Find out-of-this-world drinks on the Downtown Huntsville Craft Beer Trail

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Old Town Beer Exchange
Two beers at Old Town Beer Exchange (OTBX). Photo via Old Town Beer Exchange on Facebook

With old-time favorites like the Old Town Beer Exchange and new breweries like Green Bus Brewing, Huntsville’s craft brewing scene is ever-changing—but always exciting. We took a look at the 13 craft breweries, bottle shops and more along the Downtown Huntsville Craft Beer Trail!

Have you tried the Downtown Huntsville Craft Beer Trail?

Huntsville may be famous for its space program, but Rocket City’s craft brewing scene is definitely out of this world. To make it easier to visit each unique craft brewery, the city has developed a detailed Downtown Huntsville Craft Beer Trail with each of Rocket City’s breweries—so we had to try it out!

Pro Tip: Be sure to grab two Craft Beer Trail cards at the Huntsville/Madison County Visitor Center or one of the stops below. If you get your cards stamped at each of the Huntsville breweries, you’ll receive a free Trail Boss bottle opener!

1. Below the Radar Brewing Co.

Brewery
Three must-try brews at Below the Radar Brewing—the “Socially Awkward Blonde”, the “Gazelle Person” and the “10-PLY”. Photo via Below the Radar Brewing on Facebook

Located inside the historic Huntsville Times building, Below the Radar Brewing offers small batch craft brews on 32 taps.

  • If you like:
    • Light Beers: Try the Craft Lager or Krusch Kolsch.
    • Sours: Try the Pineapple Sour.
    • Not a Beer Fan? Try the Ginger Lime Kombucha or the Classic Root Beer.

Pro Tip: Swing by Below the Radar Brewing on Monday’s for “Sci-Fi Monday’s”, with classic Star Trek streamed on the big screen all day!

2. Chandler’s Ford Brewing

  • Chandlers Ford Brewing
    The Wünderbar Helles
  • Chandlers Ford Brewing
    The Pretty Heady DDH IPA
Photos via Chandlers Ford Brewing on Facebook

Located inside the BeeZr® Gastropub + Social Exchange, Chandler’s Ford Brewing is a small-batch brewery focused on India Pale Ales, high-gravity barrel-aged brews and more. And here’s a fun fact—Chandler’s Ford Brewing is able to serve many of their beers straight from the tank. It doesn’t get much fresher than that!

3. InnerSpace Brewing Co.

InnerSpace Brewing
Photo via InnerSpace Brewing Company on Facebook

With a name like “InnerSpace Brewing Company”, it’s no surprise that this family-owned brewery’s taproom is decked out in some facinating space- and science fiction-themed decor! Located in the Butler Green Arts & Entertainment district, InnerSpace Brewing Company serves up some delicious “Beer for the Final Frontier” daily!

4. Green Bus Brewing

Green Bus Brewing
Photo via Green Bus Brewing on Facebook

One of the city’s newest breweries, Green Bus Brewing is located in a beautiful, 150-year-old building in historic downtown Huntsville. At Green Bus Brewing, you’ll find a delicious and ever-changing menu of IPAs, lagers, light beers and much more.

5. Mad Malts Brewing

Mad Malts Brewing
So many options at Mad Malts Brewing! Photo via Mad Malts Brewing on Facebook

If you love smooth, malty beers, you’ve come to the right place. Be sure to check their schedule—Mad Malts Brewing hosts local bands most weeks!

6. Old Town Beer Exchange

Old Town Beer Exchange
Several beers on a flight at Old Town Beer Exchange—Prairie Brewing Company’s Slush Sour, Southern Prohibition’s Paradise Lost Hazy IPA, Avondale Brewing Company’s OK IPA, Goodwood Brewing’s Hemp Gose. Photo via Old Town Beer Exchange on Facebook

Since they opened in 2015, Old Town Beer Exchange (OTBX) has been a highly popular Huntsville attraction. At OTBX, you’ll find a huge selection of microbrews from all over, plus an excellent wine selection. Although OTBX doesn’t serve food, be sure to stay in-the-loop for upcoming community events!

7. Rocket Republic Brewing

  • Rocket Republic Brewing Co
  • Rocket Republic Brewing Co
  • Rocket Republic Brewing Co
Photos via Rocket Republic Brewing on Facebook

Although Rocket Republic Brewing has been making delicious brews since 2013, it wasn’t until 2015 that the team opened their own taproom. Since then, Rocket Republic Brewing has been a local favorite—producing all of their beers in-house.

8. Salty Nut Brewery

  • 149149325 4042286579117792 6392912189653400951 n
    Toucan Slam Tropical IPA
  • Salty Nut Brewing
    Hazy IPA
Photos via Salty Nut Brewery on Facebook

Founded in 2011 by a group of friends, Salty Nut Brewery has grown into a full-scale brewery at Campus 805 in Huntsville. Stop by Salty Nut Brewery for amazing brews, fun times, live music and more!

9. Straight to Ale Brewing

Straight to Ale Brewing
The Rikki Tikki Mango infused double IPA is back on draft and in 4 packs at Straight to Ale Brewing! Photo via Straight to Ale Brewing on Facebook

In 2009, several home brewers founded Straight to Ale brewing in Huntsville and quickly gained attention with their popular brews, such as the Monkeynaut India Pale Ale. Seven years later, the team opened a brand new, 45,000 square-foot facility at Campus 805, a craft brewing center and entertainment venue in West Huntsville. And that’s not all—the team also distills spirits, and their Vodka was recently ranked in the “Top 100 Spirits of 2020” by Wine Enthusiast!

10. Yellowhammer Brewing

  • Yellowhammer Brewing
  • Yellowhammer Brewing
    The MELT Banana Hefe, a refreshing pale gold wheat beer with banana and clove characteristics, a well rounded flavor palate and a dry finish.
Photos via Yellowhammer Brewing on Facebook

Founded in 2010, Yellowhammer Brewing is focused on crafting premium ales and lagers, with inspiration from Belgian and German brewing traditions—but with a Southern twist.

“Usually our recommendations for first-timers are as follows:

Something Light = T-Minus Tangerine Kolsch, 5% abv. German-style Kolsch with bright tangerine flavors. Inspired by the famous powdered orange drink sent to space with America’s first astronauts. $1 from every T-Minus sold is donated to the Space Camp Scholarship Fund.

If you like Lagers = Rebellion Red Lager, 5.4% abv. Inspired by German brewing tradition but a true American hybrid. Rebellion blends German imported malts and domestic hops for a crisp, malty lager.

If you like IPA’s = Solid Sounds New England-style IPA, 6.6% abv. A hazy IPA with a soft, balanced bitterness and tropical fruit flavors/aromas.

If you like Sours = Sunliner Passion Fruit Guava Gose, 5% abv. Brewed with Indian Coriander and Pink Himalayan Sea salt.”

Yellowhammer Brewing

11. Church Street Wine Shoppe

Church Street Wine Shoppe
A wine flight at Church Street Wine Shoppe. Photo via Church Street Wine Shoppe on Facebook

If you like wine, you need to check out Huntsville’s newest wine shoppe. Owned & operated by Matthew and Stephanie Mell, Church Street Wine Shoppe is a Huntsville staple, with weekly tastings and over 1,000 wines from across the world.

12. Corner Pour

Corner Pour
A row of taps at Corner Pour in Huntsville. Photo via Corner Pour on Facebook

Have you ever visited a self-serve brewery? Now you can! At Corner Pour, you can refill your glass with any beer or wine of your choosing without having to wait in line.

13. Liquor Express

Liquor Express
Liquor Express has a wide variety of beers, liquors and wines—including this stand of organics & vegan wines! Photo via Liquor Express on Facebook

Whether you’re looking for craft beer, liquor, wine or anything in-between, Liquor Express has it all. As Alabama’s largest beer, wine and spirits store, Liquor Express features a beautiful taproom with your favorite local & regional brews and much more.

Did I miss your favorite craft brewery in Huntsville? Reach out to me at nathan@bhamnow.com to let me know who I should include next time!

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Nathan Watson
Nathan Watson
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