Although the craft beer phenomenon is relatively new to Memphis, the Bluff City has had a long love affair with alcohol. In fact, in 1915, both the mayor and a local judge were removed from their duties for failing to uphold contemporary prohibition laws!
Fast-forward to the present time, when Memphis is experiencing a local brewery renaissance of sorts. Every Memphian has their favorite, but there’s one thing we all agree on: Keeping it local is the hottest trend of all. With that in mind, here are seven local breweries you need to check out:
Ghost River Brewing Company & Tap Room
Any brewer will tell you it all starts with the water, so it’s no surprise that our first craft brewery relies on that clean drinking water for which Memphis is so renowned. Before the water reaches Ghost River Brewing, it trickles down the Wolf River, along the Ghost River and through the Memphis Sands Aquifer, which leaves it soft, mineral-free and perfect for brewing.
High Cotton Brewing Company
The High Cotton Brewing Company is both laid-back and cutting-edge, so it makes perfect sense that High Cotton’s four founders set up shop in the Edge District. If you’re a fan of Belgians and dark beers, visit HCBC’s taproom just down the street from historic Sun Studios to find 10 select brews always on tap.
Boscos Squared Brewing Company
This anchor of Overton Square eschews the typical craft beer taproom feel for an upscale atmosphere. While Boscos Squared’s proximity to the Theater District makes it the perfect choice for a pre-show beer, its award-winning Flaming Stone brew alone is worth the trip. What’s more, the on-site restaurant is a hot spot for Sunday brunch.
Memphis Made Brewing Company
Although Memphis Made Brewing specializes in seasonal brews, you’ll find its Lucid Kolsch on tap year-round. More good news: Lucid Kolsch pairs well with fare from just about any of the food trucks that park outside MMB’s warehouse location in the Cooper-Young neighborhood.
Wiseacre Brewery
Wiseacre is known for two things: its corrugated metal building and its commitment to quality brewing. Before launching Wiseacre, the Bartosch brothers traveled the nation, gleaning brewing secrets from all over. Tiny Bomb, one of their year-round offerings, is a local legend.
Meddlesome Brewery
Can you believe it? The craft beer scene in Memphis is old enough now to have started spawning second-generation locations. Brewers from Boscos and nearby Jackson-based Rock N Dough Pizza came together to form Meddlesome Brewing, a relative newcomer that’s already making waves.
Crosstown Brewing Company
Crosstown Brewing Company is the other new kid on the block. Having taken up residence in the old abandoned Sears distribution center on the Crosstown Concourse, Crosstown Brewing bills itself as “Scrappy, quirky and driven by a passion to build something amazing.”
The craft beer scene in Memphis is definitely continuing the traditions put in place by those who came before! To keep your finger on the pulse of the burgeoning Memphis brewing scene, check out the Memphis Craft Beer website, and head here for more things Memphis.
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