Memphis-based Wiseacre Brewing Co. has acquired Nashville’s Bearded Iris Brewing, combining two of Tennessee’s largest craft breweries and top-selling beer brands.
The deal, first reported by the Memphis Business Journal, unites the creators of Tiny Bomb and Homestyle—flagship beers that have become staples for craft drinkers across the state.
While Bearded Iris beer will be brewed at Wiseacre’s “Downtown HQ” facility, Bearded Iris will continue to operate as an independent brand with its own identity, leadership, and Nashville taprooms.
The deal comes at a time when many craft breweries are facing headwinds from shifting consumer habits, with drinkers increasingly reaching for alternatives like canned cocktails, seltzers, and non-alcoholic options.
In written responses to Memphis Beer Blog, Wiseacre co-founder Kellan Bartosch and Bearded Iris co-founder Kavon Togrye confirmed the acquisition and outlined their plans for the future.
“This partnership grew organically from a place of mutual respect between our founders,” Bartosch said. “On a personal level, I’ve known Bearded Iris founder Kavon Togrye for years since we both served on the Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild board. We have nothing but admiration and respect for what they have created with Bearded Iris, but we also really enjoy our friendships with the three co-founders, which we see as critical to this.”
Bartosch said conversations began when Bearded Iris was nearing the end of its lease and had outgrown its Germantown facility in Nashville.
“Wiseacre has long been interested in digging deep in our home state of Tennessee through complementary brands if we found the right partner. The conversation truly began when Kavon from Bearded Iris reached out, exploring avenues for growth as they were nearing the end of their lease and had outgrown their Germantown facility,” Bartosch said.
“They were looking for a solution to not only maintain the incredible quality of their brand but also to significantly expand their wholesale business statewide.”
Togrye said Wiseacre’s state-of-the-art production facility, built in 2020, was a natural fit.
“Our needs perfectly complemented each other, and it quickly became clear that an acquisition was the best way to unite our teams and truly unlock the full value and potential for both brands,” Togrye said.
Bearded Iris to operate as independent brand
Under the deal, Bearded Iris will continue to operate as an independent brand with its own beers and distinctive identity. Togrye, Paul Vaughn, and Matt Miller will remain in leadership roles and retain significant stakes in the company.
“Wiseacre is the largest craft brewery in Tennessee, and Bearded Iris is the second largest,” Togrye said. “Bearded Iris’ Homestyle and Wiseacre’s Tiny Bomb are the #1 and #2 Tennessee craft beer brands in the state, respectively. … We’ve put together Tennesseans’ two favorite craft beer brands to ensure they have the facilities and resources to continue growing to their full potential.”
Bearded Iris will maintain its two Nashville taprooms: the original location and primary production facility in Germantown and the second location in the Sylvan Supply development on Nashville’s West Side.
Production at the Germantown facility will wind down, but Togrye said the taproom will remain and receive continued investment.
“Germantown is where it all started for Bearded Iris, and we always want to maintain a strong presence there,” Togrye said.
Wiseacre’s Memphis roots
Before launching Wiseacre in 2013 with beers like Tiny Bomb American Pilsner and Ananda IPA, brothers and Memphis natives Kellan and Davin Bartosch gained industry experience on separate tracks.
Kellan worked in sales and marketing, including roles at a distributor and at craft beer heavyweight Sierra Nevada, while Davin trained at the Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago and went on to become brewmaster at Rock Bottom Brewery.
Over the past decade, Wiseacre has grown into Memphis’s largest craft brewery, distributing in 21 states and producing nearly 30,000 barrels in 2024.
The brewery’s Downtown Memphis facility, opened in 2020, dramatically increased production capacity and serves as the centerpiece of its expansion efforts.
Focus on Tennessee
Kellan Bartosch said the Bearded Iris acquisition aligns with Wiseacre’s strategy of investing in its home state.
“Wiseacre’s strategy remains the same — to try and get as much of the highest quality beer into Tennessee drinkers’ hands as possible and invest in the communities that support us throughout Tennessee,” Bartosch said.
“This community-focused approach has been at the center of Bearded Iris’ mission over the past 10 years, as well. Tennessee is our home. Tennessee is Bearded Iris’ home. This deal ensures that will stay the case for both brands well into the future, and we’ll be more focused on our home state than ever.”