A new taproom in Bearden is bringing Pennsylvania beer to Knoxville, and it’s now open.
Voodoo Brewing Co. started in 2005 in Meadsville, Pennsylvania, but didn’t open its first taproom until 2012.
With nine locations in Pennsylvania, the beer company has started franchising.
Looking to start their first business, local couple Leisa and Michael “Vinny” Leo traveled to Voodoo Brewing locations in Pennsylvania to learn about the brand.
“Last year, almost to the day that we open, we went to Pennsylvania to meet with everybody and they took us around and showed us where the beer is made and got to go to a few more locations,” Leisa Leo told Knox News. “And then after we all met and went back and talked, then they came and offered us the opportunity to franchise and we jumped on it.”
Voodoo Knoxville will host its grand opening Saturday at 11 a.m.
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Bringing new beer to Bearden
The taproom is located at 215 Brookview Centre Way Suite 109, taking over two spaces previously leased by Bistro by the Tracks and Drink.
While Voodoo beer is sold there, it’s not brewed there.
With 6,400 square feet, Voodoo Knoxville features a large bar, open seating at wood pallet tables and a full menu of food and drinks.
Customers order online from the table and their order is brought out to them once it’s ready.
The drink menu includes specialty cocktails like one made in Tennessee’s state colors, beer and ciders from area breweries like Gypsy Circus, and Voodoo’s own beer.
There are five beers and two seltzers by Voodoo Knoxville that always will be available, along with seasonal brews.
Vinny and Leisa Leo gave three recommendations for people new to Voodoo Beer.
The food menu includes Potato Kegs in buffalo, barbeque and pimento cheese style, mussel dishes and Michael’s Cheesecake, which Vinny Leo makes himself.
The average price for beer is $5.50-$7, and the food ranges from $9-$18.
Voodoo taproom has Knoxville touches
Leisa and Vinny were given parts of Voodoo Brewing Co. branding to include in their location but were able to localize it and make it uniquely Knoxville.
The painted doors hanging from the walls and ceiling are present at every Voodoo Brewing location, but one features Vols mascot Smokey.
The Leos worked with Voodoo to create a custom logo for the Knoxville location, which is painted on the wall opposite of the bar. There’s even a giant vinyl wrapping of what Leisa Leo calls “The Keg Monster” covering a wall.
“The beers we run, the food we serve, there’s a lot of flexibility,” Vinny Leo said. “The way the place looks, there’s a lot of flexibility and that’s part of why we like this.”
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