A co-worker and I will be in Louisville next week (Sept. 16 and 17) and I was looking for a little feedback. I have a couple of breweries that I've seen some pretty good feedback from. Those would be 3rd Turn, Holsopple, Gallant Fox, Akasha, Mile Wide, and Gravely. Are there any other out there I should be looking at? I did see Old Louisville and Monnik gets some good reviews as well. I was disappointed to see that the main place for Against the Grain (downtown) was currently closed. Is it worth it to hit the Public House? I saw these beer bars that seemed pretty cool: River City Drafthouse, Holy Grale, and Sergio's World Beers. Any thoughts on those 3? It seems like Holy Grale gets a lot of love. I was disappointed that the link to there tap list and menu was not working on there website, so it's hard to tell what they got. As for food, I usually look for a place with good wings and a place with good pizza. The Post Pizza gets some good reviews, but they appear to be takeout only right now. Not sure about wings in the area. Let me know your thoughts on breweries, beer bars, and the pizza/wing scene. Thanks!!
I had a lunch at Monnik about a month ago, and everything about it was fantastic. The head brewer from Akasha is at another brewery in town that doesn't open until after your visit. If you like ice cream/treats, put Louisville Cream on your list.
For my money, monnik is the best combo of beer and food. Against the grain comes next if you like BBQ. Otherwise I think everywhere is pretty spotty in my experience and with work no longer taking me out that way for all of 2020 I don't know who's on their game. Akasha was getting gimmicky last time I was there, mile wide is solid but was up to like 75% hazy IPA, holsopple is solid but kind of out of the way, great flood is a pleasant space, gravely was brutally over priced. For beer bars, I really like Sergio's because of how weird it is. Don't buy packaged American beer there. Don't buy anything that needs to be super fresh. almost nothing on tap comes in pints so prices are higher than you think on draught. That said its a real beer geeks haven and you can drink packaged beer from all over the world. Its amazing and if the owner, Sergio, is there he is one of the most interesting beer people.I've ever met. Holy Grale has an epic tap list but is pretty snooty, same goes for Louisville Beer Store. Both are also very small spaces and may or may not be open. I miss Louisville. Have a good time, it's a fun city
I like the Grale, but they typically are heavy on Belgians, so keep that in mind depending on your preferred beer style. I have not been to the Public House so I can’t comment on the food there, but I love Citra Ass Down and 70K. I have not made it to Gallant Fox yet...so I didn’t really help you at all! Gravely has a nice outdoor spot. Mile Wide, as mentioned, is big on NEIPAs. I don’t feel like any one is a real stand out but since they will all be new to you, I’m sure you will enjoy the variety. I live close to 3rd Turn in Jeffersontown so we go there some but I don’t think the beer is a standout. If they have Hot Buns food truck there on a Friday night though, we are in...great food truck. For wings I don’t think you can beat Momma’s BBQ. They have 2 locations and have a dozen or so beers on tap, usually something good. Truthfully, my fridge is probably one of the best beer bars in town right now...filled with Burial IPAs and Stouts, Funketorium sours, a few Great Notion beers and on any given day, maybe some Treehouse. Oh, and a bourbon room with about 80 or so bottles. I don’t have any wings though! Hope you enjoy the visit...like everywhere else, things are a little different right now.
I have always been pleased with Monnik for the food and beer options. Sergio's is worth a stop, extremely unique and tons of beer. When I was there a few years ago it was cash only, not sure if it's changed or not. They had an ATM inside, otherwise plan ahead. I remember Akasha beers being average, but the Grind Burger Kitchen is right around the corner and had excellent food. If you end up wanting to check out a place with a good bourbon/wine list, I'd recommend Nouvelle Bar & Bottle. A little more upscale vibe, but good for trying something new if you're ready for something other than beer.
You already have some good recommendations from the other posters. Definitely agree that the best food/beer combo is at Monnik. If you're into calzones then a trip across the river to New Albanian in New Albany, Indiana (Plaza Drive location) is worth it, great calzones and a nice selection of their own beers and a lot of guest beers too. I also like Milewide, Holsopple, ATG, Akasha, 3rd Turn and Great Flood a lot. Haven't been to Louisville since Gallant Fox opened so I can't say anything about them. If you're a vegan then False Idol has all vegan food there from what I can remember. Never ate there but I liked their beer. Hope you have a great time there!
Holy Grale especially if you go for their weekly traditional kolsch service (if they are still doing it in Covid times).
