A new North Knoxville restaurant and brewery opened on Monday.
Brewmaster and Knoxville native Alex Violette partnered with life-long friend and executive Chef Ryan Davenport to open Elkmont Exchange Brewery and Eating House at 745 North Broadway. The owners pulled inspiration from the Elkmont area of the Great Smoky Mountains to create an outdoor feel.
Elkmont Exchange used the 10,000-square-foot building that Rentals Rentals used to occupy, according to a release from the new business.
Brewmaster Violette and Head Brewer Chris Meadows will have twenty-four rotating draft lines at their disposal. They expect to have an initial six styles available for opening day.
Some styles to look for at opening are Light Lager, IPA, Pale Ale and Brown Ale.
In addition to brews, Elkmont Exchange will serve a full cocktail and wine list. The food menu includes both unique and familiar dishes with a culinary flair, according to a release from Elkmont Exchange.
The brewery and eating house has a dining room, bar and lounge area, patio, brewery, and barrel aging room that doubles as a private event space.
Growlers will be available to "pack out". Cans will be available in the near future.
The group said as of now, there are no plans to distribute to outside markets.
Violette earned a biochemistry degree from Maryville College, and started his brewing career at Smoky Mountain Brewery after graduation. He then moved to Boulder, Colo., where he worked as head brewer at Upslope Brewing Company. Violette also moved to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to open the Pasteur Street Brewing Company.
Davenport grew up in Knoxville before studying food service management at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, N.C. He worked as a sous chef at Nashville’s Flyte. Davenport joined Violette in Vietnam to develop Pasteur Street Brewing Company. He currently works at Emilia in downtown Knoxville’s Market Square.
Violette and Meadows also collaborated with Balter Beerworks and Abridged Brewing Company for limited release beers to celebrate the newest addition to the Knoxville craft beer community.