KNOXVILLE – Tennessee Brew Works, Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDOC), Tennessee State Parks, and Batey Farms have launched a multi-year brewing initiative to bring “barley back to Tennessee,” producing the first all-Tennessee grain Tennessee State Park Blond Ale and Southern Wit, a Belgian-Style White Ale.

Batey Farms, an 8th generation family-owned farm located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is now producing malted barley sourced straight from their farm. Until today, grains used in Tennessee Craft Beers were sourced from an array of suppliers ranging from the Midwest, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom and Belgium. Since 2015, Tennessee Brew Works has partnered with Batey Farms to produce wheat for their beers.

Brandon Whitt, owner of Batey Farms says, “We’re planting the seeds that will bring our farmers and breweries to prosperity together. And, Tennessee State Parks will benefit along the way!” “It is essential that Tennessee Agriculture is self-sufficient. This effort is a path to self-sufficiency in Tennessee with Tennessee Brew Works and other breweries that want to support farmers across the state,” says Tom Womack, Deputy Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Tennessee Brew Works and Tennessee State Parks first partnered in July of 2017 producing the first Tennessee State Park Blonde Ale benefiting the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy and the state’s 56 state parks system. To date, more than $7,000 has been donated from the beer proceeds.

“This partnership has produced a truly unique and local Tennessee craft brew that considers the preservation and protection of our state’s natural resources from start to finish,” said Brock Hill, deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Bureau of Parks and Conservation. “The State Park Blonde Ale is not only made of 100% Tennessee grain, but sales directly support the care of some of Tennessee’s most beautiful and precious public lands.”

“Our goal is to create economies of scale, so that we brew all of our beers using Tennessee grains, and hope other breweries and distilleries around the state begin to do the same,” said Christian Spears, President and Founder, Tennessee Brew Works.

“This partnership opportunity allows us to fulfill our mission of being community driven through supporting Tennessee farmers while giving back to the state parks. The potential of this partnership is limitless. We are so honored to be working with all of these state organizations, farmers and our talented head brewer, Matt Simpson. His beers are truly bringing barley back to Tennessee.”

Founded in 1807, Batey Farms is located in the Blackman community of Rutherford County, just 6 miles northwest of Murfreesboro. It is an 8th generation family owned and operated hog, row crop, and hay farm that prides itself on being noble stewards of the land and animals that we have the pleasure to care for. Since 1807 dating back to a Revolutionary war land grant, the farm has been in production agriculture. It has continued to grow and take advantage of new technologies that date back to running water and electricity to new age GPS, field mapping, data collection and variable rate seed, fertilizer and chemical placement to ensure that it is doing all it can to provide a secure and safe environment. Please visit www.bateyfarms.com.

From its beginning in 1937, Tennessee State Parks were established to protect and preserve the unique natural, cultural and historic resources of Tennessee. The public interest has also been served by a variety of benefits for citizens and communities produced by our state park system, promoting stronger communities and healthier citizens across the state through diverse resource-based recreation while conserving the natural environment for today and tomorrow – preserving authentic Tennessee places and spaces for future generations to enjoy. There are 56 Tennessee State Parks to explore.

Tennessee Brew Works was born from a love for craft beer. A startup which began over a home-brew session, they ultimately celebrated their first professional brew in August 2013. Tennessee Brew Works is 100% owned and operated by folks in Tennessee. They are guided by their motto: “We work hard to create high quality craft beer that makes Tennessee proud. Our culture places importance on family, friends, and community, and we hope you’ll be a part of it.” Our mission is to celebrate the land, the culture, and the traditions of Tennessee.