Brewery historian, Vandy professor to search for historic beer tunnels under Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--A local brewery historian and a Vanderbilt University professor are teaming up to use ground-penetrating radar equipment in the search for historic beer cellars and tunnels under downtown Nashville.
According to historian Scott R. Mertie, he and Vanderbilt Anthropology Professor John Janusek will use the radar in search of tunnels and cellars dug by Nashville Brewing Company in the 1800s under 6th Avenue South. These cellars and tunnels were later used by the William Gerst Brewing Company from 1890-1954.
This will be the first step in the process of confirming the cellars and tunnels exist. If so, Janusek and the anthropology department will then conduct an archeological dig at the site.
Mertie found out about the possible existence of the tunnels while researching and interviewing former Gerst employees for his Nashville Brewing book. Mertie and his wife Candy have been responsible for three brewery-related historical markers according to Mertie.
