Tennessee has a deep heritage of spirits production, and Nashville's craft beer and distillery scene has exploded to match it. From award-winning Tennessee whiskey distilleries to innovative craft breweries, here's your guide to the best brewing and distilling experiences in Music City.
Best Nashville Craft Breweries
Tennessee Brew Works in the SoBro neighborhood is one of Nashville's anchor craft breweries — great taproom, excellent beers, and a welcoming atmosphere. Jackalope Brewing Company in The Nations is a beloved local brewery with a wide range of styles and a great outdoor patio. Fat Bottom Brewing in East Nashville is a neighborhood staple with solid IPAs and an excellent food program. Southern Grist Brewing Co. has multiple locations including a popular East Nashville taproom. Bearded Iris Brewing is consistently regarded as one of the best IPAs in Tennessee.
Nashville Distilleries and Tennessee Whiskey Tours
Nelson's Green Brier Distillery in Marathon Village is one of Nashville's most interesting distillery stories — a pre-Prohibition Tennessee whiskey brand revived by two brothers. Their tours are excellent. Corsair Artisan Distillery in The Nations is an innovative craft distillery doing experimental spirits — one of the best distillery tour experiences in the city. Belle Meade Bourbon, located in a beautiful historic property in Belle Meade, offers upscale tastings and tours worth the premium price.
Day Trip: Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg
No Tennessee spirits guide is complete without Jack Daniel's in Lynchburg — about 90 minutes south of Nashville. The original distillery runs guided tours throughout the day and the experience is genuinely special. Lynchburg itself is a small town worth exploring after the tour. Book tickets in advance for the premium tasting experiences — they sell out.
Nashville Brewery & Distillery Crawl Tips
Plan a self-guided brewery or distillery crawl by clustering locations — The Nations neighborhood has both Jackalope and Corsair within walking distance. Marathon Village is home to Nelson's Green Brier. Use rideshare between neighborhoods rather than driving. Most Nashville breweries have food trucks or food programs, making a full afternoon easy. Weekday afternoons are the least crowded time to tour distilleries.
Stock Your Nashville Rental With Local Favorites
If you've picked up bottles from Nashville's distilleries during your trip, the best place to enjoy them is back at your Airbnb with a properly stocked bar setup. Music City Weekend Co. delivers mixers, garnishes, ice, and everything else your rental needs to be a proper entertaining space — before you arrive. Add the local bottles you picked up during your brewery crawl and you've got a Nashville experience worth talking about. Shop the full catalog at musiccityweekend.co/shop, or learn more about Nashville grocery delivery and fridge stocking.
Nashville Brewery & Distillery FAQs
Q: What are the best distilleries in Nashville? A: Nelson's Green Brier Distillery, Corsair Artisan Distillery, and Belle Meade Bourbon are the top Nashville distillery experiences. Q: How far is Jack Daniel's Distillery from Nashville? A: About 90 minutes south in Lynchburg, TN. A half-day or full day trip. Q: Can I buy Tennessee whiskey at Nashville distilleries? A: Yes — all of Nashville's major distilleries sell bottles directly. Nelson's Green Brier and Belle Meade Bourbon both offer excellent selections unavailable elsewhere.