Latest news with #WesleyKeegan
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Orange Wheat Beer Brings Gold To Nashville, Tennessee Brewery
Employees of TailGate Brewery gather after their votes led to the brewery being named a Top Workplace. TailGate Brewery Craft breweries rarely call a fruit-flavored wheat beer their flagship beer. Nashville-based TailGate Brewery has placed that distinction on its TailGate Orange wheat beer, and last month it won a gold medal at the U.S. Open Beer Championship. The brewery describes the 5% ABV beer as 'light-bodied, creamy and zesty from start to finish.' A July 13 consumer review at the influential Beer Advocate website, which rated the beer as 'very good' with a score of 87 of 100, is more descriptive. 'Bought a solo can of this at Trader Joe's to take home and wish I had bought a case. This is a very smooth, drinkable wheat with low carbonation and just the right amount of orange sweetness without being overpowering. Smells great, like a freshly peeled essence is perfect, and everything is balanced, my new favorite summer beer. I could suck these down like soda and get in trouble quick..' Wesley Keegan, TailGate Brewery's founder and sole owner, says no special brewing process or preparation was done before entering TailGate Orange in the U.S. Open Beer Championship, which calls itself the third-largest brewing competition in the United States 'We literally just grabbed the cans from our cooler in the taproom,' he says. 'No special anything to it, besides what we do for every brew.' TailGate Orange wheat beer captured a gold medal last month. TailGate Brewery TailGate Brewery has nine taprooms in Tennessee, including one at Nashville International Airport. The brewery's Nashville headquarters was a former Moose Lodge, and its large taproom, outdoor bar and pizza shop sit on seven acres. The brewery opened in 2014, but Keegan says a lot of prior beermaking work was expended. 'There were about eight years of hard knocks prior to the opening,' he says. 'I started like most brewery owners do—from a homebrew background. Homebrewing was huge when I was in college in San Diego, and Ballast Point's Home Brew Mart (now under different ownership) was the mecca. I have family in Nashville, so it was a natural landing place for me.' Many of TailGate's beers are rated highly at the BeerAdvocate website, but Keegan prefers talking about employee workplace awards. TailGate employs about 300 workers. In 2023 and 2024, the brewery was named a Top Workplace. That's a national designation given to companies with more than 150 employees who rate their employer highly in a survey. 'There's a lot of virtue signaling done on platforms like Linked in by people preaching from their local public workspace that 'people are your best asset' or some similar biz-speak garbage,' Keegan says. 'But we really walk it here. We pay great. We offer 100% paid healthcare to 100% of our team members. We have paid time off and a 401k with a 4% match. And we invest in our spaces—resources, equipment, comfort, safety. It matters.' Tennessee isn't renowned for its craft beers, but the state has some great breweries, Keegan says. 'The Embrace the Funk program of the original Nashville Yazoo Brewing is some of the best wild beer in the country,' he says. 'I really like Oddstory of Chattanooga. Xul in Knoxville is doing crazy hype-beer, and Wiseacre of Memphis does great business in a huge city with very little competition. I like to think we help make Nashville a great beer city, too.' Besides Tennessee beers, Keegan has many favorites that are known to beer drinkers worldwide. 'I grew up near Chico (Caifornia) where Sierra Nevada was everywhere,' he says about the ground-breaking Chico brewery. 'I still love their stuff to this day.' Saison Dupont of Belgium's Brasserie Dupont is the gold standard of the saison style, Keegan says. 'Saisons don't sell in our market, no matter how good they are,' he adds. 'But I love them. Give me a Saison Dupont and a stemmed beer glass, and I'm happy.' Any beers brewed by California's Russian River Brewing meet Keegan's approval. 'But I really enjoy Blind Pig,' he notes. 'I can drink more than one. It's a textbook example of a great IPA.' Four other beers are favorites: Guinness, Slow Pour Pils brewed by Denver-based Bierstadt, Kirkland Lager of Oregon's Deschutes and Hefe Weissbier of Germany's Weihenstephan. 'Weihenstephan Hefe Weissbier is such an incredible beer,' Keegan raves. 'I have not made it to Germany but really need to. I think beers like our TailGate Orange have so much thanks to give to beers like this. It's timeless.'
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.
