Blackberry Farm is a brand that is universally associated with quality, so when the acclaimed East Tennessee resort began to brew beer, first on a tiny system in a barn on the campus and then later in a modern new custom facility in Maryville, those in the know expected something really special. Their optimism was rewarded with some of the greatest farmhouse-style ales made in North America, and judges at many major competitions agreed.
The relatively new brewhouse continues to ramp up production of their artisan ales, but most beer fans recognize that the beer business is also about volume. However, the people behind the Blackberry Farm Brewery were not going to just farm out their production to anybody so they could suddenly increase their sales volume. Many Nashville beer lovers are probably familiar with Roy Milner, Blackberry Farm Brewery’s chief fermentation officer, and he is one of the chief defenders of the brand.
So when the word came out that Blackberry Farm was releasing some new beers in cans that were not produced in Maryville, I had to find out how Milner planned to protect the gestalt of Blackberry Farm. When I heard he was working with Brew Hub in Lakeland, Fla., I knew he'd made a wise choice of partners.
Milner explained: “We’re incredibly happy to be working alongside the team at Brew Hub to begin offering our new can line of beers. Their dedication to quality and attention to detail are second-to-none, and reflect the same passion and care that have been the foundation of our own brewing program since day one. It’s a natural fit and an exciting new chapter for our brewery.”
Brew Hub is well-known for providing great craft beer brands with the production and packaging capabilities to expand their reach without taking up valuable tank space in their home facilities. In the case of Blackberry Farm’s new beers, someone from the brewery is always on-site in Brew Hub’s large production facility.
Blackberry Farm is taking advantage of the new arrangement to release three new canned products: Coyote Tactics IPA, TN Times Pilsner and Screaming Cock Pale Ale. All three will be available in 12-ounce cans and and six packs for your portable pleasure, and each can will unique feature special label art created by Southern artists who have relationships with Blackberry Farm.
“Much like the beers, we wanted each label to have its own personality,” said Milner. “Working with artists familiar with Blackberry Farm’s culture ties this project closer to the people that we interact with on the Farm. We want the cans to feel more youthful, bold, and in the moment. These new beers are meant to inspire recreating, connecting and enjoying yourself and an active lifestyle
(Fans of Blackberry Farm's saisons needn't worry; they'll still be able to purchase those eminently food-friendly beers in the traditional large format cage-and-cork bottles.)
The new offerings should be positioned right in the sweet spot of craft beer pricing, somewhere around $12 a six-pack. The cans will be available at taprooms, restaurants and grocery stores throughout Tennessee, but if you want to be one of the first to try these new brews, mark your calendar for this Monday, July 10, from 6 to 10 p.m., when the brewery will be releasing their beers for the first time locally at Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint downtown on Fourth Avenue South. Early adopters can buy and try a Blackberry Farm beer while enjoying some of that famous Martin's barbecue, so get there early!
