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Indianapolis is a great place to visit if you’re a “soul city person” who loves beer hopping. Enjoy a cold beer with your friends and loved ones with a great view of the city lights and towering buildings in the background. With more than 150 craft breweries expanding throughout Indiana, visitors and local citizens keep coming back not only because of the best places but also because of the taste of the sparkling beers they serve.
Whether you are a beer connoisseur or enthusiast, or just love beer, follow this guide to the ten best breweries in Indianapolis. Taste the bubbling beers and create a fantastic memory with this place!
1. Sun King Brewery
The name says it all! As the largest brewery in Indy and the second-largest brewery in the state, Sun King still reigns as King by continuing to earn recognitions and accolades. Won a gold medal at the Great American Festival (2012) and World Beer Cup (2013) and was recently hailed as the champion in US Open Beer Championship just this year.
This brewery features a 17,000-square-foot warehouse-type taproom that offers 25 seasonal and specialty beers on taps as well as delicious foods from their in-house restaurant, Nacho by La Margarita. Visit their brewery and have a face-to-face encounter with Marty, the Piñata, and enjoy the cozy and casual atmosphere with a pint of Pachanga! You can also grab a schedule for a brewery tour and experience the magic of crafting tasty beers.
- Crowd Favorite: Wee Mac Scottish-Style Ale, 5.3% ABV. A Scottish Ale with cocoa, caramel, and hazelnuts.
- Highly Recommended: Crisis Pale Ale, 5.6% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Besides beer, Sun King offers cocktails and snacks. Curbside pickup only, no delivery.
- Fun Fact: The brewery’s name refers to the sun and its importance in life cycles and beer making.
Hours: Open Mon–Thur 11am–9pm, Fri & Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am–8pm.
Address: 135 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Contact: (317) 602-3702 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
2. Daredevil Brewery Co.
Love cars and beers? Then check-out Daredevil Brewery’s Speedway location. It is one of Indianapolis’s best craft beer makers, offering an eclectic selection of aggressive but fun craft beer styles. Featuring a 10,000-square-foot red-brick Speedway production facility that blends industrial and modern architectures, this brewery has an open and high-ceiling taproom with plenty of indoor seating, garage-style windows, and an on-site bar. You can also enjoy your beer on their newly open covered outdoor patio while admiring Indy’s Cars cruising on the side road.
Daredevil Brewery also serves delicious house-made tacos, grilled cheese, sandwiches, and other comfort foods designed to pair with beers. This brewery is dog-friendly and has a designated dog area besides its parking space and patio.
- Crowd Favorite: Lift Off IPA, 7.2% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Rip Cord, Belgian Golden Ale, 5.5% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Daredevil is a non-smoking establishment with a designated smoking area outside the taproom.
- Fun Fact: Daredevil Brewery is a walking distance of Indiana’s Motor Speedway Museum and other neighborhood car businesses worthy of checking out.
Hours: Open Tue–Thur 3pm–10pm, Fri & Sat 12pm–10pm, Sun 12pm–8pm, Mon Closed.
Address: 1151 N Main St, Indianapolis, IN 46224
Contact: (317) 210-0176 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
3. Fountain Square Brewery
A local microbrewery at Fountain Square is known for its excellent local craft beer. It features an industrial-style taproom where you can appreciate local arts and craft beer brewed on-site, sip an exceptional brew while gazing at local artwork, and enjoy a place with distinctive decor.
This brewery is also a hotspot for events such as live music, comedy night, karaoke night, and open mic. What’s good about Fountain Square is that the brewmaster is always on-site to help you get the taste of the beer you want. They welcome well-behaved dogs, where they are treated and valued as humans. You can have fun with them while playing darts and pinballs.
- Crowd Favorite: Workingman’s Pilsner, 5% ABV. A Bohemian-style Pilsner.
- Highly Recommended: Hop for Teacher Pale Ale, 6.1% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: They offer pitchers and growlers. No food menu, just beer.
Hours: Open Tue–Thur 4pm–10pm, Fri & Sat 2pm–10pm, Sun 2pm–6pm, Mon Closed.
Address: 1301 Barth Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Contact: (317) 493-1410 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
4. Bier Brewery
With 66 Indiana Brewer’s Cup medals, three Great American Beer Festival medals, two National Best Craft Beer awards, and three World Cup medals, Bier Brewery is Indianapolis’s hidden gem. This family-owned local craft brewery at 65th Street features a classic brewpub with a welcoming and cozy vibe. Aside from their medals and trophies used as decorations on the bar, this brewery is also famous for its very cool chalkboard draft list, which shows its passion for beer through the effort they spend on it. The brewery has activities like board games, cards, and a TV for watching football games. They don’t serve food, so be sure to eat before you visit the brewery.
- Crowd Favorite: Weizengoot Wheat Beer, 5.3% ABV. An award-winning wheat beer with bursting banana and clove flavors.
- Highly Recommended: PDG Pale, American Pale Ale, 6% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: They serve pints on Fridays and Saturdays only.
- Fun Fact: Bier Brewery’s impressive chalkboard beer list is updated every Monday. It is a hassle but worth seeing attraction show how they value their customers.
Hours: Open Tue–Thur 3pm–9pm, Fri 1pm–9pm, Sat 12pm-10pm, Sun 12pm–7pm, Mon Closed.
Address: 5133 E 65th St, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Contact: (317) 253-2437 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
5. Saint Joseph Brewery and Public House
If you like drinking beer in a unique venue (think about church pillars, dome ceilings, and altars) and in an atmosphere steeped in history, then St. Joseph brewery is the place for you. Housed in a former Saint Joseph church, this brewery is creatively renovated into a brewery, taproom, and restaurant that serves tasty craft brews and fantastic food.
Featuring a 3,000 sq. ft. taproom with a dining space for approximately 125 people and a classic and elegant church interior that offers a friendly and inviting atmosphere. Need a private event space? Choose St. Joseph Hall or the Choir Loft for your next intimate event.
- Crowd Favorite: Confessional IPA, 6.3% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Cornerstone Kolsch, 5% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: St. Joseph Brewery accepts table reservations but has no delivery.
- Fun Fact: Originally built as a Church in 1880 and now become one of the famous Brewery and Restaurants in Indianapolis.
Hours: Open Mon–Thur 11am–10pm, Fri & Sat 11am–11am, Sun 10am–10pm.
Address: 540 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Contact: (317) 602-5670 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
6. Black Acre Brewery
When you’re in the mood for a refreshing beer and an excellent open location, check out Black Acre Brewery. This brewery has three sites in Indianapolis that feature a spacious two-story taproom with loft seating and a beer garden that offers exceptional beers, cocktails, and foods. The Black Acre Garden is open seasonally, but if you pass by during its opening, you can enjoy an outdoor theatre, plenty of patio seating with fire pits, and live music.
The two-story taproom in the Irvington neighborhood is also a great hangout place with 25 beers on tap, a loft patio and bar, and plenty of indoor seating. So come by and experience their delicious food and stellar drinks, which might make you want to stay for another round!
- Crowd Favorite: Saucy Intruder IPA, 7.2% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Natural Liberty, Lager, 5.3% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Only the Downtown Loft location serves foods, but you can order or bring outside foods. All sites are kid-friendly and dog-friendly.
Hours: Open Wed & Tue 4pm–9pm, Fri 4pm-10pm, Sat 12pm–10pm, Sun 12pm–8pm, Mon & Tue Closed.
Address: 5632 E Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46219
Contact: (317) 207-6266 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
7. Centerpoint Brewery
Centerpoint Brewery strives to make high-quality beer that will satisfy the taste buds of all beer lovers. Located at 1125 E Brookside Avenue, this brewery features an industrial-style taproom with ample indoor seating and a cozy and friendly environment that its dear customers love. This brewery offers board games that people can play while enjoying their drinks. They also cater events like birthday parties, wedding receptions, or could be company parties.
Centerpoint Brewery is located near the Cultural and Mon trail making it accessible for bike stops, and has bike racks available outside. They also offer brewery tours to enjoy your favorite brews while learning more about brewing.
- Crowd Favorite: Blood Orange IPA, 5.2% ABV. A sweet and refreshing American IPA.
- Highly Recommended: Centerpoint Black, Porter, 6.5% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Centerpoint doesn’t serve food, and you must bring your food. Dogs on leashes are allowed inside and outside the taproom.
- Fun Fact: Centerpoint’s plumb bob logo showcases the founder’s engineering background—they wanted to find the perfect balance of ingredients for their beers.
Hours: Open Mon-Wed 3pm–9pm, Thur 3pm-10pm, Fri & Sat 12pm–10pm, Sun 12pm–8pm.
Address: 1125 E Brookside Ave Suite 2B, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Contact: (317) 602-8386 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
8. Upland Brewing Company
Located in the heart of Fountain Square along Cultural Trail, Upland Brewing Company is a certified Vegan brewery that offers 22 craft beers on tap that goes hand in hand with their vegetarian cuisine. The brewery features a warehouse-style taproom with spacious indoor seating and an outdoor patio if you want a more refreshing space.
Aside from tasty beers and a vegan menu, this brewery also offers an onsite bike shop in partnership with Gray Goat Bicycle and Co. that sell new and used bikes and offers tune-up services. This brewery also includes a 100-capacity outdoor patio, a favorite go-to spot for locals and tourists for great music and cozy ambiance.
- Crowd Favorite: Dragonfly IPA, 6.7% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Champagne Velvet, Pilsner, 5.2% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Upland FSQ Brewing also offers brewery tours. Due to the higher number of visitors, you need to reserve a table.
Hours: Open Sun-Thur 11am–11pm, Fri & Sat 11am–12am.
Address: 1201 Prospect St, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Contact: (317) 672-3671 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
9. Big Lug Brewery
If you’re looking for a vibrant, colorful, fun brewery opposite classic black pipe and interior wood designs, check out Indy’s Big Lug Canteen. It’s a two-story brewhouse that offers a fun and vibrant taproom; thanks to its colorful murals, decors, and cozy ambiance, the place gives a comfortable feeling of drinking, and it’s perfect for a family getaway. It’s a kid-friendly brewery serving food, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks.
Big Lug Brewery’s night ambiance is ideal for capturing quality Instagram-worthy photos while enjoying a beer. The brewery offers various beers from mild to unique and creative tastes. Visit and experience the aesthetic atmosphere they provide. Call your friends and family and set your fun date night out.
- Crowd Favorite: Kristofferson, Pale Ale, 5.7% ABV.A malty and heavy Pale Ale with a perfect blend of citrus, pine, and floral hops.
- Highly Recommended: Goat Ranch, Lager, 5.3% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Takeout and dine-in only, no deliveries.
- Fun Fact: Big Lug’s was supposed to be named “Hoss Canteen” to honor the founder’s grandfather Hoss, a respected man in Indiana.
Hours: Open Mon–Thur 11am–11pm, Fri & Sat 11am–12am, Sun 11am–10pm.
Address: 1435 E 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240
Contact: (317) 672-3503 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
10. 18th Street Brewery
18 Street Brewery is a Hammond-based award-winning brewery known for its flagship beers, Here Comes the Reaper IPA, Fox and the Hunted porter, and Candi Crushable session pale ale. Featuring an industrial-style taproom with 20 beers on tap, where you can sample their best-tasting beers, creative murals, and a classic brewpub atmosphere, this brewery offers a cozy and intimate vibe.
Aside from beers, they also serve mouth-watering foods, cocktails, and spirits. With a relaxing outdoor patio that provides a hangout place for locals, 18th Street dramatically contributes to Indy’s craft beer scene.
- Crowd Favorite: Sex and Candy IPA, 7.5% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: King Reaper, IPA, 8.3% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: A non-smoking and dog-friendly establishment.
- Fun Fact: “18th Street” refers to the founder’s neighborhood street in Pilsner, Chicago, where he discovered his passion for craft brewing.
Hours: Open Wed 4pm-9pm, Thur 12pm-9pm, Fri & Sat 12pm–10pm, Sun 12pm-6pm, Mon & Tue Closed.
Address: 2829 E 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46201
Contact: (317) 875-1170 | Instagram | Website
