TailGate Brewery, Tennessee’s fastest-growing brewery, reports a 12% distribution increase year-over-year in Nashville for the first half of 2025. The brewery’s momentum is fueled by a local focus, growing demand for beloved flagship beers and a wide-ranging lineup of craft brews, N/A beverages and recently introduced THC Sparkling Water.
“We know that success starts here in Tennessee, in our home market,” says Wesley Keegan, founder and owner of TailGate Brewery. Our focus is on being a great partner to the retail partners who carry our products, and that includes delivering a great experience in our taprooms, and curating a diverse beverage menu that appeals to everyone.”
Beer by the Numbers
TailGate Brewery’s investments in flagship beer TailGate Orange, a light-bodied, creamy and zesty American Wheat Ale, have earned the Tennessee classic brew an almost 30% increase in sales YoY at off-prem retailers. The brew also earned Gold at the 2025 U.S. Beer Open Championship. Core brand TENN Golden lager (4.5% ABV), a sessionable balanced golden lager with notes of cracker and a clean finish, is also holding steady and has new placements coming soon after experiencing a 33% increase in market velocity at mid-year.
Additionally, TailGate Brewery’s wildly popular Wizard’s Order IPA Series, first launched in August 2024, has seen almost a full year in circulation. The series puts forth a sought-after new elixir every season, satisfying IPA fans and allowing the TailGate team to demonstrate their wizardry with the IPA style.
Innovation + Diversification
While TailGate Brewery is known for brewing a wide range of styles from the traditional, German-inspired biers of their Lager Projekt, to rare wild ales, barrel-aged beers and more; they’ve also branched out into crisp, effervescent ciders, fizzy and flavorful THC Seltzers, non-alcoholic sweet tea flavors, coffee drinks, and more—all in the spirit of having something for everyone who walks into their taproom. The strategy is working, with their year-round TailGate Cider growing 20% YoY in distribution. Other non-alcoholic offerings are also up YoY, particularly sister brand Nashville Sweet Tea Co., which has seen 212% growth at retail after launching new points of distribution at chain retailers this year.
Any conversation about TailGate must mention pizza. Highly regarded as a destination for pizza lovers, the brewery’s inventive food menu features the popular Detroit-style pizza and rotating Pizza of the Month. Pizza aficionados can enjoy a constantly updated pizza menu with out-of-the-box options like the current pizza of the month, The Peach & Prosciutto Pizzao, topped with shredded mozzarella, brown sugar peaches, basil, prosciutto, honey-whipped ricotta, and a balsamic drizzle.
Successful Partnerships & Employee Wellness
It’s been just over one year since TailGate Brewery partnered with family-owned distributor Lipman Brothers in order to increase accessibility for retail partners and optimize continued growth. The partnership has resulted in a surge of new placements and a significant increase in grocery and in Nashville, including at legendary venues on Broadway.
Looking Forward
Steady gains in winter and spring are positioning the brewery for a successful summer and fall. To accommodate the upcoming busier seasons, TailGate has invested in doubling cellar capacity, and onlining new equipment like a second centrifuge.
As the brewery grows, it continues to prioritize the well-being of almost 300 team members in Tennessee. TailGate offers 100% paid healthcare and other benefits, and believes that investing in its team is the number one way to thrive as a business. TailGate has been named a Top Workplace by The Tennessean for two years in a row, an honor for the people-first company.
TailGate Brewery remains dedicated to investing in their team, expanding their offerings and connecting with local patrons and partners through exceptional handcrafted beer and pizza. Visit tailgatebeer.com or follow @tailgatebrewery on social media to stay updated as to what’s on tap, upcoming events and more.
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