Clarksville’s historic downtown is a local hotspot for craft microbreweries, one-of-a-kind eats, and eclectic shopping. A leader in the downtown renaissance is Strawberry Alley Ale Works, located on the corner of First Street and Strawberry Alley.
Strawberry Alley Ale Works opened its doors in early 2018. The restaurant’s owner gave us the inside scoop on its creation, location, craft beers, and novel menu.
Why Clarksville?
For owner Wes Cunningham, bringing Strawberry Alley Ale Works to Clarksville was a family affair. He said, “We are family-owned, and our entire family was born and raised right here in Clarksville. We chose to open Strawberry Alley Ale Works because we love our community and wanted to bring another unique, locally-owned option to our downtown area.”
An interest in craft libations is also a common thread in the Cunningham family. Cunningham’s brother, Matt Cunningham, founded the Old Glory Distilling Company, located on Alfred Thun Road in Clarksville, in 2016.
History in the Making
Strawberry Alley Ale Works occupies a 7,300-square-foot building in Clarksville’s historic downtown. “We chose our building for both its historical significance and location,” said Cunningham. “While we don’t know the exact date of its construction, we do know that it was formerly the home of a military clothing manufacturer during the World War II era. With Fort Campbell being such an integral part of our community, that connection seemed perfect. In addition, being located in the heart of historic downtown Clarksville was important to us. The great views down over the Cumberland River certainly helped, also.”
A focus on the history of the location did not end there. Cunningham continued, “From the beginning, we wanted to leave as much of the original brick and wood elements exposed as possible. We’re especially proud of the large community tables that were made completely from repurposed wood taken from the original 100 plus-year-old structure.”
Careful planning was required to preserve the location while transforming it into a workable brewery. Cunningham explained, “Unfortunately, a brewing system with some vessels that can hold over 400 gallons of beer is impossible to just carry through the front door. Luckily, we installed the system when we were replacing the large windows facing Strawberry Alley, so the timing was perfect to bring everything inside with nearly the entire front wall removed.” Local glazing contractor Mitchell Glass Co. administered the window replacement.
What was the result of this concerted effort? Cunningham announced, “We’re proud to offer 10 different styles of craft beer at all times, all brewed on-site in the brewery that you can see from our dining room.”
A Menu That Caters to Growing Needs
“We were adamant that every dish would be made-from-scratch using fresh ingredients every single time,” Cunningham enthused. “We take pride in offering a smaller, more focused menu than a large chain restaurant and we hope you can taste the difference compared to anything frozen.”
Strawberry Alley also strives to keep its customers coming back with a rotational menu. “During the week, we introduce special lunch menu items that change frequently so you can always count on fresh dishes. We also introduce entirely new menus seasonally, such as our Oktoberfest menu with German-inspired dishes that run in September and October,” Cunningham said.
Recent years have seen a spike in reported food allergies and intolerances. Strawberry Alley seeks to cater to the needs of this growing community. “We are proud to offer both gluten-free and vegetarian dishes,” Cunningham explained. “For vegetarians, we offer everything from Avocado Toast to our fruit-filled Power Salad to our Roasted Vegetables and Farro, and more. Gluten intolerant guests can enjoy a number of different dishes including Shrimp and Grits and our Chicken Burrito Bowl.”
Strawberry Alley has an equally diverse drink menu. Cunningham explained, “We don’t have a single beer that is our signature, but rather a variety of styles for every craft beer drinker. If you enjoy lighter brews, the 1820 Kolsch is a crowd favorite. If you’re a hop enthusiast, our Class A IPA is a mainstay. Our brewer Jamie does a fantastic job with beer styles across the entire spectrum, expertly brewing everything from milder, lighter lagers to rich stouts and porters. We have a freshly-brewed craft beer to match any taste preference.”
You won’t find Strawberry Alley Ales at your local convenience store or grocer, however. “Our beer is only available at Strawberry Alley,” said Cunningham. “Because of this, we can always offer the freshest brews possible. Also, because we brew in small batches, we can frequently mix things up to introduce new beer styles more quickly than shipping out to the market.”
Take It Upstairs
In March of 2019, Strawberry Alley expanded to include an additional 5,000 square feet, a tap room called Upstairs at Strawberry Alley. This smoke-free lounge is located above Strawberry Alley Ale Works and boasts a full bar as well as a 360-degree view of Clarksville’s historic downtown.
“Upstairs at Strawberry Alley is a laid-back, welcoming environment for everyone to enjoy themselves in a smoke-free atmosphere,” Cunningham said. “Guests can come for a quick beer and a board game, or stay longer for a full meal with friends at a dining table. Upstairs is open Thursday through Sunday, while the main restaurant is open seven days a week.”
Cunningham continued, “With an eclectic mix of lounge seating, active games like cornhole and shuffleboard, board games, and regular group seating, Upstairs at Strawberry Alley is truly unique for Clarksville. Guests can visit Upstairs for a new menu featuring wings, made-from-scratch pizzas, and fresh margaritas on draft while having fun with a variety of games and activities or watching their favorite team on our big screen TVs. We are proud to always be non-smoking, so guests of all ages can enjoy all that Upstairs has to offer.”
The Upstairs can also be rented for private events seven days a week.
Strawberry Alley Ale Works
103 Strawberry Alley, Clarksville, Tennessee
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 am to 10 pm
Friday, 11 am to 11 pm
Saturday, 10:30 am to 11 pm
Sunday, 10:30 am to 10 pm
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One part Lois Lane, one part Jimmy Olsen, one part Johnboy Walton, and a bit of that Clark Kent secret identity thing thrown in for good measure.
Cara Siera is a freelance writer and photographer with a passion for travel and exotic cuisine. Join Cara, her husband Marc, and one very spoiled German Shepherd on their next great adventure.