Huntsville has a real craft beer scene, from a campus of breweries in an old middle school to small downtown taprooms. Here are the ones worth your time.
Huntsville's craft beer scene is compact but good, and a lot of it is walkable. Downtown runs an official Craft Beer Trail with a stamp card, and a big cluster sits in West Huntsville on Clinton Avenue. These are the breweries we would send a friend to. Hours change, so check each brewery's site before you go.
Straight to Ale - The Big One at Campus No. 805
Straight to Ale is one of the anchors of Campus No. 805, a former middle school on Clinton Avenue. The taproom is in the old gym, there is a full kitchen called Ale's Kitchen, so it works for a meal, not only a pint. There are no reservations because of limited seating, so go early on weekends.
Yellowhammer Brewing - Beer, Pizza, and Patio Space
Yellowhammer Brewing is next door at 2600 Clinton Avenue W. It pours ales and lagers, has an on-site distillery, and shares the building with Earth and Stone Wood Fired Pizza, which makes it an easy one-stop dinner. There are also private event spaces for groups.
InnerSpace Brewing - Small, Nerdy, and Fun
A few doors down at 2414 Clinton Avenue W, InnerSpace Brewing is a family-owned small-batch brewery with a sci-fi theme, board games in the taproom, wood-fired Neapolitan and deep-dish pizza, and a pet-friendly patio. It is the friendliest place on the block for a slow afternoon.
Green Bus Brewing - Downtown in a 150-Year-Old Building
Green Bus Brewing is on Eustis Avenue in a historic building about 150 years old, and it pours small-batch beers that rotate regularly. Bus Stop Coffee is inside, so you can go in the morning or the evening.
Mad Malts - Porters and Stouts
Mad Malts Brewing is at 109 Maple Avenue NW downtown and leans into smooth, malty ales, including porters and stouts. It was formerly known as The Brew Stooges. It keeps shorter hours than the big spots, so check its site for the current schedule.
Back Forty Beer Company - The Mural Taproom
Back Forty is on Leeman Ferry Road SW. The taproom is known for its murals, and it is a good stop on the way to or from South Huntsville.
Old Black Bear Brewing - Main Street Madison
Just west of Huntsville, Old Black Bear at 212 Main Street in Madison is a gritty taproom with food and live music, and it is a good excuse to walk historic Main Street. It also has a second taproom in Athens.
Where to Start
- Best for a full evening: Straight to Ale or Yellowhammer at Campus No. 805
- Best for pizza and beer: Earth and Stone at Yellowhammer, or InnerSpace
- Best downtown: Green Bus or Mad Malts
- Best outside Huntsville proper: Old Black Bear in Madison
Want a snack with your beer? Browse more food and dining businesses, or see our guide to the best pizza in Huntsville.
