Halfway through 2026, TailGate Brewery is on track for 40% YoY growth in distribution. Tennessee’s independent brewery continues to build sustainable growth, with significant advancements both in chain and on premise, while deepening relationships with customers inside their taprooms.
“We made some counterintuitive pivots on our core lineup this year that are outpacing the same style predecessor in bars and restaurants,” says Wesley Keegan, sole founder and only owner of TailGate Brewery. “Combined with consistently growing major chain retail additions in recent spring sets, we’re optimistically focused on growth.”
TailGate Brewery is producing more packaged beer than ever before, with CEs outpacing POD growth with healthy velocity. On vs off-premise split flipped this year too with 70% of TailGate Brewery’s distribution occurring on premise, while packaged beer off-premise is up 25% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter.
Steady growth is driven by TailGate’s core beers, notably TailGate Orange as well as the newest addition to the core lineup, Wizards’ Order IPA (6% ABV), which has doubled in volume YoY over its predecessor core IPA, with even more opportunity to grow. Lager Projekt (4.8% ABV), a German-style munich helles lager made with only the best traditional ingredients, has also doubled in volume, only pouring in program-approved retail accounts who agree to carry custom Lager glassware and TailGate installed side-pull Lager handles.
Keegan continued, “The industry’s loud about cost cutting and protecting margins in distribution. We made the opposite bet: listen to the beer drinker, distribute our best products. Lager Projekt is proof: an 8-week lager in horizontal tanks with exclusively Weyermann malt. We did it anyway and it’s doubled in volume this year earning trial and share. Patience on quality is growing this business.”
TailGate is continuing to diversify in retail beyond simple placements. To celebrate the opening of a new Sam’s Club warehouse, the TailGate team is launching a new variety pack: Apples and Oranges, which will appear in Sam’s Club warehouses Statewide in the third quarter of 2026. Plus, TailGate Orange – the longstanding best selling beer in TailGate’s portfolio – will bridge the gap in territory lines and launch in West Tennessee Kroger stores this fall.
TailGate is also focused on creating phenomenal experiences across its eight taprooms in the Nashville area. By creating excitement around new beer releases in the taprooms, small batch beers have been selling out on release days, and package sales have increased. Creative new beers within the cult following SHNACK series, which lately draw inspiration from popular soda styles, have been wildly popular among TailGate guests, creating an atmosphere of fun and curiosity. Additionally, a new Mug Club Social Hour offers core beers at $1 for 20oz pours, drawing in a loyal crowd.
This year, TailGate has invested in its sales team both in Nashville and across the state, with a new East Tennessee sales representative based in Knoxville to grow its footprint, and across the board, TailGate continues to support its team through an industry-leading, people-first culture and robust benefits packages – including 100% paid health benefits available to 100% of team members.
“Our team voted us a Best Place to Work two years in a row. That’s the most important competition to me,” says Keegan.
Looking forward, TailGate Brewery will continue to strategically pursue sustainable growth at retail, chain and in their taprooms, while delivering innovative flavors to beer lovers across their home state of Tennessee. Visit tailgatebeer.com or follow @tailgatebrewery on social media to stay updated as to what’s on tap, upcoming events and more.
