Matt Franks has opened "The Full Tank", a growler station inside the Raceway gas station on Broad Street, where he is the director of operations. "The Full Tank" features an all-star craft beer line-up, which Mr. Franks plans on rotating out both seasonally, as well as based on customer requests.
"Our goal is to expose a wider audience to craft beer," he said.
Near St. Elmo, "The Full Tank" is dedicating one tap exclusively to Moccasin Bend Brewing Company, a local brewery just down the road from the Raceway. "I believe it's important to commit to local businesses and with Moccasin Bend Brewing Company so close to us, it was a no-brainer to give them a tap," said Mr. Franks.
"The Full Tank" is not just about selling craft beer though, he said. Mr.Franks is also hoping to educate a different part of the community about what craft beer is. The wider audience of a gas station exposes more people to the burgeoning craft beer market, which was one of Mr. Franks' goals. "Since opening, the biggest part of the job hasn't been pouring beer, but educating people about what a growler is and how craft beer is different from domestic beer," he said. "We're constantly telling people about beers they've never heard of."
Convenience is also key, he said. People stopping into the gas station for fuel, food or other products will not have to travel to a separate destination to buy their favorite brews. "We're integrating a craft beer experience into your daily routine," said Mr. Franks. "We want buying craft beer to be as easy as buying anything else on your way home."
"The Full Tank" sells growlers 8 a.m.-3 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 a.m. Sunday. It is at 2528 Broad Street. Currently on tap are:
Terrapin "Moo-Hoo" Chocolate Milk Stout
Flat 12 Pogue's Run Porter
Blackstone Nut Brown Ale
Lagunitas IPA
Angry Orchard Hard Cider
MBBC Unbalanced IPA
For more information, contact Matt Franks at mj_franks@yahoo.com, 2528 Broad Street, Chattanooga, Tn. 37408, or 423 355-5365.