- Attraction: Xul Beer Company
- Location: 213 E 5th Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917
- Industry: Brewery
- Website: https://xulbeer.com/
Every so often, a craft brewery arrives that refuses to play by the rules, and Xul Beer Company is precisely that kind of rule-breaker.
Since opening its doors in October 2020, this North Knoxville gem has carved out its own lane in the city’s crowded craft beer scene by brewing beers that push boundaries and make you rethink what belongs in your glass.
The name itself—drawn from Sumerian mythology meaning both great and evil, with nods to Diablo video games and Ghostbusters—sets the tone for what awaits inside.
This isn’t your typical taproom experience.
Co-founders Brad West, Bentley Blackshear, and Tara Thacker have created something that feels like a Brooklyn brewery landed in Tennessee, complete with mid-century modern furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown Knoxville’s skyline, and a vibe that’s equal parts sophisticated and playfully rebellious.
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Keep Exploring →The space itself was renovated from a 1960s car showroom, and you’ll immediately notice the attention to detail—from the iron skull logo handles on the front doors to the taxidermied goat sporting a pink goatee hanging above the bar.
Flavor-Packed Brews That Push The Envelope
The Pastry Stouts: Xul has built its reputation on decadent, adjunct-heavy pastry stouts that taste like dessert in a glass.
These aren’t subtle—they’re loaded with ingredients like toasted coconut, vanilla beans, and chocolate, brewed with specialized equipment including kegs with extra-wide ports specifically designed for keg-aging with copious amounts of add-ins.
The VHS series has featured flavors like Rocky Road and Fluffernutter, each one a nostalgic trip back to childhood treats.
Fruited Sours: If you’re into the sweet-tart explosion of heavily fruited sours, you’re in for something special. These aren’t your delicate, barely-there fruit beers—Xul loads them up with real fruit to create bold, punchy flavors.
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Discover MoreThink raspberry cheesecake sours, guava creations with cream cheese compounds, and innovative blends like the Sharp Little Teeth with mango and habanero that delivers a perfectly balanced sweet-heat finish.
The PB&J Mixtape: This has become a cult favorite and for good reason. It genuinely tastes like you’re drinking a peanut butter and jelly sandwich—or more specifically, like biting into a PB&J Uncrustable. The aroma alone will transport you back to lunchtime in elementary school, and the flavor execution is impressively accurate without being cloying. It’s one of those beers people travel to try.
Dry-Hopped IPAs: While the pastry stouts and fruited sours get much of the attention, Xul’s IPA game is equally strong. The HYFR double IPA series rotates hop combinations and packs massive amounts of hops for an explosion of tropical fruit, citrus, and pine notes.
These are aggressively hopped beers that lean into the juicy, hazy New England style while maintaining drinkability. The Son of Juice features loads of Mosaic, Simcoe, and Nugget hops with a soft body and just a touch of haze.
The Crushable Lagers: Not everything here is big and bold. For those seeking something lighter, you’ll find crisp Mexican-style lagers and pilsners that are perfect when you want to enjoy a few rounds without the intensity. The Toro Y Oso lager includes a touch of Wai-iti hops for subtle fruitiness while remaining refreshing and easy-drinking.
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Keep Exploring →Balanced Intensity Philosophy: What sets Xul apart from other breweries attempting similar styles is their focus on balance. Despite throwing massive amounts of ingredients into their beers, they meticulously work on ratios and timing to ensure no single flavor overpowers the others. Each beer goes through extensive taste testing to nail that sweet spot where complexity meets drinkability.
A Space That Demands Your Attention
The Views: Floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows dominate half the taproom, offering stunning views of downtown Knoxville and its skyline. During the day, natural light floods the space, while at night the city lights create an energetic backdrop. The elevated location means you get a real sense of place while sipping your beer.
Mid-Century Meets Moody: The interior design is where dark elegance truly shines. Picture hunter green velvet sofas, vintage chandeliers, and furniture that practically begs to be photographed.
The aesthetic borrows heavily from mid-century modern design but adds darker, edgier touches. Faux concrete walls, nostalgic movie posters from the owners’ personal collections, and quirky details like a life-sized Gremlin create visual interest everywhere you look.
Indoor and Outdoor Options: Beyond the main taproom, you’ll find a beer garden that’s ideal for daytime casual drinking when the weather cooperates. The outdoor space is spacious and comfortable without feeling cramped, with plenty of seating options. Whether you prefer the air-conditioned elegance inside or the fresh-air vibe outside, both areas are thoughtfully designed.
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Discover MoreThe Soundtrack: Expect 90s hip-hop and music that leans into the owners’ love of nostalgia. They don’t censor their playlist, so it skews toward a more adult crowd in terms of music content, though families with kids are still welcome during earlier hours.
The Details Worth Knowing
Temperature Matters: Here’s something you won’t find at most breweries—three temperature-controlled tap lines that serve each beer at its optimal temperature. Sours and lagers come out at a crisp 38 degrees, hazy IPAs at 44 degrees, and pastry stouts at a warmer 52 degrees to let those rich flavors fully open up. This level of attention elevates the entire drinking experience.
Rotating Selection: The tap list changes frequently based on what’s been brewed and what has sold out. This keeps things fresh and gives you a reason to return often to try new releases. Special releases and collaborations with other breweries happen regularly, and these limited drops tend to sell out quickly.
Food Trucks On-Site: While Xul doesn’t have its own kitchen, food trucks typically set up outside with options like burgers and fries that pair perfectly with the beer. Some visitors claim these are among the best burgers in Knox County, making the lack of an in-house kitchen a non-issue.
Trivia Night: Tuesday nights feature well-run trivia events that draw a solid crowd. It’s casual, fun, and a great excuse to test your random knowledge while enjoying a flight of beers.
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Keep Exploring →Family-Friendly (Sort Of): The atmosphere is welcoming to families during the day, with juice boxes available for kids. That said, the uncensored music and overall vibe skew toward an adult crowd, especially during evening hours and weekends.
Pricing Considerations: Xul sits on the higher end of the pricing spectrum for Knoxville craft beer. The quality and unique flavor profiles justify the cost for most visitors, though longtime patrons have noticed price increases as the brewery has gained popularity.
When you factor in the specialty ingredients, brewing expertise, and premium taproom experience, the pricing makes sense—just know you’re paying for top-tier craft beer, not bargain brews.
To-Go Options: If you fall in love with something on tap, canned beers are available for carryout. This makes it easy to bring home favorites or stock up for a later occasion.
Parking and Location: The brewery sits close to the highway, making it convenient to slip in and out. Parking is generally accessible, though it can fill up during peak times and special releases.
Best Times to Visit: Weekday afternoons offer a more relaxed vibe if you prefer a quieter experience, while Friday and Saturday evenings bring energy and crowds. Special release days draw serious beer enthusiasts willing to stand in line for limited offerings.
Xul Beer Company
📍 213 E 5th Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917
