There’s more to drink at the Derby—and around Louisville—than mint juleps.

We all know that Louisville, Kentucky is the land of bourbon, and the mint julep is the drink of choice for the Kentucky Derby, which is having its 150th anniversary on May 4 at Churchill Downs. But the city is also known for some great breweries. In fact, it was once a great beer city known for a special type of beer called Kentucky Common, a dark ale style that’s rarely brewed today. If you are looking for Kentucky Common in Louisville, Apocalypse Brew Works in Louisville occasionally makes one of the original recipes and will have it on draught, and Dreaming Creek Brewery from Richmond, Kentucky makes a Kentucky Common that can be found at local Total Wine retailers.

If you’re visiting Louisville for the Run for the Roses or any time throughout the year, check out these breweries and beer bars that celebrate great craft beer.

Against the Grain’s Public Houses have two locations- one downtown and one near the Original Highlands section.

One of the most well-known breweries in Louisville is Against the Grain (AtG for short). With wacky labels and some in your face names like “Citra Ass Down,” AtG has two tasting rooms in Louisville: one near the Original Highlands area and one downtown. Their beer is widely available throughout Louisville and out of state as well.

Mile Wide sells a huge variety of beers to suit all tastes from dark lagers to sours to a plethora of hoppy options so there’s something for everyone. Started by three friends and housed in an old biscuit factory, Mile Wide’s tasting room also has board games and classic arcade games plus pinball machines to keep the good times rolling. The brewery is conveniently located between downtown and the Original Highlands neighborhood.

While Monnik Beer Co’s focus is on European styles, they also brew a bunch of hoppy options. There is an on-site restaurant as well.

Monnik Beer Co., located in the Schnitzelburg neighborhood, makes some excellent European-inspired beers. A brewing friend of mine raved about their saison and Italian pilsner. Monnik is the Dutch word for “monk,” and they also have an on-site restaurant.

Shippingport is a brewery solely owned by women, which was inaugurated in the year 2021, in the Portland region of Louisville. The brewery is highly community-driven, boasting over 100 five-star Google reviews. The Beer list in the taproom includes a vast selection of beer types ranging from German style kolsch to West Coast pilsner and even hard kombucha. Furthermore, Sandwiches are also prepared on-site at Shippingport.

The second tasting room of Atrium, located in Prospect, KY, is an ideal ensconce for anyone looking to avoid the tumult of Louisville.

Atrium Brewing operates a spirited tasting room in the Germantown area of Louisville, notable for fine hazy IPAs, hype fruited sours, and crispy lagers. Established in September 2020, Atrium has grown to construct a second tasting room outside the city borders in Prospect, Kentucky.

Although not a brewery, Holy Grale maintains an impressive beer list along with delicious food, emphasizing on using local products. Located just one mile from AtG’s Original Highlands public house, the Holy Grale has had its roots since 2011 in an erstwhile Unitarian church. The amenities at Holy Grale include pleasant outdoor seating and a dining room previously the choir loft. Moreover, Holy Grale has a Bed and Breakfast with a café on the ground floor, opened in 2014, just down the street.

If you are looking for one of the best eclectic beer lists in town, head over to Sergio’s World Beers in the Butchertown section of town. Currently on draught they have a list chock full of European classics from breweries like Cantillon, Chimay and Fantome. The food menu puts world food on display with dishes from Chile, Brazil, Greece, Germany and more.

There’s good beer everywhere nowadays and Louisville has a lot to offer. Check out the Louisville Ale Trail website for a complete list. Remember to drink responsibly and to always imbibe with people who you care about. Cheers!