KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Elkmont Exchange Brewery & Eating House has announced that they will open to the public on Monday, November, 6. This date is following multiple days of friends, family, and industry soft openings. Hours of operation of the three-hundred seat brewpub will be from 11am to 11pm everyday. In addition to their own thoughtfully brewed beers, Elkmont Exchange will serve a full cocktail and wine list. The food menu will include both unique and familiar dishes with a culinary flair that draws fromExecutive Chef Ryan Davenport’s fine dining background. The space, located at 745 NorthBroadway, includes a dining room, bar/lounge area, patio, brewery, and a barrel aging room that doubles as a private event space. Elkmont Exchange founders worked closely with localArchitectural Designers, MHM and Linear Development, to create an inviting, yet distinguisheds pace. Custom finishes have come from local artists and include work from Bower BirdSculpture, Bird on the Wire Studios, Rowlette Design, and Bruce McCamish.
After months of preparation, and of course, brewing, Brewmaster and Founder, Alex Violette, along with Head Brewer, Chris Meadows, will have twenty-four rotating draft lines at their creative disposal, though they expect to have an initial six styles available for opening day. Violette expects to be serving a full lineup of styles this winter. Elkmont Exchange beers will consist of a wide variety of both traditional and experimental beer styles; many of which will feature regional fruits, herbs, and spices. Growlers will be available to “pack out,” while cans will be available in the near future. As of now, there are no plans for Elkmont Exchange to distribute to outside markets –– all of their beers will be available for in-house purchases only.Some styles to look for at opening are Light Lager, IPA, Pale Ale and Brown Ale. Violette andMeadows also collaborated with Balter Beerworks and Abridged Brewing Company for limited release beers to celebrate the newest addition to the Knoxville craft beer community. Violette partnered with Brewmation Incorporated to design and develop a custom, state-of- the-art brewing, brewhouse that gives Elkmont Exchange the capability for automation and fine tuning that is typically only utilized in much larger breweries. This system also functions with higher efficiency than most, due to its mash filter which allows their brewers to make beer with about 15% less barley and up to 30% less water.
Elkmont Exchange also looks forward to creating an extensive barrel aging program on a scale that Knoxville has never before seen. Violette and Meadows are excited to combine their respective laboratory and barrel aging knowledge to explore their creativity and technical skills.Along with standard whiskey and wine barrels, Elkmont Exchange will also utilize two 43 barrel(1,333 gallon) French Oak foeders to age certain beers for anywhere from one to eighteen months.
Executive Chef, Ryan Davenport, has designed the Elkmont Exchange menu to fit the core values of the brand and encourage a sense of adventure. The “Eating House” side to Elkmont Exchange will open with a lunch and dinner menu that has been developed to complement the flavors of their beers. A brunch menu will follow this winter. Featured items, known as “TheExchange,” will highlight Davenport’s fine dining background and will regularly rotate dependent upon the availability of ingredients. Davenport draws his culinary inspiration from the outdoors as well as his worldwide travels. His time spent in Charleston, Nashville and Vietnam are reflected in the menu with items such as Boudin Balls, Hot Chicken, and Vietnamese Pho.The kitchen will also feature an expansive charcuterie program, with house-cured meats and house-made sausages on display in a curing room visible from the restaurant lounge area. There will also be a variety of plant-based options available for vegan and vegetarian guests.Davenport’s passion lies with the skill set and attention to detail that is seen in fine dining establishments; however, he also believes that the same level of quality can be enjoyed in a more casual atmosphere.
Inspired by the outdoors, Elkmont Exchange encourages guests to come together as a community, celebrate East Tennessee, and join in on their passions. They believe beer, food, and experience belong together.
Pull up a seat by the fire. Use your senses. Welcome adventure.
For more information about Elkmont Exchange and its journey, go to www.elkmontexchange.com, and sign up for their email list.