What's on Tap: Indy Breweries

If original craft beer is your style, Indianapolis has much to offer you. Check out these original Indianapolis breweries for pale ales, stouts and all things beer.

Sun King Brewing Co.
Locally owned and operated Sun King Brewing Co. captured gold (The Velvet Fog, belgian-style dark strong ale), silver (Ring of Dingle, classic Irish-style dry stout) and bronze (Dominator Dopplebock, German-style doppelbock or eisbock) awards at the world's largest commercial beer competition (2012 Brewers Association World Beer Cup). They also took home silver at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival. Don’t look for white linens or fancy tables at this craft brewery. This simple spot puts its money where your tastebuds are and offers four house brews that are available year round, along with a few seasonal and specialty beers. They have picnic tables at which you can sample the various choices and then buy a growler or case to go.

 

Broad Ripple Brewpub
The Broad Ripple Brewpub is the oldest brewpub still operating in the state and has an old English pub atmosphere with dark wood paneling and tin ceilings. Their beers have also won several awards at different craft beer festivals and competitions - one of the most popular being its IPA. In addition to great English and traditional styles of beers, this microbrewery offers an amazing lunch and dinner menu to accompany all of their brews.

 

Barley Island
Barley Island, located in Noblesville, carries a number of beers on tap outside of the traditional draft beers. Some of its award-winning beers include the Dirty Helen Brown Ale, which is a sweet tasting malty brew, with medium hop bitterness and a copper penny color. Those who enjoy a wood or barrel-aged beer might try the Beastie Barrel Stout.

 

Brugge Brasserie
The inspiration for the Brugge Brasserie and its beers comes from Belgium. It has wonderful food, including buckets of steamed mussels accompanied by a number of original sauces served alongside their Belgian frites. They also serve crepes, stew, cheese platters and more. The taps are always serving a serious selection of beers, including brewer Ted Millerâ's Triple de Ripple, a Belgian Tripel, and other takes on traditional Belgian brews.

 

The Ram Restaurant and Brewery
A private, independent, family-owned and operated restaurant business since 1971, The Ram now houses the Big Horn Brewing Company. Six handcrafted beers are available in growlers, sixth barrels, pony kegs and kegs. Some of the fun names include Total Disorder Porter, Buttface Amber Ale and sure sellers are Big Horn Hefeweizen, Big Red IPA and the Blonde. The Ram won a silver medal at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival.

 

Upland Tasting Room
A Bloomington-based brewing company has opened the Upland Tasting Room to service Indianapolis’ demand for great craft beer. Tastings and growler fillings are available daily and the beer selection, which includes favorites like the Dragonfly IPA and Upland Wheat Ale, is always changing.

 

The Oaken Barrel
The Oaken Barrel on the south side specializes in gourmet lagers and ales. They use a 15-barrel system to brew six standard house ales and a steady stream of specialty beers. The Belgian Wheat Alabaster is the best seller here. With a smooth finish, it’s not your ordinary light tasting beer. The owner talks to his customers to find out what they like and then experiments with recipes to fit their tastes.

 

Bier Brewery
Bier Brewery and Taproom is one of Indianapolis' newest and most unique breweries. Located on the north side, Bier brews its beer in very small batches so it can offer an ever-changing lineup of tasty craft beers ranging from a classic Kolsch to a Roggenschnizzle. Bier's Belgian Dubbel took home silver medal honors at the 2012 World Beer Cup competition and the brewery itself has won the Brewery of the Year award at the Indiana Brewers' Cup for the past two years. Most of Bier's brews sell out, so be sure to grab your growler and go.

 

Flat12 Bierwerks
A product of time-tested home brewing, Flat12 Bierwerks is a welcomed addition to Indianapolis' east side. While Flat12 offers a delicious lineup of six house beers at their brewery and tasting room, their porter can be found in restaurants and breweries around the city.

 

Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Company
If you have ever visited Scotty’s Brewhouse in Indy, you already know that owner Scott Wise loves his beer. With the help of local brewer Omar Castrellon, Wise took this love even further and created Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Company in Broad Ripple. Grab a growler, a pint or some tasty bar food at Thr3e Wise Men.

 

Tomlinson Tap Room
While not a brewery in itself, the Tomlinson Tap Room in the historic City Market in downtown Indianapolis is a hub for all Indiana craft beer. With some help from the Brewers of Indiana Guild, the Tomlinson Tap Room offers 16 rotating beers from craft breweries across Indiana. Neither a bar nor a brewery, you can grab some great food from the City Market below and pair it with some of the best beer Indianapolis has to offer.

 

Triton Brewing Company
A new addition to the Indianapolis brewing scene, the Triton Brewing Company at Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park on Indy's north side offers a nice selection of tasty craft beers. In addition to serving their own house brews, the Triton tasting room offers an array of guest taps to enjoy as well. Grab your growler now and head to Triton to get your fill!

 

Black Acre Brewing Company
Black Acre is located just east of downtown in the historic Irvington area. This small batch producer serves its own unique, seasonal brews as well as a constantly evolving array of local and regional craft beer favorites. Stop by for small plate fare anytime and a special Sunday brunch menu.

 

Fountain Square Brewing Co.
The eclectic Fountain Square Cultural District, long known for its variety of ethnic restaurants, is now home to its own brewery, too. Creating quality beer for a diversity of tastes is what Fountain Square Brewing Co. is all about. Their connection to this artsy community means you'll often find the two crossing paths through special events and displays.

 

Indy Brew Bus
Would you like to visit multiple craft breweries without having to worry about a designated driver? Hop on the bus! The Indy Brew Bus, that is. Tours visit at least three locations at which you will spend 45 minutes sampling, enjoying pints and filling your growlers. Coolers on the bus will keep everything cold for the journey and your sampling scorecard will help you keep things straight. Pick ups and drop offs are available at downtown hotels.

 

Rock Bottom Brewery
While Rock Bottom Brewerymay be a chain restaurant, the brews are independently created at each location. With a philosophy that beer should be clean, simple and fresh, it's no surprise that these have won a few awards through the years including the recent World Beer Cup gold award for the College Park site's Naked Oat Stout!

 

Twenty Tap
Twenty Tap is not a brewery but they always have plenty of choices on draught. Its location in SoBro makes it a convenient stop before or after an evening on the town. Not only will you find a rotating selection of excellent local and regional beers but also an innovative menu of pub fare which is largely locally sourced.

 

Black Swan Brewpub
Southwest of Indy, the Black Swan Brewpub thinks outside the box when creating beer. The upscale menu pairs nicely with the tapped selections which include all local choices plus more than a few made on site.

 

Brewery Tours of Indianapolis
No need to worry about driving, Brewery Tours of Indianapolis will pick you up at your downtown Indianapolis hotel and offers a great way to sample a vast array of the craft beers the city has to offer.

 

Planetary Brewing Company
This nanobrewery located south of Indianapolis in Greenwood is on a mission to create "an otherworldly experience" for those drinking their high quality ales. With a rotating lineup of recipes, you're sure to find something out of this world to quench your thirst.