In 2017, popular Birmingham brewery Good People Brewing Company purchased another local brewery, Avondale Brewing Co. Good People has been popular in Nashville for years, known for its solid pale ale and brown ale, as well as more exotic beers like Snake Handler, Muchacho and Bearded Lady. Now, the team behind the two breweries is bringing its latest brands to town with the launch of Avondale in the Nashville market.
Michael Sellers, Jason Malone and Eric Schultenover are the co-owners of Avondale. Malone and Schultenover are Middle Tennessee natives and see the market entry as a “coming home” opportunity for the brand, which they cheekily refer to as “the beer you have when you’re having fun.”
As part of the initial launch, they are bringing four of their beers to town: Sour Pash sour, Spring Street saison, Mosey amber lager and A-OK IPA. Future plans include adding the popular Brunch Punch, which sounds like a fine bachelorette alternative to the ubiquitous White Claw.
The official rollout is this week, with several events scheduled all over town. Meet the makers and find a new favorite at one of these opportunities:
Wednesday, Jan. 29
Flying Saucer: Tap Takeover (5-8 p.m.)
BoomBozz Murfreesboro — Tap Takeover (6-8 p.m.)
Thursday, Jan. 30
Frugal MacDoogal — In-Store Tasting (4-6 p.m.)
Filling Station 12South — Tap Takeover (5-8 p.m.)
Rudie’s Seafood and Sausage — Tap Takeover (6-9 p.m.)
Friday, Jan. 31
Filling Station East — Tap Takeover (4-7 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 1
Midtown Cork Dorks — In-Store Tasting (4-6 p.m.)
Tuesday, Feb. 4
Jack Brown's Germantown — Avondale Pint Night (5-8 p.m.)
Thursday, Feb. 6
Sinkers East Nashville — In-Store Tasting (4-7 p.m.)
The owners are tickled to be able to showcase their products in their old hometown. “As someone who grew up here, getting our beers to Nashville has always been a top priority,” says Malone. “Avondale and Nashville have such a shared spirit, from the ‘good time’ vibe to the music and entertainment we love. We’re excited to bring the great Avondale beers to our hometown, and tell the story of Avondale’s incredible venue, which is just a short drive away.”
“Fantastic beer is just a portal into what Avondale is all about,” says Schultenover, who has lived in the Nashville area for more than 30 years. “Music and community are intertwined with the brand, and that’s rare — Avondale has the ability to bring people together for unique experiences. It’s such a great fit with Nashville.
“We grew up here, went to high school here, have seen the growth and know what Nashvillians are all about,” he continues. “Avondale harkens back to the days of what Summer Lights, Dancin’ in the District, and spots like Faison’s and Villager used to be — places people went for great music or just fun times with friends. It’s something outsiders have a hard time tapping into, and our beers are a great way to show that the ‘true Nashville’ is still alive and well.”
