MFS Brewing Co. is marking its second anniversary with four days of events starting today, including the release of a new barrel-aged Imperial Stout.
MFS, which opened its Memphis Filling Station taproom Downtown in 2024, will celebrate its second birthday Sept. 10-13, culminating Sunday with the bottle release of its second-anniversary beer, Chanclas De Abuela, a deliciously decadent 10%-ABV Barrel-Aged Mexican Chocolate Imperial Stout.
Chanclas De Abuela was aged for 18 months in a Wilderness Trail Family Reserve bourbon barrel selected in collaboration with Bourbon BarrALZ, a fundraising group supporting the Alzheimer’s Association.
The stout was aged on cocoa nibs, a blend of Vietnamese and Sri Lankan cinnamon, and a blend of Mexican, Madagascar and Tahitian vanilla beans.
The beer’s Spanish name translates to “Grandma’s Sandals” or “Grandma’s Flip-Flops,” a reference to the humorous cultural image of an abuela wielding, or expertly throwing, a chancla to discipline a misbehaving grandchild.
Chanclas De Abuela will be released on draft today, followed by its release in 16.9-ounce bottles during Sunday’s anniversary celebration.
MFS will also reach into its cellar Sunday, pouring eight different 10% barrel-aged beers, including Chanclas De Abuela and seven releases from the past year. Some of the cellared beers may not be available again. A very limited number of special flights featuring 2-oz. pours of all eight beers will also be available.
A challenging second year
The anniversary gives MFS plenty to celebrate, but MFS co-founder Bryan Beretta told Memphis Beer Blog that reaching the two-year mark hasn’t been easy.
“It’s been a tough haul, for sure,” Beretta said. “We’re in an industry that is currently trying to redefine itself, while operating under definitions and laws that aren’t exactly flexible.”
Beretta said brewing highly rated beer alone isn’t enough to consistently fill a taproom.
“This isn’t 2014, and it’s not Field of Dreams — and I definitely look rougher than Kevin Costner,” he joked. “Just because you make some of the highest rated beer in the Southeast doesn’t mean people will walk an extra two blocks to try it, even when you have free parking.”
That has meant continually looking for new ways to bring people through the doors.
“Constantly trying to find events to bring in new customers, create new drinks for a constantly changing culture, and dealing with a ton of disappointment as events fail and seats go empty, it’s heart wrenching,” Beretta said.
“But then there are the nights that we’re packed to the gills — and it’s electric.”
Despite the challenges, Beretta said the community that has formed around MFS has made the past two years worthwhile.
“As stressful as it’s been, and as many headaches as we’ve had to overcome, I wouldn’t give up the community we’ve made and the friends that have become like family,” he said.
MFS Brewing’s second anniversary events
MFS’s anniversary celebration stretches across four days at the taproom, 206 E. GE Patterson Ave.:
- Thursday, Sept. 10, 6-8 p.m.: South Main Social. The gathering for South Main Association members is also open to the public. SMA members receive 10% off. In addition to Chanclas de Abuela on draft, MFS will also debut two new “Not Beer” cocktails made with the brewery’s seltzer and house-made extracts and blends.
- Friday, Sept. 11, doors at 6 p.m.; wrestling at 7 p.m.: Tiger Pro Wrestling. MFS will set up a wrestling ring in its back lot for the event. General admission is $15. Friday will also mark the return of Rust Bucket RyePA, a Rye Pale Ale with notes of citrus, rye spice and tart cherry.
- Saturday, Sept. 12, 1:30-10 p.m.: Smoke Out 2026. Presented by Tri Star Herf Crew, the free event will feature vendors, games, food, beer and music, including Minnesota Mike.
- Sunday, Sept. 13, noon-7 p.m.: Second Anniversary Celebration. MFS will release Chanclas De Abuela in bottles and bring back a selection of cellared barrel-aged beers. Curtis and Deion will perform from 2-4 p.m., followed by four rounds of Brewery Trivia with Damien Klingberg from 5-7 p.m.
MFS’s Rust Bucket RyePA will be released Friday, Sept. 11.