Every now and then, the Nashville party calendar experiences a bit of a harmonious convergence, like when CMA Fest blends seamlessly into Bonnaroo, and the most prevalent aromas at BNA transition from Axe Body Spray to patchouli. June 27 is one of those occasions, but for entirely happy (and non-noxious) reasons.
First on the calendar is an all-day/most of the night celebration of the beloved prunus persica, better known as a peach. For years, the talented brewers at Jackalope Brewing Company have celebrated the arrival of summer with limited-edition beers at their Peach Yo’ Self Festival, and in this, their 15th year as a Nashville brewery, they’re going big again.
From noon until midnight, they’ll be overeating all things peachy with beers, peach cocktails, frozen libations, local vendors showing their wares, food specials, DJ sets, family-friendly activities and contests throughout the day.
“Peach Yo’ Self has become one of our favorite traditions because it perfectly captures what summer at Jackalope is all about — great beer, great company and a fun, welcoming atmosphere,” says Steve Barone, owner of Jackalope Brewing Company and Pikeld Concepts. “Every year we look forward to creating new peach-inspired experiences and incredible limited-edition beers while bringing our community together for a day that feels uniquely Jackalope.”
Among the special releases will be a Peach Sour, Thunder Ann Peach Tea Pale Ale and a Peach Hard Seltzer. Notably, one of the DJ sets will feature one of the newest additions to the Jackalope family, Carl Meier, formerly of Black Abbey. Meier tends the wheels of steel with a few friends under the name "DJ Dad's Been Drinking," and he'll have the headlining set from 3 to 7 p.m., spinning vinyl from his collection and challenging you to figure out how the songs all go together. I’m not not convinced that his DJ skills were a big part of why Jackalope purchased Black Abbey early this year.
The fun will kick off at noon at Jackalope’s facility in Wedgewood-Houston at 429B Houston St., and ridesharing is strongly suggested.
If I were a young man, which I decidedly am not, I think I’d settle in the Neuhoff neighborhood, because that seems to be where a lot of the fun future of Nashville is starting to grow up.
Six years ago, Atlanta-based chef/restaurateur Ford Fry rolled the dice on that neighborhood and opened essentially four different concepts in one building at 1400 Adams St. I’m a fan of Le Loup and Star Rover Sound for sure, but the flagship of the property is definitely The Optimist, Fry’s ode to fish camps and oyster shacks.
Together with the outdoor bar Jacqueline, The Optimist is celebrating six years in Nashville with an anniversary cookout from 4 p.m. until they decide to go home on Saturday, June 27. The vibe will be casual with burgers and other treats coming off a backyard grill, a DJ spinning tunes, and both boozy and nonalcoholic snow cones available for purchase, along with the other à la carte food and drink options.
I know it’s a tough choice which celebration to attend that day, but I believe with the proper application of driver (or driverless) services, a younger man or woman could pull off both. You’ll just have to tell me how that worked out for you.
