sunrise over Gatlinburg, Tennessee

The 5 Top Smoky Mountain Breweries and Distilleries

old forge distillery in pigeon forge
April 27, 2023

There’s a ton to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and many visitors find themselves wanting to visit some of the best Smoky Mountain breweries and distilleries. Luckily, the area has plenty to offer, including some fantastic bars in Gatlinburg TN. From breweries offering amazing food to moonshine distilleries that grind their own grain, here are the 5 top Smoky Mountain breweries and distilleries:

1. Gatlinburg Brewing Company

Located in the heart of Gatlinburg near Ole Red and the Great Smoky Mountains Rangers Office, Gatlinburg Brewing Company offers a variety of original beers as well as tasty food. They keep customers on their toes with a beer tap list that is updated weekly. You can also enjoy appetizers like breadsticks and chicken wings, or make a meal out of it with a delicious craft pizza! Gatlinburg Brewing Company also offers entertainment like live music and comedy acts. Stop by to see why this is one of the best Smoky Mountain breweries!

2. Smoky Mountain Brewery

Smoky Mountain Brewery has been creating popular beers for visitors of Gatlinburg for over 20 years. They have six flagship brews that are always on tap, as well as four seasonal beers that rotate throughout the year, and a “Brewmaster Special” that rotates every couple weeks. This way, you can try something new and different, or stick to the great beers that you know and love. Smoky Mountain Brewery also has fun things to do including trivia, live music, singo (a variation of Bingo), and karaoke!

3. Tennesee Stud Cider

hard apple cider

Tennessee Stud Cider is another of the best Smoky Mountain breweries to visit while you are here in the area. With a convenient location along the parkway in Gatlinburg, it will be easy to add a stop at this brewery to your vacation itinerary. With delicious flavors of hard cider such as apple pie, blueberry, pineapple, and more, you are sure to be able to find a drink you enjoy here. Plus, with tastings available, you can make sure you love the cider before you buy it!

4. Old Forge Distillery

Located at the historic Old Mill, the Old Forge Distillery is a busy tourist destination. At the Old Forge Distillery, they use pure mountain spring water and fresh-ground grains from the mill to create their delicious whiskeys and moonshines. As if that wasn’t enough, they also make spirits in small batches to ensure freshness and quality. The distillers at the Old Forge Distillery also use vapor infusion to extract flavors and colors from roots, herbs, and spices. If you want to get drinks that make use of everything the area has to offer, this Smoky Mountain distillery is the place for you!

5. Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery

ole smoky moonshine at the island

Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery is the most visited distillery in the United States, and for good reason. Walk through our Smoky Mountain distillery and check out the working moonshine stills, or talk with our friendly distillers about the history of moonshining in Tennessee. You can also enjoy $5 samples of over 20 flavors of moonshine! Ole Smoky Moonshine has multiple locations around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, so you can stop by wherever you are.

The Smoky Mountains and the surrounding towns have so much to offer in terms of unique breweries and authentic moonshine distilleries. If you want to unwind after a long day, or simply enjoy whiskey with a nice meal, these Smoky Mountain breweries and distilleries are must-stop destinations. Find out more about moonshine in Gatlinburg and plan your visit now!