Sunday 28th of December 2014 11:07:22 PM

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The Calfkiller Brewery is not normally open to the public, but I drove by on a weekday afternoon while passing through TN, and I found out later that they occasionally do tours on Saturdays. There is a small gravel area just off the road which can be used for parking. At the brewery are a couple two-story buildings which seem to be a residence. There is an ornate patio area between the buildings and a small patio area above the brewery, and it would make a nice place to visit for tasting. The brewery consists of a large red wooden house with corrugated steel roof. When I drove by, plumes of steam billowed from a large metal vent from the brewing vessels. Through a large window in front I could see a large stainless steel pot inside and people moving about hard at work. On the left of the brewery building is a retractable white garage door where raw materials and products can be transferred. Also on the side of the building is a large round red metal cutout of their logo and name. Leaving the brewery I passed a small river, several cow pastures and residential farmland. The river was wide and had a distinctive green color to the water, and the nearby rocky hills are quite scenic. Driving through nearby downtown Sparta, I saw a sign indicating the Calfkiller River. It is a strange name, which seems ominous for livestock farmers, but now hopefully heralds decent quality craft beer. The brewery website was helpful in listing places nearby where their beer could be tried. I recommend Char in Cookeville, because they keep 3 of these on tap. From what I found, the Calfkiller beer is just average, and my favorite was their Grassroots Ale.