A grand opening will soon be announced this month for the new Cedar Creek Brewing Co. Nashville Taproom and food truck, settled on Locust Lane, in a building most recently occupied by The Back Porch.

The first business to carry the Cedar Creek name is the family owned and operated Cedar Creek Winery, which was opened in Martinsville in 2010 by Larry and Donell Elsner.

The winery features an array of both sweet and dry wines, and is one of the few wineries left that offers free wine tastings.

In the 13 years since the winery opened, the Cedar Creek name has grown in several different directions, now offering a brewery, distillery, eatery and even cigar company, all under the same name, and run by the same family.

Operations for the business originally expanded into the town of Nashville in 2013, in the form of Cedar Creek’s wine tasting room located at 38 E. Franklin St.

Cedar Creek Brewing Co. was originally opened in 2015 by Bryce Elsner, son of Larry and Donell, and his wife, Jamie Elsner.

Bryce is the brewery owner and operator, as well as the owner of the new food truck.

Alyssa Sims, daughter of Larry and Donell, opened Cedar Creek Distillery on the same property in Martinsville, making Cedar Creek Winery, Brewery and Distillery the first and only to have all three entities on one property, selling wine, beer and spirits.

In May of 2022, Cedar Creek Eatery opened on the property, providing a variety of food options, which helps make a well-rounded experience for all who come to visit.

“Cedar Creek is truly a destination location,” Kelsy Groover, Operations Manager for Cedar Creek Winery, Brewery and Food Truck at both Martinsville and Nashville locations, said via email last week.

Groover said that she and her husband frequented Cedar Creek since it was just a winery in Martinsville.

“We became very close to the Elsner family and have watched it grow every step of the way,” she said.

“I’ve been in management for over 15 years, and have been in the craft beer industry/hospitality industry for 10 years now. Not only am I passionate about what I do, but I am passionate about Cedar Creek and everything it has to offer, I truly couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity.”

Cedar Creek’s new food truck and porch area will offer food and drinks to Nashville residents and visitors. 

Submitted photo

Groover started as a bartender at Cedar Creek for both the wine and beer bars at both locations in 2021, in 2022 she became the General Manager, and has since moved into the Operations Manager role in January 2023,

In her new role, Groover oversees the operations of both wine and beer locations, as well as the food truck.

After the opening of the Eatery in 2022, Bryce and Groover began discussions regarding the potential for growth, and recognized that location was going to be of the utmost importance.

“With the town of Nashville already being a second home to us with our wine tasting room, as well as our patrons frequently asking if we could bring our craft beer to Nashville, it was easy to determine that this gorgeous and unique town is where we wanted to be,” Groover said.

“Within a blink of an eye, we found ourselves at 124 Locust Lane, Nashville and began demo work to bring our Cedar Creek Brewing Co. Taproom to life.”

While working through demo work and construction at the Cedar Creek Brewing Co. Taproom in Nashville, Groover said there was a choice to be made regarding food options.

“After tossing a few ideas around, we decided that acquiring a food truck would be a fantastic route, and create a new and unique experience in town,” she said.

The Cedar Creek B’s &G’s — meaning Beers and Grub — food truck will be parked alongside the Cedar Creek Brewing Co. Nashville Taproom, with a new deck built for ease of access.

Groover added that, occasionally, they may take the truck to an off-site event, but for the majority of the time, it will be providing food to the town and to the taproom patrons.

“On the days that Cedar Creek B’s &G’s is off-site, we will have a replacement truck located at the taproom for the day, bringing in other food experiences,” she said.

Groover said the truck offers unique creations, such as their take on brussels sprouts, French fries, smash burgers, grilled cheeses, and thick sliced fried bologna sandwiches, as well as vegan friendly options.

“In the future you’ll see a soup of the week, served in sourdough bread bowls, as well as house made chips using local seasonings from the Nashville Spice Shop,” she said.

“With the food truck being parked next to our Nashville Taproom, our Cedar Creek Brewing Co. beers will be available to purchase in the taproom, as well as bottled water and sodas.”

According to Groover, the food truck hours will mimic the hours of operation of the taproom, and they plan to be open each season, as well as offering breakfast to Brown County visitors during peak season in the fall.

The Taproom is family-friendly and pets are welcome on the patio, on a leash.

Cedar Creek Brewing Co. Nashville Taproom is nearing completion inside, according to Groover.

“In the meantime, we are serving beer to our patrons throughout the week, and have the food truck on site and serving Thursday-Sunday unless noted otherwise, and will be having the food truck there daily once we kick off our taproom grand opening,” she said.

“We also have live music scheduled for the weekends, and will be hosting a variety of fun events!”

Cedar Creek Brewery Co. and B’s and G’s Food Truck

Location: 124 Locust Lane

Facebook: Cedar Creek Brewery