Andre TaylorIf there’s one thing you must know about me, it’s that I love chilling in a taproom after work, holding a cold glass of beer and enjoying a good conversation.
When you’re too old for nightclubs and you still crave the buzz, you prefer it served with good stories and epic laughs.
Luckily for us, Indy is home to some superb beer spots, where you can get your classic IPAs and exciting flavor combinations you never thought possible. My buddies and I enjoyed rating our favorite places… while enjoying a cold pint, of course.
So beer you go, the best breweries in Indianapolis, approved by draft aficionados, that are perfect for casual drinkers and beer enthusiasts! Drink up, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere!
Sun King Brewery
Media credit: sunkingbrewing
Address: 135 N College Ave
Contact: (317) 602-3702
Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: 11 am – 9 pm
- Wednesday – Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm
- Sunday: 11 am – 8 pm
Pricing: $$
When in Indy, dropping by Sun King Brewery, a local gem, is a must. It’s the largest brewery in the city, and an award-winning one at that! Don’t be surprised to see a huge variety of beers, from IPA to Scottish ale.
A local favourite for a reason, the irresistibly balanced Wee-Mac Scottish-Style Ale is nutty brown with hazelnut and caramel notes. The award winner, Sunlight Cream Ale, should be on your list, too, if you enjoy the classic American taste.
It doesn’t stop at beers. There’s a variety of domestic and international spirits, as well as a couple of non-alcoholic options for your sober friends—or for the designated driver. Grab a plate of nachos topped with beef to round out the day.
| Pro Tip: Check out the events calendar on the website for live music, game days, and beer fests. It’s a nice way to meet new people with the same interests as you. |
Taxman Brewing Co.
Media credit: taxmancityway
Address: 310 South Delaware St
Contact: (317) 559-2803, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 4 pm – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 10 am – 10 pm
Pricing: $$$
Satisfying beers and delicious food are the perfect mix at Taxman Brewing Co. This brewery is THE place to bring your buddies for quick chats, or just go by yourself if you’re craving a good beer.
And you won’t be disappointed here. It’s home to the award-winning quadrupel ale, including the crowd favorite, Qualified, a Belgian-style quadrupel ale that’s strong with rich notes of plum, raisin, and caramel.
Seasonal and specialty beers are not to be missed. There’s something new to taste every month, which features European and American-style drafts, from fruity to vanilla aroma.
| Pro Tip: On days when private events are held at the brewery, seating will be limited. Visit the brewery’s Instagram page to check for updates. |
Metazoa Brewing Co.
Media credit: metazoabrewing
Address: 140 South College Ave
Contact: (317) 522-0251
Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: 1 pm – 10 pm
- Thursday – Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm
- Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm
Pricing: $
If you have a furry companion, you have to go to Metazoa Brewing Co., a pet-friendly spot downtown that welcomes and supports animals and wildlife. Every time you order a beer, part of your money goes toward donations.
There are over 16 taps, including malty, hoppy, and light beers. An obvious choice is the award-winning Trash Panda, a blonde ale that, interestingly, tastes like a sweet vanilla latte.
This is one of those breweries in Indianapolis that doesn’t serve food, so grab a bite elsewhere first. The silver lining is that dogs and cats are welcome inside the taproom, and other animals are allowed in as well, although exotics will need to be approved first.
| Pro Tip: Take Fido to the dog park located on site for a quick exercise or playtime. |
Guggman Haus Brewing Co.
Media credit: guggmanhausbrewing
Address: 1701 Gent Ave
Contact: (317)-602-6131, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 3 pm – 9 pm
- Wednesday – Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 7 pm
Pricing: $
Guggman Haus Brewing Co captured our hearts—and bellies—the moment we took our first sip. It’s a brewery, taproom, and coffee house in one! It’s a lovely spot at Boyle Racing Headquarters, with lots of indoor and outdoor space.
There’s a good selection of beers on tap, but it’s the Haus Helles that my buddies and I usually veer to, which is fresh, crisp, and light—just what you need on a Sunday afternoon. Order Das Brat for a bratwurst and German beer combo.
On days when you want to relax and actually get to drive back home without getting pulled over, The Coffee Haus is adjacent to the taproom for non-alcoholic drinks and pastries.
| Pro Tip: Join live music and trivia nights for fun times. Check the calendar on the website to see which kind of event you want to participate in. |
Kismetic Beer Company
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Address: 201 S Rural St, Suite #110
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: 5 pm – 9 pm
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Thursday: 4 pm – 9 pm
- Friday: 4 pm – 10 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 1 pm – 7 pm
Pricing: $$
Kismetic Beer Company isn’t your usual taproom in Indy. You won’t find the typical industrial look, but a mid-century design that’s unique and feels like a cosy hangout with artwork on the walls, intricate woodwork, and greenery in every corner.
The beers are fantastic and worth every dollar. The Italian Pilsner, with its light, crisp, and aromatic qualities, is a fantastic introduction to this place. It’s fresh and perfect on a late afternoon, when the sun’s out or when you’re just out and about.
Most options on tap are lower-ABV lagers, and non-alcoholic options are available for your sober buddies. There’s no big food menu, though, just light snacks to munch on.
| Pro Tip: It’s BYO food here. Go to your favourite restaurant and grab a nice, juicy burger to complement the lower-ABV lager. Opt for something easy to carry, so it won’t spill in your car on the way to the taproom (based on experience). |
Garfield Brewery
Media credit: garfieldbrewery
Address: 2310 Shelby St
Contact: Online contact form
Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Thursday: 4 pm – 10 pm
- Friday: 3 pm – 10 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 12 pm – 10 pm
Pricing: $$
At Garfield Brewery, you pop in for the beer, but you stay for the vibe. It’s chill, perfect for a cold pint out on the patio on a casual, sunny day with your best buddies. It’s not the biggest beer spot in Indy, but it’s definitely one of the best.
The selection is fantastic, from light ales, malty stouts, to sweet lagers. The lagers steal the room, particularly the El Presidente, a Mexican-style brew with a clean and refreshing pour that’s best enjoyed cold on the patio.
The taps frequently rotate, but are filled with limited releases. It’s worth a taste if you enjoy unique beer aromas, like a stout with notes of chocolate or seasonal flavours that’ll get you ready for the holiday.
| Pro Tip: On nice days, bring your furry friend to the patio. Also, remember to follow the brewery’s Instagram page for updates on rotating taps. |
Daredevil Brewing Co.
Media credit: daredevilbeer
Address: 1151 N Main St
Contact: (317) 210-0176
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Thursday: 3 pm – 9 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 8 pm
Pricing: $$
Classic American-style beers are ready to be enjoyed at Daredevil Brewing Co., a casual spot with an industrial vibe. It’s also where you’ll discover a beer and thin-style crust pizza combo that is totally the bomb!
Start with the Indy Lager for something clean and crisp to cut through the savoury flavours of the pizza—we recommend the Indy-style Daredevil Pizza. Another crowd favourite, for good reason, is the Lift Off IPA, which bursts with a bold and bitter taste.
Visit the taproom on game days if loud cheering and discounted beer pitchers are what you’re looking for. We suggest joining exciting times from late spring to mid-fall, where a mix of breweries and food trucks will drop by!
| Pro Tip: Take Fido on a brewery visit at the outdoor seating area. |
Urban Vines Winery & Brewery
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Address: 303 E 161st St, Westfield
Contact: (317) 763-0678, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 12 pm – 9 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 6 pm
Pricing: $$$
About 30 minutes from Indianapolis, Urban Vines Winery & Brewery is perfect for dates with your significant other or friends! Beers, wines, charcuterie boards, and brunch are all the buzz here, and there are a bunch of varieties.
Beers are brewed in small batches, so expect fresh pours every time. And there’s something for everyone, including ales, seltzers, and stouts. The variety includes smoothie beers for a touch of antioxidants that, you could say, is a healthy option.
The Berry Good is for those sunny days, an explosion of sweet and tarty flavours, blended with berries and beer. Get it with the UV Favorites, a charcuterie board with pieces of baguette, crackers, sausages, cheddar, and grapes.
| Pro Tip: Get the weekly specials and take advantage of discounts. On Mondays, beer pints are a dollar off—it’s not a lot, but still! |
Deviate Brewing
Media credit: deviatebrewing
Address: 4004 W 96th St
Contact: (317) 374-8249, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 3 pm – 9 pm
- Friday: 3 pm – 10 pm
- Saturday: 2 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 1 pm – 6 pm
Pricing: $$
Deviate Brewing is small, but it packs an experimental punch. There are a dozen rotating taps that showcase new brews, perfect for beer enthusiasts who crave new flavors and quirky mixes—strawberry and banana-flavoured draughts, anyone?
Dessert lovers should try the Los Muchos Cakos, a red velvet imperial stout. For something sour, we suggest the Weisse ‘N’ Easy, made with a Berliner Weisse and your choice of flavored syrup (blueberry, all the way!) that’ll hide away the wallop.
Visit on Thursdays for music bingo, a fun challenge with prizes! Remember that the brewery is a small space, so try to get there early before all the seats are occupied.
| Pro Tip: Get a couple of 5-oz glasses to taste a bit of everything. The beers are flavorful and adventurous, so it’s best to try a couple of small ones before committing to a bigger glass. |
Big Lug Canteen
Media credit: biglugcanteen
Address: 1435 E 86th St
Contact: (317) 672-3503
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 11 pm – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 11 pm
- Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm
Pricing: $$
One of the best local breweries that will keep you satisfied is Big Lug Canteen, where the beers come in draft, cans, packs, and growlers—basically for drinking in and carrying out!
A classic in this place is the Goat Ranch, a golden German-style lager with a light and crisp mouthfeel that isn’t too punchy—just right on a casual afternoon. But for an explosion of flavors, the Ragged Company is a hazy IPA that’s bright and citrusy.
The food menu is as good as the drinks. The hot Nashville Chicken goes well with a light beer, and the Classic Poutine brings a yummy combination of fries and gravy that pairs well with an IPA.
| Pro Tip: Swing by during football weekends or Tuesday trivia nights for a buzzing time. Although just chilling is okay too, just check the brewery’s socials for the schedule and avoid those days. |
