a home brewing kit. His spare time was filled with friends, family, good music, and new brews. Becoming more serious about his hobby, he began entering craft beer competitions. In 2016, a career change vision came into focus: a change from a manufacturing engineer to engineering craft beers on a larger scale. With his wife, Angela, they took their time creating a business plan and as they did, gained a partner, LeBron\u2019s aunt, Renee Haggard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/DSC_7421-1024x727.jpg\")
After locating a building site, LeBron and his father, Ray Haggard, commenced construction. The opening was initially tar- geted for April 2020, but an overall delay in parking lot construction pushed it to October. It was a delay that, in hindsight, may have contributed to their success in COVID economics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn October 2020, COVID restrictions had started to lighten, and people were anxious to get out and get together again,\u201d LeBron said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CJ really is a family affair. While LeBron is the hands-on operator, his daughter, Shelby Haggard, who has a mas- ter\u2019s degree in fermentation science from MTSU, handles the science behind their brews. She can be seen doing everything from brewing, serving, and slinging food, to distributing beer to restaurant and area bar accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On International Women\u2019s Day, CJ shouted out on its Facebook page, \u201cShelby is the definition of hard work and deter- mination. She runs the taproom, brews beer, and is a master yeast wrangler.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With five or six CJ core beers on tap, their other varieties may not be repeated, so get \u2018em while you can. There are 20 beers on tap and nearly 70 in cans and bottles, both CJ\u2019s and from other brewers. Some are lighter, sweeter, or darker than others, but there\u2019s something for every taste. Since opening almost two years ago, they\u2019ve produced over 40 different beers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although they don\u2019t serve wine or liquor, their draft selection includes ciders and seltzers. Non-alcoholic drinks, soda, tea, and lemonade are also available. Pair one with an appetizer of kettle chips, Ba- varian soft pretzels, or cheesy bread while you watch a game on one of their seven TVs or listen to live music, a regular week- end event. Try a specialty pizza, build your own, or try a hot dog or sandwich. Weather permitting, take the party outside to their patio and picnic tables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur family built this place for your family.This has been a crazy dream for us. We wanted to bring music to this town so people can have a good place to come to and enjoy a good beer in a safe environment,\u201d LeBron said, at the CJ Family Reunion, which celebrated their one-year anniversary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re doing just that. Their invest- ment in the community is at the heart of all they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When Bonnaroo was canceled in 2021 due to weather, CJ came to the rescue. CJ welcomed Bonnaroo food vendors and provided live music, easing the disap- pointment of those looking forward to the annual event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CJ regulars aren\u2019t customers; they\u2019re family. When a financial need arises, CJ pitches in where possible and helps ease the burdens. Everyone really does know your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Upcoming events and music lineups are posted regularly. Don\u2019t forget, if you\u2019re looking for a change in scenery, CJ participates in beer festivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s always something new brewing at Common John. Morning coffee, nibbles, and remote workspaces are being planned, offering more opportunities to hang out with friends and family and a change in scenery for work-from-home days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From their die-hard fans and LeBron, \u201cCheers!\u201d -GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BREWERY. TO a child of the \u201870s, Laverne & Shirley might come to mind. A conservative parent might picture a bar or honky tonk, long-neck bottles, and an underdressed waitress. A senior citizen might imagine leather-clad bikers bent over pool tables in smoke-filled rooms with the jukebox blaring Lynyrd Skynyrd. Co-workers meet up on Friday […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":14512,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/DSC_7203-1024x611.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/DSC_7811-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n