Jackson, Mississippi’s craft beer scene offers beer enthusiasts a diverse selection of unique local brews. The city’s breweries and taprooms combine tradition and innovation to create distinctive flavors that capture the essence of the region. From well-established breweries to newer craft beer spots, Jackson provides a range of options for those seeking to explore the local beer culture.
Visitors and residents alike can discover a variety of craft beer experiences in Jackson. The city’s industrial area hosts notable breweries like Bicentennial Beer Company, known for its wide selection of craft brews, macro beers, and ciders. Beer lovers can also find an extensive array of locally sourced and individually crafted beers at popular venues like The Bulldog.
Jackson’s craft beer scene continues to evolve, with new flavors and brewing techniques emerging alongside traditional favorites. This dynamic environment encourages both brewers and consumers to experiment with different styles and ingredients, fostering a vibrant community centered around the appreciation of quality craft beer.
History of Craft Beer in Jackson
Jackson’s craft beer scene has evolved significantly over the past decade. The city’s journey into the world of craft brewing began in earnest after Mississippi passed legislation in 2012 allowing higher alcohol content in beer.
This legal change paved the way for local breweries to experiment with a wider range of styles and flavors. Lucky Town Brewing Company emerged as Jackson’s first brewery, opening its doors shortly after the new laws took effect.
Lucky Town quickly became a local favorite, offering unique craft brews that captured the essence of Jackson. Their success inspired other entrepreneurs to enter the market, leading to a small but vibrant craft beer community in the city.
Unfortunately, Lucky Town Brewing Co. closed its operations in 2019, marking the end of an era for Jackson’s craft beer pioneers. Despite this setback, the city’s appetite for craft brews continued to grow.
New breweries and taprooms have since emerged, carrying on the legacy of craft beer in Jackson. These establishments blend traditional brewing techniques with innovative flavors, creating a diverse range of options for local beer enthusiasts.
Today, Jackson’s craft beer scene continues to evolve, with brewers pushing boundaries and introducing residents to new and exciting flavors. The city’s craft beer history, though relatively short, has laid a strong foundation for future growth and creativity in the industry.
Exploring the Local Breweries
Jackson’s craft beer scene offers a diverse range of unique flavors and styles. Local breweries blend traditional techniques with innovative approaches, creating distinct brews that reflect the city’s character.
Lucky Town Brewing Company
Lucky Town Brewing Company pioneered Jackson’s craft beer movement. Founded in 2011, it quickly gained a reputation for bold, flavorful brews. Their taproom provides a cozy atmosphere for sampling their signature beers.
Lucky Town’s core lineup includes the Ballistic Blonde, a crisp American blonde ale, and the Flare Incident, a hoppy oatmeal stout. They also offer seasonal releases that showcase creative ingredient combinations.
The brewery hosts regular events, including live music and food truck nights. Tours are available on weekends, giving visitors insight into the brewing process.
Fertile Ground Beer Co
Fertile Ground Beer Co opened in 2019, bringing fresh energy to Jackson’s beer scene. Located in the Belhaven neighborhood, their taproom features a modern industrial design with ample outdoor seating.
Their beer selection emphasizes approachable styles with local twists. Popular options include the Belhaven Bridge IPA and the Eastover Pilsner. Fertile Ground also experiments with small-batch releases.
The brewery collaborates with local artists and businesses, hosting pop-up events and markets. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their brewing practices and packaging choices.
Bicentennial Beer Company
Bicentennial Beer Company offers a wide range of craft brews in Jackson’s industrial area. Their spacious taproom provides a relaxed setting for beer enthusiasts to explore their diverse selection.
Signature beers include the Fondren IPA and the State Street Stout. Bicentennial also serves guest taps, showcasing other local and regional breweries.
The brewery hosts trivia nights and food truck events. Their knowledgeable staff offers guided tastings to help visitors navigate their extensive beer menu.
Guide to Jackson’s Craft Beer Bars
Jackson boasts several excellent craft beer bars offering diverse selections and unique atmospheres. These establishments provide beer enthusiasts with opportunities to explore local and regional brews in welcoming environments.
The Bulldog
The Bulldog stands out as a premier craft beer destination in Jackson. With over 60 rotating taps, this bar offers an extensive selection of local, regional, and international brews. Beer aficionados can enjoy flights to sample multiple offerings.
The bar’s cozy interior features wood accents and ample seating. An outdoor patio provides a relaxed setting for socializing. The Bulldog hosts regular events, including tap takeovers and beer release parties.
Food options complement the beer selection, with a menu featuring pub favorites like burgers and wings. The knowledgeable staff can provide recommendations based on patrons’ preferences.
Fondren Public
Fondren Public combines a neighborhood bar atmosphere with an impressive craft beer lineup. Located in the trendy Fondren district, this establishment offers 24 rotating taps focusing on regional and national craft brews.
The bar’s industrial-chic decor creates a modern ambiance. A spacious outdoor area includes picnic tables and yard games, perfect for group gatherings. Fondren Public regularly hosts trivia nights and live music events.
Beer enthusiasts appreciate the bar’s commitment to serving proper pours in style-appropriate glassware. The menu features elevated bar snacks and shareable plates that pair well with the beer selection.
LD’s Beer Run
LD’s Beer Run serves as both a craft beer bar and a retail shop. This unique concept allows patrons to enjoy drinks on-site or purchase bottles and cans to go. The bar offers 12 rotating taps, showcasing local Mississippi breweries alongside national craft brands.
The casual, no-frills atmosphere focuses on the beer experience. Knowledgeable staff members provide insights into new releases and rare finds. LD’s hosts regular tasting events, allowing customers to sample new brews before purchasing.
A cooler section displays an extensive selection of packaged beers. This setup enables patrons to create their own mixed six-packs, encouraging exploration of different styles and breweries.
Tasting Notes: Popular Beer Styles
Jackson’s craft beer scene offers a diverse range of styles to suit every palate. From hoppy IPAs to rich stouts and crisp lagers, local breweries showcase their skill in crafting unique and flavorful beers.
IPAs and Pale Ales
IPAs dominate the craft beer landscape in Jackson. These hop-forward brews feature citrusy, piney, and tropical flavors. Local breweries like Bicentennial Beer Company experiment with different hop varieties to create unique flavor profiles. Pale ales offer a more balanced approach, with a moderate hop presence and subtle malt backbone.
Some popular IPAs in Jackson include:
- West Coast IPAs: Bold, bitter, with grapefruit and pine notes
- New England IPAs: Hazy, juicy, with tropical fruit flavors
- Session IPAs: Lower alcohol content, easy-drinking
Stouts and Sours
Rich, dark stouts and tart, refreshing sours provide contrast to hop-heavy styles. Jackson breweries craft a variety of stouts, from dry Irish-style to sweet milk stouts. Sour beers, gaining popularity, offer a tangy, acidic profile that appeals to adventurous drinkers.
Notable stout and sour styles found in Jackson:
- Imperial Stouts: High alcohol content, intense roasted flavors
- Barrel-aged Stouts: Aged in whiskey or bourbon barrels
- Kettle Sours: Quick-soured beers with fruit additions
- Wild Ales: Fermented with wild yeast for complex flavors
Pilsners and Lagers
Crisp, clean lagers and pilsners provide a refreshing alternative to heavier craft styles. These beers showcase the brewer’s technical skill, as flaws are harder to hide in lighter styles. Jackson breweries offer traditional German-style pilsners and American lagers with a craft twist.
Popular lager styles in Jackson include:
- Czech Pilsners: Spicy hop character, crisp finish
- Helles Lagers: Subtle maltiness, light body
- Vienna Lagers: Toasty malt flavors, amber color
- Seasonal Lagers: Oktoberfest and bock styles in fall and winter
Pairing Food with Craft Beer
Jackson’s craft beer scene offers excellent opportunities to explore food and beer pairings. Local breweries and restaurants showcase how different beer styles complement various cuisines, enhancing the dining experience.
BBQ and Stout Pairings
The rich, smoky flavors of Jackson’s BBQ dishes pair exceptionally well with robust stouts. The roasted malt character of stouts complements the charred notes in barbecued meats. Try pairing a locally brewed coffee stout with beef brisket for a harmonious blend of flavors.
Pulled pork sandwiches find an ideal match in chocolate stouts, as the beer’s subtle sweetness balances the tangy BBQ sauce. For spicier BBQ dishes, opt for an oatmeal stout to provide a creamy texture that soothes the palate.
Salads and Crisp Lagers
Light, refreshing salads call for equally crisp and clean beers. Pilsners and blonde ales make excellent companions to garden-fresh greens. A local brewery’s German-style pilsner can enhance the flavors of a Caesar salad, its subtle hop bitterness cutting through the creamy dressing.
For fruit-based salads, consider pairing with a wheat beer or hefeweizen. The beer’s fruity esters complement the sweet notes in the salad while providing a refreshing contrast.
Gourmet Sandwiches and IPAs
Jackson’s craft beer scene boasts a variety of IPAs that pair wonderfully with gourmet sandwiches. The hop-forward nature of IPAs stands up well to bold sandwich flavors. A classic West Coast IPA complements a spicy chicken sandwich, its citrusy hop profile balancing the heat.
For a grilled vegetable panini, try a session IPA. Its lower alcohol content and lighter body won’t overpower the delicate vegetable flavors. Beef-based sandwiches, like a hearty Reuben, find a perfect match in a malty red IPA, its caramel notes enhancing the savory meat.
Brewery Tours and Experiences
Jackson’s craft beer scene offers engaging brewery tours and taproom experiences for beer enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the brewing process and sample unique local creations firsthand.
Natchez Brewing Company provides behind-the-scenes tours of their brewing equipment. Guests learn about the company’s history and brewing techniques while tasting some of their popular beers.
Fertile Ground Beer Co., located in the historic Belhaven neighborhood, welcomes visitors to their taproom. The brewery showcases a variety of craft beers in a relaxed atmosphere.
Some Jackson breweries offer family-friendly options during daytime hours. Parents can enjoy locally-made brews while kids partake in non-alcoholic beverages and activities in designated areas.
Brewery events like release parties and seasonal celebrations are common in Jackson. These provide opportunities to meet brewers, try limited-edition beers, and mingle with fellow craft beer fans.
Guided tasting sessions allow visitors to sample flight selections of different beer styles. Knowledgeable staff explain flavor profiles and brewing methods for each beer.
Many taprooms feature outdoor seating areas where guests can enjoy their beers in pleasant weather. Some also host food trucks or offer light snacks to complement the brews.
Craft Beer Retail and Merchandise
Jackson’s craft beer scene extends beyond taprooms and breweries. Several local stores offer an impressive selection of craft beers for take-home enjoyment.
Kats Wine & Spirits stands out as a top destination for craft beer enthusiasts. Their shelves feature a wide array of local and regional brews, including popular canned options.
The Country Squire also boasts an extensive craft beer inventory. Customers can find both local favorites and sought-after national brands here.
For those seeking fresh-from-the-tap experiences at home, growler fills are available at select locations. These reusable containers allow beer lovers to transport draft beers directly from participating breweries and stores.
Craft cider has gained traction in Jackson as well. Several retailers now stock locally produced ciders alongside their craft beer offerings, catering to those looking for gluten-free alternatives.
Many Jackson breweries have expanded into merchandise. T-shirts, hats, and glassware featuring local brewery logos have become popular souvenirs for visitors and locals alike.
Some stores offer mix-and-match six-packs, allowing customers to sample a variety of craft beers without committing to full packages. This option is particularly appealing for those exploring new styles or breweries.
The Future of Jackson’s Craft Beer Industry
Jackson’s craft beer scene is poised for growth in the coming years. Local breweries are experimenting with new flavors and techniques to appeal to a wider audience.
Craft beer enthusiasts can expect an increasing variety of options as more establishments enter the market. Existing breweries are likely to expand their product lines and distribution channels.
The industry faces challenges from macro beers, which still dominate many local bars and stores. However, consumer interest in unique, locally-made brews continues to rise.
Belhaven Town Center may become a hub for craft beer culture in Jackson. Its development could attract new brewpubs and taprooms, creating a concentrated area for beer tourism.
Collaborations between local breweries and restaurants are expected to increase. This will lead to more beer pairing events and specialized menus featuring Jackson’s craft beers.
Education about craft beer is likely to grow, with more tasting events and brewery tours offered to the public. This will help cultivate a more knowledgeable and appreciative customer base.
As the industry matures, Jackson’s breweries may start entering regional and national competitions. This exposure could boost the city’s reputation as a craft beer destination.
