by Emily Stooks | Feb 26, 2021 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Food & Drink, North Knoxville
Our aesthetic here at New2Knox is decidedly sunshine-based. As Xul Beer Co.’s social media aesthetic is darker and more, well, skull-esque, imagine our delight when we walked into North Knoxville’s newest brewery (though already known around town for their fruited sours and pastry stouts) and encountered an unexpected airy mid-mod dream.
A bay of floor to ceiling windows graces over half the space and the furniture basically begs to be photographed. I fought the urge to curl up on a gorgeous hunter green sofa and instead, sat down in a (still adorable) chair like a normal grown-up to talk to Brad and Bentley of Xul Beer Co.
The Space:
“Dark and elegant,” Brad said, describing their vibe. He’s exactly right. The furniture and overall space itself (those windows!) lends to a more elegant aesthetic. On the flip side, details like their front doors (the Xul logo is made out of iron and serves as the hardcore handles), nostalgic art, and faux concrete walls give a nod to the dark side. (You heard that right – faux concrete. Eugenia Almeida of “A New Hue” outdid herself by creating highly believable faux concrete, textured walls, even some faux brick hidden in plain sight.)
From believable brick to unbelievable beer, for Brad West, Bentley Blackshear, and Tara Thacker every single detail of Xul matters… and that mindset has culminated into a really cool brewery. Granted, we’re of the opinion Knoxville has nothing but cool breweries. So what sets Xul apart? Well, among other things, their love for the Scruffy City is paired with major inspiration from a slightly larger metropolitan area: New York City. You can sense that inspo in those aformentioned “details.” The colors, soundtrack (90s hip hop, anyone?), even the beer recipes themselves lean a little Brooklyn.
The Beer:
Xul Beer Co. is willing to push the limits on ingredients (in terms of both types and sheer amount of ingredients), doing whatever it takes to brew the absolute best beer. We’re talking beer you want to write home about and travel across state lines for and stand in a socially distanced line to receive.
I sipped on one of their fruited sours coined “Tech Noir” during the interview and confirm I would write, travel, and stand for that tart raspberry goodness.
In fact, if Bentley (Xul’s head brewer) could be any beer, he’d be the Tech Noir. It’s the beer that took his home-brewing to another level. It has endless combinations of flavors to play with. And best part of all – people just love to drink it. (Again, can confirm.)
If Brad could be any of Xul’s beer, he’d be the HYFR. HYFR stands for “Heck Yeah Freaking Right.” (Except for not “heck” and not “freaking” and just use your imaginations, kids😉). HYFR is the kind of double IPA that initially turned him on to “this kind of craft beer” during his frequent trips to Brooklyn.
What is “this kind” of craft beer? Well, if you ask me, it’s just really freakin’ good. These guys are pushing limits and dreaming big with this new brewery – creating beer you’d travel for in a space that has a little something for everyone. But good news, Knoxville: we don’t have to travel. We get to sit back and enjoy the benefits of Xul Beer Co. right in our own backyard – and skulls or not, that feels like sunshine.
by Emily Stooks | Jan 5, 2021 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Lifestyle, Shopping
If you’re anything like me (white… oh so very white), you may have realized you had a lot to learn last summer. You may have also been surprised to learn that COVID was hitting Black-owned businesses (even in Knoxville) disproportionately hard. My favorite part of 2020 life was ordering local takeout or shopping online at local businesses and considering myself a doggone local hero. But as someone who was almost exclusively supporting coffee shops, breweries, and taco joints, it was certainly time to spread my wings and learn about some of the Black-owned businesses in my city.
Turns out, there are freakin’ awesome ones! Here are five of our favorite Black-owned businesses in Knoxville you should absolutely check out this week.
1.) Jackie’s Dream
Jackie’s Dream is in an unassuming building nestled between Central Ave and Broadway in North Knox. If you were simply passing through, you probably wouldn’t be particularly inspired to pull in the parking lot. And, WOW, would you be missing out. It may have been Jackie’s Dream to open a restaurant, but all of our Southern-food-devouring dreams have been coming true since. Widely heralded by locals as the best hot chicken in Knoxville, Jackie’s Dream is an obvious must-visit (like, really obvious. Like, go eat there. Like, now.)
2.) Steamboat on Central
Just up the street and around the corner from Jackie’s Dream is Steamboat on Central. These guys make the hearty and flavorful sandwiches (AND pickle AND banana pepper) that launch all future lunch-breaks to the next level. And while we seriously love these sandwiches, our favorite part about this local gem is actually the sunshiney patio they share with Elst Brewing Company. Beer, sandwich, twinkle lights, yellow patio furniture? Yeah, go ahead and sign us up.
3.) The Fox Den Hair Hangout
A series of unfortunate events may have led Foxy to her current shop, (“My 2020 started in 2019,” she laughed. OW.) but this current shop has turned into the trendiest, coziest little corner Bearden ever did see. The stylish decor may reel you in (and incredible Instagram feed. We’re talking mouthwatering aesthetics, people), but her friendly energy and seemingly effortless cuts (for all types of hair!) will keep you coming back again and again for haircuts and hangouts. Don’t believe us? Back to that Instagram page situation. Follow her now and thank us later 😉
by Emily Stooks | Jan 4, 2021 | All Articles, East Knoxville, Food & Drink, Laura Dailey
The doors are open to a special new coffeeshop on Magnolia Ave: Likewise Coffee. Only a mile or so from the downtown area, the owners Katie and Will Boggs hope to make this charming new spot a hub for community in East Knoxville. With an incredible mission, unique space, and coffee roasted on-site, Likewise Coffee has quickly become a new favorite spot for our caffeination (because let’s be real – we’re caffeinated more often than not), not to mention, some of the best coffee in Knoxville.
THEIR RAD MISSION:
While good vibes and delicious brews are more than enough to keep us coming back, Likewise goes above and beyond. Are you wondering where the name “Likewise” comes from? Maybe it sounds familiar – it’s from the Bible story about the Good Samaritan. In the story, Jesus shares how love looks like selflessly connecting with and helping neighbors in need. ¨Go and do likewise” is the message to His followers. So true to their name, all (yes, all) of Likewise Coffee’s profits will go towards the non-profit “Raising a Voice.” Started in 2015 by the Boggs themselves, Raising a Voice works towards ending human trafficking in our area and around the globe by offering various forms of support and advocacy. So as you purchase your yummy vanilla latte or a warm herbal tea, you will also be supporting Raising a Voice´s amazing mission! (Does this make you a local hero? We think yes.)
THIER RAD SPACE:
If your heart’s not already full of warm fuzzies, wait until you hear about their location. Likewise is located on Magnolia Ave about a mile east of downtown in a large renovated historic home that is over 100 years old. (In its long history, the house has been things like a restaurant and law office – to transform it into its current state, Katie and Will received the Facade Grant from the city of Knoxville.) As you walk in, you’ll find the original stained glass double doors of the old home as well as beautiful original hardwood floors. The space has numerous rooms and nooks (our dream) where you can settle in with big beautiful windows and plenty of natural light. There is modern and cozy furniture throughout, a fireplace, and an inspiring mural of community in Knoxville from a local artist, Pam Simpson.
Outside you will find what we think is one of the best outdoor hangout spots in Knoxville! There are picnic tables, another colorful mural by local artist Michelle Cosse, and a large space which can host food trucks and events in the future.
THIER RAD COFFEE:
The coffee is roasted on site in one of the many rooms. (How cool is that?? Fingers crossed they give tours of how coffee roasting works one day!) They are offering a traditional coffee and tea menu along with seasonal drinks and pastries, including scrumptious breakfast biscuits. (We die for their breakfast sandwich on a biscuit.)
So, there you have it, Knoxville friends! Yummy seasonal lattes and breakfast sandwiches are waiting for you right down the street, along with a charming space where you can catch up with a friend or get some work done, all while basically changing the world. We plan on cozying up there a bunch this season and we highly recommend you go and do… Likewise 😉
