, TailGate has taken a different approach: building its brand deliberately, focusing on quality and community every step of the way. Now, after 10 years of innovation and sustained growth, TailGate is entering an exciting new era: the launch of its first THC-infused sparkling water. TailGate Brewery and its offshoot, TailGate Hemp Co., weren't funded by venture capital or family wealth. Founder Wesley Keegan built the business from scratch. 'We're a production brewery first and foremost,' Wes explains. 'Everything else — from pizza to cider, cold brew to sweet tea, and now THC beverages — has been designed to complement that.' Pin TailGate's growth story is worth celebrating in its own right. When Wes opened the brewery a decade ago, the goal was simple but ambitious: create a welcoming space where quality craft beer and good times could go hand in hand. It wasn't about flashy rollouts or quick wins; it was about doing things the right way and fostering real connections with their community. Over the years, that commitment has paid off. TailGate now boasts thriving taprooms across Tennessee, including multiple spots in Nashville, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, Chattanooga, and more. Each location offers something a little different — a nod to local flavor and neighborhood vibes — but the core experience remains the same: high-quality beer, warm hospitality, and a space that feels like a home away from home. So, what's next? Wes's long-term plan is to open a new location every two years, always with the same thoughtful, intentional approach that's brought them this far. 'Nothing we do is flippant,' Wes says. 'We think about where we want to be five, 10 years from now — and we work backwards from there. It's about staying true to who we are while also evolving to meet what our community wants.' Pin The latest evolution is the leap into the THC space. But, true to TailGate's nature, this wasn't about jumping on a trend. It was about recognizing an opportunity that aligned with their existing offerings. 'We already had the product,' Wes says, referring to the line of crisp, fruit-flavored sparkling waters that have long been popular at his taprooms. 'Those are the 'unleaded' versions we've served for years. Once we navigated the legal requirements, adding THC was a natural next step.' Pin Wes jokes that part of the product's appeal taps into that little spark of 'doing something a bit rebellious' — a throwback to carefree college nights — but with a polished, grown-up twist. 'We're really speaking to that stylish, youthful mom who maybe smoked a few times at a frat party,' he says with a smile, 'but now wants to feel that vibe with a little more control — and definitely a better playlist.' Of course, a word of caution: even though it looks and tastes like your favorite sparkling water, it's not something to sip absentmindedly. 'It's not meant for high-volume consumption,' Wes says. 'It's designed to replace or complement alcohol, not to overdo. It's for savoring and enjoying — something you can feel good about.' Pin As TailGate Brewery enters its second decade, one thing remains unchanged: its commitment to quality, creativity, and community. The current model is proof that slow, steady, intentional growth isn't just possible; it's powerful. And with plans to keep expanding thoughtfully and a focus on delivering innovative products that satisfy evolving tastes, TailGate is showing no signs of slowing down. Depending on where you live, Tailgate Brewery might even ship to you. Check out the website for more details. ********** Give your inbox the Southern makeover it deserves — subscribe to StyleBlueprint's FREE daily emails! About the Author Dallas Jackson A resident of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, Dallas is passionate about brand-building, sports, and life on 30A.
CNN
14-03-2025
- Business
- CNN
‘Everything costs more': How the aluminum tariffs are affecting a Nashville craft brewery
Perhaps there's no better example of where the newly applied 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel will be felt than craft brewers, an industry that uses both materials in all facets of production and sales. And for Wesley Keegan, owner and founder of Nashville-based TailGate Brewery, the implementation of the tariffs will have swift effects on his business. 'Everything costs more,' he told CNN. 'We get a price increase letter just immediately from every supplier.' On Wednesday, President Donald Trump enacted a new round of tariffs on the raw metals. Since much of it comes from abroad, US companies — small and large — that rely on steel and aluminum may have to pass on the cost of those tariffs to consumers. But specifically how much more Keegan's customers will pay for a 6-pack of his brewery's ciders, stouts and lagers isn't clear just yet. He admits that businesses like TailGate have to be 'willing to take the haircut' in terms of profits. 'The hard piece is juggling the reality that you can't be in business if you're not making money,' he said. 'But then you also have to continue to take those price changes on the chin because the consumer is only willing to give you so much.' Keegan said that TailGate tries to 'absorb' as much as it can, but beyond tariffs 'there is not a single input in our industry that hasn't increased prices every single year for the last five years.' It's been a difficult several few years for craft brewers. The pandemic sapped the lifeblood — taproom sales — from many operations, forcing them to lean more heavily on to-go vessels such as cans and bottles. Then, global supply chain challenges caused shortages and drastic price hikes of key inputs, including cans, which already were getting more expensive following the 2018 tariffs. Plus, the breweries that are still standing were then stung by a shift in consumers' and retailers' palates for beverages beyond beer. All of those were lessons for how Keegan operates TailGate, a 10-year-old company that has gradually expanded to nine taprooms across Tennessee. One aspect of his business that changed post Covid-19 was the sourcing of aluminum. Before 2020, the primary source was Canada, but he has since diversified to additional places, including China, the US and even Jordan. And now, the aluminum industry is undergoing a wave of consolidation, with some companies shifting to only working with major brewers such as Anheuser-Busch InBev or being bought by other manufacturers, resulting in a decline in smaller brewers to work with third-party companies that hunt and source aluminum on a global scale. 'One of the functions of the last round of tariffs, plus Covid-19, has been that it's introduced a third party to the equation where we're frankly just too small,' Keegan said. 'Even though we buy a lot of cans and we're a pretty sizable brewery, they don't want to talk to us … we're so small, it's just annoying for them.' Taprooms have evolved into a 'third place' for communities, and naturally a place where the day's topics are discussed — like tariffs. Operating in Tennessee, which overwhelmingly voted for Trump and his policies, can be difficult for a small business that is constantly battling constantly changing regulations that could hurt places like TailGate, but Keegan keeps politics out of it. 'This state voted for this administration, and if they see the headlines, and the tariffs and things like that, they still don't want to feel the effects of something like an aluminum increase,' he said. 'It doesn't change what they're rooting for, but it does mean they don't want to be paying any more either.' TailGate, as well as 9,000 other small and independent brewers, are part of the Brewers Association, which has been more vocal in its displeasure with tariffs. The group said in a statement to CNN that the tariffs 'could place a significant financial burden on brewers, many of whom rely on imported materials, ingredients, and equipment.' 'These proposed tariffs could have far-reaching implications for brewers, consumers, and local economies, as they're likely to further increase the cost of craft beer, erode brewer margins, or a combination of both,' a BA spokesperson said. CNN's Alicia Wallace contributed to this report.
CNN
14-03-2025
- Business
- CNN
‘Everything costs more': How the aluminum tariffs are affecting a Nashville craft brewery
Perhaps there's no better example of where the newly applied 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel will be felt than craft brewers, an industry that uses both materials in all facets of production and sales. And for Wesley Keegan, owner and founder of Nashville-based TailGate Brewery, the implementation of the tariffs will have swift effects on his business. 'Everything costs more,' he told CNN. 'We get a price increase letter just immediately from every supplier.' On Wednesday, President Donald Trump enacted a new round of tariffs on the raw metals. Since much of it comes from abroad, US companies — small and large — that rely on steel and aluminum may have to pass on the cost of those tariffs to consumers. But specifically how much more Keegan's customers will pay for a 6-pack of his brewery's ciders, stouts and lagers isn't clear just yet. He admits that businesses like TailGate have to be 'willing to take the haircut' in terms of profits. 'The hard piece is juggling the reality that you can't be in business if you're not making money,' he said. 'But then you also have to continue to take those price changes on the chin because the consumer is only willing to give you so much.' Keegan said that TailGate tries to 'absorb' as much as it can, but beyond tariffs 'there is not a single input in our industry that hasn't increased prices every single year for the last five years.' It's been a difficult several few years for craft brewers. The pandemic sapped the lifeblood — taproom sales — from many operations, forcing them to lean more heavily on to-go vessels such as cans and bottles. Then, global supply chain challenges caused shortages and drastic price hikes of key inputs, including cans, which already were getting more expensive following the 2018 tariffs. Plus, the breweries that are still standing were then stung by a shift in consumers' and retailers' palates for beverages beyond beer. All of those were lessons for how Keegan operates TailGate, a 10-year-old company that has gradually expanded to nine taprooms across Tennessee. One aspect of his business that changed post Covid-19 was the sourcing of aluminum. Before 2020, the primary source was Canada, but he has since diversified to additional places, including China, the US and even Jordan. And now, the aluminum industry is undergoing a wave of consolidation, with some companies shifting to only working with major brewers such as Anheuser-Busch InBev or being bought by other manufacturers, resulting in a decline in smaller brewers to work with third-party companies that hunt and source aluminum on a global scale. 'One of the functions of the last round of tariffs, plus Covid-19, has been that it's introduced a third party to the equation where we're frankly just too small,' Keegan said. 'Even though we buy a lot of cans and we're a pretty sizable brewery, they don't want to talk to us … we're so small, it's just annoying for them.' Taprooms have evolved into a 'third place' for communities, and naturally a place where the day's topics are discussed — like tariffs. Operating in Tennessee, which overwhelmingly voted for Trump and his policies, can be difficult for a small business that is constantly battling constantly changing regulations that could hurt places like TailGate, but Keegan keeps politics out of it. 'This state voted for this administration, and if they see the headlines, and the tariffs and things like that, they still don't want to feel the effects of something like an aluminum increase,' he said. 'It doesn't change what they're rooting for, but it does mean they don't want to be paying any more either.' TailGate, as well as 9,000 other small and independent brewers, are part of the Brewers Association, which has been more vocal in its displeasure with tariffs. The group said in a statement to CNN that the tariffs 'could place a significant financial burden on brewers, many of whom rely on imported materials, ingredients, and equipment.' 'These proposed tariffs could have far-reaching implications for brewers, consumers, and local economies, as they're likely to further increase the cost of craft beer, erode brewer margins, or a combination of both,' a BA spokesperson said. CNN's Alicia Wallace contributed to this report.
