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When it comes to alcohol in Tennessee, whiskey is king. But craft beer is slowly starting to become part of the state\u2019s identity, and in Chattanooga, the brewing scene is finally coming into its own. In his first piece for Good Beer Hunting, writer Drew Pitt, a Chattanooga transplant by way of Los Angeles, explores the history, legacy, and challenges beer has faced in the city and gives us a glimpse towards the future.\xa0

Drew\u2019s piece, titled \u201cRebirth and Reinvention \u2014 As Chattanooga Grows and Changes, Local Beer Follows Along,\u201d started as an idea for our Gas Station Week series, but eventually transformed into an insider\u2019s look at a new and exciting brewing scene in southern Tennessee. We talk about how Tennessee isn\u2019t exactly positioning itself as a welcoming state for people, especially the queer community, but why he believes Chattanooga can act as a beacon of acceptance, using beer as a conduit for connection. Bars and breweries have often been historically safe spaces for people oppressed by intolerance, and Drew hopes his home continues to innovate and include everyone who crosses into the state.\xa0

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