The Best Craft Beer Spots In Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee, is known for its thriving craft beer scene, with new breweries opening or expanding regularly. Beer lovers can visit several breweries and taprooms in the city, including Ghost River Brewing, Wiseacre Brewing Co., and Memphis Made Brewing Co. In addition, there are several restaurants and bars that offer a wide range of craft beers on tap, such as Bosco's Squared in Overton Square, Beale Street Brewing Co., and Soul & Spirits Brewery. For those looking to explore the local craft beer scene, Memphis offers a variety of options, from well-known breweries to hidden gems, ensuring that visitors can always find a new brew to enjoy.

Breweries and taprooms

Memphis is home to a thriving craft beer scene, with new breweries and taprooms opening regularly. The city's first brewpub, Boscos, opened in Germantown in 1992, helping to change outdated beer laws in Tennessee. Since then, the craft beer scene in Memphis has been growing in size and sophistication.

Ghost River Brewing

Ghost River Brewing, located at 827 S Main St & 341 Beale St, was founded in 2007 and was Memphis's first craft brewery. It crafts beer using water from the Memphis Sands Aquifer. Both the South Main and Beale Street taprooms feature beautiful outdoor beer gardens with music stages and kitchens serving food and drinks for non-beer lovers. Ghost River Golden Ale and Grindhouse Cream Ale are their signature brews, and Ghost River Gold was the first widely available local craft beer in Memphis.

Wiseacre Brewing Co.

Wiseacre Brewing Co. has two taprooms in Memphis. The original taproom on Broad Avenue offers limited indoor seating and a large outdoor seating area. The downtown taproom, which opened in 2020, offers ample indoor and outdoor seating, a sculpture garden, and a pizza spot called Little Bettie. Wiseacre Brewing Co. offers Saturday tours and a rotating selection of seasonal brews, along with award-winning beers like the Tiny Bomb Pilsner and Ananda IPA.

Memphis Made Brewing Co.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. is located at 16 S. Lauderdale St in The Ravine and features a taproom open from Wednesday to Sunday. They offer a selection of craft beers, including the Brownstone beer, along with a patio area and food trucks.

Flyway Memphis

Flyway Memphis, formerly known as High Cotton, is located in the Edge District near Downtown Memphis. It is just a short distance from Sun Studio, where Elvis Presley made his first recordings. Flyway offers year-round beers like the local favourites High Cotton Mexican Lager and Scottish Ale, along with accessible options like the Bluewing Blueberry Wheat.

Soul & Spirits Brewery

Soul & Spirits Brewery in Uptown, Memphis, offers a wide selection of Memphis-inspired craft brews. Their spacious taproom features long benches, a large bar, a game area, and a quiet room. The indoor space is dog-friendly.

Pubs and restaurants

If you're looking for pubs and restaurants that serve craft beer in Memphis, you're in luck! The city has a thriving beer scene with new breweries and craft beer pubs opening regularly.

One of the most well-known craft beer pubs in Memphis is Bosco's Squared in Overton Square. Dubbed "the restaurant for beer lovers," Bosco's crafts its own unique beers and offers a great dining experience to match. They serve lunch and dinner on weekdays and breakfast on Saturdays and brunch on Sundays. Beale Street Brewing Co. is another great option, although they don't have a taproom, you can buy their beers at local shops and bars.

For those looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, the Flyway Memphis taproom and brewpub in the Edge District is a great choice. It's located near Downtown Memphis and features an outdoor beer garden, music stage, and a kitchen. Their beers are crafted using water from the Memphis Sands Aquifer, and their signature brews include the Flyway Light and Bluewing Blueberry Wheat.

Wiseacre Brewing Co. is another popular option, with two taprooms offering indoor and outdoor seating. Their downtown taproom is a large-scale brewing facility with a pizza spot, Little Bettie, serving award-winning beers like the Tiny Bomb Pilsner and Ananda IPA. Memphis Made Brewing Co., located in The Ravine, also has a taproom open Wednesdays through Sundays, with expanded outdoor seating.

Other notable mentions include Ghost River Brewing, with taprooms on South Main and Beale Street, both featuring beautiful outdoor beer gardens. They also craft their beers using water from the Memphis Sands Aquifer and offer signature brews like the Ghost River Golden Ale. High Cotton Brewing, located in the Edge District near downtown, is also a great choice, with indoor seating and a covered breezeway. They are connected to the Edge Alley cafe, and their beers are available for purchase to-go.

Bars and clubs

Bosco's Squared

Bosco's Squared in Overton Square has been dubbed "the restaurant for beer lovers". They craft their own brews and have a great dining menu to match. They were the first place in town to brew craft beer on a commercial scale, before taprooms were even legal in Tennessee. You can either drink at the bar or on the patio, or fill up a growler to take home. They serve lunch and dinner on weekdays, plus Saturday breakfast and Sunday brunch.

Ghost River Brewing

Ghost River Brewing has two taprooms, one on South Main and one on Beale Street. Both feature beautiful outdoor beer gardens with music stages, plus kitchens for food. Ghost River was founded in 2007 and was Memphis's first craft brewery. It was started by the company behind Boscos. Their signature brews include the Ghost River Golden Ale and Grindhouse Cream Ale. They also serve liquor and wine.

Wiseacre Brewing Co.

Wiseacre's downtown taproom is a large-scale brewing facility with ample indoor and outdoor seating. They offer Saturday tours and are home to the pizza spot Little Bettie. Try their award-winning Tiny Bomb Pilsner or Ananda IPA, along with a rotating selection of seasonal brews.

Memphis Made Brewing Co.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. has a taproom in The Ravine that's open Wednesdays through Sundays. They also have expanded outdoor seating and food trucks.

Flyway Memphis

Flyway Memphis is located in the Edge District near Downtown Memphis. Their taproom is just a stone's throw from Sun Studio, where Elvis Presley made his first recordings. Local favourites include the High Cotton Mexican Lager and Scottish Ale, but their top-selling beer is the Bluewing Blueberry Wheat, which is accessible for people who are new to craft beer. They also have a restaurant space next to the taproom.

Mississippi Ale House

Mississippi Ale House opened as a craft beer taproom in 2017 and now has 30 taps. They also distribute specialty beers in the Memphis market under the "Brewlab" label.

Bottles and cans

Beale Street Brewing Co.

Beale Street Brewing Co. does not have a taproom, but you can find their craft beers at local shops and bars in Memphis. Their brews are worth seeking out, as they are unique to the city and can't be found anywhere else. Beale Street Brewing Co. is a great option for those who want to support local businesses and enjoy a taste of Memphis.

Boscos

Boscos, located on Madison Avenue, is a true brewpub that crafts and sells its own unique beers onsite. You can enjoy their beers at the bar or with a meal in their restaurant, or fill up a growler to take home. Boscos was the first place in Memphis to brew craft beer on a commercial scale and has been a pioneer in the city's craft beer scene.

Ghost River Brewing

Ghost River Brewing, located on South Main Street and Beale Street, offers a range of craft beers crafted with water from the Memphis Sands Aquifer. Their signature brews, including the Ghost River Golden Ale and Grindhouse Cream Ale, can likely be found in bottles and cans at their taprooms or local retailers. Ghost River Brewing was founded in 2007 and has beautiful outdoor beer gardens, making it a great spot to visit in person as well.

Wiseacre Brewing Co.

Wiseacre Brewing Co., with taprooms on Broad Avenue and downtown, offers a range of award-winning beers such as the Tiny Bomb Pilsner and Ananda IPA. They have ample indoor and outdoor seating and also offer beer to go, making it convenient for those who want to enjoy their craft beers at home. Wiseacre Brewing Co. is a great option for those who want to experience the beer and the ambiance.

Memphis Made Brewing Co.

Memphis Made Brewing Co., located in The Ravine, has a taproom open Wednesdays through Sundays. They offer a range of craft beers that can likely be purchased by the bottle or can to enjoy at home. Memphis Made Brewing Co. is a popular choice for craft beer enthusiasts in the city.

These locations offer a great selection of craft beer bottles and cans in Memphis, allowing you to enjoy a taste of the city's thriving beer scene from the comfort of your own home or on your travels.

Events and festivals

Memphis is a great place for craft beer enthusiasts, with a thriving beer scene and new breweries opening or expanding. The city's artesian wells produce crisp water that has been filtered for 2000 years, contributing to the creation of some of the best craft beers.

Memphis hosts several events and festivals throughout the year that celebrate craft beer and local breweries. Here are some of the notable ones:

Memphis Brewfest

Memphis Brewfest is an annual spring event held in downtown Memphis. Breweries and craft beer enthusiasts come together to sample fresh beers in various colours, tastes, and styles. The event organisers limit the number of attendees to ensure everyone has a chance to taste the beers. In 2023, the festival was held at the Memphis Sports + Events Center.

Art on Tap

Hosted by the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Art on Tap is an annual event that showcases local and regional beers. The event features beers from Wiseacre, High Cotton Brewing, Abita, Goose Island, Yazoo, and more. In addition to beer tastings, attendees can enjoy food from local restaurants and live music, all included in the ticket price.

Cooper-Young Beerfest

This annual festival takes place in Midtown Memphis during the fall season. Dozens of small craft brewers gather for a one-day regional celebration of beer. The organisers focus on ensuring a smooth experience, limiting ticket sales to prevent overcrowding. Attendees can taste a wide range of beers and learn from industry experts.

Taste the Rarity

Hosted by Wiseacre Brewery in April, this invitational beer festival showcases over 30 breweries from across the country. The event features live music, backyard games, and food trucks. Tickets typically range from $50 to $60 and include a commemorative taster glass.

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