“Hoppy Trails”
From IPAs to stouts, sip your way through the area’s best brews with this flavor-packed brewery route.
Ready to raise a glass? Lafayette-West Lafayette is home to a thriving craft beer culture that’s big on flavor and full of personality. Whether you’re into hoppy IPAs, rich stouts, or something adventurous and seasonal, this trail is all about discovering the brews (and the people) that make our local scene so unforgettable.
🍻 Breweries Worth the Pour:
BROKERAGE BREWING COMPANY
Tucked into a neighborhood setting, Brokerage offers a welcoming space and an ever-changing tap list of creative and balanced brews.
History & Heritage
What’s something unique about your brewery’s story that you think more people should know?
"We’re proud to be a locally owned brewery, started by a brother-sister duo who turned their idea into reality about seven years ago. Since day one, we've been a true neighborhood gathering spot. Many of our regulars have been coming here since we opened, and it's become a comfortable place for people from all around the area to connect, hang out, and enjoy good beer together.”
Beer Focus
What is your top beer in sales?
"Our best-selling beer is New Kid on the Hop, an American IPA. It’s been a fan favorite from the beginning as it was one of the first three beers we ever brewed here. IPAs are generally popular, but this one really stuck with people. Even though we’ve tried releasing other IPAs over the years, customers always gravitate back to this one."
What’s a sleeper hit on your tap list—a beer more people need to try?
"Any of our Czech lagers are definitely hidden gems. They’re traditional, classic styles. A lot of people shy away at first because they see a darker beer and expect it to be heavy but these are actually smooth, light on the palate, and really easy to enjoy.”
The Experience
How would you describe the atmosphere you're trying to create for guests?
"We aim to create a welcoming space where everyone feels comfortable and included. Over time, we've become a second home for a lot of regulars, and we love that. It’s the kind of place where you can join in on a conversation at the bar or just relax and enjoy the company of good people. That casual, friendly vibe is important to us.”
Community Roots
How has the Lafayette community played a role in your success?
"The community has been incredibly supportive from the start. This space has always been about more than just beer as it’s about bringing people together. We’re so grateful for the local support and for the sense of connection our guests bring through the doors."
Are there any community events or seasonal traditions you participate in or look forward to:
"We love participating in local nonprofit and charity-driven events like Beers Across the Wabash, TAP for TAF, the Purdue Boilermaker Half Marathon & 5K, Winter Warmer and our own Broktoberfest. We also host our own events throughout the year at the brewery, always looking for ways to engage with the community and support good causes."
Fun & Personal
What’s the first beer you ever brewed in this location—and does it still make the rotation?
"The very first beer we brewed here was Walking Ashland, a cream ale. It was the first one on tap and still one of our most popular. Both Walking Ashland and New Kid on the Hop are our flagship beers. Even if we wanted to rotate them out, we couldn’t as customers love them too much. Some regulars come in just for those two and won’t drink anything else.”
Looking Ahead
What’s next for you?—any beers, expansions, or ideas you’re excited about?
"Space is tight at our current location, so expanding isn’t on the table at the moment. We don’t have plans for additional locations, but what we do focus on is keeping our tap list fresh. We’re constantly rotating beers and offering seasonal selections that you might not find at other places. Our main goal is maintaining great quality and keeping things exciting for our guests.”
How do you see your place in the Indiana craft beer scene evolving?
"We’re working on growing our local presence by getting on more taps around town and hosting more of our own events. We’ve started canning a few of our most popular beers as well. It’s all about continuing to grow, reach more people, and make sure we’re always offering something worth coming back for.”
PEOPLE'S BREWING COMPANY & TAPROOM
People’s Brewing Company has been proudly brewing “Beer for the People” since 2009. With a 20-barrel brewhouse, a rotating lineup of classic ales and lagers, and a community-focused taproom featuring game nights, local music, and even a dog-friendly patio, it's become a local gathering spot as much as it is a brewery.
History & Heritage
What’s something unique about your brewery’s story that you think more people should know?
"We were the 27th brewery in the state back in 2009, and the first production brewery in the Lafayette area since the original Thieme & Wagner Brewery closed its doors."
Beer Focus
What is your top beer in sales?
"Boiler Gold Ale is our best seller, thanks to the loyal Purdue University fan base. After that, our People’s IPA has consistently dominated our lineup with its well-balanced malt-to-hop character and bold, American hop-forward flavor."
What’s a sleeper hit on your tap list—a beer more people need to try?
"Daylight Session IPA is a newer beer for us. It’s very easy drinking, with a pleasant hop flavor but less bitterness than our traditional IPAs. It’s always well received once folks try it—it’s definitely our biggest sleeper right now!"
The Experience
How would you describe the atmosphere you're trying to create for guests?
"Our Taproom has an industrial feel that’s very welcoming, and our community of regulars is inviting and fun. We offer great scratch-made food and fresh, local beer—as well as functional beverages from Generation NA, wine, and cider."
Community Roots
How has the Lafayette community played a role in your success?
"The community is incredibly supportive of local businesses. Now more than ever, local spots need that love, and it’s awesome to see people continue to show up and support."
Are there any community events or seasonal traditions you participate in or look forward to:
"We’re always excited about festival season! We love working with local charities and organizations, so we regularly participate in TAP for TAF, Taste of Tippecanoe, the Indiana Fiddlers' Gathering, Blues and Jazz, Global Fest, Beers Across the Wabash, and more."
Fun & Personal
What’s the first beer you ever brewed in this location—and does it still make the rotation?
"The first beer we brewed was called Pilgrim Porter. We made it on Thanksgiving Day 2009 and released it on our opening day, December 17, 2009. We don’t brew it anymore, but we do make Boiler Black, which is similar in style."
Looking Ahead
What’s next for you?—any beers, expansions, or ideas you’re excited about?
"We’re expanding our portfolio through collaborations with other local companies, including canning for other area breweries. We’ve also started working with soda and coffee companies to can their products. There’s more to come!"
How do you see your place in the Indiana craft beer scene evolving?
"The hospitality industry took a huge hit during and after the pandemic. We’re still feeling the effects and hope to remain a local favorite as the scene continues to grow and recover."
THIEME & WAGNER BREWERY
A nod to Lafayette’s brewing roots, this downtown brewery brings old-world recipes and family brewing traditions back to life—with a few modern twists.
History & Heritage
What’s something unique about your brewery’s story that you think more people should know?
"One of the most unique aspects of our story is how deeply rooted it is in Lafayette’s history and how that legacy came full circle. Beer has always been a family business for us. My ancestors started the original Thieme and Wagner Brewery in 1863, and over 150 years later, we’ve resurrected it. We are now operating as sixth-generation descendants, making us one of the rare breweries to be revived by direct family lineage."
Beer Focus
What is your top beer in sales?
“Our top seller is the 1918 Bock. It has a great story as we thought the original recipe had been lost when the brewery closed in 1918 due to Prohibition. In 2017, we were able to track it down, and it’s now our most popular beer. It’s a traditional German-style bock that’s malty, smooth, with a balanced sweetness and toasty finish which is true to its historic roots.”
What’s a sleeper hit on your tap list—a beer more people need to try?
“Our Radler tends to surprise people. It’s a 50/50 blend of beer and lemonade. While it might sound unusual at first, it’s incredibly refreshing—especially in the summertime—and has grown quite a fan base.”
The Experience
How would you describe the atmosphere you're trying to create for guests?
“We pride ourselves on offering a quick, laid-back experience. Since we don’t serve food, there’s less of a time commitment than you’d find at a traditional brewpub. It’s easy to pop in for a drink, especially if you’re already downtown.
Our space is filled with historic photos, antique bottles, and other memorabilia from the original brewery, which guests love exploring. My grandfather used to say, ‘It’s not the beer you’re selling that matters it’s the people you sell it to.’ That mindset drives my passion in this industry. It’s all about people coming together, sharing stories, and sometimes leaving here as new friends.”
Community Roots
How has the Lafayette community played a role in your success?
“The Lafayette community has been amazing. We’re incredibly grateful and a little surprised by how many people have made visiting us a weekly routine. It’s really special to see folks celebrating milestones and creating memories right here at the bar.”
Are there any community events or seasonal traditions you participate in or look forward to:
“Our biggest event each year is St. Boniface GermanFest. We also love taking part in many of the Mosey Down Main Street events. Another favorite is our own Puptoberfest, which extends our dog-friendly atmosphere and brings the community together.”
Fun & Personal
What’s the first beer you ever brewed in this location—and does it still make the rotation?
“The first beer we brewed when we reopened was our 1918 Bock, and it’s still our best-seller today. We focus heavily on classic German, German-American, and American lagers. Those beers strike the perfect balance between flavor and drinkability. What I’ve learned is that while they may seem simple, they’re actually some of the most challenging beers to get right.”
Looking Ahead
What’s next for you?—any beers, expansions, or ideas you’re excited about?
“We’re looking to expand our beer offerings and to do that, we’ll need more space. We’re currently exploring options for expanding the brewery or possibly opening a second location. Stay tuned!”
How do you see your place in the Indiana craft beer scene evolving?
“We definitely want to capture more of the market and reach more people. Expanding our footprint would help with that. At the core, it’s about continuing the family legacy—honoring tradition while delivering a quality product and experience. That’s what matters most to us.”
TEAYS RIVER BREWING & PUBLIC HOUSE
A perfect blend of great beer and food. Teays is known for approachable, well-crafted brews and a modern menu that pairs perfectly with your pint.
History & Heritage
What’s something unique about your brewery’s story that you think more people should know?
"Our brewer, Jason, got his start as a home brewer, making beer in his garage and he was really good at it. As we began talking with him, we quickly realized, 'Hey, this guy can seriously brew.' It took us about three years to get our recipes where we wanted them. One of the main challenges early on was ingredient consistency, especially with our suppliers.
We’ve always strived to use the best quality ingredients—grains, hops, everything. Once we nailed down consistent sourcing, the quality of our beer improved overnight, particularly in clarity and flavor. Another crucial component is water. Without good water, you can't make great beer. We invest significantly in our water system because it really is our 'secret sauce.'"
Beer Focus
What is your top beer in sales?
“Lito Shuffle is our top seller, followed closely by Trauma Llama Ding Dong Hazy IPA. Lito Shuffle does well because it’s the closest thing we offer to a domestic lager—think Miller Lite. It's easy to drink, low in alcohol and calories, but still full of flavor.”
What’s a sleeper hit on your tap list—a beer more people need to try
“We have several. East Highland Scottish Ale is a standout as it’s one of those beers that, when I revisit it, I always think, ‘Wow, this is really good.’ Another one is Business Time Gose Sour, which has actually won the most gold medals at the Indiana State Fair among our lineup. We’ve pulled back on it a bit because sour beers have a niche audience, but it’s a great beer.”
The Experience
How would you describe the atmosphere you're trying to create for guests?
“We aim for a casual, laid-back environment where people can have real conversations. Unlike many pubs or sports bars, we’ve intentionally minimized the number of TVs. ‘Public House’ is part of our name for a reason as it reflects the social tradition of pubs in Europe, where people gather to connect.
Our minimal décor, natural wood elements, and use of trees in our outdoor space all tie into our nature theme. The garage doors help blur the line between indoors and outdoors. Another unique feature is our open kitchen. We wanted guests to be able to see the ‘theater’ of the kitchen in action. Ultimately, we strive to be a brewery that serves great food, not just a restaurant that happens to make its own beer.”
Community Roots
How has the Lafayette community played a role in your success?
“They’ve been incredible and really supportive over the years. Our local customers are regulars, and thanks to our central location, we’re also accessible to folks from West Lafayette. We participate in a lot of charity events and sponsorships, and we try to be involved in as many community happenings as we can to give back.”
Are there any community events or seasonal traditions you participate in or look forward to:
“We take part in several local beer festivals. Beers Across the Wabash and TAP for TAF are two of the biggest. We’re always on the lookout for more events to get involved with.”
Fun & Personal
What’s the first beer you ever brewed in this location—and does it still make the rotation?
“Fun story—the first beer that got us started was a Smoked Porter. Back when I was tailgating at Purdue football games, we’d host a ‘Sausage Fest’ at the last home game every year and wanted a beer to go with it. Jason created a smoked grain recipe specifically for that event. That beer got the conversation started about opening a brewery. Today, it’s still in our fall rotation and it’s called the Swine Saber.”
Looking Ahead
What’s next for you?—any beers, expansions, or ideas you’re excited about?
“We’re always experimenting. New beers pop up, and even brewing mistakes can lead to great things. For example, we once accidentally doubled the Citra hops in a batch, which turned out to be a happy accident and gave us a better version of what became Everyday Sunshine.
We keep a fresh lineup throughout the year with seasonals in the summer and experimental batches in the fall. We recently introduced a wheat Hefeweizen called The Sparkle. Our current summer seasonals are Teays on the Beach and Everyday Sunshine.”
How do you see your place in the Indiana craft beer scene evolving?
“After attending the Craft Brewers Conference, where breweries from around the world came together, it was clear how much Indiana is growing in the craft beer space. Greater Lafayette breweries even created a joint marketing effort to attract travelers from the interstate.
Indiana now ranks as one of the top craft beer states per capita. At Teays River, our goal is simple: keep improving. We want to be better than last week, better than last year. We currently have the capacity to produce 1,200 barrels annually but are only brewing about 800, so there’s room to grow. Our next step could be increased distribution—or even a second location.”
🍺 Pro Tip: Try a flight at each stop so you can explore a variety of flavors. And don’t forget to ask the bartenders for seasonal or limited releases—they often know just what to recommend.
📸 Cheers-Worthy Moment: Snap a pic with your favorite brew and tag @visitlafayettewestlafayette to show us where your trail took you!
🎯 Plan Your Brew Trail Today!
Whether you're a casual sipper or a craft connoisseur, Lafayette-West Lafayette’s brewery trail is an ideal way to enjoy great beer and good company.
If your business brews your own beer and would like to be featured in this blog as well, please contact Paul Whitehurst (pwhitehurst@homeofpurdue.com).