12 South Winter Warmer 2013: Recap of Nashville's 3rd Annual Artisan Craft Brew Tasting

How about Artisan hand-crafted cold brew to ward of the winter chill!

Are you a craft brew fanatic ?

Are you giddy at the aroma of fermenting hops and grains ? Do you know which brews are hoppy, nutty, sour, malty, chocolate or caramel and have a favorite style? If this sounds like you, THIS is your event!

On Saturday December 7th, Sevier Park in the 12 South Ave District was host to the 3rd annual 12 South Winter Warmer created by Matt Leff, a craft brew aficionado and brain child of Rhizome Productions. Matt has single-handedly paved the path for bringing Nashville’s craft brew scene front and center.

Can you believe Tennessee NOW has so many amazing craft brew establishments? We have several around town and on tap at Craft Brewed on 8th Ave, right around the corner from my house. I consider myself very lucky!

A total of 41 artisan beer makers from all around the country including 11 of our local breweries converged under the big white tent braving the cold weather to bring together lovers of craft brew! If you already love artisan handcrafted brews this was the mother of all festivals here Nashville and if you were a first-timer, like me, there was a plethora of interesting brews to sample and decide on a style(s) that you like!

A Bonding Experience

I must admit that I am a newbie when it comes beer.

Throughout the years I have sipped on the “usual” beers. Then one day, I drank this amazing hoppy Yazoo Pale Ale, and my life was changed forever. I was hooked! Not only do I now love the hand-crafted small batch brews, it’s something my husband I and have bonded over. It’s no longer just a “guy thing!” We enjoy going to the local brewers such as Yazoo, Jackaloupe, Black Abbey and Blackstone. Like with a wine tasting, I enjoy ordering a flight of beer to determine which one is my favorite one. There are so many to chose from; I love them all!

Tickets to this event sell out in MINUTES!

Matt limits the ticket sales to around 1000 which causes a bit of a “ticket buying frenzy.” If you got a ticket for this year’s event, you were one of the lucky ones! A blast of frigid winter weather was not a deterrent for thirsty event-goers. The line was long but we all got in quickly to warm-up under the tent of brew!

The very photogenic Carlton of Straight to Ale Craft Brewers out of Huntsville, Alabama took time out for a photo.

One of the sponsors is our very own Craft Brewed Tasting Room located on 8th Ave (very convenient from my home!) specializes in unique,rare and local craft beers. Stop by and see and taste what’s on tap! A favorite watering hole in cool, hip Nashville.

Matt Leff, founder of Rhizome productions and 12 South Winter Warmer took a time out for a photo.

As you can see, my hubby is like a “kid in a candy store!” So many beers to sample! We all had fun sampling the multitude of styles;their were so many to choose from!

Which one is your style?

Green Flash Brewing Company! One of my favorites!

Local Tennessee Artisan Olive Sinclair Chocolates pair well Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout.

Calfkiller Brewing Company is a local favorite!

New on Nashville beer scene is the local artisan Belgian-style brewers The Black Abbey Brewing Company and they have quickly become a favorite!

Little Harpeth Brewing Company from Nashville!

Schlafly Brewery from St. Louis

Finch’s Beer Company!

The Duck Rabbit Brewery are Dark Beer Specialists

Nashville’s Blackstone Brewery

Lazy Magnolia Brewery from Mississippi

Straight to Ale Brewery! Catchy name, tasty brew!

What to eat with craft brew!

Beer drinking has its own style of food that it pairs with so well! This is new to me! A Pretzel Necklace-how convenient! Now if only I can figure out how to get cheese and crackers on a necklace for wine pairings!

Chef Jeremy Barlow of Sloco Local providing the ultimate beer sandwich: a warm pretzel bun filled with tender roasted lamb slathered in mustard brown sugar slaw- just right to pair up with beer!

Biscuit Love Local Food Truck was on hand with their hearty, made from scratch biscuits. The Hot Chicken Biscuit as just what you needed to eat while sipping on your favorite brew!

Smoke Et Al Boutique Barbecue Food Truck hits the spot!

What could be better than a cold brew with a handcrafted gourmet grilled cheese and warm bowl of tomato soup from The Grilled Cheeserie on a cold, winter’s day?