The glass and polished steel of the Gulch's condos quickly shift to the stocky neighbor businesses.
But among those small industrial shops sits the Gulch's newest draw, one which didn't need a sign or even a paved entrance to earn a capacity crowd.
The move is now official: Yazoo Brewing Co. has finally left the Marathon Motor building on 12th Avenue, trading its tiny taproom and quaint courtyard for a big-league tasting room. The taps just started flowing anew Friday afternoon, and I got glimpse at the new operation.
It hadn't occurred to me to check it out, until Christian mentioned it Friday morning. I had been down on Yazoo lately, with its pale ale and hefeweizen leaving weak impressions.
But Yazoo always has drafts which it doesn't bottle, so it seemed worth a quick trip before watching the Tennessee-Ohio State game. It's hard to turn down a trip to what has become Nashville's flagship brewery. Apologies to Bosco's, Blackstone, and Big River - you all have your frills and flourishes, but aside from bread and a few cheese plates, Yazoo is all about the beer.
From the outside, Yazoo barely stepped out from its surroundings, the metal-sided building barely giving away its identity save the people on the half-constructed patio.
The interior quickly wiped away most memories of the cramped taproom. Simply but stylishly decorated, the new room was tailor-made for a few brews after work. The bar eliminated the seats of the old taproom, but could comfortably seat ten times the people. Those who couldn't find a spot could nab a spot along the bar railing which ran the length of the back wall.
However, the biggest problem at the old facility reared its head - the lines. It dutifully snaked out toward the entrance, a mix of people pursuing pints and pours for their growlers. Moving it bursts, it still begs for a better system. This was just opening night, so they have turn to work out those kinks.
We each had a rye saison, which brought swift redemption to Yazoo. They had brewed a pitch-perfect example of the Saison style - punchy citrus and ample spices, using whatever malts were available. Saisons incorporate oats, wheat, barley and Yazoo certainly proved rye has earned their company.
Athough Yazoo's Hop Project IPA series might have reached its 28th incarnation, the second stop on its Home Project series will have staying power.
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