Omaha's 7 Best Craft Breweries

Nebraska's largest city has quietly become a craft beer destination. From award-winning IPAs to classic German lagers, Omaha's breweries offer something for every palate. The city's brewing history stretches back to 1859, and today's craft scene honors that heritage while pushing creative boundaries. Whether visitors prefer downtown taprooms or suburban production facilities, these seven breweries showcase the best of Omaha's thriving beer culture.

This post contains affiliate links. Miimu may receive compensation from purchases you make, at no extra cost to you.

Kros Strain Brewing

Founded in 2017 by two homebrewers who met at a local production brewery, Kros Strain quickly earned recognition as one of Nebraska's top craft destinations. The La Vista taproom features a 17,000-square-foot space with modern industrial décor, board games, and fire pits for cooler evenings.

The brewery's flagship Fairy Nectar IPA took home a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2018. With 20-plus taps rotating constantly, visitors find everything from crisp lagers to experimental sours alongside food truck offerings and party room rentals.

What beer styles does Kros Strain Brewing specialize in? Kros Strain Brewing focuses heavily on hazy New England-style IPAs, with Fairy Nectar leading their core lineup. The Kros Strain taproom also features German-style lagers, fruited ales, and barrel-aged specialties throughout the year.

Is Kros Strain Brewing family friendly? Kros Strain Brewing welcomes families with board games, outdoor seating, and a relaxed atmosphere. Kids are welcome at Kros Strain during regular taproom hours, though no dedicated children's menu exists.

Lucky Bucket Brewing Company

Lucky Bucket stands as one of Nebraska's pioneering craft breweries, opening in 2008 when the local scene barely existed. The name honors the bucket-carrying tradition of pre-keg brewing days, and that appreciation for history defines the brewery's approach to making beer.

The La Vista facility operates as both a production brewery and tasting room, with Cut Spike Distillery sharing the space. Monthly tours offer behind-the-scenes glimpses of the brewing process, and the Pre-Prohibition Lager that launched the brewery remains a local favorite nearly two decades later.

Does Lucky Bucket Brewing Company offer brewery tours? Lucky Bucket Brewing Company hosts tours on the first Saturday of each month, providing visitors with insight into their brewing operations. Tours at Lucky Bucket include samples and cost only $3 per person.

What makes Lucky Bucket Brewing Company different from other Omaha breweries? Lucky Bucket Brewing Company operates alongside Cut Spike Distillery, offering both craft beer and spirits in one location. This dual operation makes Lucky Bucket unique among Omaha craft beer destinations.

Upstream Brewing Company

Omaha's original brewpub opened in 1996 inside a beautifully restored 1890s firehouse in the historic Old Market district. The building survived two devastating fires before its transformation into a neighborhood gathering spot that has earned multiple Best of Omaha awards.

Beyond beer, Upstream functions as a full-service restaurant featuring hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and pub favorites. The billiards room, outdoor patio seating, and fourteen house-brewed varieties make this downtown destination ideal for longer visits exploring cobblestone streets and nearby galleries.

Does Upstream Brewing Company serve food? Upstream Brewing Company operates as a full brewpub with an extensive menu including steaks, seafood, pizzas, and pub favorites. The Upstream kitchen complements their craft beers with locally sourced fare, making it one of the most famous restaurants in Omaha.

Where is Upstream Brewing Company located? Upstream Brewing Company sits at 514 South 11th Street in Omaha's historic Old Market neighborhood. The Upstream location offers easy access to downtown attractions, shopping, and entertainment venues.

Brickway Brewery & Distillery

Old Market welcomed Brickway in 2013 as the neighborhood's first brewery and distillery combination since Prohibition ended. Founder Zac Triemert brought years of brewing experience and a master's degree from Scotland's prestigious Heriot-Watt University to create this dual-operation venue.

The award-winning distillery produces bourbon, single malt whiskey, and premium vodka alongside craft beers ranging from pilsners to coffee stouts. Private tours explore both operations, and the Borgata Lounge offers speakeasy-style event space behind the main tasting room.

Can visitors tour Brickway Brewery & Distillery? Brickway Brewery & Distillery offers private tours and tastings exploring both brewing and distilling operations. Tours at Brickway include a welcome drink, facility walkthrough, and tasting session with take-home whiskey samples.

What spirits does Brickway Brewery & Distillery produce? Brickway Brewery & Distillery crafts bourbon, single malt whiskey, sherry cask-aged whisky, vodka, and gin. The Brickway distillery has earned numerous regional and national awards for their spirit productions.

Scriptown Brewing Company

The Blackstone District's Scriptown occupies a century-old building that once housed a Piggly Wiggly grocery store. Co-founder John Fahrer won the American Homebrewers Association's National Competition in 1996, bringing serious credentials to this session-beer-focused operation.

Traditional British, German, and Belgian styles define the tap list, with the award-winning Muddy Mo Amber Ale remaining a customer favorite. The Kaufmann Room event space honors the building's history as a bakery, and neighboring restaurants allow guests to order food for taproom delivery.

What beer styles does Scriptown Brewing Company focus on? Scriptown Brewing Company emphasizes traditional European styles including Kölsch, British bitters, German lagers, and Belgian ales. The Scriptown approach favors classic recipes over experimental brewing trends.

Can visitors bring food into Scriptown Brewing Company? Scriptown Brewing Company partners with neighboring restaurants including Noli's Pizza for taproom food delivery. Guests at Scriptown can order meals that arrive directly at their tables.

Head north for more breweries in Montreal.

Infusion Brewing Company

The Vanilla Bean Blonde put Infusion on the map after opening in Benson's historic Olsen's Meat Market building in 2013. Today, the production brewery operates from a modern southwest Omaha facility while maintaining strong connections to the neighborhood that launched them.

Using rescued copper brewing kettles discovered behind walls in downtown Omaha, Infusion combines historical equipment with contemporary brewing techniques. Their core lineup includes the popular El Squatcho Mexican Lager alongside rotating seasonal releases that keep regulars returning throughout the year.

What is Infusion Brewing Company known for? Infusion Brewing Company gained fame for their Vanilla Bean Blonde, a smooth and approachable beer that became an Omaha staple. Infusion also produces Radial IPA and El Squatcho Mexican Lager as part of their core offerings.

How many locations does Infusion Brewing Company have? Infusion Brewing Company currently operates their production brewery and taproom in southwest Omaha near 118th and Y streets. The original Infusion Benson location closed in 2023 after a decade of operation.

Vis Major Brewing Company

South Omaha's Vis Major transformed the former Clanton's Foods building into a neighborhood gathering spot when it opened in 2017. Owners Tom and Lindsey Clements spent two years on the restoration, creating a bright, welcoming space that encourages connection over screens.

Creative sours and fruited ales distinguish the rotating tap list, while scratch-made pizzas and appetizers provide food options beyond typical bar snacks. Board games line the walls, and the deliberately TV-free environment encourages conversation among friends and strangers alike.

Is Vis Major Brewing Company good for families? Vis Major Brewing Company welcomes families with changing tables, kid-friendly food options, and board games throughout the taproom. Vis Major asks that children remain at tables during visits for safety.

What food does Vis Major Brewing Company serve? Vis Major Brewing Company offers scratch-made pizzas, stuffed pretzels, truffle popcorn, and salads alongside their craft beers. The Vis Major kitchen emphasizes fresh preparation with vegan and gluten-free options available.

Plan Your Omaha Brewery Adventure with Miimu

Omaha's craft beer scene rewards exploration, and seven breweries barely scratch the surface. Before closing this browser tab and forgetting which taproom serves that perfect IPA, sign up for Miimu to save and organize this guide into a living brewery bundle. Add new discoveries, group spots by neighborhood, and keep everything ready for the next visit.

Chase that beer with a steak from Omaha's best steakhouses.