Connoisseur, enthusiast, aficionado, devotee – whatever you want to call yourself, if you like beer you’ll love it here.
If there’s anything the influx of craft breweries and bars in the area tells us, it’s that Lexington is passionate about its beer. Whether you’re an adventurous spirit who loves trying new brews, a connoisseur who seeks out hard-to-find concoctions, or just a lover of the classics done right, you’ll love exploring the hundreds of awesome bars and creative craft breweries around Lexington – and you can start your Beer Enthusiast journey with our picks.
The Beer Trappe
811 Euclid Avenue
A “Beer Lover’s Paradise,” this neighborhood beer joint has eight rotating taps of rare craft beer and hundreds of specialty bottles from around the world, which you can sift through with the help of personable and knowledgeable staff. The Beer Trappe has the title of being Lexington’s first craft beer store, and was rated one of the 100 best beer bars in the country by Draft Magazine. thebeertrappe.com
Distillery District
Manchester Street
The site of the historic James Pepper Distillery is now home to one of the hottest areas in town, the Distillery District. Stop by Ethereal Brewing, a craft microbrewery that explores the “funkier side of farmhouse brewing.” Or you can enjoy a cold one by a fire pit next to a creek across the way at the Break Room. This whole area is a favorite among local beer enthusiasts, so you’ll be in good company wherever you wander. thedistillerydistrict.com
The Brewgrass Trail
Bluegrass Region – Central KY
Encompassing several featured breweries in and around Lexington, the Brewgrass Trail is the best way to sample the best breweries and craft beers if you can’t pick just one from this guide. Passports are available at any participating brewery or at the Lexington Visitors Center. Be sure to get your Passport stamped at each brewery you visit to receive a commemorative t-shirt. Visit brewgrasstraillex.com for all the details and a list of all the stops.
Insider tip: While you are brewery-hopping, be sure to keep an eye out for the eclectic street art around town (there are more than 30 murals). Check out PRHBTN.com for the full list of murals, or use this helpful map.
