Last updated on March 27th, 2024 at 10:32 pm.
Welcome to the beautiful, cool and interesting area of Branson, Missouri, where the love for great brews and good times come together with five special breweries.
This charming Ozark town might be known for its entertainment scene, but Branson is also home to an assortment of breweries that offer a great escape for beer and spirits enthusiasts.
Best Breweries in Branson MO (And NeaRBY)
Grab your pint glass or tasting flight as we take a friendly stroll through Branson’s local breweries: Malt and Barrel, Bricktown Brewery, Missouri Ridge Distillery, and nearby Turkey Creek Brewery and Bear Creek Brewery. I also share a few local taprooms that serve Missouri Beer as well.
1. Malt and Barrel
Address: 225 Cross Creek Blvd Suite G, Branson, Missouri
Branson’s latest local brew pub, Malt and Barrel Brewing Co. is all about music and craft beer. It is a very comfortable home style brew pub with a bohemian atmosphere. This Branson brewery is owned and operated by Micah & Holly Neal and the bar and tables were built by Neal himself in a monasterial farmhouse style.
When you arrive you will feel a homey vibe, with classic vinyl records for sale; it’s a retro kind of energy. Micah says, “Our goal is to provide our customers with a welcoming atmosphere and delicious beer. We hope our brewery will become a haven for those seeking a peaceful refuge from the daily grind.”
Currently they have one house brew on tap; New Zealot Lager; a craft beer with Montreal hop that provides a crisp bite and Nelson Sauvin hop that gives it a venous backbone. They also make a Brown Ale called Civil Life.
Owner Micah Neal’s unique approach involves piloting brew recipes off-site, resulting in a diverse range of rotating crafted beers. Getting his inspiration from traditional British brewing techniques, Malt and Barrel hopes to offer a distinctive full lineup of farmhouse-style brews soon.
Malt and Barrel also offers a variety of Missouri beers such as Public House Brewing Company, 4 Hands Brewing Company and a few others. They also offers a bunch of ciders.
While the brewery is solely dedicated to crafting exceptional beers, you can get great pizza next door from a neighboring pizza place offering the perfect pairing for Malt and Barrel beer.
Best things:
- Home style vibe
- Vinyl for sale
- Other local beers available
Best Beer: New Zealot Lager, 5.9% ABV 34 IBU
2. Missouri Ridge Distillery & Brewery
Address: 3750 State Highway 248, Suite J, Branson, MO
Missouri Ridge Distillery & Brewery is Branson’s only grain-to-bottle distillery and oddly enough, Branson’s first brewery. They offer award-winning whiskies, moonshines, beer, and BBQ.
The artisan Distillery is family owned by 3rd generation distiller M. Gregory Pope, a Master Distiller & Brew Master who owns and operates the place with his wife Jolie. The distillery was founded in 2015 and is a local favorite in Branson.
Missouri Ridge Distillery is Missouri’s most awarded distillery, receiving multiple national and international awards. They offer mainly handcrafted whiskey and bourbons but have their own house crafted Missouri Lakeside lager. The Distillery has food too. If you like Apple pie and Beef brisket, you are covered.
They say the Ozark Mountains have a deep limestone base, which makes some of the best water in the world. The water profile is similar to the water found in the Scottish Highlands, as we are both situated on 1000’-plus limestone mountains.
With family recipes passed down for 3 generations, Missouri Ridge Distillery has some of the best small batch distilled products around.
Best Things
- BBQ
- Great Spirits
- Live Entertainment
- Tours
Best Beer: Missouri Ridge Lakeside Lager, 5% ABV
3. Bricktown Brewery
Address: 1221 Branson Landing Blvd Branson, MO
Bricktown Brewery on the Branson Landing is a chain brewery that got it’s start in Oklahoma, and has additional locations in Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas and beyond. They make their own beers and also have a number of selections from other breweries on tap.
Located on the White River, with indoor and outdoor seating, it’s no wonder Bricktown Brewery is a favorite restaurant with locals and visitors in Branson.
With house favorites like the Bricktown Old King Kolsch, Bar Hop Hazy IPA, and Millie McFadden’s Red Rye Ale you are sure to find a local craft brew to try and enjoy.
The Branson location of Bricktown Brewery does southern hospitality with a country flair. The classic brick and wood interior is accented with liquor bottles on shelves behind the wall, along with an American flag. They have old nostalgic signage and a cool rustic look.
They offer a full menu from appetizers, to burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and main entrees. Popular dishes include Boom Boom Shrimp starters, Fried Chicken Salad, the Hatch Green Chile Burger made with Creekstone Farms Black Angus Beef and Grilled Ham & Cheese with Tomato Soup.
They also have floats and ice cream for dessert and lots of options to finish off the meal.
Best Things:
- Food Selection
- Red Rye Ale
- Conveniently located
Best Beer: Old King Kolsch, 4.8% ABV
4. Turkey Creek Brewery
Address: 1865 US-65 BUS, Hollister, MO 65672
Turkey Creek Brewery, is located just a 15-minute drive from Branson in the charming little town of Hollister, Missouri. It offers a unique blend of history and some great beer, pizza and pretzels.
Operating for 1.5 years, this brewery has a three-pot system, four fermenters, and produces 120-gallon batches of craft beer.
The brewer, Andy Guinn, is known for creating some good flavorful beers like their popular lager, “Common Folk.” Their beers are on seasonal rotation. The brewery is managed by Scott and Danube Weist in a historic building from the 1900s that was vacant for a long time and at one time was a dive bar.
Turkey Creek Brewery takes pride in using local ingredients and traditional brewing methods to create high-quality, distinctive beers. They aim to have eight craft beverages on tap, including house-made seltzers.
Among their standout brews are the “Moonshine Beach Blonde Ale,” a refreshing blonde ale with a hint of orange peel, and the “Hollister Hi Lite,” a light, flavorful lager.
Turkey Creek Brewery isn’t just a bar; it’s a piece of Hollister history. A historic building turned into one of the first breweries in or near Branson.
This is the cozy spot where locals and out-of-towners come together to enjoy some darn good craft beer and food. And guess what? They’ve got live music on the weekends to keep the good vibes rolling!
With indoor and outdoor seating this historic building will be a great stop in your quest for good beer and a unique and memorable experience.
Best Things:
- Best Pizza & pretzels (and they are cooked in a wood oven)
- Blonde Ale
- Offer wine and seltzer for non-beer drinkers
- Only 15 Minutes from Branson in historic Hollister
Best Beer: Moonshine Beach Blonde Ale, 5.1 ABV
5. Bear Creek Wine Company and Brewery
Address: 1320 Keithley Rd, Walnut Shade, MO 65771
Bear Creek is a family-run winery and brewery located just 10 miles North of Branson. You want a taste of the Ozarks? It’s not far from Branson, in Walnut Shade, MO.
They are a locally owned and family-operated winery and small batch brewery that opened in 1999. On weekends they often have live music, and you should try their delicious pizza and menu offerings. You can enjoy wine from one of the best wineries in the area by the bottle or glass, and beer by the pint or in a growler to take home.
They’ve got 11 wines for you, from dry to sweet. They also have six of their beers on tap and that change with the seasons. This is the best Branson area placec for both a beer or wine lover.
With indoor and outdoor seating, you’ll have the best views of the Ozarks while enjoying their beautiful property. They also offer cozy cabins and host events, making it the ultimate way to experience the Ozarks.
Best Things
- Cabin and Rustic Feel
- Music every week
- Wine and Beer options
Additional Tap rooms With Local Missouri beer
While these following taprooms do not craft their own beer, they proudly present an extensive selection featuring local favorites.
Seven Arrows Taproom
Address: 331 Branson Landing, Branson, Missouri 65616
Located in the Branson Landing, Seven Arrows Taproom has an impressive selection of 32 locally-crafted draft beers. While they may not brew their own beer, they offer a diverse array of choices from the thriving local craft beer scene, with dozens of options to satisfy your beer craving. Thank goodness they offer beer flights, because there is a lot of choices here.
Branson Landing features a scenic boardwalk along the 1.5-mile Taneycomo Lakefront.
At Seven Arrows Taproom, you’ll find remarkable beers and the finest local craft beers from Missouri and Arkansas. In addition to this exceptional beer lineup, they offer local wines from Lindwedel Winery, the very popular wine slushies, and a tempting array of appetizers.
Step into their home style space, where you can unwind, engage in a board game, and enjoy the flavors ofthe region’s brews.
A few top beers to try:
- Stout – Irish
- 5% ABV, 20 IBU
Brewed by Six Mile Bridge in Maryland Heights, MO
Experience notes of chocolate with a subtle hint of coffee on the finish.
- Oktoberfest – Märzen
- 5.5% ABV, 20 IBU
- Crafted by Mother’s Brewing Company in Springfield, MO
- A traditional amber lager celebrating the autumn harvest. Extended aging yields a medium-bodied beer with a smooth malty flavor and a subtle touch of hops.
- Homestead Peach
- Cider – Other Fruit
- 5% ABV
- Created by Brick River Cider Co in St. Louis, MO
- Savor this unfiltered, cloudy, and sweet farmhouse-style apple cider with a delightful infusion of fresh peach sweetness.
Taps on Downing
Address: 260 Birdcage Walk, Hollister, Missouri 65672
Welcome to a cool, contemporary yet rustic taproom and beer garden, offering an array of beers, wines, and appetizers, including the locally acclaimed Hook & Ladder Pizza pies.
Founded in 2023, the Taps on Downing journey began when owners and lifelong Hollister native Wesley Hunt, who also owns White River Kayaking, Coffee on the Rocks and White River Apothecary acquired Hook & Ladder Pizza on Downing Street in 2019. Following that, they opened Coffee on the Rocks up the road in 2022. And now, Taps, conveniently located just off Downing Street on Birdcage Walk.
They offer a selection of 24 taps and local wines in a modern and rustic taproom. Whether you prefer lounging indoors to play board games or watch TV, or relish the outdoors in the spacious beer garden with fire pits, cornhole, and live music on an outdoor stage, Taps on Downing is worth a visit.
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