Top 5 Local Louisville Breweries
For some it’s whiskey, for some it’s vodka, but for Kentuckians- it’s always bourbon… or at least that’s what they like to say about us! Although we’ve already slightly prepped your itinerary for your next trip to Louisville with our list of the Top 5 Local Louisville Distilleries, we thought it would only be fair that we prepare all alcohol lovers alike for their next trip to Derby City with a list of Top 5 Local Louisville Breweries!
Did you know that nearly 50% of all Americans who drink alcohol would prefer beer over liquor? That means that while our distillery blog may be helpful to some, it will unfortunately serve many Louisville visitors to be nearly useless. Lucky for them, Kentucky isn’t just good at bourbon, but pretty kick ass at the whole craft beer thing too- and with a 600% brewery growth rate throughout the state over the last few years, it’s quite clear why Louisville has become the home to some of the best breweries in the country!
At Crooked Monkey T-Shirts, we love showcasing other local businesses, especially those who share our love for premium and quality custom apparel… and the fact that these local businesses brew some of our favorite beers is just simply a plus! Check out our list of Top 5 Local Louisville Breweries for a glimpse at some of Louisville’s best tasting beers, weekly social events, and all of the happy hours you can fit into your next visit.
In 2011, Against The Grain Brewery opened the doors of its Smokehouse as Louisville’s very first brewer owned and operated brewery. Their goal was simple, to share their belief that beer lovers deserve far more than just mainstream. Against the Grain did just that, and found great success by pushing the envelope and trying something a bit out of the box. They began brewing diverse beers that could be categorized by six different styles- Session, Hop, Whim, Malt, Dark, and Smoke, and it wasn’t long before they began breaking barriers in the Louisville brewery industry and earning the title of one of the Top 5 Local Louisville Breweries.
Today, Against The Grains beers can be found in 46 different States and up to 16 different Countries, but as the old saying goes… there’s no place like home! Visit the Against the Grain Smokehouse (located downtown) to check out the whole process of how these legendary beers are crafted through a guided tour of the brewery and end with a taste of a few of their rotating drafts. For a less crowded and more local spot, you can find more of Against The Grains brews at their second location, the Public House (located in the Highlands).
Looking for some extra fun? Stop by the Public House every Monday for Trivia, or the Smokehouse every Sunday for Brunch So Hard. No matter when you stop by, you’ll leave Against the Grain Brewery with a whole new appreciation for craft beers and probably a couple of really cool beer cans.
Address:
The Smokehouse- 401 E Main Street
The Public House- 1576 Bardstown Road
Happy Hours:
The Smokehouse- Monday through Friday 4-7
The Public House- Monday through Friday 4-6:30
Gravely Brewing is a family owned and operated brewery located near the Highlands of Louisville. Gravely means different things for different people… for Louisville’s melomaniacs, Gravely is a great music venue, and for the beer gurus- it’s one of the best breweries in town! But If you ask founders and brewers Nathanial Gravely and Cory Buenning- it simply both, referring to it as “ The world’s first music brewery.” Some come for the tunes, and stay for the beers- some come for the beers, and stay to rock all night long. Regardless of the reasoning for your first visit- we know you’ll be back!
Are you planning a social outing for a group of friends or are you just wanting to get out and try something new? We have the answer in one of Gravely’s weekly social events- Every Sunday, the brewery opens its doors from 1-5 for the SunDecades brunch where DJ Syimone explores music of a new decade each week! For a more laid back yet equally entertaining visit to Gravely, stop by on Monday evenings for a weekly trivia night and challenge your friends IQ’s to the Gravely brews.
Upon your visit to Gravely, you can expect to find 12 of their carefully crafted beers on a rotating tap, but has a whole this family owned brewery has collectively crafted over 90 different brews since opening their doors in 2017. Overwhelming right? Take our advice and be sure to try the Channel Orange Blood Orange IPA, you won’t regret it!
Address: 514 Baxter Avenue
Happy Hours: Monday through Thursday from 2-6
Falls City Brewery is located in the Phoenix Hill neighborhood of Louisville, otherwise known as NULU. Of all the breweries on our list, Falls City definitely has the most historical character, with a comeback story for the ages… After their original opening in 1905, Fall’s City rose to the top throughout their first few decades in business and achieved the status as Louisville’s most popular beer all throughout the 40’s and 50’s. Unfortunately, as the big beer companies began achieving national success, Falls City couldn’t keep up and officially closed in 1978.
In 2010, the brewery reopened its doors with the introduction of their English Style Pale Ale. Today, Falls City operates as one of the top 5 Local Louisville Breweries and brews 18 different craft beers. On location, the Falls City taproom features 12 of their 18 brews on a rotating draft. Try out our favorite, the Hipster Repellent IPA and then venture your way out to the outdoor beer garden- recently voted one of the best outdoor spaces in the city!
Like many of the other spots on our list of Top 5 Local Louisville Breweries, Falls City hosts a Trivia Night every Wednesday at 7pm. For a more out of the box event, subscribe to the Falls City newsletter for information on the breweries next Silent Disco Event, one of our favorite local events!
Address: 901 East Liberty Street
Happy Hour:
Nestled in between downtown Louisville and the Highlands you will find a towering grain silo, and behind that silo you will find one of the best breweries in town. Once a biscuit factory, Mile Wide planted its roots in Louisville in 2016 after a couple of real good friends came up with one big beer fueled idea. With a little bit of determination and a whole lot of work the brewery was born and named after the width of the Ohio river near location- Mile Wide!
Mile Wide Brewery consists of a 15 barrel brewing system that can be viewed from their taproom through a floor to ceiling glass wall. Enjoy one of Mile Wide’s 12 rotating drafts all the while watching some of your favorites be crafted. We all know that the snacks either make or break the party, and lucky for you- they’ve got that covered too! Mile Wide teamed up with Mac’s Dough House to open a second location right in their taproom, and their Neapolitan style pizzas are out of this world!
Mile Wide as well offers a weekly Family Feud style trivia game night each Thursday and a Silent Disco once a month- but with a space like theirs, anytime is the best time for a visit! Check out the Mile Wide front and back beer patios on the next sunny Louisville day to catch some rays while you’re catching a buzz with a breeze straight from the Ohio.
Address: 636 Barret Avenue
Happy Hours:
Wood and Limestone water are two of the key ingredients that go into crafting a good Kentucky bourbon, but they are also two of the most important components of the beers at Goodwood Brewing Company. Through the doors of Goodwood Brewing in the heart of Downtown Louisville, you will find a brewery that is is dedicated to making beers that have been touched by wood. Sometimes its reclaimed oak casks once used to house other forms of liquor and sometimes its seasoned hemp, poplar or ash- Regardless of the brew type, one thing’s for sure- if its Goodwood, it’s been aged in wood!
Unlike many other local distilleries, Goodwood offers visitors the opportunity to tour their brewery facility. Goodwood tours run every 30 minutes and walk ins are always welcome. For $10, you will receive a tour of the facility as well as a pint size beer of your choice. Find one you like? Stick around and hangout, but be sure to try out one of Goodwood’s delicious street tacos before heading home… chances are you’ll need it after a few Bourbon Barrel Stouts!
Our favorite time to pay a visit to Goodwood is on Tuesdays. Why? Because its $2 off Tuesday, and each and every beer is $2 off their regular price! Looking for some weekend fun? Dive into some real down home Kentucky tradition at the Bluegrass Jam held every Saturday afternoon from 3-6.
