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Craft beer week in Knoxville highlights growth of local brewery scene

Even with three new taprooms opening in the past six months, local brewery owners say there's still room for more.

It's not hard to find a beer in Knoxville, especially during Knoxville Craft Beer Week.

The event kicked off the second weekend in June, celebrating a beer scene in Knoxville that really doesn't seem to stop growing. The Knoxville Area Brewers Association lists 17 breweries in the city, and even more beer markets and distributors.

Beer connoisseurs say it's simply because people in Knoxville like beer. Even with three new taprooms opening in the past six months, local brewery owners said there's still room for more.

"You can't have too many different beers," said Stefan Schultz, co-owner of Schulz Brau Brewing Company. "Everyone makes their own different styles. It just adds variety."

Schulz said he's seen a lot of change in the beer scene in Knoxville since his brewery opened two years ago.

Plenty more breweries have come online.

In just the past six months, Elkmont Exchange, Pretentious Beer Co., and Printshop Beer Co. have all opened their doors, all in different parts of Knoxville.

That's something local beer lovers, like Nicholas Galloway, noticed.

"You get these personal connections and you feel like, oh these people are up the street from me, I know the owners, I want to support these people in general," said Galloway.

The newest brewery, Printshop Beer Co. in South Knoxville, said it feels welcome and supported by other breweries in town.

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"We've got the opportunity not to sink other businesses or cause them harm by bringing customers in, but grow the pie for everyone," said Jim Civis, president and head brewer.

Civis said he thinks there's still more room in Knoxville for more breweries, and is excited to add to the growing craft beer culture.

"Knoxville's been serviced by out-of-town breweries for so long," said Civis. "It's time to make a push for fresh local beer among all of us and see if we can have more consumers drinking locally."

Craft Beer Week continues through June 16th.

Find a list of all this week's events here.

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