Holy Grale

Holy GraleHoly Grale
Holy GraleHoly Grale
Bar, Eatery

1034 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, Kentucky, 40204-1318
United States

(502) 459-9939 | map
holygralelouisville.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.67
Reviews:
39
Ratings:
105
pDev:
6.21%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by teledeluxe:
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Reviewed by teledeluxe from Illinois

4.69/5  rDev +0.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 5
This right here might just be the best craft beer bar I've been to. Excellent tap offerings. Food was outstanding. For some reason I honestly expected the staff to be pretty smarmy, but they weren't at all. Friendly and knowledgeable. I don't see myself traveling to Louisville much but you better believe I'll go out of my way to hit this place again. We were actually in town for distillery tours but I had a better time here.
Nov 21, 2013
More User Ratings:
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Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

4.28/5  rDev -8.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.5
Made it over here based on a recommendation from shrubber85. seated out on the back patio. Loved the atmosphere, seemed very euro, including the menu.. Schnitzel sandwich was amazing as were the fries. Ecclectic tap list. Must visit in Louisville.
Mar 11, 2023
Photo of Excalibur-ts
Reviewed by Excalibur-ts from Kentucky

5/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Regrettably, I haven’t enjoyed the ambiance and beers at the Holy Grale in a while. They have made many upgrades since my last visit yet it is still such a wonderful place. The interior is a little tight, but comfortable with maybe 10 seats at the bar and perhaps 6 or so tables around the room. There is an upstairs room which I don’t believe is open all the time, or maybe that depends upon the number of servers available. They have added some religious icons, as this used to be a church, which sort of fits in, but there is no proselytizing, (it also used to be a unique and wonderful book bindery). The room is warm and cozy with old brick and wood. All the knowledgeable and friendly servers can handle orders, take care of your bill or pour beer. There is also an outdoor area with hops plants and picnic tables that can seat maybe 50 or so people.
The beers are outstanding with my favorites being the many Belgian Ales. The tap system has been enlarged to 21. The beer menu describes the beers and the helpful servers can advise you on your choice.
The food menu changes but is very interesting and well thought out. We had tempura fried shishito peppers, Belgian fries, trout, shrimp and spätzle which was all delicious.
I believe that The Holy Grale probably has the best selection of special beers in Louisville that are served in a great environment. This place is highly recommended.
Sep 09, 2022
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Reviewed by NCSapiens from Indiana

4.69/5  rDev +0.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
The best place in all of Kentucky to have a beer, all things considered, including the quality of the venue and food. The complex inside is a cool medieval church vibe. High quality craft beer selections, beers rotate, they have tapping events and some rare offerings. Large bottle list—the European selection is quite strong. And the food is also high quality craft.
Aug 09, 2022
Photo of UrbanCaveman
Reviewed by UrbanCaveman from Ohio

4.7/5  rDev +0.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
This is hands down the single best place to go in Louisville for craft beer. The fact that they're one of the 84 or so Zwanze Day locations on Earth alone says that, but the food is great as well, and the staff know their stuff.

This is actually now something of a complex, with the original Holy Grale as a remodeled church (undergoing another round of remodeling as of the time of this review), and the adjacent Gralehaus which features more restaurant and bar seating, plus the Gralegarten outdoor seating area. It also now offers an AirBnB-esque experience on the second floor of the Gralehaus, should you be traveling and want to stay in a place where there's tap handles in your room.
Sep 26, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by slasich from Pennsylvania

May 17, 2020
 
Rated: 4.53 by StoutSnob40 from California

Aug 20, 2019
 
Rated: 4.5 by Hayley_86 from Netherlands

May 16, 2019
 
Rated: 4.78 by Taybeh from Minnesota

Apr 14, 2019
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Reviewed by Warren2621 from Indiana

4.95/5  rDev +6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
The fact that I haven't written this review yet is embarrassing. There is no better place to get food + in Louisville. None. Period. The tap and bottle list is extensive with a fair amount of American and imported selections. They often host special tap events such as Zwanze day and other celebrations of Belgian beer, sour beer, stouts, etc.

An old church has been transformed into a casual bar with an upstairs loft and a beautiful biergarten. The food here is absolutely top notch. Great care goes into each ingredient and dish. The food matches the beer selection in terms of quality. The staff is well versed in their beer selection and is helpful to those who need guidance finding a drink appropriate for them.

Long story short, this is not only the best bar in Louisville, but I believe it could stand alone as a restaurant if it needed to.
Mar 06, 2018
 
Rated: 3.53 by aletrailky81 from Kentucky

Jan 28, 2018
 
Rated: 4.79 by kreg02 from Illinois

Jan 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4.9 by ha-sheem from North Carolina

Jan 17, 2017
Photo of Donaldearl
Reviewed by Donaldearl from Indiana

4.81/5  rDev +3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 5
What a beer bar should be. Great beer selection with world-class rare drafts common on the menu. Tap takeovers are always fun. Destination to seek out for sure for locals and guests from other cities. Most importantly, the food is delicious. Get the Burger.
Jan 06, 2017
Photo of Sabtos
Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio

4.6/5  rDev -1.5%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
What a gem this place is.

First the vibe is pretty cool, coolest church I've ever been in without question. Lots of hard, heavy wood surfaces with some stained glass artwork here and there.

The beer selection is out of this god damn world and I'm not even joking. Yes, part of it is the fact that Shelton Brothers was hosting a fest in town while we were there, but even when they weren't hosting a special event, they have an extensive bottle list, and the taps were pouring things I hadn't seen even in the beer nerd gathering points of Ohio.

Service is a little hit or miss but it was a pretty bloodshot sort of place at the time, due to the festivities.

The food though. The food! Absolutely phenomenal, top tier gastropub stuff. The shortrib poutine was good enough, but the ramen? Holy shit, that stuff was some of the best I've ever had and it all really hit the spot.
Nov 11, 2016
 
Rated: 4.53 by mig100 from Texas

Oct 28, 2016
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Reviewed by WunderLlama from Massachusetts

4.85/5  rDev +3.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.75
Really cool, converted old church

20 quality beers on tap

Good selection of bottled beers

Limited but good food selection

The burger was excellent and highly recommended

Friendly, knowledgeable wait staff

Would definitely return the next time I am here
Oct 19, 2016
 
Rated: 4.93 by Mumbled from Tennessee

Aug 14, 2016
 
Rated: 4.59 by JKitchen23 from Kentucky

Jul 04, 2016
 
Rated: 4.83 by axf4129 from Indiana

May 15, 2016
 
Rated: 4.67 by cadaugherty from Illinois

May 12, 2016
 
Rated: 4.65 by chrisroarshack from Alaska

Apr 05, 2016
 
Rated: 4.4 by dreschwartz from Kentucky

Mar 18, 2016
 
Rated: 4.66 by gibson584 from Kentucky

Mar 10, 2016
Photo of jakestuart303
Rated by jakestuart303

4.94/5  rDev +5.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Amazing
Dec 12, 2015
Photo of TaylorBishop21
Rated by TaylorBishop21 from Kentucky

5/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Definitely on my top 3 bar list in Louisville, probably my favorite. Always have great beer, a killer burger, and friendly and knowledgeable people.
Oct 24, 2015
 
Rated: 4.44 by brbrocc from New York

Oct 09, 2015
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Reviewed by SPLITGRIN from Kentucky

4.66/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
I had lived in Kentucky for nearly 6 years before we made the trip up to Louisville and this was a must stop.

This is place has a very classic and vintage vibe without feeling old or dated. This place can get a bit cramped on a Friday or Saturday night but there is room upstairs in a well hidden choir loft as well as a nice patio in the back. Selection is solid with something for every beer lover. Standouts available on our visit were Zombie Dust and Wekken sour. Glassware is always appropriate as well. Service was solid for such a chaotic Saturday night. Be warned this is a place being swarmed with hipsters who are found throughout the city frequenting the places most timely in fashion. This place has been cool for a very long time and shows no sign of letting up. Food was solid as we tried the Cheese plate and pretzel with beer cheese. In a city with many options in a growing beer scene, this one stands out as a star.
Aug 17, 2015
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Rated by BurtStL6 from Missouri

4.56/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Delicious beer from all over the world. I recommend the English Nth Cloud and the Hitochino Ginger Ale.
Jun 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.61 by MarshallBirdhouse from Kentucky

May 20, 2015
 
Rated: 5 by montybugg from Kentucky

May 14, 2015
 
Rated: 4.91 by lkwebb02 from Kentucky

May 13, 2015
 
Rated: 5 by MSandahl23 from Indiana

May 08, 2015
 
Rated: 4.16 by Keene from Washington

May 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4.28 by djhowell from Wisconsin

Apr 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.83 by 2Bstout from Kentucky

Apr 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4.45 by neckbracesub from Indiana

Mar 30, 2015
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Reviewed by khawthor from New Jersey

4.98/5  rDev +6.6%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Absolutely, hands down, the best place anywhere within a 100 mile radius (if not more). Everything about it is awesome. Took .25 off Vibe for anyone who needs to check out a sporting event on TV (as there aren't any) - doesn't deter from the good times in my opinion, but also don't feel comfortable giving 5's across the board for some reason
Mar 05, 2015
 
Rated: 5 by Brewshound from Kentucky

Mar 05, 2015
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Reviewed by macher0 from Kentucky

5/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
This place is the sh!t. I don't give usually give 5s but this place deserves the score.

A super cool environment, created from a renovated old church with loft and spacey patio. A cool draft board hand-drawn with chalk.

Attention to detail is the best way to sum up this place.

The quality and selection of beer is where this place really shines. Let's be honest, three kegs of Fune in 2014 - what more can you say. Well, several other kegs and tons of bottles of Cantillon, KBS for the 4th of July, Zwanze Day, and CBS for New Years.

My only complaint, it gets very busy for big days and lines are common, but that goes with the territory. The staff are great folks and give good recommendations for those that don't know what to go for. I visit regularly and they always are super friendly.

The food - equal quality as the beer. The truly professional chef always has great specials, but the burger and frites are my favorite. Not cheap but worth every penny. Once again, their attention to detail is noticeable.

I selfishly wish this place would remain a secret but that's too late.
Jan 15, 2015
Holy Grale in Louisville, KY
Place rating: 4.67 out of 5 with 105 ratings