7+ Unique, Local Breweries in Downtown Indianapolis

Looking to grab a pint of delicious, local beer in downtown Indy? Check out a local's guide to the best breweries in Indianapolis, compiled after much diligent study and in-person research by your esteemed, beer-loving author.

Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Updated February, 2024.

Looking for the best, local breweries in downtown Indianapolis?

With our German roots, Indianapolis certainly has more than its fair share of delicious breweries. And having lived in Indianapolis since 2014, and in the heart of downtown for most of that time, the husband and I have admittedly spent more than our fair share of time sampling all that Indy's breweries have to offer. Is there a better way to spend a lazy Sunday than having a few beers at the source? I think not.

Indiana craft breweries have been steadily growing as a formidable Midwestern base for about 20 years, with Upland in Bloomington and Sun King here in Indy largely leading the charge. I originally wrote this post back in 2019, and sadly a few of my favorite spots have closed their doors since then (RIP Flat 12, Black Acre, and Two Deep). But, by-and-large, Indy's brewing scene continues growing

From multi-destination brands to tasting rooms and spots where you can smell the fresh hops, I've rounded up my favorite Indianapolis breweries you can visit during your time in the Circle City!

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7+ Unique, Local Breweries in Downtown Indianapolis

Alright, it's time to dig into our list! I've rounded up my favorite unique, local breweries in downtown Indy. If you're going to be hitting several spots, consider renting a Pacer bike and exploring via the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
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Please drink responsibly and don't forget to bring your ID (even I still get carded a lot).

Fountain Square:
​Upland Brewing Company

A classic, home-grown Indiana brewery, Upland was born in Bloomington and has slowly conquered Indianapolis, as well, with its straight-forward brews and heartland-inspired dining options. Its original, ever-expanding location in Bloomington is first started to foster by love of craft beer, and is worth a visit next time you're in Southern Indiana! 


Upland's Fountain Square location is its newest, and it's fancy enough to rival the Bloomington headquarters.

Recommended brews:
Dragon Fly IPA: classic, drinkable IPA
Champagne Velvet: German style lager based on a historic Indiana recipe

Learn all about a trip to Fountain Square, Indianapolis!

Extra Credit:
​Triton Brewing Company and Bistro

Head just outside of downtown, over the edge of Fort Benjamin Harrison and Triton Brewing Company. Established in 2011, you'll recognize its distinctive triton logo, as its glasses proliferate on the downtown bar scene.

​Fun fact: all of Triton's used grain is given to local farms to be used as animal feed.

Fountain Square:
​Fountain Square Brew Co.

For another quirky spot in Fountain Square, stop by Fountain Square Brew Co., to try some beers you've surely seen on tap throughout the city. Fountain Square Brew Co. has the hip vibe you'd expect in this area of the city, and it's not all flash. Fountain Square never fails to please, with consistently delicious beers.

Recommended brews:
Workingman's Pilsner
​Hop for Teacher Pale Ale

Fountain Square:
​Chilly Water Brewing Company

One of my all-time favorite spots in Indy, Chilly Water Brewing Co. is a low-key brewery with great food, great beer, and a relaxed atmosphere. Settled in a unique spot, right on one of Indy's unique, diagonal streets, in this case Virginia Ave., largely overlooking several entrance and exit ramps to the interstate, it's a lot more cozy than you might expect.

Grab the Fire on the Mountain hummus - our little Indianapolis brewery tour is a marathon, not a sprint.

Recommended brews:
Built to Last Pilsner
Blood Orange IPA

Downtown: Taxman Brewing Company

Focusing on Belgian-inspired traditional ales, Taxman Brewing Co.'s chic City Way location has the best food of any spot on this list. Their hearty brunch will set even the most ambitious drinker up for a successful day of brew sampling.

If you happen to be staying at The Alexander, this should be the first spot you visit.

Dog-Friendly, Metazoa Brewing Company 

Looking to take your furry friend along for the brewery visit? Metazoa Brewing Company is the go-to for dog lovers looking to have a pint while relaxing with their four-legged companions.

​While there are many dog-friendly locations on this list, I'd say Metazoa is dog-encouraged. You'll likely recognize a few of their beers from your local grocery. Hoppopotomus is a mainstay in our house. Keep an eye on their taproom events page, as they have a significant number of fun, often dog-centered events.

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Mass Ave-ish:
​Sun King Brewery

For a classic warehouse brewery feel, plenty of board games, and space to spread out and make an afternoon of it, check out Sun King's downtown Indy location. When I think brewery, I think downtown Sun King. Sun King is the city's largest brewery, and the second-largest in Indiana. A kid-friendly brewery, Sun King made a somewhat controversial decision to let in the kiddos, which, I think, has paid off.
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Want to learn more about the Sun King brewing approach? Sign up for a main facility tour - see behind the scenes and taste 6 delicious, Sun King brews!

It's worth noting that the Sun King downtown location *does have food,* Nacho, an off-shoot of Fountain Square's La Margarita.

Recommended brews:
Pachanga
Sun Light Cream Ale
Osiris
​Wee Mac​

Extra Credit:
​Bier Brewery

Want to see another of Indy's favorites? Head over to either location of family-owned and operated Bier Brewery, either on Binford Boulevard and 65th Street, or up in Carmel.

Mass Ave:
​St Joseph's Brewery & Public House

​Remaking a church on the edge of Mass Ave, St. Joseph Brewing's ambiance is distinctly cool. With the organ still visible in the back, you might feel slightly guilty about grabbing a day-time drink, but have a second and you'll feel better. Or head to one of the two large patios.

​Not a huge beer fan? (One wonders why you're reading this post), but come by on St. Joseph's on a Sunday for the Bloody Mary bar.

Recommended brews:
Cornerstone Kolsch
​Confessional IPA

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Extra Credit: 
German Heritage at The Rathskeller

Looking for the best beer garden in Indianapolis, a beer selection that will impress even the biggest beer aficionados, and the occasional Oktoberfest, seasonal menu, and Dachshund race? 

The Rathskeller, Indianapolis's authentic German heritage destination, is also home to its stunning beer garden, overlooking the city and one of the most popular live music venues in the city.

​They offer approachable beers of German extraction, seasonal offerings, and authentic German fare.

​Alas, they don't brew their own beers, so it can only be extra credit on a brewery list, but I just feel like it deserves an honorable mention.

Brew Link Brewpub (Central Canal)

And, finally, over on the other side of the city, just off of the Indiana Cultural Trail and the Central Canal, is Brew Link Brewpub, a relatively new addition to the downtown drinking scene. It's also dog-friendly, has a great patio, serves surprisingly good bar food, and offers a great place to take a break on a side of town that has a weirdly insufficient number of restaurants, given its population density

For more on exploring the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, check out the full post!

Extra Credit:
​Broad Ripple Brew Pub ​

As we've moved up north, I thought I'd recommend one of my favorite breweries, the Broad Ripple Brew Pub. Still within the Indianapolis city limits, the Brew Pub brews its own beers, including several authentic English handpulls that are a huge draw. "The Brew Pub" is actually Indy's first microbrewery! They started brewing in 1990 and haven't stopped since.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope you enjoy your Indianapolis brewery tour as much as we always do! Let me know your favorite Indianapolis breweries in the comment section below.

And while you're here, I hope you'll take some time to check out all of the Indianapolis resources I've created on the blog. I love nothing more than bragging about the Circle City. xx

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