TailGate Brewery Purchases Yazoo Brewing Company’s Madison Facility

In a tectonic development in the local craft beer scene, TailGate Brewery founder Wesley Keegan announced today that he has purchased the entire Yazoo Brewing Company production facility and taproom in Madison, expanding TailGate’s footprint as the fastest-growing independent brewery in the region. As part of the transaction, Keegan offered employment to the entire Yazoo crew, including Nashville craft beer Mt. Rushmore member Linus Hall.

The 6.5-acre campus at 900 River Bluff Drive will continue to manufacture Yazoo’s lineup of beers for distribution through R.S. Lipman while becoming TailGate’s primary brewing hub on the 40-barrel system in addition to the original headquarters in Bellevue.

“HQ remains HQ,” explains Keegan, referencing the TailGate Brewery Headquarters location in West Nashville. “It will remain a producing brewery, and the taproom isn’t going anywhere. We’ve just outgrown our capacity, and desperately need more room for (brewing) activities!”

One change visitors will likely notice will be the addition of TailGate’s successful pizza kitchen program, a mainstay at all of their locations from West Nashville to Chattanooga. This means that the walk-up Grillshack Fries and Burgers operation will be moving out, but you can still enjoy Grillshack in East Nashville and Germantown.

Hall will stay on with the new combined operation to oversee production and sales of Yazoo’s line as TailGate Madison becomes the brewery’s ninth taproom location. “Linus and Yazoo are legends in both the national and Tennessee craft beer communities," says Keegan. "They have certainly been an inspiration to us. We’re proud to not only expand TailGate Brewery, but also continue making Yazoo beer here, and for my friend Linus to join our team!”

“It’s been a wonderful ride the last 23 years, but it’s time for me and Lila to start a new chapter,” shares Linus, referencing his wife and business partner. “We’re both happy Yazoo will continue to be brewed by the same people we’ve worked with for years, and that they will all have opportunities to grow with TailGate.  TailGate has built something special of their own, and I’m looking forward to working together to make this brewery an even better place to work, and a place where Nashvillians gather for a great beer.” 

Keegan adds: “As with all deals like this, there are a million little details. None of it works without the support from our neighbors and community. All 250+ of us here at TailGate Brewery are grateful to keep growing in Tennessee.”

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but the transition will begin immediately.