The Brewery Underground Podcast sits down with Von Wotring of Curio Brewing Company for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of craft beer in Middle Tennessee, the evolution of Curio Brewing, and a major new chapter: Leiper's Creek Brewing.

Von shares the story behind Curio Brewing in Franklin, Tennessee, and why creating a true sense of community around beer has always been at the center of what he does.

We talk about brewery tourism, the challenges facing independent breweries, and what it means to operate a craft brewery in one of Tennessee’s fastest-growing areas.

We also sample several of Von’s beers and dig into styles including English Pale Ale, Kölsch, West Coast IPA, amber lager, ESB, and the ingredients and brewing decisions that give each beer its character.

Then the conversation turns toward the future.

Von explains the decision to close Curio’s original taproom and move toward a new agricultural brewing model centered around his family farm near Leiper’s Fork. The vision includes growing hops and barley, brewing beer on the farm, supporting Tennessee agriculture, and creating an experience that helps visitors understand where beer ingredients actually come from.

We discuss Tennessee’s Farm to Tap initiative, the relationship between breweries and local farmers, brewery legislation, beer taxes, sustainability, spent grain, and how farm breweries could help strengthen both Tennessee agriculture and the state’s craft beer industry.

Von also talks about the importance of rural brewery destinations, community-driven breweries, preserving local culture, and why some of the best brewery experiences require getting off the interstate and exploring smaller towns.

And during the conversation, Von gives The Brewery Underground Podcast an exclusive: Curio Brewing is evolving into Leiper's Creek Brewing, a new identity designed to better represent the farm, agriculture, community, and Middle Tennessee roots behind the beer.

From Franklin craft beer and Tennessee-grown hops to farm brewing, brewery tourism, agriculture, community, and the future of independent breweries, this episode covers a lot of ground.

If you love Tennessee craft beer, brewery stories, farm breweries, local agriculture, beer tourism, or discovering what’s next in the brewing industry, this episode is for you.

Cheers! 🍻