Flock Beer & Wine opens TODAY in the former Albright Grove space at 2924 Sutherland Ave., and they are ready to be the new neighborhood hangout. You can feel the warmth and welcome the moment you walk in: friendly faces, whimsical décor, craft beer and wine, and yummy food rolling out of a small but mighty kitchen.
The Flock team is made up of two couples who bonded over their love of good food and drink and decided to launch something together. Brandon and Charlotte Smith relocated to Knoxville after years in Colorado’s craft beer scene, where they first met their future business partners through a mutual friend. The other couple, Charlie DeBevoise and Celia Winchester, already lived in Knoxville. Charlie, founder of NorthSouth Productions, is a long-time Knoxvillian by way of Los Angeles and New York; Celia, originally from Halls, is a fractional CFO for creative companies. When Brandon and Charlotte discussed relocating from Colorado, Charlie and Celia welcomed their move.
How did this idea come about? “It really started at an Oktoberfest party last fall,” Charlie told me. “I was sipping a wine Brandon had just made and said, ‘I’m sorry, this is really good.'” He laughed and added, “I like beer, but I am more of a wine drinker.” (Side note: So am I, but Brandon believes he can convert me. Jury is still out.)
The couples had both been talking about new chapters. “They were at a place in their lives where they wanted to start their own thing,” Charlie said, with Celia adding, “We love working with talented people and doing things for Knoxville.”
A week later, Charlotte and Brandon called. The idea took off.
They built the concept around core values. “Cozy, creative, caring,” Charlie said. “We want to be a place that appeals to birds of different feathers.” Brandon remembers the night the name landed. “We were throwing ideas around and Charlie said, ‘Flock.’ It stuck. When you can bring other people into the sphere of a flock, that really felt right.” You will see “flock” imagery throughout the space, keeping the theme of connection in every corner.
Charlotte sees it as a true neighborhood living room. “We are excited to create a community spot where everyone feels welcome,” she said. “It should feel like you are home.”
If you loved Albright Grove’s space, you will recognize the bones, plus a bit more polish and art. Charlie has filled the walls with pieces by artist Shelton Walsmith, a longtime friend whose work will be available for purchase. They will host longer-running shows rather than frantic First Friday flips. “Celebrate an artist over time,” Charlie said. “More eyeballs, less pressure.”
The food lane is approachable, then surprising. They hired chef Brandon Cruze, known for building Clinch River Brewing’s creative menu. “We want to bring people in with things that are recognizable, then surprise them with quality and ingredients,” Charlie said.
Several plates already show the philosophy. I photographed a vegan flatbread layered with ginger chimichurri and house kimchi, and a hot pimento flatbread with marinated tomatoes, bacon, and peppery arugula. Wings come in a soy, honey, gochujang glaze, or classic buffalo. The double smash burger arrives on a house bun from Flourhead Bakery and wears a tangy comeback sauce. There is a house veggie burger, rosemary-salted fries, and a crispy chicken sandwich with kimchi and soy mayo.
“I like to step outside the box and pick ingredients you don’t always see,” Chef Cruze said. “Vegetarians and vegans deserve more than a side salad or pasta.”
Brandon’s brewing path runs through Denver, Breckenridge, Tommyknocker Brewery in Idaho Springs, Co. and, most recently, Orange Hat in Knoxville. “The combination of science and art is absolutely addicting,” he said. “You see a community show up excited for what somebody made.” Flock will keep around 10 house beers on tap. “Not to please everyone, but to give everyone an option,” he said. “Light, malty, or hoppy, just executed cleanly and well.”
There will be wine, both house-made and a thoughtful list by the glass and bottle. Brandon is fermenting single-varietal juices on site, beginning with crisp whites and adding more over time. The list leans small-producer, often natural, sourced through local distributors who focus on farmers and careful practices.
“One thing we do not want to be is a pretentious wine bar,” Charlie said. “We will have a chardonnay for the classic chardonnay lover, but it might come from a smaller grower you have never tried.” Expect wine dinners and tastings, too. “Education is fun for us,” Celia told me. “Beer dinners, wine dinners, ways to share things in a casual way.”
Kitchen hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday until 8 p.m. On Monday and Tuesday, the bar is open with a shareables fridge stocked with cheeses, charcuterie, white bean hummus, and pimento cheese, so book clubs, study groups, and neighbors still have a place to land.
Fridays will feature live music curated with help from local musician Jessica Watson. “We will have jazz, Americana, and a little offbeat pop,” Charlie said. “Nothing stuffy, just creative and fun.” Frog and Toad kicks off on Friday, Oct. 24, with a Halloween set planned the following week.
Celia and Charlie live four minutes away. Brandon and Charlotte are six. Their kids go to nearby schools. “Sutherland is a cool spot,” Brandon said. “More of a neighborhood.” The team is already dreaming up collaborations with neighbors like River Sports. They want to offer a place that works for families, after-practice snacks, date nights, and post-ride beers. If you’re looking for a spot to bring a small group, the space is available to rent.
“We are not trying to be everywhere,” Brandon said. “We are trying to be great right here.”
If you are keeping score, the neighborhood is, too. Many were sad to see Albright Grove close, and Golden Roast before that. Flock feels like the next step for this corridor, a space that brings people back together with good beer, thoughtful wine, and food that surprises in the best way.
“I love the kind of competitive friendship and brotherhood in brewing,” Brandon said. “It connects to charity in the way it brings people together.” Charlie nodded toward the tables around us. “People need to sit across from each other, break bread, and talk,” he said. “That is the whole point of Flock.”
Learn more and view the menu at the Flock website, and keep up with all the latest on Facebook and Instagram.
Hours:
Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Parking is available on site and in the adjacent right lot to the right of the property.
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