Archives for April 2024

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, Pennsylvania
Bube’s Brewery, a 19th-century gem listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the last intact brewery from that era in the United States. Its catacombs, used for aging beer, and the original bottling room add to its historic charm—and its ghostly allure. The brewery has embraced its haunted reputation, offering regular ghost tours and paranormal investigations.

Haunted Happenings: The catacombs are said to be haunted by the apparition of a young woman, believed to be the granddaughter of a former owner who went insane in the 1920s. Visitors report hearing disembodied voices, feeling cold spots, and witnessing objects moving inexplicably. The SyFy show Ghost Hunters investigated Bube’s and confirmed paranormal activity, lending credibility to the claims. The brewery’s resident paranormal team guides guests through investigations, sharing chilling evidence of the spirits that linger.

Why Visit: Bube’s combines microbrewed beers with a unique dining experience in its historic venues. The ghost tours are a must for those curious about the brewery’s spectral residents.

2. Church Brew Works – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Housed in a deconsecrated Catholic church, Church Brew Works blends sacred architecture with craft brewing. The former St. John the Baptist Church, closed in 1993, was transformed into a brewery in 1996, but its spiritual past seems to persist. Its appearance on Ghost Hunters in the early 2020s spotlighted its paranormal activity.

Haunted Happenings: The brewery is known for sightings of a “Lady in White,” a ghostly figure gliding through the sanctuary. Workers report being followed by unseen forces in the kitchen, hearing disembodied voices, and encountering unexplained knocks and taps. Some claim to hear faint organ music echoing through the building, despite no organ being present. The Ghost Hunters team recorded a potential EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) of a voice saying “Jesus,” adding to the eerie lore. Small items, like utensils, often go missing or move when no one is around, puzzling staff.

Why Visit: Enjoy a pint under the soaring ceilings of a former church, where the atmosphere is as captivating as the beer. While ghost hunts aren’t regularly offered, a visit might still yield a paranormal encounter.

3. Wolfden Brewing Company – Bloomingdale, Illinois
Built in 1851 as a Civil War-era farmhouse, Wolfden Brewing Company carries a dark history of death and tragedy. The property’s age and past make it a hotbed for paranormal activity, with strange occurrences reported weekly.

Haunted Happenings: Staff and patrons describe batteries draining unusually fast, beer ingredients falling off shelves, and shadowy figures moving through the brewery. Footsteps and coughing sounds echo in empty rooms. A notable incident occurred during construction when co-owner Katie found a soldier’s marble on the property. After removing it, she experienced frightening events, including paint cans falling from 25 feet above her at a store. The brewery’s ghosts are considered harmless but active, creating an unsettling atmosphere.

Why Visit: Wolfden’s craft beers and cozy vibe make it a great stop, especially for those intrigued by its Civil War-era hauntings. Keep an eye out for those shadowy figures while sipping your brew.

4. Wynkoop Brewing Company – Denver, Colorado
Located in a 125-year-old brick warehouse, Wynkoop Brewing Company is Denver’s first craft brewery, known for its historic charm and spectral residents. The building’s hidden tunnels and turn-of-the-century architecture add to its ghostly appeal.

Haunted Happenings: The basement is the epicenter of paranormal activity, with harmless but mischievous ghosts frequenting the restrooms. Male patrons report feeling a brush behind their legs at the urinals, while others hear strange noises or see fleeting shadows. The brewery has welcomed paranormal investigators, and public tours highlight the eerie occurrences. A lady in red is said to haunt the main floor, and some report feeling her presence in the restrooms. These spirits are described as “annoying but harmless,” adding a playful spookiness to the experience.

Why Visit: Wynkoop’s pioneering craft beers and rich history make it a must-visit. The brewery’s paranormal tours offer a chance to explore its haunted basement while enjoying a cold one.

5. The Phoenix Brewing Company – Mansfield, Ohio
Housed in a former mortuary built in 1914, The Phoenix Brewing Company in Mansfield, Ohio, is steeped in eerie history. The Charles Schroer Mortuary, vacant for 70 years before the brewery opened in 2014, was once an embalming and funeral parlor. Its grim past, coupled with discoveries during renovations, has made it a magnet for paranormal activity, drawing visitors from nearby haunted sites like the Ohio State Reformatory.

Haunted Happenings: During construction, workers found human bones beneath the concrete floor in what was once the embalming room, now the brewery’s five-barrel brewing system. These remains inspired a series of wheat beers named John Doe, Jane Doe, Barb Doe, and Juan Doe. Patrons and staff report unexplained footsteps, cold spots, and shadowy figures in the taproom. Some claim to hear whispers or feel a presence watching them, especially near the former preparation room. The brewery offers ghost hunts by appointment, and its haunted reputation attracts thrill-seekers, especially around Halloween. Carmone Macfarlane, head of creative and marketing, notes that the brewery’s spooky allure brings in curious customers eager to share their own ghostly encounters.

Why Visit: Sip a themed beer like Jane Doe (raspberry-infused wheat) in a setting that blends craft brewing with macabre history. Book a ghost hunt for a chance to explore the brewery’s spectral side.

6. Taylor House Brewing Company – Catasauqua, Pennsylvania
Located in a building from the former Milson’s Coal Yard, dating back to 1897, Taylor House Brewing Company sits across from the historic George Taylor House, home of a Declaration of Independence signer. Catasauqua’s role as a birthplace of America’s Industrial Revolution adds layers of history—and ghost stories—to this microbrewery. The brewery embraces its haunted legacy with a beer named Madame Fantome, a Belgian witbier inspired by its resident spirit.

Haunted Happenings: The brewery is said to be haunted by a female spirit nicknamed “Madame Fantome,” believed to be tied to the property’s industrial past. Staff report hearing unexplained footsteps and seeing shadowy figures in the taproom, particularly after hours. Nearby, the George Taylor House hosts regular paranormal investigations, and some believe the spirits from that historic site wander to the brewery. Visitors have reported feeling cold spots and sensing a presence while sipping their beers. The brewery’s historical setting, along the Lehigh Valley canal system, fuels tales of restless spirits from the area’s industrial era.

Why Visit: Enjoy handcrafted beers in small batches, like Madame Fantome, while soaking in the brewery’s historic and haunted ambiance. Its community-focused vibe makes it a perfect stop for ghost story enthusiasts.

7. Saranac Brewery – Utica, New York
Founded in 1888 by Francis Xavier Matt as the West End Brewing Company, Saranac Brewery is steeped in history, from its speakeasy days during Prohibition to serving the first legal beer after its repeal. Housed in a historic building in Utica, the brewery’s long past includes tales of ghostly happenings, especially in its former speakeasy and portrait gallery, which visitors can explore on tours.

Haunted Happenings: The former speakeasy, tucked away in the brewery’s lower levels, is said to be haunted by spirits from its Prohibition-era past. Visitors report hearing disembodied voices and footsteps in the speakeasy, with some claiming to see shadowy figures darting through the dimly lit space. In the portrait gallery, which displays images of the Matt family across generations, staff have noted strange occurrences, such as pictures tilting on their own or faint whispers echoing nearby. Some believe the spirits of past brewery workers or speakeasy patrons linger, drawn to the site’s vibrant history. The brewery’s tours highlight these spooky tales, adding a chilling twist to the experience.

Why Visit: Sample classic beers like Utica Club or experimental brews while touring the historic brewery. The speakeasy and portrait gallery offer a glimpse into Saranac’s haunted past, perfect for history and ghost enthusiasts alike.

8. 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.

Why These Breweries Embrace the Spooky
Many of these breweries lean into their haunted reputations, offering ghost tours, paranormal investigations, or themed beers like Taylor House Brewing’s Madame Fantome, a Belgian witbier named after its resident spirit. The allure of dark tourism spikes around Halloween, drawing visitors eager for a brush with the supernatural. Older buildings, especially on the East Coast, are steeped in history—Civil War hospitals, speakeasies, or churches—making them ripe for ghost stories.

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.

Note: Always check with the brewery for ghost tour availability, as some events are seasonal or by appointment only. Happy haunting and cheers!

The Moon River Brewing Company was once one of the most haunted breweries in America. Unfortunately, they closed in 2024.