Tag: old city

Merchants of Beer (and Good Times)

Merchants of Beer is quite possibly THE COOLEST building in Knoxville, located at 137 S. Central Street. This retro 1950’s dinner on the outside turned sleek modern bar on the inside, has over 50 taps of wine, cocktails, and beers. The unique venue also is a local hot spot for cigar lovers to enjoy!

Merchants of Beer, or MoB as locals call it, is welcoming from the moment you walk in. The retro bar is still there but has been updated with a glossed wood bar top that I imagine a skilled bartender has slid a pint across. As you sit at the bar, your choices await as all 50 taps are listed on the chalkboard above the massive line of taps that take up the wall behind the bar.

If you are like me and STRUGGLE to find a beer you like, then this is the place to go for experimentation. From lagers, IPAs, stouts, pilsners, and ciders (my favorite), the list of 43 brews MoB offers is not only listed on the chalkboard but on a menu that goes a little more in depth about the products. But if you are as uneducated on beer as I am, then the staff could be your new best friend.

 The MoB staff assisted me in finding an adult apple juice the Tailgate Sweet Cider – 9, but also let me sample some local brews like the Shield Series: Imperial Stout- 38, the Tessellation IPA – 24, and the Dunkel lager – 36. With they have a plethora of 38 unique beers as well as a few staples MoB also offers a few select wines and craft cocktails which make up 1-6 on the 50 taps numbered.

Another cool feature to this Knoxville only joint is its market! If you find your new favorite IPA or ale, MoB keeps a walk-in fridge stocked with 6-packs and singles that you can purchase. The walk-in has three walls, with five shelves each, full of the local and staple beers offered.

MoB is active on Facebook, and Instagram rarely going two days without posting about their variety of events, the cool exterior, google reviews, or their amazing customers. They are hot on the hashtag trend and have created one of their own #mobknox. Hosting a weekly Wednesday Wine and Cheese Party, and multiple watch parties from sports like soccer to the currently #1 ranked University of Tennessee Men’s Basketball team, the bar shows their support.

This local spot is soon to be one of my favorite places in Knoxville, and I cannot wait to go back!

Getting into Whiskey Business

The biggest thing that surprised me in my move to Knoxville was how much this town enjoys a good time. Whether that be in the form of sports or beer Knoxville always puts a new spin on things.

This week I headed into the Old City district of Downtown and stumbled upon Knox Whiskey Works. Just off Jackson Avenue, Knox Whiskey Works offers a cheap and educational buzz on the small batch, craft distillery process. For only $10 per person over the age of 21, the Knox Whiskey Works team will take you into their back room, where the magic happens.

On this tour of the facilities, my fantastic tour guide Colin dived into the chemistry of the whiskey making process. While I cannot regurgitate this information, it was fascinating to hear someone passionate about their job explain the process. If you needed any more incentive to support this local business, know that they do too. As they receive all of their corn from Riverplains Farm in Strawberry Plains that sends over about 250 pounds of heirloom corn a week while in season! #businesssupportingbusinesss

After your short chemistry lesson, the fun begins as each tour includes a taste testing of all 12 spirits offered. Typical of taste testings the highest proof comes first, and if you find your self to be a lightweight like me, please call an Uber or designated driver as 12 half shots of straight liquor, in under an hour can be dangerous to your equilibrium.

The 12 spirits range from Heirloom Corn Whiskey, an orange flavored vodka named Tennessee Tailgate Orange, Marble City Gin, the hint of heat DragonTail Whiskey, a Bourbon Whiskey and the favorite of my taste testing group, the Coffee Liqueur that is made from real coffee from Old City Brew just down the street.

If you haven’t been charmed enough head on over to @knoxwhiskey on Instagram. Here they post artsy photos of their beautiful bottles, along with crafty and humorous sign displays.