🍻 Your Guide to the Scenic City’s Craft Beer Scene
Chattanooga is an underrated gem nestled among the Appalachian foothills, offering incredible hiking trails, fantastic food, and a vibrant craft beer scene with many breweries and taprooms (See our Chattanooga city guide too). As frequent visitors, we’ve discovered that Chattanooga’s breweries and taprooms deliver not just excellent local brews but also memorable hang out spaces perfect for unwinding after nearby outdoor adventures. Many of the best breweries are also walkable and close to downtown!
Whether you’re craving a nice IPA, a funky sour, or a full-bodied stout, these top Chattanooga breweries have something special waiting for you to try on your next trip.
- 🍻 Your Guide to the Scenic City's Craft Beer Scene
- TailGate Brewery (Southside)
- Hutton & Smith Brewing Co.
- The Tap House (St. Elmo)
- Mad Knight Brewing Company
- WanderLinger Brewing Company
- Chattanooga Brewing Co.
- Five Wits Brewing Co.
- OddStory Brewing Co.
- Naked River Brewing Company
- FAQS About the Best Chattanooga Breweries and Taprooms:
- Final Thoughts on Chattanooga's Best Craft Brewery Scene
- Author’s Note
- More Travel Inspiration Articles to help you plan:
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TailGate Brewery (Southside)
Location: 1464 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37408
Housed in a historic Southside building, TailGate Brewery features a unique 7-barrel Belgian and farmhouse brew house. They are known for an amazing craft pizza kitchen (we loved the pizza!), 30 draft beer options, and a lively double-decker patio, it’s perfect for pizza-and-beer wind-down at sunset.
Our Favorite brew: Orange Wheat Ale
🍺Read Reviews on Tailgate Brewery on Tripadvisor
Hutton & Smith Brewing Co.
Location: 431 E Martin Luther King Blvd #120, Chattanooga, TN 37403
Known as Chattanooga’s best IPA masters, Hutton & Smith consistently earns top awards. They have flagship brews like “Promenade IPA” and intriguing limited editions such as their barrel-aged specialties, this brewery is a must-stop for hop lovers. Our Travel Makes Me Happy Blog team leader, Dan, is our IPA guy and this was his favorite spot. It’s also easily walkable from other spots in downtown.
Our Favorite brew: Igneous IPA
🍺Read Reviews on Hutton & Smith Brewing on Tripadvisor here!
The Tap House (St. Elmo)
Location: 3800 St Elmo Ave #114, Chattanooga, TN 37409
Veteran-owned and great neighborhood spot, The Tap House in St. Elmo offers more than 30 rotating taps featuring local beers, ciders, kombucha, and gluten-free/non-alcoholic options. We also sampled their extensive food menu and loved the pretzels. There’s a dog-friendly patio to hang out on and it makes it a welcoming spot for everyone. This one is a short drive from downtown, but worth it.
Must-try brew: We tried too many to have a favorite here. Lots of local tap selections
🍺Read Reviews on the Tap House on Tripadvisor here!
Mad Knight Brewing Company
Location: 4015 Tennessee Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37409
Not far from the Tap House is this unique gem. Mad Knight Brewing combines medieval themes with modern beer crafting techniques, creating a fun and quirky atmosphere in St. Elmo. With an impressive selection of handcrafted brews, it’s ideal for adventurous beer enthusiasts.
Our Favorite Brew: Questing Beast Pale Ale
WanderLinger Brewing Company
Location: 1208 King St, Chattanooga, TN 37403
More than just a downtown brewery, WanderLinger has a nice taproom complete with board games, rotating local art exhibits, and frequent live music performances. Locals told us this is the spot for both beer lovers and creative spirits. We loved hanging out there.
Our Favorite brew: Wanderlinger Lager
🍺Read Reviews on WanderLinger Brewing on Tripadvisor here!
🌄If you visit Chattanooga on a road trip like we did, renting an RV is a great way to accommodate a large group and stay in nature!
Chattanooga Brewing Co.
Location: 1804 Chestnut St, Chattanooga, TN 37408
Reviving Chattanooga’s oldest brewery (originally founded circa 1890), Chattanooga Brewing Co. blends history with modern tastes. Enjoy their classic beer styles alongside hearty pub food, all within a the walkable downtown setting.
Our Favorite brew: Chestnut Street Brown Ale
🍺Read Reviews on Chattanooga Brewing Company on Tripadvisor here!
Five Wits Brewing Co.
Location: 1501 Long St, Chattanooga, TN 37408
Located in the vibrant Southside district of downtown, Five Wits Brewing Co. offers a broad selection of craft beers complemented by comfort food favorites and regular live music events. It’s the ideal place to unwind after exploring Chattanooga’s city spots and attractions. We experienced live music and good food besides the brews here and loved it.
Daniel’s Favorite brew: Sunblaze IPA
🍺Read Reviews on Five Wits Brewing on Tripadvisor here!
OddStory Brewing Co.
Location: 1604 Central Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37408
OddStory stands out with its funky sours and decadent pastry stouts. The vibrant, plant-filled taproom and family-friendly outdoor patio seating area create a lively atmosphere ideal for gathering with friends or family. This was a KJ favorite because of the sours.
KJ Favorite brew: Mango Pineapple Sour
🍺Read Reviews on OddStory Brewing Co. on Tripadvisor here!
Naked River Brewing Company
***UPDATE*** Naked River is permanently closed so we will find a replacement that is just as awesome. Any recommendations?
Location: 1791 Reggie White Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37408
Located in a beautifully restored historic trolley-car factory, Naked River pairs its house-made beers with mouthwatering smoked barbecue. It’s just across from Finley Stadium too so it’s perfect for an after-game hang out spot.
Our Favorite brew: MoonPie Stout
🍺Read Reviews on Naked River Brewing Co. on Tripadvisor here!
FAQS About the Best Chattanooga Breweries and Taprooms:
Yes, many Chattanooga breweries such as The Tap House, OddStory Brewing Co., and Naked River Brewing Company offer dog-friendly patios and outdoor areas.
Yes, several spots like The Tap House in St. Elmo provide gluten-free beer options, ciders, kombucha, and non-alcoholic beverages to accommodate various dietary needs.
Yes, several Chattanooga breweries, including OddStory Brewing Co., Chattanooga Brewing Co., and Naked River Brewing Company, have family-friendly atmospheres and amenities suitable for visitors with children.
Final Thoughts on Chattanooga’s Best Craft Brewery Scene
Chattanooga’s thriving brewery scene reflects the city’s unique spirit. It’s innovative, welcoming, and full of flavor. Each brewery brings something unique to the table, whether it’s the bold IPAs of Hutton & Smith, OddStory’s imaginative sours, or Naked River’s casual barbecue-friendly beers. On your next Chattanooga trip, set aside time to explore these fantastic breweries and taste why this city deserves recognition as a top craft beer destination.
We love Chattanooga and even included it in our Best Scenic Mountain Towns Guide because it is a must-visit city!
Don’t forget to check out Chattanooga’s Calendar of Events and Music to plan your trip!
Author’s Note
We’ve traveled to Chattanooga regularly, always drawn back by its blend of beautiful hiking trails, low crowd levels, fantastic local food, and especially its vibrant craft beer community. This guide reflects our personal favorites and highlights why we believe Chattanooga is an underrated gem that every beer enthusiast should explore. If we didn’t include your favorite on our list it’s only because we haven’t tried it yet! Drop us a line and let us know if we missed any. ~K.J. Travelmakesmehappy.com