Brewing Persuasions: Nashville Edition

Tailgate Brewery, Harding House Brewing Co., & Diskin Cider

Tailgate Brewery

Visited: September 19, 2020

Where: 7300 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209

Tailgate began brewing beer in 2014 and is considered one of Nashville’s most successful brewing companies. They have three different locations spread out across the Music City. Each Tailgate location has a full service taproom with 20 or so beers on draft at a time. A full service kitchen is also serving up appetizers, pizzas, wings, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. During my visit, I paired pretzel bites and beer cheese with a peanut butter milk stout. A cult classic beer in Nashville, the peanut butter milk stout is a smooth, sweet, and creamy 5.8% ABV with a subtle peanut butter taste and aroma.

Harding House Brewing Co.

Visited: September 19, 2020

Where: 904 51st Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209

Harding House Brewing Co. is a taproom-focused nanobrewery that began pouring drafts in the Music City in 2018. They are focused on creating beer that is unique to Nashville by using local and regional ingredients, while also taking inspiration from southern food culture. Harding House Brewing Co. aims to bring the people of Nashville together in a taproom that encourages community, sustainability, and enjoyment. When I visited, I tried the first in their Pre-Prohibition series, Jimmy Red lager. This 5% ABV beer is crisp and easy to drink.

Diskin Cider

Visited: September 20, 2020

Where: 1235 Main St, Nashville, TN 37203

Diskin Cider is a local hot spot and Nashville’s only craft cidery. Their tasting room is home to multiple events throughout the year and boasts a tap list, food menu, and specialty craft cocktails. Diskin’s owners studied under an English Cider Master, learning how to make craft cider the traditional way with fresh pressed apples. You won’t find anything artificial in these cans! Not only are all of their ciders made gluten-free, but there are also no added sugars. When I went to Diskin Cider for a drag brunch event, I fell in love with their blackberry vanilla port cider, Local AF, and their fruit tea cider, Six One Five. I loved Diskin Cider so much that I ended up bringing home a four-pack of their semi-sweet southern style cider, Lil’ Blondie.

Feeling persuaded yet?

Phantom Brewing

When We Went: July 24, 2020

Location: 290 Murphy Road, Hartford, CT 06114

Phantom Brewing is a brand spanking new brewery located in Hartford that Shannon and I visited right after it opened in July. While the taproom is new, the two guys that run the place have been in the craft beer business for awhile, but on the supply and education front. They started as Beer and Wine Maker’s Warehouse suppling aspiring breweries and teaching brewers how to make beer, wine, mead, kombucha, and more. Eventually they decided to start their own brewery, while still selling supplies. The taproom isn’t very big, but it still has that new space shine to it. In addition, they have a large mural showing Hartford from across the Connecticut River that was very well done.

Chris: I was glad to see another brewery come to Hartford after Hanging Hill shut down permanently because of the pandemic. Shannon and I made sure to check them out as soon as we could. The taproom is not very big, but they have high-tops and couches as well as outdoor seating. Their variety was pretty good for a place that just opened up. As it was still in the middle of summer, I made sure to get a wheat beer which had a nice raspberry taste and was quite refreshing. Maybe, once I have money, I will go back and take some homebrewing classes as that is something I have always wanted to do.

Shannon: I really love the idea of a brewery and a supply store all in one. It’s a really great concept! If we weren’t in the time of Coronavirus, I would have taken the time to look through the supply store because it seemed to have some really good quality equipment and ingredients. I have no doubt they sell and use the best stuff for their beers too! For my first trip to Phantom, I took a big swing and decided to get a flavor style of beer I don’t typically enjoy – fruity. Now, just because I didn’t totally love my beer, doesn’t mean it’s not good! On Untappd, their Raspberry Pi has an overall rating of 3.99. This brew is sweet, a little tart, and PACKED with raspberry. If you haven’t had a chance, head over to Phantom Brewing. It’s one of Hartford’s newest hidden gems.

Other cool stuff:

  • Merchandise available!
  • They sell craft brewing supplies
  • Classes on how to homebrew!!
  • Hot food and light snacks available
  • Mug club
  • Cans to-go
  • Flights too!

What We Drank:

Shannon: Raspberry Pi (Blonde Ale) 6% – 2.5 out of 5

Chris: Secret Summer (Wheat Beer) 5.1% – 4 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 3.5 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?

Warped Wing Brewing Company

When Shannon Went: August 5, 2020

Where: 26 Wyandot Street, Dayton, OH 45402

Located at the heart of downtown Dayton, Warped Wing Brewing Company made its home in the former site of the Buckeye Brass & Iron Factory, circa 1938. Seriously, this building looks indestructible. Thick, concrete walls come together to brace an incredibly high ceiling and the foundry’s original 10-ton industrial crane lines the interior of the taproom, still sitting on the steel tracks it once used to hoist metal during it’s manufacturing days. Directly below this steel giant sits Warped Wing’s brewing tanks, taking up a good portion of the taproom floor. Despite the obvious industrial vibe, the brewery gives off a slight German beer hall vibe too – that’s probably just because of the long tables though. They even have a large glass garage door that opens up during the warmer months. It was closed when I visited but I imagine it’s pretty neat!

Shannon: Industrial yet welcoming. Sitting in the taproom I could instantly tell that Warped Wing really cares about Dayton and its history. One of their beers, Ermal’s Belgain-style Cream Ale is brewed in celebration for Ermal Fraze, the Dayton local who invented the first pop-top can in the early 1960s. One of their other beers, 10 Ton Oatmeal Stout, is dedicated to the Buckeye Brass & Iron Company and their enormous steel crane. Even Warped Wings name is a subtle nod towards Dayton’s connection with the Wright Brothers and the unique airplane wing they designed only a few miles down the road from the taproom. I’d love to go back to Warped Wing and try more of their beers. They had about 15 beers on draft but I only had enough time to try Ermal’s Cream Ale, which did not disappoint. Light, creamy, and oh so citrusy in all the right ways, this 5.4% beer really is a refreshing, classic cream ale.

Other Cool Stuff:

  • They have a special lager series and a barrel aged beer program!
  • House made sodas!
  • Brewery tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday afternoons
  • In-house kitchen
  • Merch available in the brewery and online

What Shannon Drank:

Shannon: Ermal’s Belgian Style Cream Ale (Cream Ale) 5.4% – 4 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 4 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?