You know those states everyone jokes about driving through just to get somewhere else? Well, Nebraska's craft beverage scene is about to change your mind. From tiny Sandhills towns where the brewery IS the reason to visit, to Panhandle distilleries carrying on Prohibition-era moonshine traditions, the Cornhusker State offers surprisingly destination-worthy drinking experiences that'll have you planning detours instead of shortcuts.
Why Nebraska's craft scene deserves your attention
Here's the thing about Nebraska breweries and distilleries… they're doing something different. When Empyrean Brewing Company opened in Lincoln back in 1990 as the state's first craft brewery, they weren't following trends. They were creating them. And that pioneering spirit? It's still flowing strong through operations like Brickway in Omaha, the city's first brewery-distillery combo since Prohibition, and Cooper's Chase Distillery, which holds the title of Nebraska's first legal distillery in the modern era.
What makes these places special isn't just their "first" status though. It's how they've embraced Nebraska's agricultural roots in ways that would make marketing agencies weep with joy. Take Scratchtown Brewing in Ord, which literally pumps water from the Ogallala Aquifer beneath their feet. Or Loup River Distilling, where third-generation farmer Eric Montemagni grows the actual corn that becomes their bourbon. We're talking 500 pounds of his own grain per 300-gallon batch. That's not farm-to-table… that's farm-to-bottle authenticity you can taste.
The economic impact these breweries have on small Nebraska towns reads like feel-good movie scripts. Scratchtown Brewing has become such a destination that people literally plan entire trips around their Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule. Upper Room Brewery in Kearney launched with support from 80+ local backers who believed in bringing craft beer culture to their community. These aren't just bars. They're community gathering spots, tourist magnets, and proof that good beer can revitalize main streets across the Midwest.
Eastern Nebraska leads the revolution
Lincoln might be Nebraska's capital, but it's also ground zero for the state's craft beverage movement. Empyrean Brewing Company at 729 Q Street still holds court as the elder statesman of Nebraska craft brewing. If you're the type who likes behind-the-scenes peeks, they offer free brewery tours the first non-holiday Monday of each month at 7pm. Their Dark Side Vanilla Porter and Long Route Peanut Butter Porter have become so iconic that locals get genuinely upset when they run out. Pro tip: Empyrean connects to Lazlo's Brewery & Grill, so you can sample their full lineup with actual food pairings.
Up in Omaha, the craft scene has exploded beyond traditional breweries. Brickway Brewery & Distillery at 1116 Jackson Street pulls double duty as both brewery and distillery… a rarity that would've been illegal not too long ago. But here's the real kicker: they've hidden a speakeasy called Borgata Lounge behind their tasting room. Yes, an actual speakeasy. In 2025. Behind a legal distillery. The irony is delicious, and so are their award-winning spirits and beers.
The experimental edge of Omaha brewing
For beer nerds who chase the cutting edge, Monolithic Brewing operates on a completely different model. Located at 4915 North 120th Street, they're taproom-only with zero distribution. Why does that matter? Because it means complete creative freedom. Their rotating kettle sour Gose series uses real fruit, and since they're not worried about shelf stability or shipping, they can experiment with ingredients that bigger breweries wouldn't touch. The 32oz crowlers make perfect souvenirs of whatever experimental batch they're pouring when you visit.
Kros Strain Brewing in La Vista has quickly become the cool kid on the block since opening in 2017. Their 17,000 square foot facility at 10411 Portal Road feels more like an art gallery that happens to serve beer. With over 20 taps flowing, including their flagship Fairy Nectar IPA and the wonderfully named "Why Dad Jokes?" NEIPA, they've mastered the balance between approachable and adventurous. The fire pits outside have become legendary for winter gatherings where locals prove that Nebraskans don't let a little cold stop their patio drinking.
Hours for Eastern Nebraska breweries:
- Monolithic: Tue-Fri 3-10pm, Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-6pm
- Kros Strain: Tue-Thu 3-9pm, Fri 3-10pm, Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-6pm
Don't overlook Cooper's Chase Distillery in Wayne either. After 14 years of operation, they've perfected the art of turning Nebraska grain and aquifer water into Chase Nebraska Vodka and Cooper's Chase Bourbon. As the state's oldest active distillery, they've paved the way for the craft spirits movement that's just starting to heat up across Nebraska.
Western Panhandle surprises
If someone told you the Nebraska Panhandle was becoming a craft beverage destination, you'd probably check their temperature. But Flyover Brewing Company in Scottsbluff embraces every stereotype with a wink and a perfectly poured pint. Founded by emergency room doctors (because apparently saving lives wasn't stressful enough), they've turned "flyover country" into a badge of honor, complete with an actual airplane wing hanging over their beer distribution area.
At 1824 Broadway, Flyover serves wood-fired pizzas that pair perfectly with beers incorporating local ingredients like sugar beets. Yes, sugar beets in beer. It works. Trust the doctors. They even opened a second location called Hangar 39 in Potter, converting a vintage mechanic garage into a taproom. Because nothing says "craft beer innovation" like drinking in a place that used to fix tractors.
The Panhandle's only distillery, Great Plains Distillery in Scottsbluff, carries forward the region's bootlegging heritage with considerably more legality. Starting with a converted 15-gallon beer keg (talk about humble beginnings), they've upgraded to a 120-gallon reflux still producing Vamoose Vodka and Landmark Whiskey. This family and veteran-owned operation represents one of only seven micro-distilleries in the entire state.
Small towns, big flavors
Down in Sidney, Boss City Brewing Co. at 1200 Jackson Street proves that even former car dealerships can find new life as breweries. The Norgard family transformed this space in 2021, bringing craft brewing to downtown Sidney with hours that actually work for normal humans: Wednesday-Thursday 11:30am-9pm, Friday-Saturday until 10pm, and Sunday 11:30am-5pm.
Meanwhile in Chadron, City s'Liquors installed Western Nebraska's only 12-tap self-pour beer wall. It's a "try before you buy" concept that lets you sample craft beers before committing to a six-pack. The taproom holds up to 100 people, which in Chadron might be half the town on a good night.
Panhandle brewery features worth the drive:
- Aviation-themed décor at Flyover
- Self-pour beer wall at City s'Liquors
- Converted car dealership charm at Boss City
- Family-owned distillery tradition at Great Plains
Central Nebraska's I-80 corridor gems
Thunderhead Brewing Company has anchored Kearney's historic downtown "Bricks" district since 1999. Their famous "Thunderpunch" will knock you sideways if you're not careful, while their stone oven pizzas provide the perfect base for an evening of pool on their upstairs tables. It's the kind of place where locals and travelers mingle over pints, swapping stories about everything from corn prices to cosmic theories.
Just down the road, Upper Room Brewery at 1540 W 56th Street offers something completely different… Nebraska's only faith-based brewery experience. Before you roll your eyes, hear me out. This deliberately screen-free environment (no TVs, seriously) creates space for actual conversation. Their beers like The Glory Cloud hazy IPA and Chesterton dark English porter come with free popcorn and various seasonings. It's wholesome without being preachy, and the beer is legitimately good.
Grand Island's Railside District has been transformed by Prairie Pride Brewing Company, operating out of an 1880s historic building at 115 E South Front Street. Their "Follow the Hopffalo" branding celebrates Great Plains heritage while serving 15 varieties including Wind Devil Red IPA and Islander Porter with coconut. The 1,000+ square foot gathering space offers brewery tours, with growlers and crowlers available for the road.
Farm-fresh spirits and hyperlocal brewing
In Hastings, First Street Brewing Company embodies the "Taste of Hastings" philosophy at 119 N Saint Joseph Avenue. They're working toward using all locally-sourced hops, yeast, and malt… an ambitious goal that would make them one of the most hyperlocal breweries in America. Their White Ale, Inter Ocean IPA, and St. Joe Black IPA already showcase what Nebraska-grown ingredients can do.
But the ultimate farm-to-bottle experience awaits at Loup River Distilling in St. Paul. Third-generation farmer Eric Montemagni doesn't just use local corn… he grows it himself. This Master Level II certified distiller offers complimentary production tours where you can literally meet the farmer who grew the grain in your glass. Their bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, gin, and "Hooch" all start in fields just outside town.
Northern and southern Nebraska's hidden treasures
Scratchtown Brewing Company in Ord might be the best example of how craft beer can transform a small town. As the Sandhills' first craft brewery, they've become such a destination that people plan entire trips around their limited hours (Wednesday 4-8pm, Thursday-Friday 4-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm). Located on Ord's picturesque town square at 141 S 16th Street, they use that famous Ogallala Aquifer water to create beers like Big Joe Pilsner that taste like liquid Nebraska… in the best possible way.
Columbus offers the wonderfully quirky Gottberg Brew Pub at 2804 13th Street. Designed to look like the inside of a grain bin (complete with tractor seat bar stools), it's either the most Nebraska thing ever or brilliant theme restaurant execution. Maybe both. Their small-batch lagers, ales, and house-made sodas with pure cane sugar prove that embracing your roots can be both authentic and delicious.
North Platte gives visitors two wildly different brewery experiences. APEShip Brewing at 520 North Dewey Street occupies the historic 1889 Dickey Building (former North Platte National Bank), where a repurposed boat serves as the bar centerpiece. Their European-inspired brewing draws from German, Belgian, and Czech traditions. Meanwhile, Pals Brewing Company at 4520 S Buffalo Bill Avenue offers a 10.5-acre "Outdoor Beer Oasis" just four minutes off I-80. With volleyball courts, cornhole, a grain bin bar, and spectacular Sandhills sunsets, it's basically adult summer camp with better beverages.
Down in McCook, Loop Brewing Company has transformed a historic railroad icehouse into a destination brewpub at 801 West C Street. Located next to active BNSF tracks that shaped McCook 130 years ago, they serve brick oven pizzas alongside Squirrely Dan walnut brown ale and Golden Spike Honey Hefeweizen. The trains still rumble by during dinner, adding atmosphere you couldn't manufacture if you tried.
Essential info for planning visits:
- Call ahead (hours vary seasonally)
- Book distillery tours in advance
- Check Untappd for current tap lists
- Download Nebraska Passport app
- Bring cash (some rural spots)
- Designated driver is essential
- Crowlers/growlers make great souvenirs
- Support local food trucks
Planning your Nebraska craft beverage adventure
These destinations represent more than just places to grab a drink. They embody Nebraska's agricultural heritage, entrepreneurial spirit, and that particular Midwest brand of hospitality where strangers become friends over a shared pitcher. Whether you're chasing Empyrean's pioneering legacy, seeking out Scratchtown's aquifer water, exploring Flyover's aviation theme, or discovering Loop's railroad history, each stop tells a unique story of place and passion.
Regional trail options that make sense:
- Panhandle Weekend: Scottsbluff area (Flyover, Great Plains) plus Sidney (Boss City)
- Sandhills Journey: Ord (Scratchtown) through Columbus (Gottberg)
- I-80 Corridor Cruise: Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings
- Eastern Explorer: Lincoln and Omaha area breweries
Several establishments have varying hours or occasional closures, so calling ahead prevents disappointment. Distillery tours especially require advance scheduling. Many places offer growlers or crowlers for take-home liquid souvenirs, perfect for reliving your trip once you're home.
What unites these diverse destinations isn't just quality beer and spirits (though there's plenty of both). It's their commitment to community, creativity, and celebrating Nebraska's unique character. Whether you're watching prairie sunsets at Pals, finding contemplation at Upper Room, or discovering the speakeasy at Brickway, each offers experiences that justify the journey. In a state often overlooked by coastal travelers, these breweries and distilleries prove that some of America's most authentic craft beverage experiences await in the heartland. Here, the beer flows as honest and pure as the Ogallala Aquifer water that helps create it, and every pint comes with a side of genuine Midwest hospitality.
So next time someone suggests flying over Nebraska, tell them about the doctor-owned brewery with an airplane wing for décor, the farmer who grows his own distillery corn, or the tiny Sandhills town where people plan vacations around the brewery's hours. Then watch their face when they realize Nebraska might just be the craft beverage road trip they never knew they needed.
