Knoxville Ale Trail Passport Goes Digital

One of the best ways to explore the local beer scene in any moderate to large size metropolitan area is to seek out an ale trail. These “trails” can be found all over the United States and while most of them involve a paper document and map, some have upgraded to the digital realm. This is exactly what has happened in Knoxville, Tennessee, a college town that just introduced the electronic Knoxville Ale Trail Passport.

How do I Get the Passport?

With your smartphone or iphone in hand, you can now access the Knoxville Ale Trail without having to remember your paper form or map. It follows the same format and rules as before, but with the convenience of digital access.

To get your passport, go to Visit Knoxville, Ale Trail: www.visitknoxville.com/aletrail. Your newly minted electronic passport will be instantly delivered to your phone as a text message, ready to use. There is no need to load an app or anything. Your passport to the best of Knoxville beer will be right there, at your fingertips, ready to access at any time.

How Does it Work?

Once you have the digital passport, you are all set to begin your exploration:

1. Visit any participating Knox Area Brewery Association (KABA) brewery on the Knoxville Ale Trail.
2. Enjoy a pint of beer brewed by the brewery
3. Ask the bartender for a code to “stamp” your passport and document your visit
4. Win Prizes!

Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville, says the Knoxville Ale Trail and passport is an excellent means to explore the region by beer.

“The Ale Trail Passport is a great partnership for us and KABA to highlight Knoxville’s incredible brewery scene,” said Bumpas “When we say Knoxville is a nature-loving-adventure-seeking-artsy-kinda-town, we want visitors to know that adventure can include experiencing all the diverse beer options across the county and beyond.”

Which Breweries are Involved?

The participating breweries can change at any time, but here’s a current list of brewing establishments, awaiting your presence:

• Abridged Beer Company
• Albright Grove Brewing Company
• Alliance Brewing Co.
• Balter Beerworks
• Bearden Brewhouse and Beer Market
• Blackberry Farm Brewery
• Blackhorse Pub and Brewery
• Clinch River Brewing
• Crafty Bastard Brewery
• Downtown Grill & Brewery
• Elst Brewing Company
• Fanatic Brewing
• Gatlinburg Brewing
• Geezers Brewing
• Gypsy Circus Cider Co.
• Hexagon Brewing
• Last Days of Autumn Brewing
• Next Level Brewing
• Orange Hat Brewing
• Pretentious Beer Co.
• Printshop Beer
• Schulz Brau Brewery
• Smoky Mountain Brewing- Turkey Creek
• The Oak Room by Abridged
• Tri- Hop Brewery
• Xül Beer Co

Davis Cranford, President of Knoxville Are Brewers Association, says the Knoxville brewery scene has much to offer and the new digital passport will make it super- convenient to enjoy the craft.

“Knoxville craft beer has seen such tremendous growth in the past few years, and Knoxville Craft Beer Week is a perfect showcase for the local industry,” said Cranford. “All the hard work and sweat equity our craft brewers put in every day is a passion project that deserves to be recognized. Without them, our beer scene wouldn’t exist, so this is their time to shine. The digital Ale Trail map will only make it easier for craft beer enthusiasts to follow their favorite craft breweries and track their journey. In a digital world, it only makes sense to put the map at our fingertips and simplify the process of completing the Ale Trail!”

Ale Trails are an excellent means to discover beer. If you find yourself in Knoxville, Tennessee, be sure to access the passport, visit area breweries, and discover the award- winning suds brewed in this part of the country. Knoxville might be best known as the home of the University of Tennessee Volunteers, but it’s also an excellent beer town and there is much in the way of outstanding beer, waiting to be discovered.

For more information on the Knoxville, Tennessee area in general be sure to check out Visit Knoxville.