Louisville's Craft Beer Scene

Did you know that during the late 1800s and early 1900s, Louisville was a major southeastern brewing hub, competing with the likes of midwestern giants Milwaukee and St. Louis?

It’s true. Back then, it was challenging to walk six blocks through the city without coming across a brewery. It was all due to an influx of German immigrants leading to the introduction of lager brewing here. A century later, Louisville’s brewing scene is again rising, with new breweries opening each year and existing breweries raising the bar ever higher.

Louisville’s beer buzz is not only found in the breweries but also in retail and beer-forward independent watering holes. Delight your sudsy senses at the neighborhood tavern Commonwealth Tap. Feel free to immerse yourself in a beer lover’s mecca where you grab a cold one from a vintage fridge that gets poured into THE perfect glass for your pick at Sergio’s World Beers. These bars pour beers from local, national and international breweries and stock some of the rarest brews in the world.

At the Grales you can worship at the altar of beer in a repurposed church, Holy Grale; partake in Koln-style kolsch service in the Gralegarten; enjoy an espresso & coffee bar all day and grab a room for the night at Gralehaus B&B.

Looking for a way to experience the craft beer scene, learn a little history and let someone else do the driving?

Check out the curated beer tours at Derby City Brew Tours or Louisville Brew Bus. Or pedal your way through downtown Louisville on the 15-person bicycle tour with The Thirsty Pedaler.