Pretentious Beer Co, Knoxville, TN
Background : Pretentious Beer Co
Out of the 400 breweries across the country we have visited and reviewed, this one is certainly different. A glass blowing company that grew into a brewery!
Pretentious originated in 2012 from a small drinking club at the Mellwood Arts Center in Louisville, KY. Each Friday afternoon, a group of artists/entrepreneurs would take off work early to sit in the courtyard and drink great craft beer. Eventually, the club decided that the glass blower, Matthew Cummings, should make beer glasses for everyone. After making that first glass for the club members, Cummings noticed a lack of unique beer glasses for craft beer. It wasn’t long before Cummings started the Pretentious Beer Glass Company to create beer glasses, and spent over 6 months making, testing, and refining designs that highlight different styles.
Once the designs were tested and complete in December 2012, he sold 20-30 glasses a month on Etsy to offset the studio rental costs. Seven months later Pretentious Glass Co. was featured on the front page of Huffington Post’s Foodbeast, followed immediately by 12 more food blog features. Sales grew to 200 glasses a month overnight, and it became a full time job.
Two years later, Cummings and his wife Stephanie moved to Knoxville with enough money saved to purchase a space on Central Ave. Cummings teamed up with Will Brady and Alex Rich and less than two years later, Pretentious Beer Co. opened its doors as a craft beer bar serving other brewery’s beer. In January 2018 – one year after it’s opening they began serving house-brewed beer. Cummings, Brady and Rich collaborate on every beer produced at the brewery. Brady, who started home brewing 13 years ago and completed South College’s brewing program, has a strong background in dark beers. Rich, a four-year brewer, specializes in New England beers and is venturing into lagers. Cummings remains loyal to the Belgians that inspired him in the beginning.
Experience
In a recent stay in the Knoxville area, we came across Pretentious Beer Co. We stopped in for a couple beers and found the place to be very cool. Loved the unique glass tap handles. The beer was very good and we loved the unique glassware. We enjoyed the hazies but they also pour Sours, Stouts, Lagers and Saison.
They have a bar and a few tables inside. If you wander out back you’ll find a dog friendly patio with more seating. We understand you can grab a beer and go next door to watch some glassblowing. We suggest you visit Pretentious!
The tasting room is accessible. They do have canned beer to go. Snacks are available but there is no kitchen. When in Knoxville, you might also check out Gatlinburg Brewing. If your headed to Nashville check out New Heights Brewing! If your headed to Asheville, which you should, check out Green Man Brewing, Burial and Wedge Brewing!
