Away from the neon lights and glam of Broadway in downtown Nashville and away from the seemingly hundreds of breweries that continue to line the streets in every larger city around us, Gallatin's own brewery has emerged as a local fan favorite that offers a unique twist on what a brewery in Tennessee is supposed to be. Big Trouble Brewing Company is the pride of owner Josiah Trandahl, a United States Marine veteran who has served since 2011 and was deployed to Afghanistan from 2018 to 2019. Josiah began brewing beer as a college kid out of necessity but always dreamt of opening his own brewery. While in Afghanistan and experiencing close, personal tragedies, Josiah made a decision that he would not wait any longer in pursuing his dream of owning a brewery and opening it to the public.
When Josiah arrived home in 2019, he immediately went to work to find a suitable location and to assemble a team. Once a building was acquired, the official plan was put into motion and Josiah began a major overhaul of the building. Having to navigate several challenges, delays and frustrations due to the pandemic during 2020 and 2021, Josiah and his team finally opened the doors to the public in August 2021.
Big Trouble Brewing Company boasts a unique, laid back and retro feel that is welcoming and a bit nostalgic. Josiah is an admitted super-fan of everything '80s and has made his space a place for others to enjoy time with friends and family.
"We try to keep the vibe light, clean, and very retro. We are all fans of the 80's cinema, music, and pop culture, and a visit to the brewery will show this by a look around at the bar, posters, and memorabilia scattered throughout the space," raves Josiah.
BTBC has a large indoor seating area, and when warmer weather hits, a small outdoor seating area, as well. But, they're not just a beer room as they try to ensure there is something for everyone. The unique, craft brews are a given, but BTBC even has a house-made
craft seltzer which customers can mix with up to a dozen flavors to create their own combinations (Mango-Coconut, anyone?).
You won't see the normal "bar scene" and Josiah has been very intentional about this. What you will see is a family-friendly atmosphere with plenty of options, games and events that are held throughout the week for all to enjoy. Bingo on Wednesdays, trivia on Thursdays and a rotating schedule of comedy, music, and spoken word fill the calendar. They even serve up fancy hotdogs, pulled pork tacos and barbecue nachos on their food menu when the beer itself needs a chaser.
Speaking of beer, Big Trouble Brewing Company brews its own and is classified as a 7BBL craft brewery, which means it can brew up to seven barrels of beer at a time (around 220 gallons). Seasonal brews and rotating selections make their way from the on-site brewing kettles to kegs and taps and finally into a pint glass in your hand (a rather neat life cycle all under one Gallatin roof).
With all the offerings that BTBC boasts, it may simply be the eccentric and amazingly unique 80's themed items, details and decor that keeps regulars coming back and continues to bring in newcomers who want to experience the vibe for themselves.
When asked about it, Josiah doesn't mince words. "We have a retro 80's theme because it is awesome," he says with a grin.
And, after experiencing it firsthand, we couldn't agree more.
