Smoky Mountain Brewery has been creating popular beers for Gatlinburg visitors since 1996. It later expanded to other Tennessee locations, including Pigeon Forge in 2004. They have six flagship brews that are always on tap, as well as seasonal beers that rotate throughout the year. Not just a fun brewery with an ever-changing line-up of beers, there is also a variation of things to do to keep you and your family entertained.
Once inside, you’ll find a state-of-the-art microbrewery that provides the perfect escape from the fast-paced environment surrounding the brewery and restaurant. Brewing thousands of barrels of beer each year, the Smoky Mountain Brewery is one of the largest craft beer producers in the East Tennessee area.
Read on to learn more about the Smoky Mountain Brewery and why you should visit it.
What is Smoky Mountain Brewery?
Smoky Mountain Brewery is the oldest craft brewery found in East Tennessee. Opened in 1996, it originally started with the goal of serving fresh, local microbrews, making it the first of its kind in the area. Although the idea was met with hesitation, it helped grow the craft beer movement in the United States. To this day, Smoky Mountain Brewery remains ahead of the curve when it comes to microbrewing.
Although it started on Gatlinburg Parkway, they currently have four thriving locations across East Tennessee. In terms of locations, you’ll find the brewery at the original Gatlinburg spot, Pigeon Forge, Turkey Creek/Knoxville, and Maryville. Though it’s grown in success and expanded across the state, Smoky Mountain Brewery is still focused on serving beers that are special to the mountain region.
What Beers Does Smoky Mountain Brewery Serve?
At Smoky Mountain Brewery, you’ll have your pick of microbrewed beers. They’re created in small batches, so you get the freshest flavor with every glass. The brewing process starts with quality malts, hops and cultured yeasts, which are then handled and brewed with pure water by craftsmen. All beers available at the Smoky Mountain Brewery are brewed entirely without the use of chemical preservatives, additives, or pasteurization.
Smoky Mountain Brewery offers six flagship brews, which are always available on tap. Here are the beers you can choose when visiting the brewery.
- The Appalachian Pale Ale, which has a dry, hoppy ale taste with a caramel sweetness.
- Black Bear Ale is an English-style brown ale with a malty-sweet finish, which has been described as tasting like a tootsie roll.
- Cherokee Red Ale is an American-style amber ale with subtle fruity notes.
- Helles is the European-style lager, balanced with Bavarian hops, with a floral and spiced aroma.
- Smoky Mountain Brewery’s IPA is a West Coast IPA with a citrus hop profile.
- Mountain Light is the brewery’s low-carb and low-calorie option. This beer has a refreshing and clean finish.
The best way to try out their beer is to ask about sampler flights, where you can try smaller pours of their craft beer. They also offer a range of beer to go, including growlers and kegs when available.
In addition to the flagship brews that are available all year round, Smoky Mountain Brewery also adds seasonal beers to the lineup alongside Brewmaster Special selections that rotate regularly. Specialty and seasonal beers have included the Harvest Fest and Barrel Aged Imperial Stout.
Not a fan of beer? Smoky Mountain Brewery also has a menu of adult beverages, including wine, champagne, bourbon, whiskey and sangria. We recommend their handcrafted cocktails, which use the best spirits to get the most flavor. Happy hour and cocktail specials can vary by location and date, so check the current menu or ask your server before ordering.
Not an alcohol drinker? They make some tasty non-alcoholic flavored lemonades and a range of soft drinks.
What Can I Eat At Smoky Mountain Brewery?
You can either enjoy a sit-down meal or a quick bite when you go to visit Smoky Mountain Brewery. Inside the brewery, there is a pleasant and casual atmosphere that feels more like a restaurant than a brewery. There are lots of TVs located all throughout the brewery that often show sports.
They have purposely kept their recipes and menus simple because they believe consistency is more important than innovation. Since opening in 1996, they have learned that simple but well-made food and a friendly customer service means more than fancy cuisine and complicated meals. Reviewers have praised Smoky Mountain Brewery for the value for money when it comes to their food.
Their starters are more geared towards sharable appetizers like nachos, potato skins and dip alongside shrimp, quesadillas, and pretzels.
For the main, they have a mini pasta menu, an extensive burger menu and a huge range of hand tossed pizzas and calzones. They also have several steak entrees, as well as fish and chips, and sandwiches. If you prefer something lighter, they have a decent salad menu. Proprietary sauces and dressings which come with their dishes are made fresh daily.
Their portion cuts of prime graded beef and portion cuts of fresh pork are ground daily to ensure quality. Bakery items are also baked fresh every day, including Key Lime pie and a variety of cheesecakes.
Have food allergies or have a gluten-free diet? Smoky Mountain Brewery has a fantastic gluten-free menu, offering sandwiches and subs, burgers, pizza, salads, sides, and steaks. They also offer vegetarian options, including the Smoked Portabella Mushroom Salad and the Smoked Portabella Mushroom Philly Sandwich.
Guests can dine, order takeout, or order food through current online ordering options where available. The establishment is wheelchair accessible, has limited but available parking, and guests can connect to the free Wi-Fi.
Entertainment At Smoky Mountain Brewery
They also host a range of events in the restaurant for you to enjoy. Entertainment schedules vary by location, but Smoky Mountain Brewery regularly posts trivia, karaoke, and live music offerings on its events pages and social media.
On the weekends, they often host live events with live bands. The music tends to lean toward authentic Tennessee country and blues. Check out the website to see the full schedule of live acts, which are usually on weekends. They also show games, so you can spend time with like-minded sports fans.
To find out more about the entertainment offering at Smoky Mountain Brewery, follow them on social media.
Also Read: Is Pigeon Forge a Dry County?
Smoky Mountain Brewery: FAQs
What other breweries are there in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area?
Smoky Mountain Brewery might be the best, but the Gatlinburg area is home to a load of different breweries and distilleries. This establishment stands out because it has a beer tap menu which changes with seasonal and specialty releases. They also have a tasty menu that includes chicken wings and craft pizza.
Yee Haw Brewing is a popular brewing company based in Johnson City, Tennessee, with an outpost at The Island in Pigeon Forge. There is a rotating lineup of Yee-Haw beers on tap, which puts a twist on classic flavors.
Located at the historic Old Mill, the Old Forge Distillery is a busy stop for tourists. This distillery is unique because it uses pure mountain spring water and fresh-ground grains from the mill to create their popular whiskeys and moonshines. They also use vapor infusion to extract flavors and colors from herbs, roots, and spices for the ultimate depth of taste.
Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery has earned the honor of being the most visited distillery in the United States. Tourists love walking through this Smoky Mountain distillery to view the working moonshine stills and talk to the enthusiastic staff. For a small tasting fee, you can try samples of over 20 flavors of moonshine.
The Local Goat serves up local, sustainable food and a huge selection of craft beer. The walls are decorated with local artwork for a bright and quirky atmosphere. Their ribs and their burgers are almost as popular as their range of beers.
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When does Smoky Mountain Brewery Open?
Smoky Mountain Brewery hours vary by location and day. Most locations open daily for lunch and stay open into the evening, with later hours on busier nights. Kitchen hours can also vary, so check the specific location page before visiting!
Where is Smoky Mountain Brewery?
The Pigeon Forge location can be found in Lumberjack Square, which is convenient if you’re coming via the Parkway and Wears Valley Road. It is situated between traffic lights 2B and 3 at Wears Valley Intersection.
In Gatlinburg, you’ll find the Smoky Mountain Brewery conveniently placed at the southern end of Parkway in Calhoun’s Village. There is a small mall area behind Calhoun’s, where you can also park because we know parking is tight in the area.
Does Smoky Mountain Brewery deliver?
Yes! Smoky Mountain Brewery offers takeout and online ordering at participating locations. Delivery availability varies by location and third-party platform. This means you should check the current ordering page before assuming delivery is available to your hotel room or to one of the cabins in the area.
The Smoky Mountains and the surrounding towns have so much to offer in terms of unique breweries and authentic moonshine distilleries. Smoky Mountain Brewery is a fantastic location that caters to everyone with a range of delicious beers and a versatile menu. Stop there to sample their premium beers or have a family meal whilst enjoying live music.