Barrels & Brews – Keeping Our Spirits Up!
Article by Linda Dohse
Photography by Beth Miller
Originally published in Franklin Lifestyle
Locally owned and operated spirits, beer, and wine retailer Barrels & Brews has hit the ground running since the grand opening of their Franklin store two months ago. Located in the former Shoney’s building on Murfreesboro Road, Barrels & Brews officially opened last November, but due to pandemic-related supply and staffing issues, they celebrated their grand opening two months ago, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Barrels & Brews opened its first Williamson County location in Nolensville in 2019. Business there was booming and several store patrons inquired about the possibility of the store opening a second location across town. Barrels & Brews President Vru Surati notes that the site for the Franklin store was chosen because of its good location and the high volume of traffic and people who frequent the area every day.
Says Vru, “Most people who hear about us only know us as a store that sells great whiskey. But we also offer a large selection of craft beer and wine and have a 12-tap growler system with a rotation of seasonal beers, all of which can be tasted before you buy.”
“Our store offers a look and feel unlike any wine and spirits store in Tennessee. We want an inviting and laid-back atmosphere for our customers to shop in,” adds Vru. “We speak to every customer who walks into our shop as we want to educate them and help in the selection process. You may notice we do not have any signage in the store as it pertains to product location, which helps us to interact with customers when they are looking for products. Oftentimes we are able to educate them on products and give recommendations based on our conversation. We also have products available to taste so the customer knows exactly what they are getting.”
The stores feature a variety of hand-selected single-barrel bourbons, whiskeys, and other spirits. Vru explains that a single barrel is a spirit aged and bottled from one barrel, with each barrel offering a unique tasting profile, color, and nose. Three single-barrel spirits he notes as patron favorites are Blue Note, Barrels & Brews – Private Label Single Barrel, and Whistle Pig 10 yr.
Barrels & Brews is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Folks can also schedule a private tasting experience by emailing Vru at barrelsvs@gmail.com.
So whether you’re looking for a specialty curated libation, craft beer suggestions, or a nice bottle of wine to accompany dinner, the knowledgeable and helpful folks at Barrels & Brews are there to assist you.
Instagram: @barrelsandbrews
Facebook: @thebarrelsandbrews
