We don't spend a lot of time talking about ourselves. But we are really proud of the people who have taken the time to tell our story, and we want to share some of that here.
As Seen In:
What They're Saying
"At a time when much of the beer and beverage industry is either recalibrating or reeling, TailGate Brewery stands out."
-- Forbes, March 2026
"Known for churning out consistently good beers across the style spectrum at a breakneck pace. The can to know: TailGate Orange Wheat Beer."
-- PUNCH, "The Breweries to Know in 2026," March 2026
"With one owner, no investors, and a tremendously loyal team of hardworking employees, Wes Keegan has quietly opened nine outposts of his popular TailGate Brewery, including six taprooms in the past two years."
-- Nashville Scene, Writers' Choice, 2024
"Employing more than 250 team members, TailGate has also managed to offer 100 percent paid health care - a perk almost unheard of in hospitality."
-- Nashville Scene, February 2026
Awards & Recognition
Beer
Gold Medal - U.S. Open Beer Championship (2025) - TailGate Orange Wheat Beer
Punch - Top 10 Best Breweries in the Nation (2026) - recognized by national publication alongside breweries from Denver, Portland, New Orleans, and Seattle
The Brewer Magazine (2025) - doubled production capacity at Nashville HQ, five new Tennessee locations since 2020, zero investors
Brewbound Award Nominee (2024) - recognized among the most influential brands in the U.S. beer industry
Business & Growth
Pizza Marketplace Top 100 Movers & Shakers (2026) - ranked #44 nationally
Imbibe 75 (2025) - Wesley Keegan, for 100% employee healthcare coverage and people-first growth
Nashville Business Journal 40 Under 40 (2023) - Wesley Keegan
Workplace
Tennessean Top Workplace - 2023 - named by employee survey, one of Tennessee's best places to work
Tennessean Top Workplace - 2024 - second year in a row
Featured Stories
Forbes - March 2026
"TailGate Brewery Leans Into Lager ‘Projekts’ Toward Successful Growth"
One of the most respected voices in the drinks world named TailGate one of the breweries to watch this year. We'll take it.
PUNCH - March 2026
"The Breweries to Know in 2026"
One of the most respected voices in the drinks world named TailGate one of the breweries to watch this year.
Food & Wine - January 2026
"The Under-the-Radar German Beer You're About to See Everywhere"
TailGate was featured for our Altbier program as part of Food & Wine's look at the next big craft beer style trend. We brew roughly 300 new beers a year - some of them are ahead of the curve.
The Brewer Magazine - January 2026
"Tennessee’s TailGate Brewery Celebrates Year of Sustainable Growth in 2025, Doubling Production and Expending Core Retail Lineup"
TailGate was recognized for doubling production capacity at Nashville HQ, five new Tennessee locations since 2020, zero investors.
Forbes - August 2025
"Orange Wheat Beer Brings Gold to Nashville, Tennessee Brewery"
Our Orange Wheat isn't a typical flagship beer. It's light-bodied, creamy, and zesty - and in 2025 it took home a Gold Medal at the U.S. Open Beer Championship. Forbes covered the story.
Brewbound - March 2025
"TailGate Brewery Takes an Unconventional Path to 10 Years"
The industry's leading trade publication covered our 10-year anniversary with a deep look at how we've grown - and why we've done it the way we have.
The New York Times - December 2024
"America's Craft Brewery Count Declined in 2024"
When the Times called to talk about the state of craft beer, they talked to Wes. The story: he bought a grain silo for $500 - the same model cost $80,000 in 2016 - and a $750,000 centrifuge for $50,000. Smart, scrappy, and independent to the core.
In Our Community
We're dog + cat people. It's just a fact.
Since 2022, we've partnered with the Nashville Humane Association on our annual Adoption Ale - a limited-edition brew where fans pay to vote their pet onto the can label. What started as a fun idea has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for NHA over the years.
It didn't stop there. Every Mutt Club membership sold puts $10 directly back into NHA's hands - so every time someone joins, the dogs win too.
Tennessee is home. These are our people - and their furry friends.
Press Inquiries
We'd love to talk. Reach out to our PR team at Turn It Up Marketing or contact us directly at [press@tailgatebeer.com].