- Q: What makes Kentucky's breweries special?
- A: Kentucky is home to a large number of breweries, offering something for every palate.
- Q: What types of brews can you find in Kentucky breweries?
- A: You can find breweries with traditional flavors or visit ones that get creative by infusing fruits you would never think belong in a beer.
- Q: Do Kentucky breweries offer a variety of brews?
- A: Many of the best Kentucky breweries offer both traditional and creative brews to appeal to a wider audience.
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1. Blue Stallion Brewing Co.
Blue Stallion Brewing Co. had five founders in winter 2011 when it opened. They had the goal of offering something more than just the IPA varieties that other craft beers tend to have. Instead, they chose to brew traditional beer styles from Europe, with the specialty of authentic British ales and German lagers that are made using traditional ingredients and brewing techniques. The taproom at Blue Stallion Brewing Co. has a custom wood bar, 24 beer taps, comfortable seating, a shuffle board, dart boards, a pinball machine, a billiard table, outdoor patio seating, and a semi-private loft area. On Mondays through Saturdays, Dad’s Favorites Deli serves cheese spreads, sandwiches, and homemade soups. Sundays feature a rotating range of food trucks so there is always food around. Minors can come with a guardian and dogs are welcome as long as they are on the leash and well-behaved. If you like one of the brews, fill up a growler to take home. There are also dozens of local restaurants and lounges where you can find the Blue Stallion Brewing Co. brews.
610 W. Third Street, Lexington, KY, Phone: 877-928-2337
2. Alexandria Brewing Company
Alexandria Brewing Company was the brainchild of Andy Reynolds, the head brewer who discovered that brewing helped his mind feel at ease following his tours in Iraq. He attended the Siebel Institute of Technology, the most respected and oldest brewing institution in the country, in 2015 and then opened the company in his wife’s hometown. The couple owns land, which was the site of the first hops Andy grew. The taproom at Alexandria Brewing Company features regulars on draft plus seasonal beers and one-off experiments. Regulars include the JWR Tripel, Ann’s Sweet White Ale, All Up in Your Berliner – Berliner Style Wheat Beer, and Cecilia’s Grace. There are also ten rotating releases and seasonal brews plus five one-off releases and charity beers. The brewery is also working on distribution of kegged beer throughout greater Cincinnati. Check the brewing company’s calendar for upcoming events such as yoga, comedy, running, and more.
7926 Alexandria Pike, Ste 1, Alexandria, KY, Phone: 859-694-6999
3. 3rd Turn Brewing
3rd Turn Brewing is actually one of two locations by the company, with the other being 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens in Crestwood. 3rd Turn Brewing is within the area’s historic Jeffersontown Gaslight District and sits in a restored church from 1878. There are 20 taps where you can find brews from 3rd Turn as well as other regional breweries. To offer a nice variety, the brewery has weekly rotations, but they always include ten of their own brews and ten from others. There is no kitchen at 3rd Turn Brewing but they have a bring your own food policy so feel free to bring along whatever you want to enjoy while you drink your favorite brew. They also have food truck Fridays so you can get a meal or snack on site while drinking. Those who prefer something other than craft beer can also get a frozen drink, wine, or bourbon. The site is also dog-friendly, both inside and out so your pooch does not have to stay at home.
10408 Watterson Trail, Louisville, KY, Phone: 502-482-3373
4. Akasha Brewing Company
Akasha Brewing Company is the hard work of Rick Stidham and Jerry Nawrocki, with more than 20 years of experience brewing beer. The two started by brewing five-gallon batches in their home kitchen and now make 15 barrels at once, serving 15 of their own brewed-on-site beers. The taproom has a nice variety of unfiltered, vegan-friendly, unpasteurized beers with 24 taps on the draft wall. Those who do not drink will also find plenty of non-alcoholic options such as the locally-brewed Elixir Kombucha. The taproom has board games and arcade games plus outdoor seating, some TVs, and a 100-inch video projector. Well-behaved dogs are welcome. The Akasha Brewing Company occasionally hosts pop-up dinners and brunches and invites you to bring food over from the neighboring Grind Burger Kitchen or Feast BBQ. Minors are welcome with a legal guardian and will appreciate the snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.
909 East Market Street, Suite 700, Louisville, KY, Phone: 502-742-7770
5. Braxton Brewing Company
Braxton Brewing Company has two locations. The Taproom in Covington is the original location with Braxton Labs in Bellevue having been added later with 40 tap handles. Both locations have special events every week. The core brews represent a good amount of variety, including a golden cream ale, an India pale ale, a Dortmunder lager, and a tropical stout. There are also over a dozen brews in the Garage Series, five in the Heritage Series, and a Lab beer with a limited release. Keep your eyes peeled for one of the 12 seasonal beers as well. In addition to their craft beers, Braxton Brewing Company also makes Starter Coffee, which you can also find at their Taproom. Attend one of the regular events at either location of Braxton Brewing Company. The Taproom has Last Call Cincinnati trivia on Tuesdays, live music three nights a week, and Firkin Friday on the last Friday of each month. Braxton Labs has Rare Beer Mondays and a Beer Garden with live music on Fridays. In addition to the brews, the Taproom lets you order in food from a participating nearby restaurant or bring your own food with you.
27 W 7th St, Covington, KY, Phone: 859-261-5600
6. Country Boy Brewing
Country Boy Brewing brews and serves a range of beers for visitors to enjoy. The brewery hosts and attends events regularly, such as the Tri-County Craft Beer Fest. Nearly every day during the week will have something special going on, such as trivia on Mondays, yoga on Tuesdays, and live music on various days. Don’t worry about going hungry while enjoying your handcrafted brews since country Boy Brewing also coordinates with food trucks multiple nights every week. You can keep up with their schedule via their Facebook page, where they tend to post the entire event schedule for the upcoming week. If you are a big fan of the brewery, you can even get official gear, such as clothing, accessories, and barware.
108 Corporate Blvd., Georgetown, KY, Phone: 502-709-9943
7. Darkness Brewing
At Darkness Brewing, you will find a team with a passion for beer in a range of styles and flavors. The brewers have always loved creating anything that caught their interest, whether it was a traditional beer, an 11-percent super stout, or a combination of pineapple and chipotle pepper. The brewing company produces 21 different beers, ranging from the Hop Head Nebula to Man on the Moo to Coffee Anomaly. All are creatively named and you can find options close to what you expect like Beach Park Wheat to more unusual combinations like Thanks a’ Latte. The taproom was designed to create an inviting atmosphere perfect for socialization and feeling like a guest. There are multiple types of seating to choose from along with music, art, and games. This makes it the ideal destination for individuals or groups who want to enjoy beer. You can even reserve the private lounge area with its ping pong table.
224 Fairfield Ave, Bellevue, KY, Phone: 859-815-8375
8. Dry Ground Brewing Company
Dry Ground Brewing Company is on the location where Luther Carson built his new Coca-Cola bottling plant following the Ohio River flooding of 1937. The name comes from Mr. Luther’s escape in an empty keg that housed syrup and said that if he reached dry ground, he would build his bottling plant there. Now, Dry Ground Brewing Company is the first craft brewery in Paducah with 28 craft beers available on tap, which includes more than ten house-brewed beers. Some of the featured beers at Dry Ground Brewing Company are Preacher Pils, Adam’s Beard, and ’37 Flood which are a pilsner, Belgian tripel, and American IPA, respectively. Other brews include a double IPA, a smoked ale with blueberries, a black IPA, and a saison. In addition to the drinks, you can find regular events at the brewery, including the “Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz” and live music. There are also monthly Open Mic Comedy Nights at the brewing company.
3121 Broadway Street, Paducah, KY, Phone: 270-201-2096
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