Topeka Breweries
Ready to dive into the Topeka craft beer scene?! With seven local breweries, Topeka will help you wet your whistle and then some! Visit all of the breweries below and let us know what your favorite brew is on Instagram using #TopCityBrews! Have a taste for craft beer?
THE BLIND TIGER RESTAURANT & BREWERY
Opened in 1995, The Blind Tiger is considered the grand-daddy of Topeka craft breweries. The restaurant and brewery’s most popular beers or flagship beers include Raw Wheat, Country Seat Wheat, Raspberry Wheat, Holy Grail Pale Ale, Tiger Paw Porter and Tiger Bite IPA. The Blind Tiger has won numerous awards at national and international brewing competition. Most notably, it was named Champion Brewery and Brewmaster in the World Beer Cup 2014 Large Brewpub Division. Recently the Blind Tiger took home the Bronze in the 2018 Great American Beer Festival for its Blind Tiger Bock.
NORSEMEN BREWING COMPANY
For years, couples Emily and Jared Rudy and Adam and Melissa Rosdahl spent their free time concocting beer recipes. As they mingled and met with, brewing professionals, local brewers’ guilds and craft brewer consumers to cultivate their knowledge and perfect their technique, the group found they wanted to create an establishment of their own.
The Norsemen Brewing Company subsequently opened in October 2016. This name was chosen both for its alignment with North Topeka as well as its connection to Northern Hills Junior High (now closed) and its mascot: the Norsemen. Named Small Business of the Year and “Best of Topeka,” Norsemen continues to outdo itself. The location now offers a Norse themed menu with staples like open faced sandwiches, fried goat cheese balls, and homemade beet chips.
IRON RAIL BREWING
A craft beer experience like none other in Topeka. Featuring beers with historical significance and flavor that will have you ordering another. Whether you’re after lunch, dinner, and/or drinks, Iron Rail Brewing has a unique homestyle menu, which includes Babb’s famous BBQ, with a fully stocked bar ready to fulfill your cravings. Iron Rail’s brews, as well as aesthetic, is dedicated to Topeka’s rich railroad heritage. Some of their signature beers include Engine Forty Nine Saison, Great Overland Station Kolsch, Iron Rail Pale Ale and Three Sunken Engines IPA.
HAPPY BASSET BREWING COMPANY & HAPPY BASSET BARREL HOUSE
Eric Craver always took pride in crafting his own brew. He took a break to attend college at Washburn University and then dedicated five years to apprenticeship school for the Plumbers and Pipefitters. It was during his last years at apprenticeship school that Craver began working with a few local breweries, reawakening his interest in brewing. Soon after, Craver built his own home brew system completely out of stainless steel.
The new brew system Craver built allowed him to brew beer with all grain rather than syrups. As he honed his craft, Craver pursued the idea of opening his own brewery. With the help of his wife, a food scientist, and a little capital backing from his dad, Craver started building his brewery in December of 2015. Happy Basset Brewing Company finally opened its doors for the first time at the end of July 2016. Happy Basset now offers two locations: the original and Happy Basset Barrel House. Both feature food trucks and events throughout the year.
Did we mention that Happy Basset is dog friendly? The brewery even offers treats for your four-legged friends to enjoy while you enjoy a treat of your own.
785 BEER COMPANY
The capital city's newest brewery, 785 Beer Company, opened in the summer of 2023 not only bringing a new taproom to the capital city, but a fun atmosphere including cornhole, shuffleboard, and even three indoor pickleball courts!
HAIRY BEAST BREWING
Topeka's newest brewery, Hairy Beast Brewing, opened in the fall of 2023 and encourages patrons to bring in their dogs so they can enjoy new experiences away from home. The brewery has a small indoor space and an outdoor patio for people and their pets.
