Cheers to local beer: 40 must-try breweries in Knoxville and the Smokies
Knoxville is known for several things: the Sunsphere, the Tennessee Volunteers and beer.
With so many breweries in and around the city, your head might start spinning just to keep up with each one (and not just because of the alcohol).
Knox News has compiled a list of 40 breweries in Knoxville, Knox County and across East Tennessee. Some have multiple locations, like Smoky Mountain Brewery and Yee-Haw. They all brew their own beer.
Start a new tradition in 2023 and taste them all!
Abridged Beer Company - West Knoxville
Started in 2017, Abridged Beer Company at 100 Lockett Road might be better known for its burgers, but it got its start in beer. It has since opened a bar in North Knoxville, a food truck and a restaurant near Cedar Bluff at 320 N. Peters Road.
Beers to try: Quick Hitter pale ale, Toppy Rock IPA and Midwestern Goodbye IPA.
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Albright Grove Brewing Company - West Knoxville
Named after a trail in the Great Smoky Mountains, Albright Grove Brewing located at 2924 Sutherland Ave. and has been brewing since 2019.
Beers to try: Cold Spring pilsner or the "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" inspired Nightman Cometh Czech dark lager made with Alliance Brewing.
Alliance Brewing - South Knoxville
Alliance Brewing established itself in South Knoxville at 1130 Sevier Ave. in 2015. It promotes active beer culture by focusing on new beers and outdoor activities.
Beers to try: English Porter, Centennial IPA and Saison.
Balter Beerworks - downtown Knoxville
Though more of a restaurant, Balter Beerworks at 100 Broadway SW does brew its own beer ready to serve. There are seasonal beers, too, so ask what's on tap!
Beers to try: Good Neighbor kolsch, Firebelly IPA and Vecino Mexican lager.
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Bearden Brewhouse - West Knoxville
A part of the Bearden Beer Market, Bearden Brewhouse has been brewing at 4524 Old Kingston Pike since 2020.
Beers to try: Rad Mamma Jamma sour, Easy Like Monday Morning blonde ale and Infinite Warrior IPA.
Blackhorse Pub & Brewery - Maryville
Starting in 1992 in Clarksville, Blackhorse Pub & Brewery has been brewing since 1995. It has a location in Alcoa at 441 N. Hall Road. Downtown Knoxville had a location until it closed in January.
Beers to try: Blackhorse's IPA, Coffee Milk Stout and Blackhorse Lager.
Clinch River Brewing - Norris
The northernmost brewery on this list, Clinch River Brewing can be found at 2045 Norris Freeway near the mouth of its namesake. If you need a better visual, it's on the way toward Norris Dam.
Beers to try: Clinch River Monster, Flambeaux IPA and Tongue Tie Rye.
Crafty Bastard Brewery - Fourth and Gill, West Knoxville
Since 2015, Crafty Bastard Brewery has operated at its original spot at 6 Emory Place. The West Knoxville location at 9937 Kingston Pike opened in 2021.
Beers to try: Knoxville Pride, Main Squeeze New England IPA and any of the sours.
Downtown Grill & Brewery - downtown Knoxville
Right in the heart of downtown near Blackhorse., Downtown Grill & Brewery has tons of food and beer ready for Knoxville to enjoy at 424 S. Gay St.
Beers to try: White Mule ale, Woodruff IPA and Nut Brown ale.
Ebony and Ivory Brewing - North Knoxville
A recent addition, Ebony and Ivory opened in September at 2300 N. Central St. It's the first Black co-owned brewery in Knoxville.
Beers to try: Extra Special Bitter, OLP Oatmeal Stout, Altbier or anything available.
Elst Brewing Company - North Knoxville
Beginning in 2018, Elst Brewing Company has brewed Knoxville craft beer from its North Knoxville home at 2419 N. Central St.
Beers to try: Elst Gold, Elst Brown, Elst Black, ELSTennial IPA and Vanilla Shake Ale.
Fanatic Brewing - North Knoxville, West Knoxville
Fanatic Brewing's owner Marty Velas has had a long beer history, and he brought that with him to Knoxville with Fanatic. There are two locations: the original brewery in North Knoxville at 2735 N. Central St. and a bar in West Town Mall.
Beers to try: Fanatic Dunkel, Tennessee Gold, Tennessee Red and Fanatic IPA.
Gatlinburg Brewing Company - Gatlinburg and Sevierville
Gatlinburg Brewing Co. has been brewing in the mountains since 2016. Staying close to home, there are two locations: one in Gatlinburg at 458 Parkway and one in Sevierville at 870 Winnfield Dunn Parkway.
Beers to try: Don't Feed the Bears brown ale, Gatty Light golden ale and Beer-ista coffee porter.
The Greens by Gypsy Circus - Oak Ridge
A new concept from Gyspy Circus, The Greens is a mini-golf and games area located at 201 Tuskegee Drive. It includes the new brewery Atomic City Brewing Company, which will be available there and at other Gypsy Circus location.
Beers to expect: Lit Lite, Y-12, Let the Sirens Ring and Human Shadow.
Gypsy Circus - Fourth and Gill
For its main offerings, Gypsy Circus has been brewing hard cider since 2016. Based in Kingsport, the brewery has a Knoxville location called the Barrelhouse at 621 Lamar St.
Ciders to try: Raindancer, Vaudevillian and Lotus Dreamer.
Hexagon Brewing Company - North Knoxville
Since 2017, Hexagon Brewing Company has been creating craft beers in North Knoxville at 1002 Dutch Valley Road.
Beers to try: Buddha Buddha imperial white stout, Smoking Goat and Dos Diablos.
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Hi-Wire Brewing Knoxville - South Knoxville
Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Hi-Wire Brewing expanded its circus-themed brewery to Knoxville in 2019. It's joined Alliance as a main brewery in South Knoxville at 2020 Barber St.
Beers to try: Hi-Pitch Mosiac IPA, Mountain Water Citrus Splash ale and Elated Winter IPA.
Honeybee Coffee and Brewery - West Knoxville
Coffee isn't the only thing brewing at Honeybee. The west location at 10716 Kingston Pike is the hub for Honeybee beer.
Beers to try: Salute the Hill hazy IPA, Scruffy Little Kitty pale ale and All Night Honey coffee blonde ale.
Last Days of Autumn - Fourth and Gill
Heading toward East Knoxville, Last Days of Autumn is a Green Bay Packers-themed bar at 808 E. Magnolia Ave.
Beers to try: Magnolia Wheat ale, Czech in the Dark lager and Pardon my Garden IPA.
Next Level Brewing - Fourth and Gill
Next Level Brewing opened its doors in late 2019, serving craft beer at 700 N. Broadway at the Central Street intersection.
Beers to try: Volunbeer lager, Super Sonic sour and Moundz pastry stout.
The Oak Room - North Knoxville
A part of Abridged Beer Company, The Oak Room is a barrel-aged beer bar and brewery specializing in sour beers. It's at 109 W. Anderson Ave.
Beers to try: Exponent of Breath, The Crimson Garden and Reciprocal Arrangement.
Orange Hat Brewing Company - Hardin Valley
Opened in 2020, Orange Hat Brewing Company is a microbrewery in Hardin Valley. Its taproom is at 10246 Hardin Valley Road. Orange Hat is opening a new location near East Knoxville in 2023.
Beers to try: Kiss and Tell beer and wine hybrid, Nomad IPA and 865 Pils lager.
Peaceful Side Brewery - Maryville
A new entry to this list, Peaceful Side Brewery is taking over the taproom and brewery previously owned by Blackberry Farms Brewery.
The new deal will have Peaceful Side Brewery use the space, which originates in Townsend, as part of Oldham Hospitality. This will be the brewery's second location.
Peaceful Side Brewery will also brew Blackberry Farm's beer for two years. The transition begins in December 2023.
Beers to try: Bote Mtn Session, Smoky Mountain Nights and IPA 2.0.
Pretentious Beer Co. - Downtown Knoxville
In the Old City, the glass making and craft beer brewing Pretentious Beer Co. can be found at 131 S. Central St. It recently opened Hong's Kitchen as part of the brewery.
Beers to try: Getaway Driver IPA, Founders V4.20 sour and Sensuous farmhouse ale.
Printshop Beer Co. - South Knoxville
Over at 1532 Island Home Ave., Printshop Beer Co. began brewing and serving its craft beers in 2018. It rounds out the three South Knoxville breweries, all on one stretch of road (for the most part).
Beers to try: Hand Crank pale ale, Knox-Ill IPA and Baker Creek brown ale.
Round 6 - Maryville
At 427 Whitecrest Drive, Round 6 is a brewery located in Maryville. It's touted as owner Will Wesselman's sixth round or season of his life.
Beers to try: Ponyboy golden ale, East Tennessee Sours and Willy Style IPA.
Schulz Brau Brewing - North Knoxville
With a German-style beer garden and castle, Schulz Brau brewery at 126 Bernard Ave. has brought Germany to Knoxville since 2016. It's also a great place to spend Oktoberfest each year!
Beers to try: Munich Helles, Radler, Munich Dunkel and Oktoberfest Marzen (seasonal).
Smoky Mountain Brewery - All over East Tennessee
Smoky Mountain Brewery has been brewing since 1996. It currently has four locations.
11308 Parkside Drive in Turkey Creek
743 Watkins Road in Maryville
2530 Parkway in Pigeon Forge
1004 Parkway in Gatlinburg
Beers to try: Cherokee red ale, Appalachian pale ale and Black Bear brown ale.
Tri-Hop Brewing - Maryville
Also found in Maryville is Tri-Hop Brewing at 205 Court St. The small brewery opened in 2018.
Beers to try: Sourdega Nights, Blount Light blonde ale and Tr.I-P.A.
Xul Beer Company - Fourth and Gill
Opened in 2020, Xul Beer Company has created unique craft beers. It's located at 213 E. Fifth Ave. It will use the space formerly used by Geezer's Brewery, which closed in summer 2023.
Beers to try: Rhymes like Dimes IPA, Isle of Mangos sour and Orloj dark lager.
Yee-Haw Brewing - Pigeon Forge, Knoxville
Based in Johnson City, Yee-Haw Brewing has become a flagship Tennessee beer. It's available just about everywhere, with a brewery in Pigeon Forge at 131 The Island Drive and a new one in Knoxville at 745 N. Broadway that opened in February 2023.
Beers to try: Kolsch, Dunkel and IPA.
Keenan Thomas reports for the Knox News business growth and development coverage team. You can reach him by email at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at knoxnew.com/subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Guide to local breweries and beer in Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Maryville
