CHATTANOOGA:

The Big River Brewing and Grille Works opened in the heart of Chattanooga on September 6, 1993, and is now brewing 1200 barrels of beer annually (served only in draft) and features American Grille style cuisine. The restaurant is managed by Tim Hennin, president of Big River and a well-known restaurateur in the Chattanooga area. Seating capacity for the entire establishment is 240 with 65-70% designated as a non-smoking area. This all happens in the midst of 90 year old trolley barns boasting 30 foot ceilings, rich mahogany, and natural brick walls. The barns, built in 1903, are listed on the National Historic Registry and offer a comfortable atmosphere where the brewery is visible behind the bar. All the milling takes place above the brewery and the conditioning tanks are in the basement as Big River uses a gravity brewing process. Working with open top fermenters, the brew master and his crew brew only ales, no lagers.

There are between four and eight beers on tap; regulars include: Trolleyman Wheat, a light and effervescent beer with an extra measure of wheat malts that yield its pale coloring and lightly tart taste; Angler's Amber Ale, a malty, lightly hopped flavor with medium body-not too sweet, not too strong (Big River considers Angler's a good introduction for the novice); Imperial 357 Pale Ale, named for the best selling beer of the old Chattanooga Brewing Company, combines pale and toasted malts for a light color, yet surprisingly rich flavor; Iron Horse Stout, rich and robust, is a very dark beer not for the uninitiated. It's made with deep roasted malts and just a hint of traditional fuggle hops.

Big River hosted its first Festival last August, and according to Rob Gentry, vice-president and manager of the brewery side of the business, the festival was a big success! That is quite an understatement considering they had anticipated around 2,000 people, but were pleasantly surprised with the turnout of almost 10,000. The only problem was-they ran short on beer. They're looking forward to another festival around the same time in 1995 with no shortage of the brew!

Located at the junction of Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, Chattanooga is in the heart of the Tennessee River Valley. It is surrounded by the southern Appalachian mountains with history lurking around every corner. The unique name was derived from the Creek Indian Nation and means " rock coming to a point " which is thought to describe Lookout Mountain.  Chattanooga offers a rich combination of family attractions, museums, restaurants , shopping centers, special events and night life. At the junction of I-75, I-59 and I-24, Chattanooga is within a day's drive of one third of the nation's population. That's a lot of people, Big River; better get brewing!

Big River Brewing could be called Chattanooga's pride and joy exclusively, but not for long. Only two and a half years old, they have three other brew pubs in the hopper. They are opening the second Big River Brewing and Grille Works in Nashville, on March 16th, at 2nd and Broadway, right across the street from the new Hard Rock Cafe. This Big River will be a little different in decor with the brewery right in center. It will split the establishment in 2 halves, with the restaurant on one side and a billiard hall on the other. Patrons will actually be able to view the brewery all the way around. In Nashville, they'll be offering both hand-pulled ales and cask-conditioned ales. There will probably be a third brew pub in Columbia, South Carolina, and a fourth is in the planning stages with a projected opening of late 1995; there might even be a Big River Brewing and Grille Works in a town near you!

While in the Big River area, you should go up the street to the Tennessee Aquarium. As tall as a 12-story building, the aquarium has a wide variety of inhabitants from river otters to southern sting rays. You can feel the spray of a cascading waterfall, experience the seasons of a lush mountain forest, explore the Amazon River or watch a Louisiana alligator slide in the black water of the swamp. If you would like more information on the aquarium you can call 1-800-262-0695 or write Tennessee Aquarium, One Broad street, P.O. Box 11048, Chattanooga, TN 37401-2048.

Chattanooga has much more than just an aquarium. The 1996 Olympic whitewater events will be held on the Ocoee River where there is five miles of nonstop whitewater action flowing through the Cherokee National Forest. The nearly constant stream of big waves and wild rapids provides half a day of the great scenery and great fun. There are many white water out fitters on the Ocoee River, and if you are the adventurous type they will take you on the ride of your life.

For the non-thrill seekers, the Lost Sea is the place for you. Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest under ground lake, it is a unique natural wonder. Take the glass-bottom boat ride across the four and a half acre lake where giant rainbow trout surface to greet each tour group. The history of the cavern goes back to prehistoric days; a number of giant prehistoric jaguar remains were found and are on display at the Museum of Natural History in New York. The Lost Sea is designated as a Registered National Landmark with the U.S. Department of Interior.

The Lookout Mountain Caverns is home to Ruby Falls, a multicolored flowing waterfall. It was discovered in 1923, when drilling an elevator tunnel to make the caverns accessible after the natural entrance was closed during the construction of the railroad tunnel around 1900. This spectacular water fall, 1120 feet below the top of the mountain, falls 145 feet producing one of the world's most beautiful scenes.

Lookout Mountain's Point Park commemorates the veterans of the Battle for Chattanooga and is the site of the Civil War's "Battle Above the Clouds".

Just a short distance away from the Big River Brewing and Grille Works, is the historic Ross's Landing where you'll find the Southern Belle. Take a trip down the scenic Tennessee River on this U.S. Coast Guard licensed 500 passenger riverboat. Enjoy a dinner cruise, where true Southern hospitality prevails, and dine on some of Tennessee's finest meals; a daily lunch cruise that features the "Build-Your-Own-Sandwich" Buffet; or just settle back and watch the beautiful Tennessee scenery on the daily sight-seeing cruise.

Visit Chattanooga; the smooth Southern hospitality will agree with you, as will the smooth Southern draws at Big River Brewing and Grille Works.

For more information call:

Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
(800) 322-3344

The Tennessee Aquarium
(800) 262-0695

Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
(615) 821-4224

Hunter Museum of Art
(615) 267-0968

TicketMaster
(901) 525-1515