The Craft Beer Drinker's Guide To A Weekend in Louisville, KY
Louisville (pronounced Loo-uh-vool... we think?) is known for a lot of things: Being the largest city in Kentucky, playing host to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, absolutely dripping with bourbon, crafting the infamous Louisville Slugger that Carrie Underwood used to beat her cheating ex-boyfriend's car, etc.
But one thing we don't think Louisville gets quite enough credit for? Its status as an incredible destination for craft beer drinkers.
To be honest, when the folks at Louisville Ale Trail invited us to join them for Louisville Beer Week, we weren't sure what to expect aside from a damn good time at the Tailspin Ale Fest. But once we arrived, we were thrilled to learn just how many awesome breweries the city of Louisville, KY is actually home to.
We all know that different breweries shine for different reasons. Some are known for an extensive IPA collection, some slay the sour game, some have massive outdoor spaces, some offer cool community events and workouts... The list goes on. So as we explored Louisville, we took notes on which breweries we'd recommend for different craft beer drinking experiences. Keep scrolling for the final results of that research, aka a guide to which breweries you should visit the next time you make your way to Louisville, KY.
Top Louisville Breweries For...
Variety
These Louisville breweries have a little something for everyone.
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Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Crispy Bois
If you're a lager lover or prefer pilsners, these spots are for you.
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Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
IPAs
Calling all hop heads, whether you like hazy NEIPAs or dank West Coasters.
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Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Sours
Pucker up, buttercup— you can find the funky beers you love at these breweries.
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Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Ambiance
We're talking aesthetic appeal. These spots are begging to be 'grammed.
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Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Outdoor Area
Patios, beer gardens, rooftops, big deck energy... These breweries have it covered.
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Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Doggos
Dog-friendly breweries in Louisville—pups not just welcome, but encouraged.
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Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Workouts/Fitness Events
So you can Work For Your Beer—get it?
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Events | Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Events | Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Entertainment
Live music, trivia, and more (in case just drinking great beer isn't enough for you).
Events | Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Events | Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Bourbon
Louisville breweries that also serve bourbon. Bottoms up.
Bourbon | Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Bourbon | Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Bourbon | Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Bites
Who's hungry? Louisville breweries that have food service.
Food | Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Food | Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Food | Tap List | Directions | FB | IG
Looking for more?
We're traveling beer drinkers, friends—which means we know a little bit about a lot of craft beer cities. If you're searching for an in-depth guide to the best breweries in Louisville (or you wanna visit 'em all!), we recommend hitting up the fellas at Louisville Ale Trail. And definitely get yourself a Louisville Ale Trail Passport while you're at it, too. Gotta drink 'em all, right?