Alabama Breweries
It’s no secret that Alabama’s craft beer scene is truly one of the best. The state's large variety of brews is giving craft beer connoisseurs something to cheers to. So, come and enjoy a cold one at one of Alabama’s amazing breweries. Here are five to get you started.
Goat Island Brewing, Cullman
With a slogan like “Life is too short to drink baaad beer,” Goat Island Brewing is living up to their reputation by doing their part to produce amazing brews in Cullman, Alabama. Many of their brews have won medals at the Alabama Craft Beer Championship including Richter’s Pils, a beer influenced by German and American traditions. The recipe for this beer was found by a local merchant in the attic of an old building in downtown Cullman, and it turned out to be from William Frederick Richter, the owner of Richter’s Saloon in the late 1800s. This beer has a grainy malt flavor and clean hop bitterness.
Big Beach Brewing Company, Gulf Shores
Big Beach Brewing Company is the southernmost brewery in Sweet Home Alabama and serves everything from IPAs and Stouts to Cream Ales and Belgian-style beers. They boast a beautiful open-air taproom with a fireplace and comfortable seating, and the brewery’s four garage doors allow you to enjoy the coastal breeze everywhere you sit. They offer incredible brews such as Rod’s Reel Cream Ale, a crisp, light ale brewed with two-row barley, German pilsner malt, and just a touch of flaked maize. For the hop lovers, enjoy their Hundred Daze IPA, a moderately-strong American Ale with hints of citrus, apricot, passion fruit and black pepper.
Common Bond Brewers, Montgomery
Common Bond Brewers is Montgomery's only production brewery, founded in 2018 by two chemists who turned a shared love of brewing into the capital city's craft beer destination. You'll find it in a bright, brick-and-beam taproom in the heart of downtown's revitalized entertainment district, with a clear view into the production facility so you can watch the beer being made while you sip. Built around the idea that great beer brings people together, the taproom stays social with trivia nights, live music, and even beer-and-yoga sessions. Four flagship brews never leave the lineup, including Ramber, a smooth, malty rye amber, plus a crisp American blonde, an aromatic pale ale, and a hop-forward IPA.
Cross-Eyed Owl Brewing Company, Decatur
As Decatur's very first brewery, Cross-Eyed Owl Brewing Company, known as XEO to the locals, has been a downtown gathering spot since 2018. Founded by the Atwood family, with a whimsical name that nods to British pub culture and a fondness for owls, the brewery sits just a block from the historic Princess Theatre and pours from 12 taps that lean into traditional German, British, and Belgian styles alongside American IPAs and experimental small batches. Fan favorites include the Aloha Tropical Ale, the easy-drinking River City Lager, and the bright, crisp Float Trip Pineapple Sour. Not drinking? XEO roasts its own coffee in-house and crafts non-alcoholic sodas, including a rich, made-from-scratch root beer, using real ingredients like pure cane sugar and honey. Spend the evening in the beer garden with a rotating food truck, weekly trivia, and live music, and you'll quickly see why community is at the heart of everything they do.
Good People Brewing, Birmingham
If you have ever visited the Birmingham area, there’s a good chance that you have heard of Good People Brewing Company, and rightfully so. Located in Birmingham's Parkside District since 2010, the brewery is in the perfect spot, right across from Regions Field. This brewery produces some of the highest-rated beers in the Southeast. Its Snake Handler IPA is a crowd favorite and is described as a “spirited celebration of all things hoppy.” This beer has an incredible mix of pine, citrus, flowers, spice, and pineapple aromas and is complemented with a biscuit and caramel backbone.