From Three Floyds' legendary taproom to hidden gems in Crown Point, Hammond, and beyond — every stop on the 219 beer trail.
Here's something most people outside the 219 don't realize: Northwest Indiana has one of the best craft brewery scenes in the Midwest. Not just a few good taprooms scattered around — a genuine, diverse, growing collection of breweries that range from nationally legendary to neighborhood-gem intimate. After living in Lake County for over 30 years, watching this scene evolve from a couple of pioneers to a full-blown beer culture has been one of the best parts of calling the 219 home. Here's your complete guide to every stop worth pulling over for.
Lake County is where the 219 brewing scene began — and it's still the heart of it. Eight craft breweries across Munster, Crown Point, Hammond, Highland, St. John, Griffith, and Merrillville mean you can spend a full weekend exploring and never hit the same place twice. Each one has its own personality, and together they tell the story of a community that values craft, creativity, and gathering together over a good beer.
This is the one that put the 219 on the national craft beer map. Three Floyds is a pilgrimage destination for beer lovers — their Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout has its own annual festival (Dark Lord Day) that draws thousands from across the country. The taproom serves creative, bold brews alongside solid pub food in a space that feels equal parts brewery and rock concert. Their Zombie Dust IPA is legendary, but the rotating tap list is always worth exploring.
Vibe: National destination — Munster, IN
A Crown Point institution right on the historic square. Crown Brewing has been a community gathering spot for years — craft beers brewed on-site, a full pub menu, and a patio that fills up fast on summer evenings. It's the kind of place where you bump into neighbors, catch live music on weekends, and lose track of time. The Crown Colony Ale is a house favorite, and the rotating food menu keeps things fresh.
Vibe: Downtown institution — Crown Point, IN
The newer kid on Crown Point's brewing scene, but one that's earned a loyal following fast. Off Square focuses on small-batch, creative brews with a taproom that feels relaxed and welcoming. The rotating food menu goes well beyond typical bar fare — think craft sandwiches, shareables, and seasonal specials. It's a great complement to Crown Brewing if you're doing a Crown Point brewery afternoon.
Vibe: Creative & welcoming — Crown Point, IN
An industrial-chic taproom in Hammond that's become a genuine community hub. Byway serves craft beer alongside a surprisingly strong food menu — burgers, sandwiches, and shareables that go well beyond bar snacks. The space has big screens for game days, hosts events and live music, and has that welcoming neighborhood feel that makes it easy to stay a while. A great example of Hammond's revitalization energy.
Vibe: Community hub — Hammond, IN
A newer Highland addition that's quickly become a local favorite. Fuzzyline focuses on quality craft beer in a relaxed taproom setting. It's the kind of spot that feels like it's been part of the neighborhood forever, even though it's one of the newer players on the 219 brewing scene. Worth a stop for anyone exploring Highland's growing food and drink scene.
Vibe: Neighborhood gem — Highland, IN
St. John's craft brewery with a focus on quality and community. Malt Brothers brews a solid lineup of styles in a taproom that reflects the small-town pride St. John is known for. It's a great addition to any brewery crawl that ventures beyond the more well-known spots — proof that the 219 brewing scene is growing in every direction.
Vibe: Small-town pride — St. John, IN
A Griffith brewery with a German-inspired approach to craft beer. New Oberpfalz brings a different flavor profile to the 219 brewing scene — think traditional German styles alongside creative American craft. It's a great stop for anyone who wants to taste something beyond the standard IPA lineup.
Vibe: German-inspired — Griffith, IN
A Merrillville microbrewery that's part of the wave of new breweries expanding the 219's beer landscape. Gnosis offers a rotating selection of craft brews in an intimate taproom setting. It's the kind of place where you can chat with the brewers and taste something you won't find anywhere else.
Vibe: Microbrewery探索 — Merrillville, IN
The brewing scene doesn't stop at the Lake County line. Porter and LaPorte counties have their own excellent breweries — many of them conveniently located near the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan shoreline. If you're combining a beach day with a brewery visit, these are your stops.
A LaPorte County staple and a perfect post-Dunes stop. Shoreline has been brewing creative craft beers and serving elevated pub food in Michigan City's downtown for years. The taproom has a welcoming, coastal-inspired vibe that fits the Michigan City atmosphere.
Visit WebsiteA Porter County gem just minutes from the Indiana Dunes. Hunter's Brewing offers a lineup of well-crafted beers in a taproom that reflects the area's love of the outdoors. A great pairing with a morning hike at the Dunes.
Another Michigan City brewery bringing creative energy to the LaPorte County beer scene. Burn'Em focuses on bold flavors and a fun, community-oriented taproom experience.
If you don't want to plan it yourself, here are three curated routes — each designed around a different part of the 219, with food pairings and pacing that make for a great day.
Start at the historic square for a flight at Crown Brewing, walk to Off Square for a second stop, and grab lunch at Bombers BBQ. All within downtown Crown Point.
Begin at the legendary Three Floyds taproom on Calumet Avenue, then head to Highland's Fuzzyline Brewing for a different vibe. Two stops, two neighborhoods, two perspectives on 219 beer.
The ambitious one. Start in Munster, wind through Highland, spend the afternoon in Crown Point, then finish in St. John and Griffith. A full day of exploring what makes the 219 craft beer scene special. Pace yourself.
One of the best things about the 219 beer trail is that it doubles as a food trail. Every brewery neighborhood has excellent restaurants nearby — or on-site. Here are my go-to pairings for a brewery crawl that eats as well as it drinks:
Bombers BBQ — smoky meats that stand up to bold IPAs
Walking the square — Lucrezia Italian, Station 21, or Square Roots steps away
Byway's own kitchen — burgers, sandwiches, and shareables
Teibel's Family Restaurant — a Schererville institution since 1929
Love exploring the 219's food and drink scene? The craft brewery trail is just one piece of a much bigger picture. When you live here, every weekend is a chance to discover a new taproom, a new restaurant, or a new favorite spot. Let's talk about finding you a home in the middle of it all.
Common questions about the craft brewery scene in Northwest Indiana.
Three Floyds Brewing in Munster is arguably the most famous — their Zombie Dust IPA has a cult following nationwide. But Crown Brewing in Crown Point is a beloved local institution, Off Square Brewing is doing creative small-batch work, and Byway Brewing in Hammond has become a community gathering spot. The "best" really depends on what you're looking for.
Absolutely. A great Lake County brewery crawl starts at Three Floyds in Munster, heads to Fuzzyline Brewing in Highland, then hits Crown Point for Crown Brewing and Off Square Brewing. Malt Brothers in St. John and New Oberpfalz in Griffith round out the loop. Most stops are 10–15 minutes apart by car.
Most of the taprooms on this trail serve food or have food trucks on-site. Crown Brewing has a full pub menu, Byway Brewing serves lunch and dinner, Teibel's in Schererville is right off Route 41 if you need a dinner break, and Three Floyds has a kitchen that goes beyond typical brewery fare.
Yes — Shoreline Brewery in Michigan City is a great stop after a day at the Dunes. In Porter County, Hunter's Brewing in Chesterton and Plat 35 Brewing in Porter are worth the detour. You can easily combine a Dunes morning with an afternoon brewery tour.
The 219 craft beer scene keeps growing. Newer additions include Fuzzyline Brewing in Highland, Gnosis Brewing in Merrillville, and Malt Brothers Brewing in St. John. Off Square Brewing in Crown Point is also a relatively recent addition that's built a loyal following quickly.
The 219 craft beer scene is growing — and so is the community around it. Ready to call it home?