Best Craft Breweries in Omaha

Nebraska's largest city has quietly become a craft beer destination. Omaha's taps run from medal-winning hazy IPAs to classic German lagers. The city's brewing history stretches back to 1859, and today's brewers still pour in a restored 1903 firehouse and a former Piggly Wiggly. These seven run from Old Market brewpubs to suburban production breweries in La Vista.

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Kros Strain Brewing

Founded in 2017 by Bobby Kros and Scott Strain, Kros Strain quickly earned recognition as one of Nebraska's top craft destinations. The La Vista taproom fills a 17,000-square-foot space with modern industrial decor, 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. Around 30 taps rotate through everything from crisp lagers to experimental sours. Food trucks supply the food, and a party room is available to rent.

What beer styles does Kros Strain Brewing specialize in? Kros Strain Brewing focuses heavily on hazy New England-style IPAs, with Fairy Nectar leading its core lineup. The taproom also pours 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 during regular taproom hours, though there is no children's menu.

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.

The La Vista facility operates as both a production brewery and tasting room, with Cut Spike Distillery sharing the space. Guided tours by reservation 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 runs guided tours of its brewing and distilling operations by reservation, booked online by 1 p.m. the day before. Tours at Lucky Bucket cost $25 per person and include a draft beer, a tasting of two beers and two spirits, and a take-home gift.

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. That pairing is rare in Omaha; Brickway in the Old Market is the other brewery on this list with a distillery under the same roof.

Upstream Brewing Company

One of Omaha's earliest modern brewpubs, Upstream opened in 1996 inside a restored 1903 firehouse in the historic Old Market district. The firehouse survived two fires of its own before becoming a brewpub, and it has collected multiple Best of Omaha awards since. Before the taps open, start the day at one of the best coffee shops in Omaha.

Beyond beer, Upstream is a full-service restaurant with hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood and pub favorites. A billiards room, a patio and 14 house-brewed beers make it an easy base for an afternoon on the Old Market's cobblestone streets and in its 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 S. 11th St. in Omaha's historic Old Market neighborhood. Downtown shops and entertainment venues are a short walk away.

Brickway Brewery & Distillery

Old Market welcomed Brickway in 2013 as the neighborhood's first brewery and distillery combination since Prohibition ended. Founder Zac Triemert opened it with years of brewing experience and a master's degree from Scotland's Heriot-Watt University.

The award-winning distillery produces bourbon, single malt whiskey and 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 include a welcome drink, a walk through the facility and a tasting with take-home whiskey samples.

What spirits does Brickway Brewery & Distillery produce? Brickway Brewery & Distillery crafts bourbon, single malt whiskey, sherry cask-aged whiskey, vodka and gin. The distillery's spirits have won regional and national awards.

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 next door nods to that storefront's past as Kaufmann's Bakery, and neighboring restaurants deliver food to the taproom.

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 get food at 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

Infusion opened in Benson's historic Olson's Meat Market building in 2013, and its Vanilla Bean Blonde put the brewery on the map. Today, the brewery operates from a modern southwest Omaha facility.

Using rescued copper brewing kettles discovered behind walls in downtown Omaha, Infusion combines historical equipment with contemporary brewing techniques. Its core lineup includes the popular El Squatcho Mexican Lager, with seasonal releases rotating through the year.

What is Infusion Brewing Company known for? Infusion Brewing Company gained fame for its 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 operates its 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 taproom is deliberately TV-free.

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 its craft beers. The kitchen cooks from scratch and offers vegan and gluten-free options.

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