Three Breweries in Bristol, TN/VA Worthy of a Visit
There are three fantastic breweries in Bristol, TN y’all. I am loving this craft beer boom.
Just like the nearby Johnson City breweries, each one of these has a unique atmosphere and brews that they’re known for.
If you love meeting locals then I encourage you to stop in at a brewery when you’re traveling.
Especially if you go mid to late afternoon this will be when you can talk to the bartenders and usually a few locals will be in there as well. Visiting the breweries is one of my favorite things to do in Bristol, TN/VA!
You find all the hidden spots this way. Hint hint.
Disclaimer: I was hosted by Explore Bristol. As always, all opinions are my own. This article may contain affiliate links that I earn a small commission from at no additional cost to you.
Michael Waltrip Brewing
The Waltrip family rose to fame with Darrell Waltrip (Michael’s older brother) as a NASCAR driver from 1972 to 2000. Michael was also a driver in the Cup series from 1985 until his last race in 2017.
Remember we’re in a racing town!
The brewery opened in August of 2021 and has become a go-to for bar food plus staple and experimental brews alike.
They have a list of steady beers that they keep year-round but their brewmaster loves to try something new. So there are always rotating taps of small batches he dreamed up.
My favorite was the Sunshine Ale and I did like their staple Two-Time Blonde as well.
They’ve got plenty of indoor and outdoor seating plus huge TVs if you want to come watch the race or a football game.
It’s a solid spot to come hang out with friends for wings and beer. You’ll find parking right beside the brewery or you can park in the public lot beside Cumberland Square Park if the other one is crowded.
This was a great stop after spending the morning fly fishing in the South Holston River.
Address: 221 Moore St, Bristol, VA | Website: Michael Waltrip Brewing
Elderbrew
Elderbrew is Bristol’s first small batch brewery which means if you see something you think you’ll like you better try it while you can. Their selection changes weekly!
Tuesdays are $1 off pint nights, Wednesdays are Bring Your Own Vinyl night, and they have different pop-up shops every so often.
People rave about the hospitality of the owner and bartenders here plus the innovative brews that they have on tap. Many people have found their all-time favorite beers here – which says a lot.
As a Bristol microbrewery, they get to try so many unique flavors and techniques since they rotate through the beers so often.
It’s just off the main drag in downtown Bristol so you can try to find parking along State Street and walk or park in the Shelby Street parking lot.
Address: 24 6th St, Bristol, TN | Website: Elderbrew
Cascade Draft House
While Cascade technically isn’t a brewery, they have 40 different beers on tap for you to choose from. If you can’t decide then just get a flight – my usual go-to. You can build your own flight of 5oz tasters and they are sold individually.
Here you’ll find all kinds of local beers plus brews from around the country. If your group likes a wide variety of styles then Cascade is the perfect place.
The taproom is super cozy and there is a long bar where you can hang out or you can grab a table in the back room where the stage is set up for live music.
With events almost every night of the week, this is a go-to if you want to get out of the house for something fun. You can also bring in your own food or get something delivered.
Address: 828 State St, Bristol, TN | Website: Cascade Draft House
Where is your favorite place to grab a drink in Bristol?
