9 Great Breweries in Chattanooga, Tennessee

If you are going to Chattanooga or are looking for a new spot to grab a drink, it is good to have knowledge about the breweries in town. Nothing says Welcome like a cold beer! When searching for breweries in Chattanooga, TN, there are many options and it is beneficial to have a list ahead of time so you are not wasting time doing research and you can pick one that you think you will enjoy making a stop at.

What are the best breweries in Chattanooga?

The best local breweries in Chattanooga, TN, are 

• Chattanooga Brewing Co.
• Wanderlinger Brewing Company
• Heaven & Ale Brewing Co.
• Hutting & Smith Brewing Co.
• Oddstory Brewing Company
• Mad Knight Brewing Company
• Naked River Brewing Company
• Cherry Street Brewing at Northshore
• Barley Chattanooga 

The best breweries in Chattanooga, TN offer a fun place to stop and learn something about Tennessee, experience some great craft beers, eat amazing and unique food and enjoy a great atmosphere. 

Each brewery recommended below has been reviewed by many people and proven to be some of the best Chattanooga has to offer. 

Overview of Chattanooga, TN

With the nickname of the “Scenic City,” Chattanooga is known for being nestled amongst the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. It is a city with a population of almost 200,000 and is located on the Georgia border not far from the popular city of Nashville.

It is divided by the Tennessee River and is at the transition between the ridge-and-valley Appalachians and the Cumberland Plateau. These are both parts of the larger Appalachian Mountains. 

Chattanooga was a unique part of history due to the number of railroads that converged in the city. After the American Civil War, the city became one of the largest industrial hubs in the nation due to the railroads.

The weather in Chattanooga is a humid subtropical climate, which makes it a great place to visit year-round. Winter days are typically very mild, but there is usually at least one day per year that reaches freezing or below. November through March typically are the wettest months with an average rainfall of 52 inches per year. 

Breweries in Chattanooga

With a booming downtown life, Chattanooga boasts many incredible breweries that are worth a stop for anyone coming through or even locals looking to stop or a great drink.

1. Chattanooga Brewing Co

With a fun history, the Chattanooga Brewing Co. is on the list of top breweries to make a stop at. Back in 1890, the Chattanooga Brewing Co. was supplying one of the finest German-style beers. Eventually, it became a larger brewhouse that occupied a whole block of Broad Street and was producing over 150,000 barrels per year. However, the prohibition eventually shut the brewery down.

The brewery came back to life almost a century later by two engineers who had a mutual love for beer. Chattanooga Brewing Co. is known for its German-style ales and lagers along with a line of specialty and classic beers. Not only do they offer a great selection of beers, but they have a great food menu that includes burgers, sandwiches, wings, and chicken tenders. 

With an outdoor beer garden, it is the perfect stopping for brunch or they offer a Tuesday evening Joggers with Lagers event. They are dog friendly and have a laid back atmosphere that makes it well worth the stop.

2. Wanderlinger Brewing Company 

With a mission to encourage exploration and adventure, Wanderlinger Brewing Company is a great brewery to stop by while in Chattanooga or even as a local looking for a new spot. 

Wanderlinger Brewing Company has made it their mission to allow their space to be somewhere where artists can share their work. This goes for the paintings on the walls, the chefs that create their food, the artists that come to play music, and those that help craft their beers. 

Wanderlinger is open every night and offers multiple nights of live music throughout the week. They are a locally owned and operated independent craft brewery with a unique selection of beers. Along with their great beer selection, they have a selection of food that includes grilled cheese, soups, tacos, and sandwiches. 

The welcoming atmosphere makes Wanderlinger Brewing Company a great place to stop to visit with locals and see the unique artists that come through. 

3. Heaven & Ale Brewing Company

Heaven & Ale is a small local brewery in Chattanooga. Although the indoor area is smaller, they also have a great outdoor patio area and they are dog friendly. 

They offer a great selection of beers that are specific to them, but also beers from other breweries as well. Along with their beer menu, they offer a small food menu that includes appetizers, salads, and flatbread sandwiches. 

Heaven & Ale is open Wednesday through Sunday and they offer fun activities throughout the week including team trivia on Thursdays and pups on the patio on Wednesdays. This local spot is a great place to relax and enjoy a drink with great company. 

4. Hutton & Smith Brewing Co.

Hutton & Smith Brewing Co. was opened and named after James Hutton and William Smith. They were known to play a large role in modern geology. Hutton was Scottish and Smith was British. Both the Brits and Scots were known for drinking beer and Hutton & Smith Brewing Co.’s name is paying homage to the two men.

They offer over 20 different beers on tap with a wide range of types of beer and flavors so you are sure to find something to suit your likes. Although they do not offer a food menu, they have a monthly schedule on their website, which shows upcoming events such as their $3 Tallboy Tuesday. They are open 7 days a week.

With their unique history and great selection of beers, Hutton & Smith Brewing Co. is on the list of breweries in Chattanooga worth stopping at. 

5. Oddstory Brewing Company

With a unique name, Oddstory Brewing Company is just that. A place to drink beer and tell your story. They were founded in 2016 and have grown like crazy since. They hope to encourage people to come in and gather together, drink a beer, and share stories. 

Oddstory offers a range of beers including lagers, hops, malts, sours, ales, and seltzers so there is something available for everyone. They also have a food menu that includes pretzels and pizzas to snack on while you are there. 

This brewing company is open Tuesday-Saturday as well as the 1st and last Sunday of each month. With a welcoming atmosphere and a staff that wants you to feel like family, Oddstory Brewing Company is a great addition to the brewery list in Chattanooga. 

6. Mad Knight Brewing Company

Mad Knight Brewing Company first opened in 2017 and with a unique medieval tasting room, it is a great brewery to add to your list. They are located in a basement, which makes for a different atmosphere if you are wanting a change of scenery. 

With a list of events that happen in-house including a Court of Songs night of music, games, and brews every Wednesday. 

They are open every Wednesday through Sunday with a great selection of brews. If you are looking for a fun and unique atmosphere, Mad Knight Brewing Company is worth a stop. 

7. Naked River Brewing Company 

The Naked River Brewing Company offers a great selection of beer, food, and entertainment. They not only offer beers on tap, but they also offer unique small-batch beers for your enjoyment. Naked River offers a great selection of IPAs, lagers, wheat, ales, and sours. 

The food menu at Naked River includes a great selection of delicious BBQ for you to have along with your beer. Their menu has everything from BBQ sandwiches, to nachos, to BBQ plates with a variety of sides available. 

They are open Tuesday-Sunday, have live music on Fridays, and are dog-friendly so bring your pup along with you if you decide to stop by. 

8. Cherry Street Brewing at Northshore

Cherry Street Brewing is new to Chattanooga, but has a large following in Georgia. They have won multiple awards and pride themselves on elevated pub fare and Southern cuisine. Their beer is available in cans and bottles online in Georgia and Tennessee as well as in stores. 

They were originally founded in Cumming, Georgia, which is about 30 miles north of Atlanta. They began in Vickery Village in 2012 as a partnership with Rick Tanner’s Grille & Bar. They combine classic food with off the wall brews for a fun combination. They have been around for 9 years and pride themselves on what they have built. 

With a mission of community, education, and sustainability, Cherry Street Brewing is a brewery worth visiting.  Their packaging is sustainable in that it features tear away labels plus recyclable can holders. You can even recycle at their locations when you have finished your 4-pack. 

Cherry Street Brewing offers a wide range of beer, food, and entertainment to keep you happy on your way through Chattanooga. 

9. Barley Chattanooga

Barley Taproom & Cocktail Bar in Chattanooga offers 64 beer taps, cocktails on drafts, growler services, and a relaxed environment. 

They have 3 uniquely designed rooms and local art that is available for sale throughout their space. If you do not see a piece for you then know that they do add new pieces frequently so you can always check back. 

Along with their beers, they offer wine & spirits as well as non-alcoholic drinks. Their food items includes cheese dips, pretzels, and hot ramen that rotates flavors periodically. 

Barley Taproom & Cocktail Bar is open 7 days a week. 

Things To Do In Chattanooga

After you have made your stops to the breweries in Chattanooga, you may be looking for something else to do. There is plenty to do in Chattanooga whether you are in town for a few days or just a few hours. 

If you have time after your brewery stops, there are several other things you can stop and do to fill up the rest of your time in Chattanooga. 

Arts & Entertainment

If you are interested in art then you can visit the Hunter Museum of Art or the Sculpture Fields at Montague Park. Both offer something interesting and fun to view if art is something that interests you.

Other Attractions

If you are a history fanatic and love the idea of a ghost tour, there is the Chattanooga Ghost Tours, which offers a couple of different ghost tour options depending on what interests you. 

For something relaxing and scenic, you can do the Chattanooga River Boat tour, which will allow you to witness the beauty of Chattanooga. You can do this tour during the day or for an even more special tour, you can choose the sunset option. 

There is also the Chattanooga Zoo if you are an animal lover and want something to do for a couple of hours. This would also be a great option if you have kids with you. 

The Tennessee Valley Railroad is a fun thing to do for a few hours. Chattanooga is known for its multiple railway systems and this is a fun activity to take kids to as well. You will have the chance to learn about the railroads in Chattanooga and ride the trains. 

Shopping

If you have an afternoon free and would love to explore the shopping in Chattanooga, there are several different places you can go. 

The Hamilton Place Mall is one of Tennessee’s largest shopping complexes and features over 200 specialty shops and restaurants. This would be a great place to spend the afternoon shopping and grab lunch.

In Chattanooga’s Northshore, there is Warehouse Row, which is different than a typical shopping mall. It features a variety of boutiques and restaurants on Frazier Avenue.