We visited every brewery in Louisville. Here are the best and where to find them

I’m not sure if I should be proud of it. I’m sure my body doesn’t like it. But I did it.

I have visited what I believe to be every locally owned brewery in the Louisville area. That may not seem like such a feat but consider that, by my count, there are about 50 of them. That’s probably more than you thought, right?

I don’t recall when I began this mission and I don’t want to know how much it cost me over the years. But maybe I can save you some time and share my love for local brews with this list and a handy map I shared with the Courier Journal. But be warned: A few too many brewery visits will make you a beer snob, too.

More: Louisville brewery guide and map: Find local craft beer near you

Breweries in each section are typically in no particular order and are located in Louisville, unless otherwise noted:

Best Overall Louisville-Area Breweries

• Noble Funk Brewing, 922 S 2nd St.: My favorite local beer selection, constantly rotating choices, delicious pizza and plenty of space.

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Best Breweries for Food

• Noble Funk Brewing, 922 S 2nd St.: Some of the best pizza in town. The New York-style pies are the perfect size for two people to share without feeling like you’ve overeaten and it recently expanded its menu.

• Fistful Craft Restaurant and Brewery, 2708 Paoli Pike, New Albany, Indiana: The burgers and tacos were definitely memorable. Each was unique but not gimmicky. I remain wistful about my visit here during Louisville Burger Week 2023.

• Hometown Brewing Co., 4041 Preston Highway: The Craft House Pizza here is what your order when you want something a little more doughy and with cheese so stretchy you’ll look like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle eating it.

• Honorable mentions: Scout & Scholar, 112 W. Flaget St., Bardstown: I have not eaten a full meal here but the appetizer I had was delicious and everything being brought out from the kitchen made me wish I didn’t already have dinner plans. Shippingport Brewing Co., 1221 W Main St.: A+ grilled cheese and tomato soup when it’s chilly. Hop Atomica, 1318 McHenry St.: I’ve only had the pizza but it’s good enough to mention here. Ten20 Anchorage, 11505 Park Road: It’s not technically their food but visit the Sea Hag next door on Tuesday for a $12 dinner and then head to the taproom for an inexpensive night out.

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Best Breweries for Beer Selection

• Noble Funk Brewing, 922 S 2nd St.: The owner told me his brewing philosophy was to get the staples right and then branch out from there, and I think he nailed it. I’ve tried so many beers here and can only think of a couple I wasn’t crazy about. All those staples are home runs and the rotating variety is always interesting. I’m often comparing something new to a previous favorite and reordering my list.

• Shippingport Brewing Co., 1221 W Main St.: I’m surprised by some new beer every visit and the selection often feels boutique, like they just source their ingredients from someplace different. They typically have a few standard picks with some slightly more adventurous flavors rotating on tap but nothing too strange. They also get bonus points for the names, including my favorite, A Wolf Who Sends Flowers Foraged Ale.

• Holsopple Brewing, 8023 Catherine Lane: They typically have more than a dozen of their own beers on tap and each has its own twist. I really enjoy fruited beers and they always seem to have a few.

• Gallant Fox Brewing Co., 2132 Frankfort Ave.: They consistently go right up to the line with flavors but stop short of cartoonish and instead give you something unique and memorable. They’re not all for me but I’ve had far more winners than losers there. I’m told the Mt. Washington location also has an extensive bourbon selection.

• Ten20 Brewery, multiple locations: They’ve got one of almost everything you’d expect, they’ve made them their own and they’re consistently great. Try a Flying Pig if you ever wondered what Blue Moon dreams about becoming when it grows up.

• Scout & Scholar Brewing Co., 112 W. Flaget St., Bardstown: They had about a dozen of their own beers on tap during my visit and I sampled nearly every one of them across a couple of flights. All bangers.

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Best Louisville-Area Beers

• Flying Pig at Ten20: described as a Belgian-style wheat beer with orange peel and coriander. My pick for best local beer.

• Pina Koala at Noble Funk: described as a heavily dry-hopped lager with pineapple puree and toasted coconut.

• Swooly, 3rd Turn Brewing: described as a Kolsch with mango, pineapple, orange and jalapeno.

Best Breweries for Overall Atmosphere

• Noble Funk Brewing, 922 S 2nd St.: Huge space, always clean, always friendly. Tons of interior seating and a turf lawn with some games for when the weather’s nice or your kids need to burn some energy.

• Holsopple Brewing, 8023 Catherine Lane: This hole-in-the-wall is set back in a building that’s set back off the road, so it’s easy to miss, and that makes it great if you want a quiet place to chill out and have a drink. There’s covered outdoor seating, they turn on a big fan when it’s hot, and the interior is dark and cool. They seem to have a thing for booking jam bands, if that’s your thing, and there’s a kitschy haunted trail around Halloween. One of my favorite places to stop in for a quiet drink while out running weekend errands.

• 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens, 6300 Old Lagrange Road, Crestwood: A sizeable indoor area, a massive outdoor space and multiple bars make this a perfect place for a group hangout. The 3rd Turn beer selection is always strong and they often have some great seasonal brews. They now have three separate food options and plenty of tables with whatever level of shade for which you’re looking.

• Ten20 Anchorage, 11505 Park Road: The space is small and a little strange — I was told it was once a train depot — but I’ve rarely had trouble finding a seat inside or outside and the staff is attentive and welcoming.

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Best Breweries for Outdoor Seating

• 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens, 6300 Old Lagrange Road, Crestwood: This space is massive with bar access, tons of tables and varying levels of overhead cover.

• Gravely Brewing Co., 514 Baxter Ave.: This spot has a large outdoor space with some great views of downtown but they’re moving soon, so check it out while you can this summer.

• West Sixth NuLu, 817 E. Market St.: The best option in the neighborhood if you want to sit outside and have a beer. There’s plenty of space inside but the courtyard and roof seating make it a must-visit for fresh air.

• Trellis Brewing, 827 Logan St.,: This brewery has a large outdoor space with plenty of seating. I only visited once right after it opened and am told the beer and patio area are getting better all the time.

What is considered the Louisville area?

I count Jefferson and the bordering counties: Hardin, Bullitt, Spencer, Shelby, Oldham. I also included Nelson County’s Scout & Scholar on this list just because it’s close enough and deserving of a mention on this list.

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How do you define a local brewery?

I included businesses that are based locally and had a brewery or a taproom in the area. Obvious locally based breweries include Against the Grain and Ten20, but I also included several local-ish breweries with taprooms, like the Georgetown-based Country Boy Brewing’s spot in the Omni Louisville Hotel downtown. I also included a couple local breweries with non-local origins, like Hop Atomica, a concept that began in Savannah, Georgia, but is locally owned in Louisville.

What was your method for ranking these breweries?

In an incredibly scientific process, I spent the last several years dropping into local breweries when convenient and drinking one or more beers. I then consulted my infallible memory and tender heart.

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What were you looking for in rating beers and breweries?

I like most common styles of beer and love fruity lagers and IPAs. I also enjoy sampling stouts and heavier beers but can rarely drink an entire pint of them. I don’t care for sours but am told Atrium, Gallant Fox and Noble Funk are the best in town for that. I tried local beers at every one of these breweries and rarely if ever drank anything else. I am also a 40-something parent, so most of my visits were between the hours of noon and 8 p.m., and I typically enjoy a quiet, relaxing place. A younger whippersnapper with an interest in nightlife might have a very different list.

Louisville craft breweries to visit

Other Louisville-area breweries I visited

Think I left something off the list? Send me an email at ccwhite@louisvil.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Where to find the best Louisville breweries, local craft beers