The Ultimate Guide to the City’s Craft Beer Scene: Breweries, Tap Rooms and Signature Brews.
Avondale Brewing
The linchpin in the rebirth of Avondale as one of the city’s most vibrant entertainment districts, Avondale Brewing has a rich history. Having been home to a post office, a firehouse, a bank, the Long Branch Saloon with a bordello for patrons on the upper floor. Legend has it that the building is haunted by a former lady of the brothel, now known to the current occupants affectionately as Meredith. The brewery, founded by Hunter and Coby Lake, is now owned by Good People. The large yard behind the brewery hosts great events and concerts.
Signature beers include Spring Street Saison, a Belgian style farmhouse ale, and Miss Fancy’s Tripel, a Belgian ale named in honor of Avondale’s famous elephant.
Avondale Brewing, 201 41st Street South, Birmingham, 35222 www.avondalebrewing.com (205) 203-4546
Back Forty Beer Company
In the summer of 2018, Gadsden-born Back Forty Beer Company joined Birmingham’s thriving craft beer scene and opened a new microbrewery at Sloss Docks. With plenty of room both outside and in, Back Forty–Birmingham offers dramatic views of Sloss Furnaces and the rail lines that rumble right past the building.
Signature beers include Naked Pig Ale, an American pale ale, and Truck Stop Honey, a medium-bodied English brown ale brewed with Alabama Wildflower Honey, roasted malts and fresh hops. Another great thing about Back Forty is the excellent pub food that sets this brewery apart.
Back Forty Beer Company, 3201 1st Avenue North, Birmingham 35222 205-407-8025 www.backfortybeer.com/birmingham
Birmingham District Brewing
The iron, mining and steel heritage of Birmingham lives on in this brewery in the Battery development on Southside. “We aren’t just selling beer, we’re using our craft to pay tribute to the Magic City and the men & women who’ve helped shape her.” That is the slogan that the brewery lives by. Founded back in 2018 at the new Battery development just south of Rotary Trail, the brewery was the brainchild of Cale Sellers and his father-in-law Brad Kueven. Home brewers they found their calling early and have expanded the experience.
Signature beers include Lose Your Way, a New England influenced IPA, and The Descent, an American stout.
Birmingham District Brewing, 2201 2nd Ave S, Ste 102, Birmingham 35233 birminghamdistrictbrewing.com (205) 202-5779
Cahaba Brewing Company
Cahaba Brewing Company was founded in the summer of 2011 by a group of friends united by their love of craft beer and home brewing. They started brewing beer in the spring of 2012 in a building at Pepper Place. The brewery later moved to larger space at Historical Continental Gin Complex off 3rd Avenue South. The large facility is the perfect back drop for a beer-sodden night or day for that matter.
Signature beers include American Blonde, a pale and light-bodied ale, and Cahaba Lager, a medium bodied lager.
Cahaba Brewing Company, 4500 5th Ave South Building C, Birmingham, 35222 (205) 578 2616 www.cahababrewing.com
Ferus Artisan Ales
Set up as one of two breweries in Trussville’s new downtown entertainment district, Ferus is Latin for wild. The name comes from their passion for brewing sour beers and the wild yeast that is used during fermentation. The brewery is located in a 23,000 square-foot building housing beer production, taproom, eatery, event space, and retail. Outside the brewery is an outdoor taproom, pavilion, greenspace, and stage.
Signature beers include Ferus Pilsner, an unfiltered German-style Pilsner.
Ferus Artisan Ales, 101 Beech Street, Trussville, 35173 (205) 508-3001 www.ferusales.com
Ghost Train Brewing
Ghost train Brewing Company came to life in 2016, founded by Taylor DeBoer, owner and brewmaster, and Patrick Small, owner and director of sales and distribution. The brewery recently expanded and opened a live music venue on its property on Southside.
Signature beers include Select Blonde, a blonde ale, and Gulf Coast IPA, an American IPA.
Ghost Train Brewing Company, 2616 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham 35233 (205)201-5817 www.ghosttrainbrewing.com
Goat Island Brewing
Cullman natives Mike Mullaney, Gery Teichmiller, John Dean and Brad Glenn founded Goat Island Brewing, named for a well-known island in Smith Lake. The brewery continues the town of Cullman’s history of beer-making in a town founded by Germans in the 19th century.
Signature beers include Richter’s Pils, based on an original, translated recipe found in Cullman.
Goat Island Brewing, 1646-A John H Cooper Drive, Cullman 35055 (256) 747-5556 www.goatislandbrewing.com
Good People Brewing Co.
Growing out of the Southern notion that some folks are just good people, this brewery was a local pioneer in the world of craft beer. Founded by Auburn graduates Jason Malone and Mike Sellers, Good People’s first brew, a brown ale, made its official debut in 2008. Since then and a move across from Regions Field, Good People has continued to be a local leader in craft beer, particularly with its recent purchase of Avondale Brewery.
Signature beers include Snake Handler, Double IPA brew and a hoppy one at that, and the Bearded Lady, a light-bodied wheat ale. Their Coffee Oatmeal Stout features a big coffee taste.
Good People Brewing Co. 114 14th St South, Birmingham, 35233 (205) 286-2337 www.goodpeoplebrewing.com
The Grocery Brewpub
Grocery Brew Pub is located in Homewood at the former site of Red Hills Brewing. The emphasis here is on both beer and food with a full menu and a variety of taps featuring national, local and their own brews.
Signature beers include Backstock Brown, a heavy brown ale.
The Grocery Brewpub, 2823 Central Ave, Homewood 35209 (205) 637-0990 www.thegrocerybrewpub.com
Hop City
Hop City Craft Beer & Wine opened its doors in 2009 to a great response from the Atlanta community. The Birmingham outlet opened after the store in Atlanta had garnered great press and an impressive customer base. The Birmingham location features an impressive beer and wine selection, growlers, and an on-site beer bar with patio. There are 66 draft choices at the beer bar plus 6 wines on draft.
Hop City, 2924 3rd Ave S, Birmingham 35233 (205) 279-2337 www.hopcitybeer.com/birmingham
Interstellar Ginger Beer and Exploration Co.
Founded in 2017, Interstellar is Alabaster’s hot spot for craft beer. Interstellar Ginger Beer is the product of microbiologist Dr. Shane Kelly and entrepreneur Daniel Sims. The specialty of the house is their collection of ginger beers.
Signature beers include First Contact, made with cold pressed ginger and lemon, and Space Mule, a brewed interpretation of a Moscow mule.
Interstellar Ginger Beer & Exploration Company 260A Regency Park Alabaster, AL 35007 (205) 790-3146 www.interstellarginger.com
Lakeview Beer Garden
Equal parts food and beer, the Lakeview Beer Garden comes to us from Carrigan’s now trio of night spots. This outpost has a beer focus with plenty of room inside and out.
Lakeview Beer Garden, 2910 6th Avenue South, Birmingham 35233 (205) 440-2910 www.carriganspub.com/beergarden
Monday Night Social Club
Monday Night Social Club serves over 25 brews on tap, including house-made beers, small batch IPAs from the Hop Hut, barrel-aged and sour beers from the Garage, and guest taps from local breweries—as well as a full bar with wine and cocktails.
Signature beers include Drafty Kilt, a roasty scotch ale with a hint of smoke, and Blind Pirate, a juicy, citrusy IPA
Monday Night Brewery and Kitchen, 14 12th Street South Birmingham 35233 (205) 444-1429 www.mondaynightbrewing.com
Oversoul Brewing Company
This family-owned small-batch brewery in the heart of Helena is worth the trip south of town. The brewery regularly features food trucks and musical events, the taco truck is particularly popular. Oversoul is an important part of the Old Town Helena development.
Oversoul Brewing Company, 4161 Helena Road, Helena 35080 (205) 999-6444
Siluria Brewing Company
Danny and Tammy Sample were huge fans of craft beer, so the next logical step in their minds was to open their own brewery. Opened in 2018, the beer menu includes an IPA, a blonde ale, a stout, a wheat beer and a Hefeweizen. Food trucks are a popular addition to the location in downtown Alabaster.
Siluria Brewing Company, 145 1st Ave W. Alabaster 35007 (205) 624-3037 www.siluriabrewing.com
Slap Heap Brewing Co.
Like its Trussville neighbor, Ferus, this brewery is a big part of Trussville’s new downtown development. Owners Joe and Susan Meadows have tried to create a family-oriented business with the brewery.
Signature beers include 2 Monks Belgian IPA, a delicate IPA, and Q’s Moneypenny, an English-style pub ale.
Slag Heap Brewing Company, 227 Main St, Trussville 35173 (205) 537-1015 www.slagheapbrewingcompany.com
Tallulah Brewing Company
A true family enterprise with seven relatives in the business, Tallulah Brewing Company in Jasper, grew out of a true love for craft beer. Named for an old hotel in nearby Cordova and christened with a nod to actress Tallulah Bankhead and her Congressman father, the brewery is an anchor in the development of downtown Jasper.
Signatures beers include the IPA Southern Ambassador, Rhapsody, a Bohemian pilsner, and The Gavel, a porter.
Tallulah Brewing Company, 1804 Fourth Avenue South, Jasper 35501 (205) 530-8555 www.tallulahbrewing.com
TrimTab Brewing
Award-winning TrimTab Brewing has been in an expansion mode this year, increasing their production capacity by taking over a neighboring building. They have a philosophy to go along with their beer, namely “Craft beer is our way to spread that message and is a way to extend an invitation to make our world a better, more inspired place to live.” Sounds right to us.
Signature brews include 205, a Southern IPA, Trim Tab IPA, an American India pale ale, and Paradise Now, a raspberry Berliner Weisse.
TrimTab Brewing Company, 2721 5th Ave S, Birmingham 35233 (205) 374-8749 www.trimtabbrewing.com
True Story Brewing Co.
Founded by Craig Shaw, an original brewmaster at Avondale, True Story Brewing Company is a small brewery with some big beliefs. They focus on finely crafted beer, tasty eats, family, friends, and the community.
True Story is located in Crestwood Village right next to Crestwood Coffee.
True Story Brewing Company, 5510 Crestwood Blvd., Birmingham 35212 (205) 593-4144 Facebook: @truestorybrewing
Twisted Barley Brewing Co
Another Jasper entry in the metro Birmingham beer scene, Twisted Barley Brewing is located in a 1920s-era bulding in downtown Jasper.
Signature beers include Promiscuous, a blonde ale, Vanilla Joe Latte, a white stout and Rampint Idiocy, a Southern IPA.
Twisted Barley Brewing Company, 520 19th St W, Jasper 35501 (205) 265-3253 Facebook: @twistedbarleybrewingco
