Montgomery, Alabama’s craft beer scene has blossomed in recent years, offering a delightful array of locally brewed beverages for residents and visitors alike. The capital city now boasts several breweries and taprooms where beer enthusiasts can sample unique flavors crafted with care and creativity.
Montgomery’s top craft beer destinations include Common Bond Brewers, Goat Haus Biergarten, and Leroy, each offering distinctive brews and atmospheres. These establishments have helped transform the local beer landscape, providing spaces for community gathering and cultural exchange centered around the appreciation of quality craft beer.
Beer lovers visiting Montgomery can explore a variety of styles, from crisp lagers to hoppy IPAs and rich stouts. Many local bars and restaurants also feature an impressive selection of craft beers, making it easy to discover new favorites while experiencing the city’s vibrant culinary scene.
The Birth of Craft Beer in Montgomery
Montgomery’s craft beer scene emerged relatively recently, overcoming significant legal hurdles. Until 2013, homebrewing was illegal in Alabama, stifling the growth of a local beer culture.
The turning point came with the legalization of homebrewing, sparking interest in craft beer across the state. Montgomery’s first craft brewery, Common Bond Brewers, opened its doors in 2018 in a renovated auto body shop on Bibb Street.
This pioneering establishment paved the way for other craft beer ventures in the city. Local enthusiasts began exploring unique flavors and brewing techniques, contributing to a growing community of beer aficionados.
Several craft beer bars and taprooms followed, offering Montgomerians a taste of both local and out-of-state brews. Places like Leroy, Goat Haus Biergarten, and The Tipping Point became popular spots for craft beer enthusiasts.
The Alabama Brewers Guild, formed in 2009, played a crucial role in supporting and promoting the state’s burgeoning craft beer industry. Their efforts helped create a more favorable environment for breweries to thrive in Montgomery and beyond.
Despite its late start, Montgomery’s craft beer scene has shown remarkable growth. The city now boasts multiple venues dedicated to craft beer, reflecting a shift in local tastes and a newfound appreciation for artisanal brewing.
Exploring the Local Breweries
Montgomery’s craft beer scene is anchored by two standout breweries that offer unique experiences and flavors. These local establishments have become integral parts of the city’s growing beer culture.
Common Bond Brewers Profile
Common Bond Brewers stands as Montgomery’s first production brewery. Located in a historic downtown building, it combines industrial charm with modern brewing techniques. Their taproom features exposed brick walls and large windows, creating an inviting atmosphere for beer enthusiasts.
The brewery specializes in approachable craft beers with a focus on quality and consistency. Their core lineup includes a crisp blonde ale, a hoppy IPA, and a smooth porter. Seasonal and experimental brews rotate frequently, keeping the menu fresh and exciting.
Common Bond offers brewery tours on weekends, giving visitors insight into their brewing process. The taproom hosts regular events like trivia nights and live music performances, making it a popular community gathering spot.
Railyard Brewing Co Insights
Railyard Brewing Co brings a distinct railroad theme to Montgomery’s beer landscape. The brewery’s name and decor pay homage to the city’s railway history. Located in a renovated warehouse, Railyard features a spacious taproom with industrial-style furnishings.
Their beer selection emphasizes bold flavors and creative recipes. Flagship brews include a robust stout, a citrusy pale ale, and a unique honey wheat beer made with local ingredients. Railyard also experiments with barrel-aged beers and sour ales.
The brewery operates a small pilot system for limited-release batches, allowing patrons to try new and innovative brews regularly. Railyard’s outdoor beer garden is a popular spot during warmer months, offering a relaxed setting to enjoy their craft beers.
Montgomery’s Must-Visit Taprooms
Montgomery’s craft beer scene has grown significantly in recent years, offering beer enthusiasts several excellent taprooms to explore. Tower Taproom stands out as a popular destination, featuring an extensive selection of local and regional brews on tap.
Common Bond Brewers, founded in 2018, has quickly become a staple of Montgomery’s beer culture. Their taproom provides a welcoming space for visitors to sample their locally crafted beers and connect with the community.
The Goat Haus Biergarten offers a unique outdoor drinking experience, combining German-inspired ambiance with a curated selection of craft beers. This venue is perfect for those seeking a laid-back atmosphere to enjoy their brews.
For a more upscale experience, Cork & Cleaver pairs craft beer with gourmet food options. Their taproom features a rotating selection of local and regional beers, complementing their menu of elevated pub fare.
The Tipping Point is another noteworthy spot, known for its diverse beer selection and casual atmosphere. This taproom is a favorite among locals for its friendly service and regular events.
These taprooms showcase Montgomery’s growing appreciation for craft beer, providing visitors and residents alike with quality options to explore the city’s evolving beer scene.
Popular Craft Beers and Styles
Montgomery’s craft beer scene offers a diverse range of flavors and styles. Local breweries and taprooms showcase standout IPAs and rich stouts that have gained popularity among beer enthusiasts.
Standout IPAs
India Pale Ales dominate Montgomery’s craft beer landscape. Common Bond Brewers produces several noteworthy IPAs that highlight citrus and tropical hop flavors. Their signature IPA balances pine and grapefruit notes with a smooth malt backbone.
Local taprooms like Leroy and Autauga Creek Craft House feature rotating selections of IPAs from Alabama breweries. Hazy and juicy New England-style IPAs have gained traction, offering fruit-forward flavors and lower bitterness.
For hop lovers seeking variety, Ted The Wine Guy And Company stocks an extensive collection of craft IPAs from around the state and beyond.
Savoring Stouts
Rich, dark stouts provide a contrast to hop-forward IPAs in Montgomery’s beer scene. Common Bond Brewers’ Crema Stout stands out with its smooth, creamy texture and notes of coffee and dark chocolate.
Several local bars and restaurants, including Cork & Cleaver and Goat Haus Biergarten, offer stouts on tap from Alabama craft breweries. These often include oatmeal stouts, milk stouts, and seasonal imperial stouts.
For those exploring Montgomery’s stout offerings, The Tipping Point regularly features a curated selection of local and regional craft stouts, perfect for savoring on a cool evening.
Pairing Craft Beer with Local Eats
Montgomery’s craft beer scene complements the city’s diverse culinary offerings, creating perfect pairings for food enthusiasts. Local establishments have embraced this synergy, offering unique combinations that highlight the best of both worlds.
Dreamland BBQ and Craft Beer
Dreamland BBQ, a Montgomery institution, pairs excellently with local craft beers. Their smoky ribs and savory pulled pork sandwiches find a perfect match in Common Bond Brewers’ Rambler Amber Ale. The beer’s caramel notes enhance the barbecue’s rich flavors.
For spicier dishes, like Dreamland’s hot links, a crisp IPA from a local brewery cuts through the heat. Many craft beer bars in Montgomery now stock these ideal barbecue companions.
Brewery-Restaurant Collaborations
Montgomery’s breweries and restaurants have formed partnerships to create unique dining experiences. Common Bond Brewers collaborates with local eateries to offer beer-infused dishes and special pairing menus.
Some restaurants feature rotating taps showcasing Montgomery-made craft beers. These collaborations often result in limited-edition brews tailored to complement specific menu items.
Craft beer bars in the city frequently host pop-up events with local chefs, offering curated pairings that highlight the versatility of Montgomery’s craft beer scene alongside its culinary talent.
Craft Beer Events and Community
Montgomery’s craft beer scene thrives on community events that bring beer enthusiasts together. Local breweries and bars host regular gatherings to celebrate new releases and seasonal brews.
Common Bond Brewers organizes monthly tap takeovers, showcasing guest breweries from around Alabama. These events offer a chance to taste unique beers and meet fellow craft beer lovers.
The Riverwalk Wine Festival, while focused on wine, also features craft beer tastings. This annual fall event attracts both locals and visitors to sample beverages along Montgomery’s scenic riverfront.
Beer education classes are becoming popular in the city. Autauga Creek Craft House holds “Beer 101” sessions, teaching attendees about brewing processes and flavor profiles.
Montgomery’s homebrewing community is growing. Local homebrew clubs meet regularly to share tips, recipes, and their latest creations.
Several bars in Montgomery participate in Alabama Craft Beer Week each spring. Special tappings, beer-pairing dinners, and brewery tours highlight the state’s burgeoning craft beer industry.
The city’s craft beer scene fosters a spirit of collaboration. Local brewers often work together on limited-edition beers, strengthening ties within the Montgomery beer community.
Understanding the Craft Beer Process
Craft beer production is an art form that combines science and creativity. The process begins with selecting quality ingredients, including malted grains, hops, yeast, and water.
Brewers start by milling the grains to expose the starches inside. These grains are then mixed with hot water in a process called mashing, which activates enzymes to convert starches into fermentable sugars.
The resulting liquid, known as wort, is separated from the grain solids and boiled. During boiling, hops are added to impart bitterness, flavor, and aroma to the beer.
After cooling, yeast is introduced to begin fermentation. The yeast consumes the sugars, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide. This process can take several days to weeks, depending on the beer style.
Once fermentation is complete, the beer may undergo additional aging or conditioning. Some brewers add extra ingredients like fruit or spices at this stage for unique flavors.
The final steps involve carbonation, either naturally through secondary fermentation or by force carbonation. The beer is then packaged into kegs, bottles, or cans for distribution.
Production breweries, like Common Bond Brewery in Montgomery, use larger scale equipment to produce craft beer in greater quantities while maintaining quality and consistency.
Supporting Local: The Economic Impact of Breweries
Craft breweries in Montgomery, Alabama contribute significantly to the local economy. These establishments create jobs for brewers, servers, delivery drivers, and suppliers, boosting employment in the area.
Breweries often source ingredients locally, stimulating regional agriculture and related industries. This practice supports Alabama farmers and strengthens the supply chain within the state.
The presence of craft breweries can attract tourists and beer enthusiasts to Montgomery. Visitors spend money on lodging, dining, and other attractions, further benefiting the local economy.
In 2023, the craft brewing industry contributed $77.1 billion to the U.S. economy. While specific figures for Montgomery are not available, the city’s breweries likely play a part in this substantial economic impact.
Breweries frequently collaborate with local food vendors and artisans, creating a symbiotic relationship that supports multiple small businesses in Montgomery. This collaboration fosters a vibrant local business ecosystem.
Many Montgomery breweries serve as community gathering spaces, hosting events and pop-ups. These activities draw people to the area, increasing foot traffic for nearby businesses and enhancing neighborhood vitality.
By prioritizing local sourcing and partnerships, Montgomery’s breweries help keep money circulating within the community. This localized spending has a multiplier effect, amplifying the economic benefits for the city and surrounding areas.
