Brewery Day Trips: Fun Escapes from Knoxville for Craft Beer Lovers

Welcome to your guide for brewery day trips from Knoxville. These routes focus on daytime social experiences. We prioritize locations with natural light and outdoor seating. All suggested itineraries ensure you are home before the street lights come on.

The Strategy for Day Tripping

Day drinking requires a plan. Avoid dark basements. Focus on patios. Use a designated driver. Limit intake to flights. This guide helps you navigate three nearby craft beer hubs. Each destination is within a two-hour drive of Knoxville.

Destination 1: Maryville and Alcoa, TN

Distance: ~30 minutes from Knoxville.
Vibe: Rural, relaxed, farmhouse-style.

Maryville offers a short commute. It is ideal for a half-day outing. You spend less time driving and more time on the patio.

Blackberry Farm Brewery

• Atmosphere: Open-air taproom. Farmhouse aesthetic.
• Beer Style: Saisons, lagers, classic farmhouse ales.
• Daylight Factor: High. Large windows and outdoor space.
• Quick Facts:
  • Patio: Yes.
  • Pet-Friendly: Yes.
  • Food: Small snacks available.
  • Sun Hit: Afternoon sun is peak.

Round 6 Brewing

• Atmosphere: Casual and local. Industrial-lite.
• Beer Style: Diverse. IPAs and approachable ales.
• Daylight Factor: Moderate. Indoor/outdoor flow.
• Quick Facts:
  • Patio: Yes.
  • Pet-Friendly: Yes.
  • Food: Often has food trucks.
  • Sun Hit: Direct late afternoon light.

Tri-Hop Brewery

• Atmosphere: Neighborhood focused. Small and intimate.
• Beer Style: Hop-forward. Rotating experimental taps.
• Daylight Factor: High. Large garage doors often open.
• Quick Facts:
  • Patio: Small front patio.
  • Pet-Friendly: Yes.
  • Food: Bring your own or local delivery.
  • Sun Hit: Morning to early afternoon.

Destination 2: Asheville, NC

Distance: ~2 hours from Knoxville.
Vibe: Urban, highly walkable, experimental.

Asheville is a premier beer destination. Park once in the South Slope district. Walk between multiple award-winning breweries.

Burial Beer Co. (South Slope)

• Atmosphere: Industrial, artistic, often crowded.
• Beer Style: Hazy IPAs, heavy stouts, creative sours.
• Daylight Factor: High. Large outdoor courtyard.
• Quick Facts:
  • Patio: Extensive outdoor seating.
  • Pet-Friendly: Yes.
  • Food: On-site kitchen (Visual and Culinary Arts).
  • Sun Hit: Constant sun in the courtyard.

Green Man Brewery

• Atmosphere: Three-story "GreenMansion." Rooftop views.
• Beer Style: English-style ales. Traditional IPAs.
• Daylight Factor: Very high. Glass walls on upper floors.
• Quick Facts:
  • Patio: Rooftop and ground level.
  • Pet-Friendly: Yes (ground floor).
  • Food: Basic pub snacks.
  • Sun Hit: Excellent for sunset views.

Hi-Wire Brewing (South Slope)

• Atmosphere: Bright, circus-themed, spacious.
• Beer Style: Accessible lagers and sessionable ales.
• Daylight Factor: High. Massive windows.
• Quick Facts:
  • Patio: Small outdoor area.
  • Pet-Friendly: Yes.
  • Food: Walkable to nearby restaurants.
  • Sun Hit: Afternoon brightness.

The Funkatorium (Wicked Weed)

• Atmosphere: Dedicated to sour and wild ales.
• Beer Style: Sours, brettanomyces, barrel-aged.
• Daylight Factor: Moderate. Large back patio.
• Quick Facts:
  • Patio: Yes, covered and uncovered.
  • Pet-Friendly: Yes.
  • Food: Full menu available.
  • Sun Hit: Mid-day focus.

Destination 3: Chattanooga, TN

Distance: ~1 hour 45 minutes from Knoxville.
Vibe: Riverfront, scenic, community-centric.

Chattanooga combines outdoor recreation with brewing. Visit the Southside for walkable clusters. Visit the North Shore for river views.

Chattanooga Brewing Company

• Atmosphere: Sports-friendly. Near the stadium.
• Beer Style: German-inspired lagers and pilsners.
• Daylight Factor: High. Large beer garden.
• Quick Facts:
  • Patio: Large outdoor beer garden.
  • Pet-Friendly: Yes.
  • Food: Full kitchen with burgers and bratwurst.
  • Sun Hit: Direct afternoon sun.

OddStory Brewing Co.

• Atmosphere: Lush, plant-filled, modern.
• Beer Style: Experimental. Fruit-forward and Belgian styles.
• Daylight Factor: High. Floor-to-ceiling windows.
• Quick Facts:
  • Patio: Large greenhouse-style patio.
  • Pet-Friendly: Yes.
  • Food: On-site kitchen.
  • Sun Hit: Bright all day.

Hutton & Smith Brewing Co.

• Atmosphere: Climbing-themed. Local favorite.
• Beer Style: Rock-solid West Coast IPAs and ambers.
• Daylight Factor: Moderate. Garage door opening.
• Quick Facts:
  • Patio: Sidewalk seating.
  • Pet-Friendly: Yes.
  • Food: Bring your own.
  • Sun Hit: Morning sun.

The Before 5 PM Day Trip Checklist

Maximize your daytime experience with this checklist.

1. Departure Time: 9:00 AM. Start early to beat traffic.
2. First Stop: 11:30 AM. Arrive at the first brewery for lunch.
3. The Flight Rule: Order 4oz pours. Sample varieties without over-consumption.
4. Hydration: Match every beer with 8oz of water.
5. The Exit: 4:30 PM. Begin the drive back to Knoxville.
6. Arrival: 6:30 PM. Order dinner locally.
7. Bedtime: 10:00 PM. Wake up refreshed.

Essential Logistics

• Travel: Knoxville serves as a central hub. Driving times are estimates.
• Internal Links: Check our events page for local Knoxville meetups before you travel. Read more about our philosophy on the about-us page. Browse our full blog for more city guides.
• Equipment: Carry a portable charger. Download offline maps for mountain drives to Asheville.
• Safety: Always have a designated driver. Rideshare services are available in all three cities.

Summary

Day trips from Knoxville for breweries are efficient. Maryville is best for short trips. Asheville is best for walking. Chattanooga is best for scenic views. Focus on daylight. Prioritize patios. Be home before dark.

For more information on daytime social events, visit DayDrinking HQ.