TailGate Brewery, Tennessee's fastest-growing brewery and pizzeria, celebrated a year of extraordinary growth in 2024. For the Nashville-based independent craft brewery, the year was marked by innovation, expansion and an ongoing commitment to being one of Tennessee's top workplaces.
"Our mission is to be the best brewery in Tennessee - make exceptional, boundary-pushing beer and pizza, and cultivate a workplace where people can truly shine in their roles," says Wesley Keegan, founder and owner of TailGate Brewery. “It’s not just about growth for the brand— it’s about creating a platform for growth for every one of our 250 team members.”
Something for Everyone
The team at TailGate Brewery crafted over 300 recipes this year, spanning a wide range of styles from the traditional, German-inspired biers of their Lager Projekt, to barrel-aged specialty brews like Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial PB&J Milk Stout. Reflecting their laser focus on variety and quality, they expanded their core lineup this year; also introducing Wizards’ Order, a magical new rotating IPA series, available both at TailGate’s nine taprooms and at retail across Tennessee. All brands across TailGate’s diverse portfolio experienced significant growth in 2024.
In the spirit of crafting something for everyone, TailGate Brewery also produces non-alcoholic tea, Nashville Sweet Tea, which launched two new flavors, Lemonade and Sunshine Tea, in 2024. Additionally, in response to increasing market demand, they offer crisp, effervescent ciders (making them Nashville’s first cidery), a locally-crafted seltzer option and an expanded selection of limited-release seltzers.
Well-known as a destination for pizza lovers, the brewery’s inventive food menu features the popular Detroit-style pizza and rotating Pizza of the Month. Pizza aficionados can enjoy a constantly updated pizza menu with out-of-the-box options like Cacio e Pepe pizza, made with creamy black pepper sauce and a ricotta and parmesan blend. The pizza menu is designed to perfectly complement the diverse beer selection.
Successful Partnerships & New Packaging Format
Mid-year, TailGate Brewery partnered with family-owned distributor Lipman Brothers in order to increase accessibility for retail partners and maximize continued growth. The partnership resulted in a surge of growth in the fall, and a 120% increase in grocery, doubling placements in retailers across Tennessee. Nashville accessibility has also grown, with more placements at iconic venues like the ones found on Broadway, than ever before.
For the first time, TailGate’s core lineup became available in 19.2 oz cans, catering to the growing single-serve and large-format beer category. 19.2 oz cans are an attractive option for occasions like concerts, sporting events and of course, tailgates. The new packaging format earned the brewery new points of distribution in grocery, convenience stores, gas stations and venues across Tennessee in 2024 and moving into 2025.
New Taprooms and Recognitions
TailGate Brewery opened a new taproom in Murfreesboro, Tenn., in 2024, bringing its made-from-scratch Detroit-style pizza and freshly brewed craft beer to one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities. Murfreesboro is the brewery’s sixth new taproom location to open in just two years.
Plus, Predators fans can now enjoy TailGate Brewery’s locally brewed, fiercely independent beers at Music City Taps, opened in 2024, and throughout the Bridgestone Arena. The Nashville sports fans at TailGate Brewery also continued their partnership with the Nashville Sounds this year, brewing their annual partnership beer for limited release during baseball season.
TailGate’s robust growth is possible because of years spent prioritizing the well-being of more than 250 team members in Tennessee, which has created a solid foundation upon which the brewery can grow, thrive and try new things. TailGate Brewery was named a Top Workplace by The Tennessean for the second year in a row, an honor for the people-first company.
“This was a phenomenal year for us,” said Keegan. “Supporting our team members and creating memorable experiences around fresh, creative beer and craft pizza will continue to be our top priorities, but as always, we have big new ideas for 2025.”
Visit tailgatebeer.com or follow @tailgatebrewery on social media to stay updated as to what’s on tap, upcoming events, and more.
About TailGate Brewery
TailGate Brewery is an independently owned and operated craft brewery and pizzeria based in Nashville, Tennessee. Since 2014, Tennesseans and visitors alike have enjoyed TailGate’s inventive craft beers and scratch-made pizza at their nine taprooms across Tennessee, and airport outpost. TailGate is known for its commitment to its team members: providing great wages, 100% paid health benefits, and great work environment for 240+ people in Tennessee. Four award-winning core beers are available year-round: TailGate Orange, Wizards’ Order IPA, TailGate Premium Lager, and TailGate Cider. TailGate brews over 250 unique recipes each year, and releases several small-batch beers weekly. These limited runs are available at the TailGate taprooms only. TailGate beer is available in small and large retailers, restaurants, and craft beer locations in Tennessee. In the U.S., TailGate Brewery distributes exclusively in Tennessee. For more information visit tailgatebeer.com or follow @tailgatebrewery.
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