More than 60 Brews On Tap From Middle Tennessee and Around the Country

Each year for the last decade, the Downtown Franklin Association (DFA) has provided beer lovers a taste of some of the best local, national and international brews during its annual Main Street Brew Fest. On Saturday, March 16, the non-profit organization that helped spearhead the revitalization of Franklin’s historic downtown core will once again offer 60-plus craft beers at 31 tasting sites from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., along with Celtic performers and plenty of Irish cheer. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR THE BEER LIST.

Presented by R.S. Lipman Company and Lipman Brothers, the popular event plans to showcase the latest product and shine a spotlight on Williamson County’s microbrewery market—including Cool Springs Brewery, Jubilee, Mayday Brewery, and Turtle Anarchy Brewing Company.

“It’s always nice to be able to pull in our community with events like these. We know people are excited to sample the brew, and especially the local product,” said Nancy Williams, director of the DFA. “Plus, this is a great kick off to spring each March, and a fun way to encourage participants to explore our retail district.”

Williams said the organization is on track to sell more tickets than any other year, and expects at least 2,500 people. The event has sold out well in advance the past three years.

“There’s no better place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and I think anyone who’s been to this event would tell you that,” Williams said. “It’s also become an important opportunity for our merchants to connect with new customers.”

There are more than 10 new breweries contributing to this year’s Main Street Brew Fest, and their home bases range from California and Oregon to Pennsylvania and Colorado. Many new brews will be on tap, too, including: Alltech Kentucky Ale and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, North Coast Pranqster and Scrimshaw Pilsner, Woodchuck Spring Cider and Private Reserve Pink Cider and more.

In early celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, a crew of Celtic entertainers will be performing. Several local food vendors will also be set up down Main Street, as well.

Tickets are $40 in advance, and are available here. Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic at 4 p.m., and the public is welcome – but only ticket-holders will be able to participate in the beer-tasting. Many of the shops will extend their hours to remain open during the night event.

Ticket-holders will check in at the intersection of 4th Avenue and Main Street to get a tasting site map, a description of the beers, and a tasting glass sponsored by Puckett’s Boat House.

Attendees are encouraged to arrange safe rides to and from the Brew Fest. The Franklin Transit Authority is offering round-trip transportation to and from locations inside Franklin city limits for $6 per person. To reserve a ride, call (615) 628-0263 or email sue@twilighttodd.org.

Franklin’s Main Street Brew Fest is produced by the Downtown Franklin Association, a nationally certified Main Street Program of the National Trust and a division of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County. Proceeds from the event go to the continued revitalization and promotion of Historic Downtown Franklin. To learn more, visit www.downtownfranklintn.com.

Tasting Sites

  • Visitors’ Center (Fourth Avenue North) — Estrella Damm Lager and Irish Stout
  • 55 South (400 block Main Street) — Blue Pants: Amber Waders of Grain, (HG) pinstripe Stout, and (HG) Tuxedo Black IPA
  • Avec Moi (418 block Street) — Victory (HG) Hop Wallop and Festbier or Whirlwind Witbier
  • Bink’s Outfitters (400 block Main Street) — Sierra Navada Stout, Pale Ale and Kellerveis
  • Capital Bank (Public Square) — Oskar Blues (HG) Old  Chub, Mama’s Little Yella Pils and (HG) Dale’s Pale Ale
  • Cool Springs Brewery (Main Street tent) — Pecker Wrecker IPA, Fatback Amber Ale, Black SenSaison, Early Riser Expresso Stout and Wheat Dream
  • Creative Find-n-Design (300 block Main Street) — Erie Brewing: (HG) Misery Bay IPA and Presque Isle Pilsner
  • Dion’s South (400 block Main Street) — Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro and Stranger Pale Ale
  • Early’s Honey Stand (East Main Street) — Moylan’s Tipperary Pale Ale and (HG) Kilt Lifter
  • Ecco Salon (Fourth Avenue North) — Murphy’s Red and Stout
  • Franklin Mercantile (Fourth Avenue North) — JW Dundee: Irish Red and Honey Brown Lager
  • Franklin Theatre (400 block Main Street) — Mayday: Evil Octopus and Velvet Hustle
  • Good Findings (400 block Main Street) — Smaltz (HG) Bit Lenny’s Ripa and Genesis Ale
  • GRAY’s on Main (300 block Main Street) — Yazoo:  Onward Stout, Gerst, Sly Rye and Dos Perros
  • Heirloom Shop (400 block Main Street) — Napa Smith (HG) Organic IPA and (HG) Hopageddon IPA
  • HeyDay (300 block Main Street) — Rogue Yellow Snow IPA and Dry Hop Red
  • J.J.’s Wine Bar (East Main Street) — Ass Kisser HG Porter and Tight Hefe
  • JONDIE (400 block Main Street) — Atwater Vanilla Java and TBA
  • McCreary’s Irish Pub (400 block Main Street) — Mayday:  Angry Red Head and Boro Blonde
  • Mellow Mushroom (300 block Main Street) — Turtle Anarchy: Another Way to Rye, Portly Sout and Aurumglass
  • Merridee’s Breadbasket (Fourth Avenue South) — Well’s Banana Bread, Sir Perry Pear Cider and Ace Perry Cider
  • Papa Boudreaux’s (300 block Main Street) — Abita: Strawberry Harvest Lager and Spring IPA
  • Heart & Hands/Patchwork (300 block Main Street) — Lakefront New Grist [gluten free] & New Planet [gluten free] Ale
  • Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant (Fourth Avenue South) — Hap & Harry’s Tennessee Lager
  • Red Pony Restaurant (400 block Main Street) — Jubilee: Randy’s IPA
  • Redo Home & Design (Public Square) — North Coast (HG) Pranqster and Scrimshaw Pilsner
  • Serendipity Spa & Cosmetics (400 block Main Street) — Spring Cider and Private Reserve Pink Cider
  • The Shop Around the Corner (Third Avenue North) — Alltech KY Ale: Kentucky Ale and Kentucky (HG) Bourbon Barrel Ale
  • Walton’s Antique Jewelry (400 block Main Street) — Stone Levitation Ale and Stone Pale Ale
  • Yacoubian Jewelers Terrapin (Third Avenue South) — (HG) Hopsecutioner and Rye Pale Ale