“The Beer Boom is happening,” declares Jeff Duport, General Manager of Chattanooga’s World of Beer, “and we’re in the middle of it.”
The first World of Beer was opened in Florida in 2007; since then, it has spread across the country on the waves of America’s renewed interest in craft beer. Chattanooga’s World of Beer was opened last August, and in the months since then they have enjoyed sharing their passion for craft beer with everyone who has walked through their door.
Duport describes World of Beer’s atmosphere as communal. It is a place where you can come with your friends to enjoy some brews, swap stories, and watch a game. Right now, World of Beer is gearing up to start Wednesday night beer bingo, and Thursday nights are all about being local—emphasizing local beers and featuring live music by local bands.
A few weeks ago, World of Beer began BEERunch, which, as its name implies, is a Sunday brunch that includes menu items such as the beermosa and Belgian beer waffles. You would not have seen the first BEERunch advertised anywhere, though. “We do things quietly,” Duport comments. “We wanted to see how it would develop naturally. So we just put a BEERunch sign out on the sidewalk, and everyone who showed up for the first one loved it.”
Everything on World of Beer’s menu is fresh-made from scratch and shows an attention to detail similar to that found in their beer program. To sample their eatable wares, stop by on Sunday for BEERunch or any weekday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a delicious tavern fare lunch.
Of course the main emphasis at World of Beer is, well, beer. “By the end of 2015,” explains Duport, “there will be over 4,000 craft breweries in the U.S. alone. We bring in beers of the best craft variety from around the world, and our menu changes daily. In fact, right now, we have about 530 different bottles ready to go.”
A quick glance around the interior of World of Beer is all it takes to verify this claim; behind the expansive bar, whatever wall space is not devoted to their taps (62 of them to be exact) is taken up by well-lit coolers full of beer sorted by country of origin.
“Don’t be intimidated by the selection, though,” Duport advises. “We’re here to help you figure out what you’d like.” In fact, everyone who works at World of Beer has received extensive training at what they lovingly refer to as “Beer School”, where they learn the history and unique characteristics of each beer in the impressive inventory, bottle by bottle.
Duport would like to offer this unique educational opportunity to customers soon, too. Until that time, rest easy in the knowledge that the staff at World of Beer is ready and eager to aid your beer selection.
“If you tell us you’re new to craft beer,” Duport explains, “we’ll start by asking you about what you already drink. If you tell us the type of wine you enjoy or what kind of alcohol you have in your fridge right now, then we can figure out your taste profile and recommend a beer to you based on that. Craft beer has awakened America’s palate, and here at World of Beer we’re excited to share our knowledge and experience with you.”