The Best Breweries in Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga’s craft beer scene has a long, illustrious history, but it has also seen a recent boom. Many microbreweries have opened up downtown, providing innovative brews with the signature Southern charm. We have compiled a list of the seven best breweries in the city for you to explore. Visiting any of these spots will give you a memorable craft beer experience.

Whether you are tired after a hike, unwinding after an epic shopping spree at Tennessee’s largest mall, or love beer, there are fewer things better than a crisp Chattanooga brew. These breweries will provide just the beer you want while in Chattanooga.

• Hutton and Smith Brewing
• Oddstory Brewing
• Chattanooga Brewing Company
• Wanderlinger Brewing Company
• Heaven and Ale Brewing
• Five Wits Brewing Co.
• The Naked River Brewing Company

Hutton and Smith Brewing

Named after the fathers of modern geology, Hutton and Smith is a Chattanooga Brewery dedicated to perfecting brewing craft. A quaint combination of geology and beer, Hutton and Smith features a cozy taproom with a range of rock-themed beers on tap. All the geology puns in the products are sure to elicit a chuckle or two out of you. For a rocking experience (pun intended,) Hutton and Smith is an excellent spot for Chattanooga beer lovers.

We recommend trying the Tectonic Sessions IPA from their available year-round selection of beers. If you want to try more than their flagship beers, the seasonal offerings are always a good time. Try their barrel-aged sours for some fruity and tart goodness.

Oddstory Brewing

Oddstory Brewing is a love letter to the Chattanooga community and the everlasting tradition of storytelling. The brewery believes that beer and storytelling go hand in hand. Oddstory tells stories of Chattanooga through its beers and encourages its patrons to get together over some carefully brewed beer and share their stories. A taproom covered in green leaves and leather couches for seating, Oddstory has an excellent environment for sitting down and sharing stories about life and everything in between.

The Mystic Grove sour is a must-try to broaden your palate’s horizons. It has a sweet and tart flavor with earthy undertones and is fermented with blueberries, cranberries, and sage. If you are looking for a more classic taste, their Cloud Walker pale ale is a mixture of five American hops. Subtle currents of tangerine and grapefruit elevate this beer to another level.

Chattanooga Brewing Company

Located in the historic Southside of the city, Chattanooga Brewing Company has a long, illustrious history that makes it a pioneer in the Southern craft beer scene. Established in 1890, the brewery was responsible for being one of the first in the region to introduce German-style beers. The brewery kept providing the city’s people with the finest beers until the prohibition of the 1920s forced it to shut down.

Nearly a century later, the brewery was revived with all its past glory and started operations again. The Chattanooga Brewing Company still specializes in the German Ale and Lagers that made its name all those years ago. If you want a taste of history along with your craft beer, this brewery is the place to be.

Their seasonal winter ale called Winter Warmer is a must-try if you want to warm your insides. The rich caramel flavor is ideal for cold winter nights. Other recommendations from their beer menu include The Hot Mama Habanero Beer, a lager with a kick that is not for the faint-hearted.

Wanderlinger Brewing Company

Wanderlinger is both a brewery and a live music venue. It combines two of the best things in the world, music and beer. It has a taproom with weekly beer specials and live music performances from several different acts. The brewery encourages local art by inviting local musicians to perform and provides their customers with an immaculately brewed beer in their inviting taproom.

The brewery has 12 beers on tap, a mix of traditional favorites and seasonal offerings. Try their Cosmic Origami Sour for a taste of Tennessee as it is aged in oak wine casks with Tennessee Muscadine. A more classic option is the Light Speed Lager. Described by the brewery as a lawnmower beer, this lager is excellent for a casual drink.

Best Breweries in Chattanooga with Food

Chattanooga has an excellent culinary scene along with its craft beers. The marriage of food and craft beer is no secret to anyone. Chattanooga provides many options to indulge in this holy matrimony. Hit these spots in the city for a meal with your craft beer

Heaven and Ale Brewing

Heaven and Ale is a restaurant and brewery focusing on hop-centric ales. Heaven and Ale is an excellent spot to unwind with friends and family with their open patio and kid and pet-friendly environment. It is also a fascinating experience for beer lovers as they brew on the spot, so all the equipment is on display.

Heaven and Ale have designed their food menu specifically to complement their beers. We recommend their Deli-Style Sandwich paired with the Sunset Hops IPA. A meaty sandwich combined with the lactose base of the beer makes for an incredibly hearty meal.

Five Wits Brewing Co.

One of the newest breweries in the city, Five Wits, has already made its mark on the Chattanooga craft beer scene. It was opened by friends who worked at a brewery in Denver and wanted to do something along the same lines for their city. Five Wits was thus opened in 2019, a restaurant and brewery dedicated to providing craft beer and delicious food.

Try their Blackened Chicken Sandwich to acquaint your palate with the Southern taste. Pair it with American Daydream, the brewery’s American wheat beer, for a fulfilling meal.

The Naked River Brewing Company

Naked River is Chattanooga’s largest brewpub located in the historical Southside of the city. Outdoor seating and many Southern BBQ options on the menu make this a local watering hole and a popular destination for tourists.

Try their Tray’d Meat options which are just what they sound like, a tray of different barbecued meats served with Bread and pickled onions. Avoid the meat sweats with an ice cold pilsner called Naked Light. This light and crisp beer is perfect for the rich meat you will consume.