Craft beer and ghostly tales make a chilling combination, especially in historic breweries where the past lingers alongside the pints. Across the United States, several breweries housed in centuries-old buildings are renowned not only for their brews but also for their paranormal activity. From shadowy figures to unexplained noises, these haunted hotspots draw beer enthusiasts and ghost hunters alike. Below, we explore eight of the most haunted breweries in the USA and the eerie stories that make them unforgettable.
1) Bube’s Brewery, Mount Joy, PA
Dating back to 1873 with underground lager cellars and ties to tragic deaths and hidden tunnels, Bube’s Brewery is home to a family of spirits, including the White Lady and poltergeists responsible for moving objects, slamming doors, and other disturbances, as confirmed by investigations from Ghost Hunters that found evidence of paranormal activity linked to founder Alois Bube’s descendants. The site offers murder mystery dinners and ghost tours that delve into its Victorian-era hauntings and chilling tales. While the brewery produces traditional German-style beers, none are named directly after the ghosts, though the overall historic and spooky ambiance pairs perfectly with their libations.
Address: 102 N Market St, Mount Joy, PA 17552
Website: www.bubesbrewery.com
2) Church Brew Works – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Housed in the deconsecrated St. John the Baptist Church, a grand 1902 Romanesque structure in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood, Church Brew Works is steeped in eerie lore, with spirits tied to its sacred past lingering among the vats and pews. Patrons and staff report ghostly apparitions, including a shadowy priest seen near the altar-turned-bar, whispering voices echoing through the cavernous sanctuary, and a spectral woman in white who glides silently across the nave, possibly a mourner from the church’s funeral days. Unexplained footsteps, flickering lights, and beer glasses moving inexplicably add to the chilling ambiance, with paranormal investigators capturing EVPs that hint at restless souls unsettled by the building’s transformation into a brewery. While the brewery embraces its unique setting with beers like Pious Monk Dunkel and Celestial Gold, none are directly named after these ghostly figures, though the sacred-turned-profane atmosphere makes every sip feel like a communion with the other
Address: 3525 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Website: www.churchbrew.com
3) Wolfden Brewing Company – Bloomingdale, Illinois
Housed in an 1851 building with a grim past involving murders and nearby burials, Wolfden Brewing Company is plagued by spirits such as a woman who tragically died in a well on the property and a male ghost named Jack, who manifests through odd noises, whistling, shadowy figures, and phenomena like draining batteries and flying glasses. The brewery leans into its haunted lore with guided ghost tours led by owner Katie Wolf, where visitors hear firsthand accounts from employees and search for evidence of these restless souls. While the atmosphere evokes a Wisconsin lodge vibe with classic beer styles given modern twists, there are no indications of beers directly named after Jack or the well woman, though the overall spooky theme enhances the experience of their taps.
Address: 112 W Lake St, Bloomingdale, IL 60108
Website: http://www.wolfdenbrewing.com
4) Wynkoop Brewing Company, Denver, CO
In a 1890s warehouse with secret tunnels, Wynkoop Brewing Company is haunted by spirits like Sam, a former employee who whispers and grabs at legs in the basement; a woman in red; and possibly an old man or little girl, with electronic voice phenomena and other encounters reported over the years. The brewery’s LoDo location ties into Denver’s underground history, inspiring ghost hunts. Although some breweries name beers after spirits, Wynkoop does not have any directly honoring Sam or the others, sticking to innovative styles like those from early brewer Russell without supernatural monikers.
Address: 1634 18th St, Denver, CO 80202
Website: www.wynkoop.com
5) The Phoenix Brewing Company – Mansfield, Ohio
Rising from the ashes of the 1914 Schroer Mortuary and Funeral Home in downtown Mansfield, The Phoenix Brewing Company brews its craft libations amid whispers of the departed, where the chapel’s stained-glass windows now illuminate a taproom haunted by the echoes of final rites and the scent of forgotten embalming fluids. The spirits here are restless, including the ghost of a former owner who took his own life in the chapel during the shadowy 1930s, his sorrowful apparition said to linger near the bar, tapping invisibly on shoulders or sending shivers down spines with cold, spectral breaths; mischievous entities nudge small objects from shelves, causing pint glasses to slide eerily across tables, while faint whispers of mourning kin drift from the basement’s former embalming chambers, now home to fermenting vats. Paranormal investigators and staff alike report these uncanny disturbances during ghost hunts and tours, blending the brewery’s award-winning brews like the crisp Phoenix Pilsner with tales of the afterlife.
Address: 131 N Diamond St, Mansfield, OH 44902
Website: www.phoenixbrewing.com
6) Taylor House Brewing Company – Catasauqua, Pennsylvania
Nestled in the historic town of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, F.X. Matt Brewing isn’t just a spot for craft beer enthusiasts—it’s a haunted haven where spirits of the past mingle with suds of the present. Housed in a 1897 building from the old Milson’s Coal Yard and named after Declaration of Independence signer George Taylor, the brewery sits across from his 1768 summer home, eerily built on a Native American burial ground where Taylor’s stepson tragically drowned nearby. Patrons and staff report chilling encounters like invisible fingers plucking guitar strings, glasses mysteriously shaking or flying off shelves, unexplained whistling, snapping sounds, phantom footsteps, and flickering lights—attributed to angered ancient spirits or the restless stepson. To appease these ghostly guests, the brewery crafts Madame Fantome, a refreshing 5% ABV Belgian witbier that’s been on tap since opening, evoking ethereal citrus and spice notes. Beyond the spectral sips, Taylor House offers a robust lineup including the hoppy Independence IPA (6.7% ABV) honoring its namesake, the hazy Revolution IPA (6.8% ABV) bursting with tropical fruits, the roasty Rough Rider English Porter (5.5% ABV), and seasonal scares like Stingy Jack pumpkin beer (5.5% ABV)—making it the perfect brew spot for those who like their pints with a side of paranormal thrills!
Address: 214 N Walnut St, Mansfield, OH 44902
Website: www.taylorhousebrewing.com
7) Saranac Brewery – Utica, New York
Nestled in the heart of Utica, New York, within the historic F.X. Matt Brewing Company founded in 1888, Saranac Brewery pulses with over 135 years of whispered secrets from its Prohibition-era speakeasy days and beyond, where spectral guests from the past brush against patrons’ arms or nudge chairs with invisible hands, leaving chills in the air amid the aroma of fermenting hops. Paranormal enthusiasts capture ethereal orbs glowing in photographs throughout the brick-lined halls, while professional investigators detect surging EMF spikes and disembodied voices echoing from the shadows, as if the brewery’s founder Francis Xavier Matt and his kin linger to guard their legacy. These ghostly encounters pair hauntingly well with Saranac’s diverse lineup of craft beers, from the crisp, citrus-kissed Saranac Pale Ale that evokes the brewery’s Adirondack roots, to the ethereal overseers, Saranac crafts a lineup of crowd-pleasing libations, including the crisp Saranac Pale Ale with its balanced malt-hops harmony, the juicy West Coast IPA bursting with citrus and pine notes at 7% ABV, the velvety Caramel Porter evoking sweet nostalgia with raisin and cocoa undertones, and seasonal stunners like the spiced Pumpkin Ale for fall chills or the tropical Tropical IPA for year-round escapes—proving that at Saranac, every pint pairs perfectly with a dash of Adirondack mystery and a toast to the unseen!
Address: 830 Varick St, Utica, NY 13502
Website: www.saranac.com
8) NewSylum Brewing Company, Newtown, CT
Occupying the grounds of the former Fairfield Hills psychiatric hospital, where patients endured harrowing treatments like lobotomies and electroshock therapy from the 1930s onward, NewSylum Brewing Company is shrouded in reports of paranormal activity, including strange figures, unexplained noises, footsteps, apparitions, and electronic voice phenomena captured during investigations. The brewery’s owners remain agnostic, stating they’re “not sure” about the hauntings, but the site’s dark history draws ghost hunters and enthusiasts who document misty shadows and eerie events. Although the name plays on the asylum theme, there are no beers explicitly named after specific ghosts; instead, the focus is on craft brews enjoyed in a lively outdoor space that contrasts the chilling past.
Address: 36 Keating Farms Ave, Newtown, CT 06470
Website: www.newsylumbrewing.com
9) Four Peaks Brewing Co., Tempe, AZ
Located in a 1916 dairy creamery building turned brewery, Four Peaks Brewing Co. is rife with ghostly activity, including apparitions, cold spots, equipment malfunctions, weird echoes, shadow people, phantom touches, and inexplicable bumps in the night, prompting annual haunted tours where visitors explore the 130-year-old structure’s eerie history. Paranormal teams have captured voices and shadows, making it a hotspot for those seeking supernatural encounters alongside their pints. The brewery does not have beers named after specific ghosts, but its seasonal events and core lineup, like Kilt Lifter, provide a fitting backdrop to the scares.
Address: 1340 E 8th St #104, Tempe, AZ 85281
Website: http://www.fourpeaks.com
10) Oozlefinch Craft Brewery, Yorktown, VA
Situated within a haunted Civil War fort on Fort Monroe, complete with an animal graveyard and underground tunnels, Oozlefinch Craft Brewery is visited by the Lady in White, a ghostly figure searching for her lost lover, alongside tales of a Moat Monster and other spirits that contribute to sightings of apparitions and unexplained events. The brewery’s name itself derives from a mythical bird legend from the base’s officer’s club. They do feature beers named after these hauntings, including Lady in White Hefeweizen directly honoring the spectral woman, Zombie IPA nodding to undead themes, and Short Fuse Session IPA, blending military history with supernatural lore.
Address: 81 Patch Rd, Fort Monroe, VA 23651
Website: www.oozlefinchbeers.com
11) Auburn Brewing Co., Auburn, IN
Transformed from a 1920s service station, Auburn Brewing Co. harbors ghosts like William and Charles, who are blamed for slamming doors, eerie writing on attic walls (including names like “Thatcher”), and other poltergeist activity uncovered during paranormal investigations that deem it Indiana’s most haunted brewery. The hidden attic room with ghostly inscriptions adds to the chilling narrative explored in local probes. While the hauntings draw attention, there are no beers named after William, Charles, or other spirits; the focus remains on craft offerings in this mysterious setting.
Address: 309 N Main St, Auburn, IN 46706
Website: www.auburnbrewingcompany.com
12) Hidden River Brewing Company at Brinton Lodge, Douglassville, PA
Residing in the 300-year-old Brinton Lodge, ranked among Pennsylvania’s top haunted houses, Hidden River Brewing Company shares space with misty figures, poltergeist pranks, and a reputation for being one of the area’s most spectral spots, with ghost tours revealing centuries of eerie history and unexplained phenomena in its quirky mansion rooms. The lodge’s haunted status draws visitors for both brews and boos. While the pub offers a range of craft beers in bar areas and interior spaces, none are specifically named after the lodge’s ghosts, though the atmospheric setting amplifies the experience.
Address: 1808 Schuylkill Rd, Douglassville, PA 19518
Website: www.hiddenriverbrewing.com
13) Wiedemann Brewing Company, Cincinnati, OH
Revived in 2018 within a historic brick facility in Cincinnati’s St. Bernard neighborhood, Wiedemann Brewing Company—dating back to its original 1870 roots as one of the city’s longest-running beer brands—whispers more of atmospheric chills than outright hauntings, with its dimly lit basement evoking a spine-tingling creepiness that has sparked local speculation about lingering spirits from the brewery’s Prohibition-era past and the G. Heileman acquisition in the 1960s. While owner Steve Goodin dismisses full-fledged ghosts after spending a night there during construction, visitors and staff occasionally report unexplained drafts rustling through the taproom, faint echoes of clinking glasses from empty corners, and shadowy flickers amid the fermenting tanks, fueling rumors of spectral brewmasters overseeing their legacy from the shadows. These subtle disturbances pair seamlessly with Wiedemann’s lineup of classic lagers and ales, like the crisp Bohemian Special Brew that’s endured since 1870, the malty Wiedemann Classic Amber, or the refreshing Summer Blonde—none christened for phantoms, but each pour seems to summon a toast to the brewery’s resilient, if restless, history.
Address: 4811 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45217
Website: http://www.wiedemannsfinebeer.com
14) Rhinegeist Brewery, Cincinnati, OH
Perched atop the historic Over-the-Rhine Brewery District in a sprawling pre-Prohibition bottling plant from the 1890s—once the heart of Christian Moerlein Brewing Co.—Rhinegeist Brewery (whose name literally translates to “Ghost of the Rhine”) evokes an air of spectral intrigue with its cavernous, industrial spaces and flickering shadows cast by massive tanks, though reports of actual hauntings remain more elusive than the brewery’s hazy IPAs. While the neighborhood’s rich brewing legacy whispers of long-lost brewmasters and Prohibition-era secrets, staff and visitors occasionally share tales of unexplained chills in the upper levels, faint clinks of phantom glassware echoing from empty corners, and fleeting orbs captured in late-night photos during raucous events, hinting at restless spirits tied to Cincinnati’s beer-soaked past. Paranormal enthusiasts speculate these could be echoes of the Moerlein era, but the brewery leans into its ghostly moniker through themed brews rather than documented apparitions, offering up Ghost Pils—a crisp, non-alcoholic lager that plays on the “geist” theme—and the citrusy Truth IPA, whose first sip might just summon a shiver of the supernatural. No dedicated ghost tours exist, but the atmospheric taproom, with its wiffleball field and skyline views, invites you to raise a pint to the unseen guardians of the Rhine.
Address: 1910 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: www.rhinegeist.com
15) August Schell Brewing Company, New Ulm, MN
Tucked along the serene Cottonwood River in New Ulm, Minnesota, the August Schell Brewing Company—America’s second-oldest family-owned brewery since 1860—whispers more of living history than restless spirits, its grand Victorian-era grounds, including the Schell Mansion with its peacock-filled gardens and deer park, evoking a gentle nostalgia rather than outright hauntings. While the brewery’s survival through the Dakota War of 1862, Prohibition’s candy-making pivot, and generations of German immigrant legacy might stir tales of spectral brewmasters watching over fermenting vats, reports of actual ghosts remain as elusive as a perfectly balanced lager; visitors occasionally feel unexplained chills in the historic caves once used for ice storage or hear faint echoes amid the copper kettles, but these are chalked up to the wind through the Black Forest-inspired architecture rather than apparitions of founder August Schell or his kin. Paranormal pursuits here lean toward the atmospheric—tours of the National Register-listed sites blending with sips of timeless brews like the malty Schell’s Bock or the crisp Grain Belt Nordeast—none named for phantoms, allowing the brewery’s enduring spirit to shine through its beers alone, unburdened by the supernatural.
Address: 1860 Schells Rd, New Ulm, MN 56073
Website: www.schellsbrewery.com
16) Maumee Bay Brewing, Toledo, Ohio
Nestled in Toledo’s historic Oliver House—the city’s oldest downtown building—Maumee Bay Brewing Co. is as famous for its haunted vibes as its craft beer, with ghosts stirring ever since the 1990s renovation breathed new life into the 1850s structure. The star spirit is “The Captain,” a jovial sea captain in full uniform who loves the brewpub glow-up; he’s spotted cheering pool games in the basement, creaking floorboards in the Private Dining Room, and causing doors to swing or stick on their own. A Lady in Green glides down the second-floor staircase in Victorian style, startling staff, while heavy soldier bootsteps playfully follow workers upstairs. The basement hums with uneasy energy from its days as a Spanish-American War morgue, Great Depression flop house, and even a disrupted Native American burial site—complete with bones unearthed twice and honored with sage ceremonies. Sip a Buckeye Beer or bold IPA, and you might just feel a cold spot… or your pint slide an inch.
Address: 27 Broadway St, Toledo, Ohio 43604
Website: www.mbaybrew.com
No Longer in Business
Moon River Brewing Company, Savannah, GA
Nestled in a historic 1821 building that once served as a hotel, Civil War hospital, and yellow fever ward, Moon River Brewing Company is infamous for its spectral residents, including the mischievous spirit known as Toby, who lurks in the basement and is notorious for shoving patrons and staff; a somber lady in black who haunts the upper floors; and playful ghostly children often heard or seen scampering on the roof. These apparitions have been documented on shows like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures, with reports of unexplained noises, shadow figures, and physical interactions adding to the eerie atmosphere. Despite embracing its haunted reputation through tours and stories, the brewery does not appear to have any beers specifically named after these ghosts, opting instead for brews like Swamp Fox IPA that nod to local history rather than the supernatural.
Address: 21 W Bay St, Savannah, GA 31401
Website: https://nightlyspirits.com/the-haunted-moon-river-brewing-company-savannah/
Lemp Brewery – St. Louis, Missouri
Established in 1840 by Johann “Adam” Lemp, Lemp Brewery in St. Louis, Missouri, was once the largest brewery in the city, famed for its Falstaff beer and innovative refrigeration techniques. The brewery, built over a natural cave system used for lagering, was connected to the Lemp Mansion by underground tunnels, known as the Caves of St. Louis. The Lemp family’s tragic history—marked by multiple suicides and financial ruin—has cemented the brewery’s reputation as one of America’s most haunted sites, now home to a seasonal haunted house operated by Halloween Productions Inc.
Haunted Happenings: The brewery’s caves and tunnels are the epicenter of paranormal activity, with reports of disembodied voices, footsteps, and shadowy figures lurking in the darkness. Visitors to the haunted house attraction describe an oppressive atmosphere, with some claiming to feel unseen hands or hear whispers in the pitch-black caverns. The brewery’s tragic past, including the suicides of William J. Lemp Sr. (1904), William J. Lemp Jr. (1922), and Charles Lemp (1949), is believed to have left a spectral imprint. Paranormal investigators, including the Ghost Adventures team, have documented eerie EVPs and unexplained movements in the brewery, particularly in areas once used for beer storage. Some believe the spirits of Lemp family members or workers haunt the caves, unable to move on from the dynasty’s downfall. The brewery’s reputation as a paranormal hotspot is amplified by its appearances on shows like Ghost Adventures and its status as one of the top 10 most haunted locations in the U.S.
Why Visit: While the brewery no longer produces beer, its haunted house offers a terrifying experience in the historic caves, perfect for thrill-seekers. Combine a visit with a tour of the nearby Lemp Mansion for a full dive into the family’s haunted legacy.
A Toast to the Ghosts
Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these haunted breweries offer a unique blend of craft beer and chilling tales. The spectral Lady in White at Church Brew Works to the touchy-feely spirits at each location, provides a spine-tingling backdrop to your pint. If you’re brave enough, plan a visit to one of these eerie establishments, where you might just raise a glass with a ghost. Just don’t be surprised if your beer disappears before you finish it—Mickey at the Ear Inn is known for that trick.