So I have had a look through the other threads that I have found in this forum related to spots in Omaha and Lincoln as well as the Places directory for both cities but was hoping for some insider information before I visit. I’m going to have one afternoon/evening in Lincoln (which will include dinner with family) and then a 3 day weekend in Omaha. Omaha First off, we are thinking of staying in the Blackstone/Midtown Crossing area of Omaha based on availability of places. Is that a decent area to stay in? It does not look like there are a ton of breweries, beer bars, or craft beer stores in the area but it looks like a fairly quick Uber/Lyft to other areas of the city. If not there, do folks have a recommendation of what neighborhood/area to look for a place? I have heard lots of good things about the coffee scene in Omaha - anyone have any recommendations for local coffee houses that are better than the others? I have been recommended Archetype but will be looking for some others. Any can’t miss restaurants or foods (things that I might not find outside of Omaha/Nebraska)? As far as beer goes, this was the short list I created after reading through threads… Breweries: - Kros Strain - Jukes Ale Works - Zipline (From Lincoln, but has Omaha Taproom) Beer Bars - Casual Pint - Krug Park Bottle Shops - Casual Pint - Beertopia Lincoln Since I only have the single afternoon/evening and I will be meeting up for dinner with some family that lives i the area, this is my short list for beer things Breweries: - Zipline - Boiler - White Elm Beer Bars: - Pour - Happy Raven Beer Store: - The Still Also, anyone have any recommendations for a moderately priced spot for dinner with a larger party (10 or so) that has a decent beer selection? I was thinking of grabbing a hotel in the downtown/Haymarket area. OK choice? Anyone have an opinion on whether I should try to talk family from Seward into bringing me a beer from Bottle Rocket?
While I haven't lived in Nebraska for 15 years, I grew up there, lived in Lincoln for almost a decade, and I visit family several times a year, so...these are more stray thoughts than anything else: - First off, the bad news...despite what the Places directory states (and I've submitted update requests on all the ones I know of) two spots on your list are closed: Beertopia (just in the past month) and the Happy Raven (in 2022). - The area around Midtown Crossing/Blackstone is a fine place to stay in - it's another urban mix-use development that just every decent-sized city has seen built in the past 15 years. As a bonus, you may be within walking distance of the Crescent Moon (which was Omaha's original craft beer bar). In any case, Omaha's beer venues aren't particularly concentrated in any one part of town, so you're likely to have to drive/rideshare no matter what. - Nebraska isn't known for much food-wise: depending on which story you believe, the Reuben "might" have been created in Omaha. Our other local culinary specialty is the runza (seasoned beef and cabbage stuffed in a bun and baked); if it intrigues you and/or you're a fan of trying local fast-food chains, it's easiest to find at a...Runza restaurant. - For Lincoln, staying downtown/the Haymarket is the correct choice; I'll note that if you find downtown hotel prices in Lincoln for the night you'll be there to be obscenely expensive, it's because there's a Nebraska football or volleyball event happening. - Two options for dinner that aren't on your list and are beer-centric are: Yia Yia's (pizza, very large bottle selection, I don't think they take reservations) and Lazlo's (I have a soft spot for it because I lived a block away for five years - if you're looking for a very 90s/00s brewpub experience, it'll do quite nicely). - Personally, I haven't been very impressed with the Still's beer selection the last couple times I've stopped there (which have both been in the past year). If you're stopping at a store in Lincoln, you may want to try Moran's or a Hy-Vee (a regional grocery store chain; nearly all their locations have large beer departments) instead.
I travel to Omaha 5 or times a year for work. I always stay downtown as my customer is located there. That said, a few of my contacts are beer folks and I have been to the Bearded Brewer which is very good and the Crescent Moon (also recommended). Downtown I enjoy the Omaha Tap House, Blat Beer and Table (both the downtown and the western one), Brickway, and Wilson and Washburn. I enjoy my trips there!
If I only had time to hit one beer store in Lincoln I would go to Wine, Beer, and Spirits (on N 27th). The space they occupy used to be a Toys R Us (to give you an idea of size). Across the parking lot, literally a five minute walk assuming you don't have any challenges getting around on your two feet, is another huge store (Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits) that gets overlooked (I've met several of the local beer nerds who have never set foot in there). Obviously there is some overlap in stock, but you will find different beers between the two. I mostly shop at two smaller stores (N Street and The Still), however the beer options are greater at WBS...and with W2W across the street, you're covered for anything you'll find available on shelves in Lincoln. Friends who've opted to stay at a hotel when visiting us have really enjoyed staying at The Graduate.
Thanks for the input - I’m going to check out at least one of the stores you recommend. Have you ever tried Bottle Rocket Brewing in Seward? Worth grabbing something from?
I've never had anything from Bottle Rocket. I have a coworker that is near there almost every weekend. Would be easy to have anything from there waiting for you in Lincoln if that's helpful. Feel free to DM me if you want to figure something out.
Really appreciate the offer but I was more looking for somewhere to kill time before meeting up with family (some of which live in Seward, then others that live i Lincoln).
Looking at visiting Omaha for a birthday trip. Just do some brewery hoping with my girlfriend. She doesn't drink beer, so we'll be able to drive between locations, which may help. Breweries considered: Bearded Brewer Kros Strain Vis Major Lumen ??? Dinner at Lazo's. Maybe last drink at Library Pub. Any brewery events to watch plan / plan around in February? Any particular breweries doing some fun, limited styles (i.e. Faro, gruit, kvass)? What would you consider the 'must see' breweries? Best place to get a mixed assortment of local beers to-go? FWIW, I do like NE IPAs, but when I'm visiting a new area, I like to try as many new-to-me dark lagers / IPAs, czech style lagers, barleywines, and stouts as possible. Seems like Lumen checks a lot of those boxes for me with their current tap list. Kros Strain currently has 3-4 barleywines on tap.... Hope that doesn't change for my sake! I love it.
Reviving this year old thread. Appreciate suggestion for best option near downtown Omaha for brewery visit. I go to Omaha a couple times a year but never in charge of dinner plans or extra time on my own. Will have some time for the first time on my next trip.
