Est. 2020
Co-founders Seth, Tara, and Brad opened Xul in Knoxville in 2020 with a simple goal: make beer worth talking about and build taprooms worth staying in. What started downtown has grown across East Tennessee and into Nashville—same energy, bigger reach.
Our Proving Grounds
Our taprooms are where it all comes together—rotating taps, great food, and spaces built for hanging out. Knoxville is where we started; Nashville is where we're growing next.
Our taproom was built in the 1960s as an auto showroom for Volkswagen so it features a 180-degree glass facade that allows our guests to enjoy the downtown skyline and watch the cars buzz by. We wanted to stay true to the original design so you’ll see mid-century modern decor throughout. Plush couches, textured walls and quartz countertops help accentuate the eclectic vibe. During the day, the taproom is flooded with natural light, but at night, it takes on a completely different vibe of city lights and sexy ambiance.
The second taproom for Xul Beer Company opened its doors on June 22nd, 2023. At the Hardin Valley location you can enjoy a slightly darker, more elegant atmosphere with various lounge seating as well as a media room for enjoying movies and sports.
Guests are welcome to bring in outside food to enjoy in the taproom. Dogs are more than welcome on the patio as we do have plenty of shade and water bowls available!
East Nashville brings XUL into Southern Grist’s Douglas Avenue home with a full tap list, a roomy wraparound bar, two patios, and Lauter serving food on site. Expect Knoxville-crafted XUL releases alongside select SGB favorites, a family-friendly neighborhood feel, and plenty of reasons to stay for one more pour.
Our West Nashville taproom sits in The Nations at 5012 Centennial Blvd, just steps from the production space that helped build Southern Grist’s reputation. It is a relaxed, creative spot for XUL releases, SGB staples, to-go beer, and low-key hangs with friends, family, and neighbors.
Commitment To Craft
Brewing is a process, fined tuned and always evolving. We put a lot of care into the equipment we purchase, the people we hire, and we take that level of commitment to the glass. All of our beers are served at the correct temperature to accentuate the flavor and aromas in every sip. From our sours, seltzers, and lagers served at a perfect 38 degrees & hazy IPAs served at 44 degrees to our pastry stouts that drink best at 52 degrees, our Cicerone Certified Beer Servers can guide you through your beer journey.
About Our Beer
The Brew Crew
What’s your favorite Xul beer?
Awful Nice
What’s your favorite non-Xul beer?
Heady Topper
What do you like most about working at Xul?
Other than the beer, the vibe and energy that Xul has created. Not only is it one of the best places to hang out, it’s an incredible place to work. Also my co-workers, the best in the game
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Watch movies
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Travel! I’ve never been outside of the US.
What’s your favorite Xul beer?
Lite Brite Party Night
What’s your favorite non-Xul beer?
Victory Sour Monkey
What do you like most about working at Xul?
Seeing people try the beer and their face light up with surprise. It’s so fun to find the perfect beer for someone…especially new beer drinkers.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Tend to my plants or go tubing in the mountains.
What would you do if you were invisible for a day?
Haunt all of my enemies. Just kidding. I couldn’t be invisible bc I like to be noticed…so that just wouldn’t cut it 🙂
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Family first, THEN, I would buy a chunk of land for an animal sanctuary/nursery for me & my plant & animal friends who need a safe space!
What’s your favorite Xul beer?
Til Death Do We Riot
What’s your favorite non-Xul beer?
Lephroaig 10 Year
What do you like most about working at Xul?
I love the culture and the feeling like I am playing a part in the growth of the company!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Hanging with the family, hiking, discovering new music (send me all your rec’s)
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
I would find the most secluded piece of property somewhere like Montana or Wyoming with a body of water nearby. I’d buy it. Then, probably go fishing or hang a hammock and nap.
If you could know the absolute and total truth to one question, what question would you ask?
What life is like in other universes. Not if it exists, but who they are and what life is like for them
What’s your favorite Xul beer?
Awful Nice. I’ve always enjoyed hoppy beers, but I crave easy-drinkers these days & it bridges the gap perfectly.
What’s your favorite non-Xul beer?
Bierstadt Lagerhaus Slow Pour Pils. I have the utmost respect for how much effort goes into making this flawlessly crafted Pilsner.
What do you like most about working at Xul?
My favorite thing about Xul is that we are always trying to make the best possible product. It is far too easy in this industry to just settle for good enough. Xul never settles, and that’s something that drew me to apply and it continues to inspire me to come up with ways of making our products the best they can be.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I like to travel as much as I can. Whether that’s a weekend trip to Asheville to spend time with friends or destinations far and wide. When I am not traveling, I like to golf, play video games and work out.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
I would go on a two-year long trip around the world. There are so many places I would love to explore and there would be no better time then right after everyone found out you just became very wealthy.
What’s your favorite Xul beer?
Toro y Oso…with lime!
What’s your favorite non-Xul beer?
Bitburger Premium Pils
What do you like most about working at Xul?
Working with other people with a similar passion and drive to make the best product and experience they can.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Spending time with my wife, friends and family.
If you could know the absolute and total truth to one question, what question would you ask?
Are aliens from another planet or just us from the future?
What’s something you think everyone should try at least once?
Bone marrow spread over toast
What’s your favorite Xul beer?
State of the Art Bang Bang
What’s your favorite non-Xul beer?
Key Lime Pie Gose from Westbrook
What do you like most about working at Xul?
The aesthetic & atmosphere. Eclectic & nostalgic.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Hop on my PC and try to work my way through the overwhelmingly unplayed library of games.
What would you do if you were invisible for a day?
Get past the TSA and take a free flight to the Caribbean. I haven’t thought through the getting back part.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Gonna go with Hawkeye from MASH.
What’s your favorite Xul beer?
Release Dopamine 🙂
What’s your favorite non-Xul beer?
Ponysaurus – Don’t Be Mean to People – A Golden Rule Saison
What do you like most about working at Xul?
The kickass people I work for & with that all hold their beer standards as high as their work ethic.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Travel & go on any sort of adventure – mountain biking, snowboarding, roller skating, hiking, climbing, paddleboarding, you name it!
If you could know the absolute and total truth to one question, what question would you ask?
What reallyyyyy happened to the dinosaurs?
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Travel the mfkn world & never look back!
What’s your favorite Xul beer?
Misery of Consciousness
What’s your favorite non-Xul beer?
Allagash White
What’s your favorite thing about Xul?
The people! Everyone is so bought in and takes pride in their roles and responsibilities.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I am a big nerd and love Magic the Gathering and Legos.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Travel the world, I have only been to Europe so I would love to hit the other continents.
If you could know the absolute and total truth to one question, what would it be?
Is our reality a simulation or is there something else after death?
What’s your favorite Xul beer?
Tech Noir (Passionfruit, Pink Guava, Raspberry)
What’s your favorite non-Xul beer?
Westbrook Gose
What do you like most about being one of the owners of Xul?
It’s been pretty incredible seeing our crazy idea come to life and then take on a life of its own. I also love getting to spend my days with our team. We have such an incredible, goofy, and passionate staff that makes every day so much fun.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Spending time with my family, watching scary movies, and also the occasional trip to Vegas!
Do you have any weird superstitions?
When I play craps, I take my money off the table when the game is slowed down at all from talking or interruptions. When the game gets out of sync, a bad roll usually follows.
If you could know the absolute and total truth to one question, what question would you ask?
Ah, so many questions… life, death, universe, ghosts… If I have to pick one – What else is out there? We can’t be the only living beings in the entire universe.
What’s your favorite Xul beer?
Citra is my favorite hop so Ivy is just something special to me.
What’s your favorite non-Xul beer?
This is a tough one. Probably VSOJ from Revolution. There are so many breweries making world-class beer now that it’s difficult to choose.
What do you like most about being one of the owners of Xul?
The team we have. I’ve been a large part of other businesses and our team at Xul is just the most cohesive that I’ve experienced. Everyone pulls (more than) their own weight. We all have our weaknesses, but our strengths seem to bridge any shortcomings. It’s really fun to be a part of. On the fun side: anytime we travel for collabs… those trips are what I live for.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I still work full time managing a local DC and working on Xul stuff, so any free time is a luxury. I enjoy golfing, traveling & diving. I grew up fishing so that still holds a special place in my heart. …which reminds me, I need to go more often.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Damn. I dunno. Of course, I’d pay off my house and save/invest most of it. There would be many more golf, fish & dive trips in my future.
What’s something you think everyone should try at least once?
Scuba. It’s basically like being on another planet. You can’t hear anything but your own breathing and it’s just incredible.
