Southern Grist Brewing Co. is preparing to enter a new era. The local brewery will be changing hands, with plans for Knoxville-based Xul Beer Company to take over operations, according to an announcement on the Southern Grist Brewing Facebook page.
“At Southern Grist, we’ve spent nearly a decade pushing boundaries, brewing new ideas and shaping what’s next for Nashville’s beer scene,” the announcement states. “As we approach our 10th anniversary and look ahead to the next decade, we’re turning the page to an even more exciting chapter — one that will be written by our longtime friends at Xul Beer Co.”
The transition is still in the process of taking place. However, for now, the Southern Grist Brewing team has revealed that Xul Beer Company will be taking over both of the existing Southern Grist locations in East Nashville and the Nations.
Kevin Antoon, Jamie Lee and Jared Welch opened the brewery together in February 2016 in a 430-square-foot space in East Nashville. A couple years later, they opened a larger production facility and a second taproom. They specialize in small-batch, experimental beers that place emphasis on creativity. They have had more than 1,000 unique beers in their portfolio, according to their website.
Xul Beer Company, helmed by Brad West and Tara Thacker, currently operates three taprooms in Knoxville. Xul also announced their plans to take over the Souther Grist Brewing Co. locations in their own Facebook announcement.
“Southern Grist will always be part of the story, living on in spirit as Xul brings their Knoxville-crafted liquid gold to Nashville,” the announcement from Southern Grist Brewing states. “This is a time, fate and luck scenario. And we couldn’t be happier at this time for the luck and fate that has come to the beer industry for this epic change!”
More information is expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks. The Xul team will be taking over operations at the existing Southern Grist sites by the end of the year.
