Indianapolis has emerged as a craft beer lover’s paradise, boasting a vibrant and diverse brewing scene. The city’s breweries range from cozy taprooms to sprawling warehouses, each offering unique flavors and experiences. Visitors and locals alike can explore a wide array of beer styles, from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts and everything in between.
With over 50 breweries in the greater Indianapolis area, beer enthusiasts have plenty of options to satisfy their palates. Many of these establishments not only serve exceptional brews but also offer food pairings, live music, and other entertainment. The city’s beer culture has grown so significantly that it was recently voted a Top Five Beer City by USA Today readers.
For those looking to dive into the Indianapolis craft beer scene, the Indy Craft Pass provides an excellent starting point. This digital passport allows beer lovers to earn rewards while exploring various breweries across the city. From well-established favorites to up-and-coming microbreweries, Indianapolis offers a craft beer experience for every taste and preference.
The Rise of Craft Beer Culture in Indianapolis
Indianapolis has experienced a remarkable growth in its craft beer scene, transforming from a city with limited options to a thriving hub of brewing creativity. Local breweries have played a key role in shaping the city’s beer culture and identity.
Historical Context
Beer production in Indiana dates back to 1816, with the first brewing operations established in New Harmony and Richmond. Indianapolis joined the brewing landscape later, developing its own beer traditions. Pre-Prohibition, the city enjoyed a golden era of brewing, laying the foundation for future growth.
Early taverns and breweries played a crucial role in shaping Indianapolis’ beer culture. These establishments served as social hubs and contributed to the city’s evolving tastes and preferences. The legacy of these pioneer brewers set the stage for the modern craft beer revolution in Indianapolis.
Craft Beer Scene Evolution
The craft beer scene in Indianapolis has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. Local breweries have multiplied, each bringing unique flavors and styles to the market. This growth has positioned Indianapolis as a notable player in the national craft beer landscape.
In 2024, USA TODAY 10Best ranked Indianapolis as the 7th best beer city in the United States. This recognition highlights the city’s impressive progress in the craft beer industry. Indianapolis breweries are known for their innovation, creating distinctive recipes and collaborations that reflect local culture and history.
The city’s craft beer scene now offers a diverse range of options, from traditional styles to experimental brews. Many Indianapolis breweries draw inspiration from the city’s rich history, incorporating local themes and ingredients into their creations. This connection to local heritage has helped foster a strong sense of community around craft beer in Indianapolis.
Discovering Indianapolis Breweries
Indianapolis boasts a thriving craft beer scene with diverse breweries spread across its vibrant neighborhoods. From innovative brews to cozy taprooms, the city offers beer enthusiasts plenty to explore and savor.
Downtown Highlights
Sun King Brewery stands out as a downtown favorite. Founded in 2009, it’s become Indiana’s second-largest beer producer. Their spacious taproom offers a rotating selection of year-round and seasonal brews.
Metazoa Brewing Company combines great beer with animal welfare. They donate 5% of profits to animal and wildlife organizations. Beer lovers can enjoy their unique creations like the Kitten Slumber Party Stout.
Indiana City Brewing occupies a historic bottling house. They craft small-batch beers with creative names like Shadow Boxer Oatmeal Stout and Yacht Rock Wheat Ale.
Fountain Square Gems
Fountain Square Brewing Co. anchors the neighborhood’s beer scene. Their taproom features exposed brick walls and a laid-back vibe. Popular options include the Workingman’s Pilsner and Preacher’s Daughter Amber Ale.
Upland Brewing Co. opened a satellite taproom in Fountain Square. It offers a sleek, modern space to enjoy their award-winning sours and classic styles.
New Day Craft focuses on mead and cider. They use local ingredients to create unique flavors like the Washington’s Folly Peach Mead.
Broad Ripple Breweries
Broad Ripple Brewpub holds the title of Indiana’s oldest operating brewpub. Established in 1990, it offers a cozy English pub atmosphere. Their ESB (Extra Special Bitter) is a local favorite.
Triton Brewing Company operates a spacious taproom in Broad Ripple. Head brewer Jon Lang, one of Indiana’s most experienced, crafts a range of styles from IPAs to barrel-aged stouts.
HopCat, while not a brewery, deserves mention for its extensive craft beer selection. With 130 taps, it’s a beer lover’s paradise in the heart of Broad Ripple.
Exploring Mass Ave
St. Joseph Brewery occupies a former Catholic church. The stunning architecture provides a unique backdrop for enjoying their craft beers. Try the Confessional IPA or the Benevolent Belgian Blonde.
Centerpoint Brewing Company offers a modern taproom near Mass Ave. Their approachable styles cater to both craft beer novices and aficionados. The Blood Orange IPA is a crowd-pleaser.
Taxman Brewing Co. recently opened a taproom on Mass Ave. Known for their Belgian-inspired beers, they also offer a full food menu to complement their brews.
Noteworthy Brews and Breweries
Indianapolis boasts a vibrant craft beer scene with award-winning breweries, unique specialty beers, and innovative brewing companies. Local brewers craft a diverse range of styles, from traditional ales to experimental brews.
Award-Winning Breweries
Sun King Brewery stands out as Indianapolis’ largest brewery and the second-biggest in Indiana. Their 17,000-square-foot taproom offers 25 rotating seasonal and specialty brews. Sun King’s Sunlight Cream Ale has gained recognition for its smooth, balanced flavor profile.
Daredevil Brewing Co. has made a name for itself with its “aggressively fun” approach. The brewery has helped transform Speedway’s Main Street into a year-round destination for beer enthusiasts.
Indiana City Brewing has also garnered attention for its quality craft beers. Their commitment to traditional brewing techniques and innovative recipes has earned them accolades from beer critics and consumers alike.
Unique and Specialty Beers
Guggman Haus Brewing Co. specializes in German-style brews and has become renowned for its addictive sours. Beer aficionados flock to their taproom to sample these distinctive offerings.
Chilly Water Brewing Company has crafted over 80 types of beer in its decade-long history. Their tap list always features 12 different varieties, ensuring a diverse selection for patrons.
Deviate Brewing lives up to its name by creating unconventional beers that push the boundaries of traditional brewing. Their experimental approach results in unique flavor combinations that appeal to adventurous beer drinkers.
Innovative Brewing Companies
The Tap Brewery and Craft Beer Bar on Mass Ave boasts one of the state’s largest selections of small-batch brews. With 90 taps, including 20 original house-brewed beers, they offer an impressive variety.
The Tap also experiments with blended drafts, combining multiple beers to create new flavor profiles. Their innovative approach extends to beer shots, providing a unique tasting experience.
Indianapolis’ craft beer scene continues to evolve, with brewers constantly pushing boundaries. From traditional stouts and IPAs to artisanal creations, the city’s breweries offer something for every palate.
Experience More Than Just Beer
Indianapolis breweries offer diverse experiences beyond simply tasting great craft beers. Many taprooms and brewpubs combine quality brews with entertainment and culinary delights.
Taprooms with Live Music
Several Indianapolis taprooms feature live music to enhance the beer-drinking experience. Sun King Brewery hosts local bands on weekends, creating a lively atmosphere for patrons. Metazoa Brewing Company offers acoustic sets on their patio during warmer months.
Chilly Water Brewing Company incorporates music into its very name and concept. The taproom regularly showcases singer-songwriters and small ensembles. Indiana City Brewing transforms its warehouse space into a makeshift concert venue for special events.
Brewpubs and Food Pairings
Many Indianapolis breweries have expanded into full-service brewpubs, pairing their beers with delicious food options. Fountain Square Brewery operates a kitchen serving elevated pub fare designed to complement their brews.
Daredevil Brewing Co. partners with local food trucks to offer rotating cuisine options. Their spacious taproom provides ample seating for enjoying meals with beer flights.
Black Acre Brewing Company runs a gastropub in Irvington, featuring farm-to-table dishes that pair perfectly with their craft beers. The menu changes seasonally to highlight fresh, local ingredients.
Craft Beer Events and Festivals
Indianapolis boasts a vibrant craft beer scene with numerous events and festivals throughout the year. These gatherings showcase the city’s brewing talent and offer opportunities to sample a wide variety of local and regional beers.
Great American Beer Festival
The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) is a premier event for craft beer enthusiasts. While not held in Indianapolis, many local breweries participate and have won awards at this prestigious competition. The festival features thousands of beers from hundreds of breweries across the United States.
Indianapolis breweries often send their best brews to compete at GABF. These entries highlight the city’s diverse beer styles and brewing expertise. Winning a medal at GABF can significantly boost a brewery’s reputation and visibility in the craft beer community.
Beer Tasting and Tours
Indianapolis offers various beer tasting events and brewery tours for locals and visitors alike. The Indiana Microbrewers Festival, organized by the Brewers of Indiana Guild, is one of the state’s largest and oldest beer festivals. It features a vast selection of craft beers from Indiana breweries.
Many Indianapolis breweries host their own tasting events and tours. These experiences provide insights into the brewing process and allow visitors to sample fresh, locally-made beers. Some popular options include guided tastings, food pairings, and behind-the-scenes tours of brewing facilities.
Craft beer enthusiasts can also join organized brewery tours that visit multiple locations. These tours often include transportation, allowing participants to safely sample beers from different breweries across the city.
Supporting Local: Where to Buy Craft Beer
Indianapolis offers numerous options for purchasing locally crafted beers. From dedicated bottle shops to specialty markets, beer enthusiasts can find a wide selection of regional brews to enjoy at home.
Local Bottle Shops
Parti-Pak Liquors stands out as a top destination for craft beer in Indianapolis. Their extensive collection features local and regional offerings. The knowledgeable staff can provide recommendations based on individual preferences.
Crown Liquors, with multiple locations across the city, boasts an impressive array of craft beers. They regularly stock limited releases and seasonal varieties from Indiana breweries.
Payless Liquors offers competitive prices on a diverse selection of craft beers. Beer lovers can find both popular local brands and lesser-known microbrews on their shelves.
Elite Beverages and Big Red Liquors also carry a solid range of craft beers, including many Indianapolis-based options.
Markets and Specialty Stores
Goose the Market, known for its artisanal foods, also features a curated selection of craft beers. Visitors can discover unique local brews alongside gourmet meats and cheeses.
Whole Foods Market maintains a dedicated craft beer section with an emphasis on local and regional options. They frequently rotate their stock to showcase seasonal releases.
Great Fermentations caters to homebrewers but also sells a variety of craft beers. It’s an excellent spot to find ingredients for brewing as well as finished products from local makers.
The Bottle Shoppe focuses on craft and imported beers. Their selection includes hard-to-find local brews and limited editions from Indianapolis breweries.
Craft Beer Advocacy and Education
Indianapolis boasts a thriving craft beer scene with passionate advocates and educators. The city offers numerous opportunities for beer enthusiasts to deepen their knowledge and skills through community groups and hands-on learning experiences.
Home Brewing Communities
Indianapolis has several active home brewing clubs that bring together beer aficionados. The Foam Blowers of Indiana, established in 1978, is one of the oldest and largest. They organize monthly meetings, brewing competitions, and educational events.
The Circle City Zymurgy club focuses on all aspects of fermentation, including beer, wine, and mead making. Members share recipes, techniques, and equipment recommendations. Both clubs welcome beginners and experienced brewers alike.
Local craft breweries often support these communities by hosting meetings, offering discounts on supplies, and providing expert guidance. This collaboration strengthens the bond between professional and amateur brewers in Indianapolis.
Brewing Workshops and Classes
Indianapolis craft breweries frequently offer educational workshops for those interested in the brewing process. Sun King Brewery hosts “Brew Academy” sessions covering topics like ingredient selection and flavor profiling. Attendees get hands-on experience with professional brewing equipment.
Great Fermentations, a homebrew supply store, conducts regular brewing classes for all skill levels. Their “Introduction to All-Grain Brewing” course is particularly popular among beginners.
The Brewers of Indiana Guild organizes an annual Indiana Craft Brewers Conference. This event features seminars on brewing techniques, business operations, and industry trends. It provides valuable networking opportunities for aspiring brewers and industry professionals.
Closing Thoughts: Future of Indianapolis Craft Beer
Indianapolis craft beer scene faces both opportunities and challenges. Some breweries are expanding, while others have closed their doors. This reflects broader industry trends as consumer preferences evolve.
Local brewers must adapt to changing tastes and market conditions. Innovation in flavors, styles, and brewing techniques will be key to attracting new customers and retaining loyal fans.
Collaboration between breweries may increase, fostering a sense of community. This could lead to unique limited-edition releases and special events that showcase Indianapolis beer culture.
Economic factors will play a crucial role. Rising costs of ingredients and equipment may impact smaller operations. Breweries that can manage expenses while maintaining quality are likely to thrive.
The focus on taproom experiences is expected to grow. Breweries may invest more in creating inviting spaces and hosting events to draw patrons seeking social connections beyond just drinking beer.
Distribution strategies will continue to evolve. Some breweries may focus on hyperlocal sales, while others might seek wider regional distribution to increase brand awareness and sales volume.
Sustainability practices could become more prominent. Breweries adopting eco-friendly methods may appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and potentially reduce long-term operational costs.
The future of Indianapolis craft beer remains dynamic. Breweries that stay attuned to consumer preferences, maintain quality, and adapt to market changes are poised for success in the coming years.
