The Low Tones room at Soul & Spirits was buzzing Saturday afternoon as the Memphis Beer Drinkers filled the space for the August Brewer Series.
Between lively pours of rare beers, the group heard from Soul & Spirits co-founder and Master Brewer Ryan Allen, who shared how his roots as a musician have shaped Soul & Spirits’ deep ties to Memphis and Delta music — an influence visible in the brewery’s beer names, artwork and even the atmosphere of the taproom.
Allen also spoke about his broader philosophy about running a brewery, which centers on inclusivity.
“Our goal is to have a beer for everyone that walks through the door … and to find something for all backgrounds, for all types of people,” he told the group. “Even if you don’t like beer, we want to have something that brings you into that realm of what beer is and can be.”
The Brewer Series rotates among Memphis breweries. Last month it was at Wiseacre Brewing Co.
Each stop offers two things: a bottle share that draws out hidden gems from cellars and coolers, and a chance to hear directly from the host brewery about their history and what drives their approach.
As part of Saturday’s event, Allen also led the group on a tour of the brewery, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process.
The event drew not only local craft beer drinkers, but even brewers from places like Crosstown Brewing and Flyway Memphis were on hand.
Meanwhile, the bottle share lived up to its reputation for bold pours. Dozens of rare and aged beers made their way around the tables, with highlights including:
- American Solera’s ISO: Tacos — a 13%-ABV Imperial Stout aged 15 months in Laird’s Apple Brandy barrels, a unique beer that’s rich with roasted chocolate and apple brandy notes.
- Firestone Walker’s 2017 Stickee Monkee — a complex 12.5%-ABV “Central Coast Quad” brewed with Belgian candi sugar and aged in bourbon barrels, offering deep sweetness and oak warmth. The name nods both to California’s native Sticky Monkey flower and the Belgian monks who pioneered the Quad style.
- Lua Brewing’s Trouble — a 12.7%-ABV Imperial Stout brewed with peanut butter, honey roasted peanuts, bananas and marshmallows. We drank it on the 48th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley, and I think the King would have approved.
- Fidens Brewing’s Narrow is the Way — a 13%-ABV Quadruple India Pale Ale (yes, a “QIPA”), brewed with Citra, Waimea, Riwaka, Rakau and Rakau Hop Kief hops. This was a hop lover’s fantasy in liquid form.
- 3 Floyds Brewing’s 2025 Scepter of Power — a 15%-ABV Russian Imperial Stout “Dark Lord” aged in bourbon barrels with coffee, vanilla and cinnamon. This one was one of the last beers cracked open — and was worth the wait.
The Memphis Beer Drinkers Facebook group was launched in 2017 by Christopher Mantia as a forum for the local beer scene. It’s since grown to more than 1,400 strong, who embrace and promote the craft beer culture of the Bluff City.
Earlier this year, the group celebrated the release of “Black Velvet,” a 10%-ABV German Chocolate Cake Stout that members got to brew as a collaboration with Allen at Soul & Spirits.
Frank Urankar, a firefighter, longtime craft beer enthusiast, and former professional wrestler, has recently become the group’s president. He’s been on a mission to take the Memphis Beer Drinkers to the next level, with events such as the Brewer Series. In addition to the Facebook page, the group also has a new website: https://www.memphisbeerdrinkers.net/.
The Brewer Series will continue next month on Saturday, September 27 at Memphis Made Brewing Co. These events are free and open to all.
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