Knoxville may be famous for football, but trust us—the real touchdown is the city’s brew scene. Whether you’re chasing hoppy masterpieces, funky sours, or just a spot where your dog and your trivia crew are equally welcome, Knoxville’s breweries have you covered (and then some). Grab your pint glass and loosen your belt—here come the best brew havens in town!
Orange Hat Brewing Company | The Laid-Back Hangout for All Ages
A Tennessee sunset, a patio filled with friendly faces and a dog happily greeting every newcomer—that’s the everyday scene at this family-friendly brewery. It’s a place where cornhole boards are as common as foosball tables, local bluegrass bands pick away in the background, and trivia buffs show off their pop-culture prowess.
The beer selection jumps from hop-forward IPAs to puckering sours and even house-made kombucha for a tangy twist. Staff members treat newcomers like old friends, happily guiding you through styles if you can’t tell a saison from a shandy.
Pop by with your own snacks or swing by the rotating food trucks. As the sun dips low, sip a pint, dog at your feet, and plot your next cornhole victory. It’s the kind of laid-back, all-are-welcome vibe that somehow never feels forced. See what’s on tap and plan your next friendly invasion.
Balter Beerworks | Scratch Kitchen & Sunny Patio Vibes
Balter breathed new life into an old gas station and turned it into a brewpub you’ll want as your unofficial living room. The Firebelly IPA bursts with tropical fruit and pine notes, while the Bear Blend Coffee Oatmeal Porter offers rich coffee aromas balanced by silky chocolate. You won’t leave hungry either.
The scratch kitchen sends out a mile-high burger piled with house-made bacon jam and one of the city’s best quinoa veggie patties. If you think veggie burgers taste like cardboard, prepare to be proven wrong.
Sundays are practically sacred—a buzzing brunch scene where chicken and waffles demand your full attention, and every calorie feels completely earned.
Between exposed brick walls and gleaming steel taps, the vibe lands right between urban-cool and cozy-charm. There’s a roomy patio perfect for sipping a growler with your dog at your feet, or you can perch at the bar to keep conversations flowing.
Whether you’re here for craft beer, standout comfort food, or an easygoing afternoon with friends, this spot never feels like settling—it’s always the main event. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Pour Taproom Knoxville | The Self-Serve Playground
Picture an adult amusement park where you hold the tap handle. With 68 digital pours lining the walls, this place hands you a card, hands you a glass, then steps aside. Pour a quarter pint, go back for a half, or create your own tasting flight—it’s all up to you.
The energy hums under string lights on a dog-friendly boardwalk overlooking Jackson Avenue. Live bands draw crowds on weekends, trivia nights spark friendly rivalry, and board games get surprisingly competitive. Comfort eats like gooey pretzels and nachos keep the good times rolling.
Locally brewed collaborations make guest appearances on tap, and yes, there’s root beer on draft if that’s more your speed. Feel free to bring kids before 7 pm, flex your questionable darts skills, or just settle in with friends. Here, you’re master of your own pint and captain of your own evening. Unleash your inner sample fiend here.
Central Flats and Taps | Knoxville’s Taproom All-Star
If a massive beer menu, baked wings, and boundary-pushing pizza appeal to you, you’ll feel right at home in this Happy Holler hangout. More than 50 taps let you wander from bold local brews to Belgian classics.
Here, flatbread is naan-based and toppings roam far beyond the usual suspects. Cheese? Yes. Chickpea curry? Absolutely. Everything arrives on a crisp crust that holds up to each creative combination.
The patio doubles as a makeshift dog park—furry friends chase frisbees while their humans sip a seasonal IPA. Inside, the mood shifts between family-friendly dining and trivia night intensity, where you can flex your quiz prowess.
Black bean hummus has near-legendary status, and plant-forward mains grab attention from vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. When cocktails call your name, bartenders spin house-infused spirits into vibrant sips that don’t overshadow your beer.
Between the cheerful chaos and warm staff, it’s hard to leave. Plan on settling in for hours with plates to share, beers to sample, and new favorite brews to discover. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Pretentious Beer Co | Beer Meets Blown Glass
What if your artisanal brew came out of an equally artisanal glass made steps away? This Old City hangout fuses experimental brewing with in-house glassblowing—complete with live demos to satisfy your creative curiosity. The beer lineup reads like a scientist’s journal: barrel-aged stouts named for odd hours, hazy IPAs with playful monikers and seasonal concoctions that surprise with each sip.
Inside, casual tables share space with high-top bar stools and a glassblower’s workshop. Outside, a covered patio offers room for a crowd—think family gatherings and live-band karaoke nights under the stars. Dog lovers, toddlers and hopheads all feel equally welcome here.
If you need a break from tasting notes, watch a molten chunk of glass spin into shape or try your hand at blowing your own creation. It might sound pretentious, and maybe it is a little, but it’s also a ton of fun. See what experimental quirk awaits you.
Barrelhouse by Gypsy Circus | For the Wild-at-Heart Cider Seekers
If your idea of craft beverage heaven involves sipping wild yeast cider in a place that feels part community hub and part Willy Wonka experiment, this spot should already be on your must-visit list. As Tennessee’s first craft cidery and meadery—and one of only five wild cider barrelhouses in the country—the taproom is big on both space and personality. The staff can tell you a tart crabapple from a crisp Granny Smith with the passion of seasoned orchardists.
The menu rotates so often you’ll discover herb-infused ciders, zesty lemon basil creations, and autumnal blends that prove pumpkin spice doesn’t have a monopoly on fall. Around you, board gamers hunker down for marathon sessions, trivia buffs challenge one another, families dive into Bohemian-inspired bites, and dogs enjoy the laid-back scene.
Check the calendar before you go. You might stumble into an ’80s drag bingo night, a groundhog celebration or a cider festival that brings the neighborhood together. Plan for “just one” pint and watch how quickly the hours slip away. Browse their wild line-up here.
Xul Beer Company | The Mad Scientist Playground
Walking into this mid-century modern gem feels like stepping into a restored 1960s car showroom—if those showrooms served PB&J sour beers. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame downtown Knoxville, and tasteful taxidermy adds just enough curiosity to spark conversation. They take temperature seriously here: pilsners so cold they bite back, stouts served at a gentle warmth that invites sipping.
The beer list is a choose-your-own-adventure of quirky meets classic. Start with a playful sour named PB&J Mixtape, follow it up with a crisp Paper Crowns IPA, then settle into a velvet armchair and let a rotating food truck handle dinner. Community events are the real draw. Their signature festival lures in over 70 acclaimed breweries, turning the taproom into a beer lover’s dream.
Stop by for a “casual” lager and find yourself neck-deep in a peanut-butter concoction, surrounded by people who know their hops and love to chat about them. Peer pressure yourself into tasting something wild here.
Abridged Beer Company | The Ultimate Garage Hangout
Imagine your best friend’s garage refined into a brewery—that’s this renovated 1950s auto shop. Concrete floors and vintage signage set the stage for conversations fueled by adventurous drinking.
The menu drifts from juicy hazy IPAs like Toppy Rock to bold barrel-aged stouts that practically demand a slow pour. Experimental sours pop up without warning, keeping every visit fresh.
Outside, a spacious patio packed with picnic tables and yard games turns each trip into a backyard reunion. Leashed dogs and frolicking kids carve out their own happy corners.
When hunger strikes, the Abridged Burger arrives loaded with ground brisket, cheese, and fried Brussels sprout petals for satisfying crunch. Pot roast nachos and a fried green tomato BLT chase your willpower into oblivion.
From live-music nights to vegan-friendly plates and big-group reservation options, this spot checks every box. Come for the camaraderie, stay for the beer flight that still surprises you on sip three. Plot your next beer-and-burger crawl here.
Ale’ Rae’s GastroPub | The Eclectic Live Music Haven
Walking inside feels like stumbling into your coolest friend’s backyard party. That friend happens to have a personal chef, shelves of craft beer, and a dog friendly beer garden. The schedule is packed with live music, comedy shows, and irresistible weekend brunches.
Outdoor cornhole games invite a playful challenge or serve as an excuse to cradle a cold brew. Fire pits on the patio handle Knoxville’s classic indecisive weather. Reclaimed barn wood accents prove that recycling can have serious style.
The beer list spans every style, from crisp lagers to hop forward IPAs, guaranteed to convert even the staunchest lager loyalist. The kitchen turns out unexpected gems like shrimp tacos bright with pineapple curry or the Butter Bacon Bourbon Burger, an over the top masterpiece you have to try.
Miss nothing at the coffee bar that pours artful lattes and cold brews for anyone skipping beer. With blues bands, country pickers, and a menu full of surprises, this spot masters a fresh take on eclectic, community centered fun. Monotony is impossible when variety and good vibes rule. See what’s on tap and who’s on stage here.
Union Jack’s Knoxville | Beer Nerd’s Playground
Imagine a pub with over 220 beers waiting to be tried and a draft list that would humble most breweries. Nestled in Bearden since the late nineties, the space blends cozy pub warmth with the energy of a college rec room. Dark wood, royal blue walls, and a back patio set the stage for endless fun.
Indoors you’ll find darts, foosball, pool tables, and shelves of board games. Outside, cornhole, giant Jenga, and fire pit conversations spark everything from silly debates to existential musings. Regulars and newcomers alike gather here in search of good company.
Calendar staples include trivia nights, karaoke hours, and occasional live bands that keep spirits high. The kitchen stays open late to fuel those 1 a.m. debates, even serving the infamous hot dog crowned with mac and cheese. Beer snob or beer curious, your perfect pour is probably on the menu.
Between the classic pub feel and nonstop events, every visit feels like a well planned adventure in hops. Check out their menu (and maybe join the beer challenge, you legend).
Ashe’s Bearden Beer Market | Beer Garden Playground
Imagine a plant nursery reborn as a beer lover’s paradise. This backyard-style beer garden blends lush greenery with a rotating tap list that rivals any bottle shop in town.
Open-air tables and covered nooks surround a fire pit that glows well into the evening. A playground beckons the kids, while giant Jenga challenges your squad’s strategy.
Whether you crave a creamy triple IPA or an unexpected seasonal sour, the taps deliver. The kitchen whips up classic burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches, but guests often bring picnic baskets or choose from visiting food trucks.
Dogs on leashes weave between tables as trivia teams huddle over flight paddles. The approachable staff greets you by name on repeat visits, so you’ll feel like part of the furniture—minus the dust.
With covered seating for rainy days and open skies for sunny afternoons, you can plan your next pint any day of the year. Community vibes and plenty of hops await. See what’s on tap now.
Schulz Bräu Brewing Company | Authentic German Escape
Step inside and you’re instantly transported to Bavaria. Massive castle-like walls and rows of imported German furniture set a scene that would make any Oktoberfest jealous.
The Biergarten seats over 300—bring your toddler and your dog, then claim a spot by a glowing fire pit or under misting fans during hot afternoons.
Behind the bar, every beer follows Reinheitsgebot, the German purity law, ensuring crisp lagers and flavorful ales free from mystery ingredients. Pours come in multiple sizes, so you can sample without committing to a full pint.
Live music, trivia nights, and classic German films flicker through the calendar, keeping regulars on their toes and newcomers well entertained.
The food menu spans schnitzel, bratwurst, and currywurst to satisfy carnivores and accidental vegans alike. When authentic German eats meet a festive atmosphere, raising a stein never felt more right. Check their event calendar and embrace your inner Bavarian.
Crafty Bastard Brewery | Experimental Beer Playground
If you think beer is just hops and dreams, prepare to have your expectations upended. Since 2015, this brewery has celebrated the weird by brewing pawpaw fruit ales, infusing Earl Grey tea, and daringly pairing pickles with chocolate. Every tap pours a fresh surprise that defies convention.
The vibe is relaxed and inclusively wild. Dogs romp underfoot, kids find a cozy corner, and that friend who swears they hate beer will discover a new favorite. While you sip you might catch trivia, stand up comedy, or grab a slice from the on-site pizza oven.
Rotating taps ensure something new every visit and a dedication to local ingredients keeps flavors honest. Vinyl records spinning in the background are as much characters as the regulars holding court by the bar. Every moment feels inventive and unmistakably Knoxville.
Pull up a chair on the sun soaked patio and get ready to sample something you can’t pronounce yet will crave again tomorrow. Check out their latest concoctions here.
