In Nebraska, craft beer breweries have risen in popularity over the past few decades, and it’s no surprise as these great local businesses feel like a jovial community with incredible ambiance and extremely helpful staff.
Each brewery has its own personality and offerings. To the uninitiated Nebraskan, taprooms offer a nice place to sit and people watch, catch live music, eat good grub or settle into a cozy couch to kick back with your friends for some light-hearted conversation.
Not only that, there is family fun to be had at local breweries, some of which have outdoor spaces with games. Even Fido is welcome at some spots, but be sure to check ahead.
Never tried a craft beer that you loved? Perhaps after visiting a few top-choice local spots you’ll become a convert. Keep reading for the Nebraska Craft Brewery Board’s guide of where to find seasonal brews and family friendly places. Next, take a quiz to find out what type of beer you are with links to where to find that beer type locally. Bonus, when you complete the quiz you can enter a contest to win one of three free Nebraska Beer Alliance memberships (valued at $54 each), which offers you dozens of discounts at local breweries.
Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild guide to seasonal brews and family friendly places
Craft breweries are small, independent breweries with limited production, using authentic brewing methods and employing creativity to find new flavors. Owners and employees are fiercely connected to their communities.
Nebraska currently boasts 77 such breweries (with more on the way) and, supported by the Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild, are crafting delicious brews rivaling and surpassing the taste and quality of some of the best beers in the world. Be sure to visit these.
Seasonal brews — Oktoberfest
A German tradition. This amber hued brew offers a malty flavor with a sweet accent and spiced-dry aftertaste. Anticipate a mild hoppy kick, too. If Oktoberfest entices your palate, explore what’s on tap at these breweries.
Cosmic Eye Brewing
Purveyors of beers that taste like beer. Cosmic Eye is a family-owned brewery and taproom located in east Lincoln.
Pint 9 Brewing Company
Great variety of delicious beers with a focus on service. At Pint 9 Brewing Company in La Vista, the staff is committed to tradition and innovation.
Site-1 Brewing
Motto: “We do the hard things well.” Site-1 Brewing is a brewery incubator and tap house in Omaha dedicated to helping brewers bring their best recipes to as many beer lovers in the community as possible.
Refreshing pint of beer
Fairfield Opera House Brewery and Grill
Enjoy great food and beer in the historic setting of the Fairfield Opera House, which was built in 1894. The service is top notch at this Fairfield brewery.
Seasonal — Pumpkin spiced
Pumpkin beers are all the rage across Nebraska. These brews can taste spicy, malty-sweet or bitter, depending on the beer-maker. Thirsty for a beer with pumpkin flair? Try these places.
Boiler Brewing Company
Known for great beer, great service and great ambiance since opening six years ago, Boiler Brewing Company has made more than 600 individual beers, ciders, meads and seltzers. This place is located in downtown Lincoln in the historic Grand Manse building.
Upstream Brewing
As Omaha's original brewpub, the friendly staff has been making visitors feel like locals and locals feel like ordering another round since 1996.
Pals Brewing Company
Situated on four acres in North Platte, this family-owned brewery’s slogan is “Come as strangers, leave as pals.” Nice food menu. Leashed dogs are welcome in the designated outdoor space.
Peg Leg Brewing
This North Platte gem opened in 2020 and survived the pandemic. Their singular goal is to create world-class brews, from the traditional to the absurd.
There's a craft beer for every mood and season.
Seasonal — Winter beer
Winter beers are strong and dark, but the flavor profiles truly depend on the beer-maker. Chocolate porters, fruity barleywines and Belgian whites are among the flavor profiles in this category. Thirsty for a winter beer? Head on over to these breweries.
Backswing Brewing Co.
Backswing Brewing Co. is all about social gatherings among friends — whether sharing a six-pack at home or hanging out at one of their welcoming taprooms in Omaha or Lincoln. Backswing offers special events like trivia night and music bingo.
Mac’s Creek Winery and Brewery
As the name suggests, Mac’s has a winery and ciders alongside its beer brewery. The beer flows like wine at this charming Lexington spot.
Year-round goodness
Fall and winter months are ideal for drinking porters and stouts. In addition to seasonal and specialty beers, here’s a guide to breweries that also craft some of the best porters and stouts in the Cornhusker State.
A pint glass is the best way to enjoy this dark stout beer
For stouts, check these places out
American stouts are characterized with a strong roasted flavor profile that is bitter and hoppy. The malt flavors lend a coffee or dark chocolate taste. If you’d like a pint of stout, visit these breweries.
Brewery 719
Brewery 719 provides the community a relaxing and inviting environment. At this Alliance locale, they brew pretty much every style, so it’s highly likely you'll find at least one beer you like (or four or five).
Lost Way Brewery
Lost Way Brewery is an amazing bar in Holdrege, Nebraska. They use the best ingredients and provide a great atmosphere.
Porter in the house
Porters are a dark ale and strong like stouts, but they have a stronger malty taste and lighter body. They are complex and flavorful.
Enjoy a good porter? Then belly up at one of these locales.
Five.0.Five Brewing Company
Five.0.Five Brewing Company is Fremont, Nebraska's first brewery and taproom. The staff prides themselves on brewing balanced, approachable and traditionally brewed ales and lagers.
Scratchtown Brewing Company
Scratchtown is the Sandhills' first brewery, opening its doors in 2013. Since then, they have made complex, award-winning beers in downtown Ord.
Two glasses of dark beer with Irish Porter Cheddar
These family-friendly breweries are your new living room with the kids
Yes, families with kids can enjoy the craft beer scene. So pack up the kiddos and head over to one of these fantastic family-friendly breweries that offer warm atmosphere and fun.
Divots Brewery
This Norfolk brewery and restaurant offers a full bar, large-screen TVs, billiards, sand volleyball courts, outdoor patio seating, beer garden and fire pits. The special weekly menu offers great deals. Divots Brewery is a brewer of classic and approachable ales and lagers.
Farnam House Brewing
Cozy and welcoming atmosphere good for families. The food menu features made-from-scratch dishes using locally sourced ingredients. This Omaha brewery specializes in artisanal farmhouse ales, traditional European lagers, American sours and wild beers. Old world beer styles and creative experimentation are made here, too.
Thunderhead Brewing
A kid and pet-friendly establishment with locations in Kearney and West Omaha, the taprooms serve beer only, however you are welcome to bring your own food. Expect unique beers with a focus on drinkability, quality and local ingredient sourcing for local greatness.
For location info on the breweries listed above, check out our interactive map that features a complete list of craft breweries in the Nebraska region. To find out how you can support local Nebraska craft brewing companies, visit craftbreweryboard.nebraska.gov.
