Stewart Guenther recently had people in tears. And it wasn’t because of a funny joke he told.
Ashton Catlett and Harper Timmerman
Qwanza Bryson and Quarren Bryson Alden Woodard and Joe WilsonPerry Smith and Bella Schwartz Will Hudson and TrinaLes and Ashley JonesRyan Marsh
Stephanie Richer, Will Presley with Milo on his back, and Emily Presley
Guenther, who participated in the 901 Hot Wing Festival, let people try the wings he cooked using a wing sauce made from the Carolina Reaper pepper. That pepper, one of the hottest in the world, is only surpassed, according to a Google search, by one known as Pepper X.
Ieshia Mosley and Alicia Jones Andrew Zarshenas and Ashley RigginsChance and Corey RubenStewart GuentherDon McCarrens and Justin Fitzgibbon
Guenther’s team, Whiskey & Swine, was among the 15 teams participating in the event, which was held November 2nd at Grind City Brewing Company. “We mostly compete in barbecue contests, in which chicken is one of the categories,” he says. “We do chicken, but it’s always chicken thighs. We’ve never turned in wings for competition except at this event.”
Shelby Patrick and Jake HargrovePeyton Coker
Grind City owner Hopper Seely created a new brew — Cranberry Beret —for the occasion. “It’s a cranberry seltzer, but it uses real cranberry juice,” Seely says.
Cranberry Beret is available in the tap room, he adds.
Grind City Brewing Company will host a fireworks display from this view on July 4th (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Pyrotechnics fans can go uptown for the Downtown Memphis Fireworks @ Grind City Brewing Company on July 4th.
Grind City Brewing Company at 76 Waterworks Avenue will host the event with fireworks, live music, food, and drinks. “Everything is ready to rock and roll for the fireworks,” says Grind City president Hopper Seely.
The event will be held in the tap room and on the brewery’s two acres from noon to 10 p.m. “We have the Memphis skyline in the background. We have the bridge. We have the Pyramid. It is quintessential Memphis.” And, he adds, the brewery features “a beautiful natural landscape along the skyline.”
Seely describes the event as a family occasion. It’s for “people from uptown, downtown, Mud Island, the Pinch, and the medical district.” Or anywhere.
Seely believes the last time a Mud Island July 4th fireworks display was held downtown was in 2021. “The first Fourth of July for the brewery, we had just a really great day. Everybody was lined up with blankets and chairs along the fence line watching the fireworks. It was awesome.”
It “has just been kind of a downer in Memphis” after they stopped doing the July 4th downtown fireworks, he says. “Then it hit us. It was a Hail Mary. What if we do it?”
They shared the idea with the Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC), which “helped us understand the legality of doing it. Permits. Coding. That kind of stuff. The Commission gave us their support to have the fireworks here and we’re very excited.”
Seely is planning for a crowd. “We are expecting at least 1,000 people to be here. We are able to have up to 5,500 people on site. We’ve got just under two acres of space, so people will be able to sit, play, and watch the fireworks.”
There are picnic tables on the grounds, but attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs.
Hopper Seely (Credit: Michael Donahue)
“It’s going to be a slightly elevated Fourth of July experience,” says Grind City marketing director Anna House. “It almost becomes like a courtyard/backyard experience with food on one side, games and inflatables on the other side.”
A lot of shows are designed for people to just watch the fireworks and go home. “We wanted this to be a party.”
People can bring refillable water, but other drinks, as well as alcoholic drinks, will have to be purchased from the brewery and food from the food trucks. “To make sure the food vendors do OK,” Seely says.
Grind City will feature “a few drink options,” including its popular seasonal drink Krispie Treat that they will re-launch at the event. “It is our rice lager that tastes like a home-made krispy treat.”
They will be launching their “Southern Suga’” on July 4th. “It is our newest seltzer and is like a spiked sweet tea, served with a lemon wedge.”
Krispie Treat and Southern Suga’ (Credit: Anna House)
Participating food trucks are Chi Phi Food Truck (Chicago-style hot dogs and Philly cheese steaks), Mempops, El Mero Taco (Mexican), and Champs BBQ (Memphis-style barbecue).
Two lots of paid parking will be available on a first-come-first-served basis but, Seely says, “We will have the police monitor the street for any street parking.”
“We are excited about the fireworks at Grind City,” says Milton Howery III, vice-president of marketing, communications, and events for the DMC. “This event will bring great economic activity to the uptown neighborhood, the north Memphis community, and those communities that connect to downtown and uptown.”
Also, he says, “The DMC is working with other downtown partners to bring the fireworks back to the riverfront in 2025.”
In the meantime, in addition to Grind City’s show, the Red, White & Boom Celebration will be held July 3rd at AutoZone Park. And the “Liberty For All” festival will be held July 3rd at Liberty Park.
“The fireworks that were on the riverfront the people could see shoot up from Mud Island, those fireworks were typically a joint effort between multiple entities,” Howery says. Those displays ended a few years ago because of Covid and downtown construction.
To get to Grind City Brewing Company, go north on Second Street by way of Main Street or Front Street to Waterworks Avenue.
Bianca Phillips and Joe Yester (Photos: Michael Donahue)
Loving Local returned this spring in a new location : Grind City Brewing Company.
And, to make things even more festive, tap room manager Ashley Creecy created a special drink, “Peach, Please,” for the Project Green Fork event. It’s made with black tea, peach juice, lemon juice, and a Grind City seltzer base, all garnished with a lemon wheel and fresh mint sprig.
Jon Van Hoozer, Will Coleman, Donna Van HoozerAli Manning and Beth WilsonDaniel Taylor and Daishu McGriff
“The staff was fantastic to work with,” says Leann Edwards, Clean Memphis/Project Green Fork program director. “And the location is a great backdrop, with a lot of places for people to roam.”
Guests also dined in the tap room where they could “get a respite from the heat.”
Kevin SullivanSelah and Darius NelsonKofi Asare, Khendra Lucas, Ashley Peterson, Meredith Woloshin, Nathan Woloshin
About 300 people attended the event, which featured fare from Biscuits & Jams, Good Fortune Co., Kitchen Laurel, Lulu’s Cafe & Bakery, and Shroomlicious Meals.
“Our chefs really love to be part of this event,” says Edwards. As a press release states, “This community event celebrates the creativity of Project Green Fork certified chefs, breweries, and bartenders who create custom, small-plate appetizers, desserts, and cocktails for the evening.”
It’s time for another intentional tween/teen-friendly Memphis weekend! Keep in mind, my kids are 15, 12, 12, and 10 years old. This weekend will really be focused on fun things to do with the kids as well as enjoying some adult libations. Because who wants to be an adult all the time? Enjoy Memphis!
Muggin Coffeehouse
Okay, it’s Thursday, and this has been the Wednesday-est Thursday ever! FYI: Wednesdays and I haven’t gotten along for a few years now. Humpday just drags so slowly and the most ridiculous things always happen on a Wednesday. And that’s how this Thursday was acting. But whenever I feel irritated by having to be an adult, I make sure I take some time to nurture my inner child. So when I heard that the new Uptown Muggin location had game night on Thursday, I was super excited. Hubby conducted the Pick Up Kids from School Tour, which consisted of one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. I finished up a few emails at work and popped over to Muggin! Hubby and I ordered lattes and the kids ordered every pastry possible and frappes. We played chess (I won), Connect Four (I lost), and Jenga, which was also used to create a domino effect. It was such a good time. All of my kids had smiles on their faces. Hubby and I were able to steal a few proud-parent glances at each other from across the cafe. Everyone was happy. All we were missing was more teenagers and teen parents to talk to!
Grind City Brewing Company
Saturday is fun day! Hubby and I woke up feeling 10 years younger. Because this doesn’t happen often, we wanted to take advantage of this new found youth and do the things we used to do in college. Drink beer and play outdoor sports. While the kids can’t enjoy a cold brewski, they can enjoy some sunshine, Arbo’s cheese dip and chips, and soda. So we packed up the Frisbee and yard darts and headed to Grind City Brewery.
The weather was beautiful and the view was absolutely stunning. After grabbing a few cold beers, we hit the open fields. The kids and I enjoyed leisurely throwing the Frisbee and playing yard darts. But then a gentleman approached us and taught us how to play real Frisbee. Well, the horse poop hit the fan (figuratively). Feeling 10 years younger, and invincible due to the beer, I wasn’t about to be outdone by some ragged teenagers. We played hard. I caught a few Frisbees. My son ripped his pants. Grass-stains became the norm. Someone whined because they were losing, and my beer buzz wore off. As we rehydrated and finished off the last of the Arbo’s cheese dip, we high-fived each other for time well spent.
Burgers for kidsBeers at Crosstown Brewery for adults
Farm Burger and Crosstown Brewery
It’s Sunday and all I want to do is chill and read my book. My body aches and my knees are creaking. I’m seriously feeling every millisecond of my age! But as I bask in the soft sunlight peeking in through my bedroom windows, a child knocks on my door. “Mom, have you checked the family Google calendar? I added Farm Burger to it last night. You should have gotten the email, too!” As I lazily close my e-book about Murder Bots, I check my Gmail account. And sure enough, there’s a calendar notification. I ponder. Weigh the pros and cons. Look at the start time of the event. (It’s mid-afternoon.) And I select “Yes.” I hear the kids give shouts of praise through the door and I can only imagine the fist bumps and high-fives they are giving each other.
Later in the afternoon, with my book tucked in my purse, I park at the Crosstown Concourse. The kids announce that they want burgers. So I announced to no one in particular, that I want beer. They will head to Farm Burger, and I will go to Crosstown Brewery. We talk about stranger danger and the importance of sticking together and finding the nearest adult in authority if trouble arises. I also tell them exactly where I will be and remind them to actually answer the phone if I call or text. Soon, we separate. I receive a text from them full of smiles and a table full of food. Great! I continue sipping my stout beer and reading Murder and Mamon. I received another text stating that they’re going to check out the art gallery. Perfect! I continue with my leisure activity. Then I receive a phone call. “Mom, I don’t remember how to use this circular music player?” Huh? Oh, they mean a record player. Yeah, I have work to do!
Patricia Lockhart is a native Memphian who loves to read, write, cook, and eat. Her days are filled with laughter with her four kids and charming husband. By day, she’s a school librarian and writer, but by night … she’s asleep. @realworkwife @memphisismyboyfriend
Hannah Luckes and Andrew Forsdick (Photo: TapRoute)
In 2013, Andrew Forsdick got thirsty — like, really thirsty — while out on a run training for an Ironman Triathlon. “I just wished there was a tree with water that I could tap into,” he says. “I was doing a lot of long runs then, and I hated carrying water.” So, he asked a few friends to keep out a few water bottles in their yards along his path, and soon he came up with the idea for TapRoute, where individuals or businesses throughout the city could volunteer to offer free water to walkers, runners, or bikers at “taps” — often in the form of TapRoute-provided water coolers housed in wooden boxes, like the one pictured to the right.
For years, TapRoute was just a side project for Forsdick, and, over time, maintenance of the various taps fell off, with most going out of commission. But he says, “It had a rebirth in 2022. That’s when Hannah [Luckes] was hired in June, and she’s grown it from about five active taps to about 30 or 35 active taps.” Now the taps aren’t even just in Memphis; they’re in Nashville, St. Louis, and Olive Branch.
And this Saturday, thanks to Luckes, TapRoute will host its first event — Good Vibes on Tap — at Grind City Brewing Co. “We have created a three-mile challenge where we’re asking participants to do at least three miles of movement, whether that’s walking, running, or biking [on Friday, June 23rd, or Saturday, June 24th],” Luckes says. “They can also go further, but the minimum is three miles. They track it on a fitness app, and they show us that they completed it, and they’ll get $5 drafts all day.”
Those who complete the challenge will also be entered to win a $250 Grind City Brewing gift card, along with five other raffles in partnership with various local fitness organizations. The event will also have yard games and pizza from Diamond Dave’s Pizza food truck.
“It’s also a great way to check out the new North Memphis Green Line that just opened along the road right by brewery,” says Luckes. “They have built a completely new playground. The entire place has been done up so well, and it’s a beautiful place to bring kids and check out another view of the river. We are also building a brand-new tap for that, so we’re hoping to make it another resource where people can get water and hang out.”
Overall, Luckes and Forsdick hope that this event will capture the mission of TapRoute as a whole — “trying to bring the fitness community together to support and celebrate each other,” Luckes says. “And to get people outside,” Forsdick adds.
To become a tap host or to find a tap, visit taproute.com or follow TapRoute’s socials (@taproute).
Good Vibes on Tap: A Memphis Fitness Celebration, Grind City Brewing Co., Saturday, June 24, noon-6 p.m.
This weekend, Grind City Brewing Company is hosting its first-ever Grind City Fest in a collaborative effort with Mammoth Live and local promoter Nick Barbian to bring live music back to Uptown Memphis. The two-day festival will consist of blues and bluegrass performances, headlined by the Grammy-winning Infamous Stringdusters on Friday, and Greensky Bluegrass on Saturday.
Other performances will include Saxsquatch, The Travelin’ McCourys, Here Come the Mummies, The Wild Feathers, Kyle Nix & the 38s, and local acts Cyrena Wages and Dirty Streets.
The festival has been a year in the making, with the idea for the festival originating in a casual conversation between Barbian, who recently opened Big River Market in the South Main neighborhood, and Grind City Brewing founder Hopper Seely. “We were literally just out there at Grind City Brewing Company having a couple beers, looking at a great skyline of Downtown Memphis and this beautiful, just shy of two-acre lawn,” Barbian says, “and we were like, ‘We should do music out here.’”
(Credit: Grind City Brewing Company)
The hope, Barbian explains, is to promote more live entertainment in the area. “This fest is definitely a preview of things to come. This is hopefully just the beginning. We want to bring more music back to Uptown, especially because that is such a developing part of the city right now, and having the brewery up there is such a great asset.”
Tickets can be purchased in advance at ticketmaster.com or at the door. Single day passes cost $35, and two-day passes cost $65. Children, 12 and under, get in free. VIP tickets are available for $125 and include early access to the venue, one free beer per day, free parking, access to the tap room and patio, a preferred viewing area, private bar and restrooms, limited edition laminate, an expanded beer menu, and complimentary Grind City Brewing tastings.
Paula Raiford with "Hollywood Hustle" and "Disco Dynamite." (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Soon it won’t just be domestic 40s behind the bar at Paula & Raiford’s Disco; beginning Friday, March 25th, you can try Paula Raiford’s very own seltzer and Robert Raiford’s beer.
Raiford’s owner, Paula Raiford, will introduce the “Hollywood Hustle” beer and “Disco Dynamite” seltzer at a private sneak preview at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 21st at Grind City Brewing Company. The brewery created both beverages.
For some time, Paula had been trying to get a beer made to honor her dad. Various attempts “faded away,” she says. She tried a few breweries, but nothing ever got off the ground. A friend from Athens Distributing suggested she talk to Grind City Brewing Company.
The friend got Paula in contact with Grind City sales director Lane Stluka and president Hopper Seely at the beginning of 2020. When she met with them “their faces lit up like, ‘Let’s go,’” Paula says. “And it went on from there.”
“Hollywood Hustle is your classic American pilsner,” Stluka says. “Your easy drinking chuggable beer. Disco Dynamite is a gin and juice seltzer. You’re going to get that pretty subtle orange juice feel going down.”
Grind City is excited to partner with Paula. “I’ve built a relationship with Paula over the last few years,” Stluka continues.
He’s impressed with “the way Paula is with people. And she’s just so full of life and has such a good name. And she believes in her family. Everything she does makes people feel so welcome. And she brings such positive energy.”
It was a perfect partnership because it’s “something she cares about. It’s got her name on it. Her dad’s name on it.”
And, Stluka says, both products are “light, easy, drinkable.”
Paula originally wanted to introduce the beer and seltzer on her dad’s birthday, August 23, but missed that date. The “next significant” dates were her birthday, March 21st, and her dad’s death date, March 22nd. “So, we’re celebrating two in one.”
In addition to letting people sample the beer and seltzer March 21st, Paula is going to bring the dance floor, the disco ball, and a deejay. “I’m bringing Raiford’s to Grind City.”
Other than the launch party, both drinks will exclusively be available at Paula & Raiford’s Disco, Paula says.
