Germantown's Rock'n Dough Pizza is now brewing its own beer

Abigail Warren
Memphis Commercial Appeal
Rockn' Dough Pizza and Brew Co. In Germantown has started brewing its own beer at Germantown Collection

For some, pizza and beer complement each other, and a Germantown restaurant has added in-house brews to its menu as the number of local breweries grows.

Rock'n Dough Pizza and Brew Co. at Germantown Collection opened in 2016 eventually becoming the only one in the Memphis area. They also have a location in Jackson and soon they will open in Nashville.

The Jackson pub was the first location to brew beer, and it was successful. In April, Rock'n Dough in Germantown started brewing beer, resulting in 12 varieties on tap. 

Trevor Jones, Rock'n Dough operations manager, said the company intended to brew beer when the Germantown shop opened, but there were space limitations.They have acquired 1,200 square feet from the former space of Jim's Tailor Shop between the restaurant and Noodles Asian Bistro. 

Rock'n Dough Pizza and Brew Co. has 12 beers on tap. The Germantown location has sold beer since mid-April
Rock'n Dough Pizza and Brew Co. has expanded so they can brew their own beer. The shop acquired the space of the former Jim's Tailor Shop.

"It's a great combination," Jones said of pizza and beer.

In July 2016, beer with an alcohol by volume under 6.25 percent could be sold in stores. The law was amended in January 2017 and anywhere alcohol was sold, beer could be bought with up to 8 percent ABV. 

On Sept. 25, 2017, the Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen — by a 3-1 vote — approved an off-premise and on-premise permit for beer sales at Rock'n Dough. That opened the way for customers to not only enjoy one of the restaurant's brews at the business, but also take home a closed container.

Rock'n Dough is not the first Germantown business to brew its own beer, but the previous such operation was many years ago.

Germantown Alderman John Barzizza said Jerry Feinstone, Boscos owner, had the first restaurant in Shelby County to brew its own beer when Boscos original operation opened in Saddle Creek North.

Boscos later moved to Overton Square.

"Rock'n Dough is following a precedent that was set by Boscos," Barzizza, who voted for the permits, said. 

Jones said besides being a pizza and beer company, their brewery experience is unique from other area breweries because of their smaller space. Other breweries are making mass amounts at once.

"They can't get all the ingredients we can," Jones said. 

The alderman said Germantown is home to several pizza companies, but Rock'n Dough was striving to set itself apart. Barzizza said the pizza restaurant brewing its own beer allowed it to establish "a point of difference." 

While Germantown is home to a multitude of chain restaurants, many casual dining restaurants are on the decline, according to Barzizza, and several brands are being sold.

"People gravitate to the restaurants that are chef-owned," Barzizza said. "I think people would love to have restaurants that have Germantown flavor."