Patrick Beeson
Home brewer on his 10th batch, member of Tennessee Valley Homebrewers, who’s recently taken the Beer Judge Certification Program test to be certified as a judge for brewing competitions (“Yes, I’m obsessed,” he says.)
“When I’m not drinking a home brew, I’ll select anything local. Just like baked goods, beer is at its best when it’s not traveling across the country, or an ocean, to reach your glass. And Knoxvillians are blessed with two breweries in town—Woodruff’s and Smoky Mountain Brewery/Calhoun’s—and more than five just across the mountains in Asheville, N.C.
“Right now it’s the perfect time to enjoy a seasonal style such as Oktoberfest. Locally, French Broad Brewing Company makes a great beer of this variety with a rich, malty profile that stands up against the colder temperatures of late. I think these preferences hit on my love for Appalachia, the changing seasons and tradition.”
Valerie Schmidt
Six-year bartender at Union Jack’s in West Knoxville
“I get Guinness floated on anything—cider or Bass. As long as I have ‘Duck’ Guinness I’m a-okay. I like to drink at Sidestreet Tavern, but I have to get the two separate there. I’ll also order this at Sunspot and Aubrey’s.”
Dan Goss
Managing partner for the Downtown Grill & Brewery.
“What beer do I drink when I am out drinking at someone else’s place? Are there other bars in Knoxville? The brewery has everything. Good friends. Close family. Delicious stout. Tasty brown ale. Music. Food! It is the perfect home for the drinker that is me.
“I’m a creature of habit. I love our downtown. If I venture outward I see some friends at Sapphire or Preservation Pub. The best beer that I drink and enjoy is typically the next one (although I lean toward Newcastle Brown Ale, Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout, or porters). What does it say about me? Well, if you’re pouring a pint or some bourbon, you’re no stranger to me.”
Dennis Perkins
Self-described wine guy or wine consultant with Wine Lovers of Tennessee (“Or professional wino on site, my favorite”)
“I’m almost ashamed to admit this in a public: I drink PBR. I don’t drink much beer, but when I do, I’m pretty cheap. I have too many expensive habits as it is. I like to drink PBR at the Chrome Pony; it’s a sports-kinda bar on Alcoa Highway that’s close to home. The bartenders are friendly, the bikers are a live-and-let-live sort, and the 12-ounce PBR draft is a buck.”
- |
Comments » 1
jimjamflimflam writes:
I always go to Woodruff's/Downtown. You gotta love it when you ask a bartender what the alcohol-by-volume of any given beer on tap is, and they answer with something like:
"Well, it's 6% abv 'by law' but the brewers won't actually tell us the exact number."
Anytime someone describes an abv with the sarcastic-finger quotation marks, I take that as a good sign.
I have also had the pleasure of meeting two of the three brewers that work the tanks, and have tasted the first glass of Stout coming out of a fresh batch.
I once wore the same nasty flannel shirt in there three days running. The same bartender waited on me those three days, and by the third, he let loose his opinion on my limited wardrobe.
"You know, a lot of people probably think I would care, or be offended, but it just makes you easier to remember."
Long live Downtown.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.