“When you buy craft beer, you’re buying a little slice of American individuality, made by men and women who have escaped the confines of the establishment to make something special for themselves and their countrymen.”
–Red White and Brew
Natives and visitors alike in Lexington are always in search of the perfect craft beer and brew pubs.
This segment of Ace ‘s purely opinionated chain-free Dining Guide (one of ten parts, including downtown, campus, Chevy Chase, coffee, patio dining, breakfast and brunch, international markets) focuses on Lexington’s beer and brewpub scene, which has exploded in recent years.
The Beer Trappe 811 Euclid Avenue Lexington KY 859.309.0911 No food, no 
wine. Just beer. Rotating taps and a carryout fridge section. Small quarters and a couple of tables on the sidewalk. Self-proclaimed beer snobs love it.
Blue Stallion Brewing 610 W. Third Street. Specializing in German style lagers and British style ales. Brewery with tasting room. Opening spring 2013.
Country Boy Brewing 436 Chair Avenue Lexington KY 859.554.6200 Rotating taps (twenty-plus) keep regulars coming back for endless variety, including but not limited to a jalapeno porter. Food by Lexington food trucks.
Lexington Beerworks 213 N. Limestone Lexington, KY 859.359.6747 Beautifully restored space on Lexington’s ever-expanding North Limestone dining corridor, it serves home brewers (with supplies), and a dozen taps; selection of draft and bottled beers. Double decker patio. Food trucks are frequent guests, and they sometimes “import” food from their restaurant neighbors on North Limestone like Columbia’s.
Marikka’s German food, Marikka’s served up the beer variety long before it was cool in Lexington.
Pazzo’s 385 S. Limestone Lexington KY 859.255.5125. This UK campus pizza joint is equally famous for Wednesday pint night and vast beer selection.
West Sixth 501 West 6th Street, Lexington, Ky. 859.951.6006. Located on the corner of West Sixth and Jefferson St., the brewery occupies the old Rainbow Bread factory known as the Bread Box. Best known for their bombastic IPA (which they distribute locally in can form with a design by Lexington’s own Cricket Press), they have a broad range of beers to fit anyone’s tastes. Spacious seating is available inside along with a covered, open air sitting area filled with picnic tables perfect for late summer nights. Small snack options are available but food trucks often stop by for those that are more than a little peckish.
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