DRINKS
Whether you’re a beer person, a wine person, or someone who likes to mix it up with a good cocktail, Springfield and the surrounding Ozarks have plenty to offer. Craft breweries, family-run wineries, and small-batch distilleries dot the region, and most are open year-round for tours, tastings, and a chance to relax with a drink and take in the scenery.
Located in the heart of downtown, our locally owned Mother’s Brewing Company is a magnet for craft beer lovers. Recognized as the seventh fastest-growing brewery in the nation by the Brewers Association in 2013, Mother’s is known for its heady lineup of craft beers. Stop in for a tour, sample exclusive taproom-only brews, and enjoy their spacious backyard, which often hosts events and games. Just a few blocks away, Springfield Brewing Company offers another beloved experience. Originally established by a brewing equipment company, this brewpub is as much a local staple as its Heart of Darkness Dunkel, which won a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2013.
A newer addition to the local craft scene is Wire Road Brewing Company in Battlefield, Missouri. Named for the historic Wire Road, a route that played a key role in Missouri’s Civil War history, Wire Road blends heritage with innovation. The brewery’s taproom has an inviting atmosphere where visitors can enjoy a rotating selection of brews made with local and seasonal ingredients. With plenty of outdoor seating and regular food truck events, it’s quickly become a popular gathering spot just south of Springfield.
Neighborhood Gems with Unique Atmospheres
In the historic Rountree neighborhood, Tie & Timber Beer Co. is a community favorite with a dog-friendly patio and live music that brings locals and travelers together. Meanwhile, 4 by 4 Brewing Company started in the Galloway neighborhood across from Sequiota Park and has since grown to a larger location in Fremont Hills, near Ozark. The original Galloway spot is now home to their barrel-aged and small-batch experimental beers, while Fremont Hills serves as the main taproom with more room for events and gatherings. Whether you’re in Galloway or Fremont Hills, 4 by 4 is a solid pick for a laid-back afternoon with a beer in hand.
Scenic Breweries Beyond Springfield
Not far from Springfield, Piney River Brewing Company offers an authentic Ozarks experience near Walnut Grove, with its BARn taproom and two-story outdoor seating overlooking scenic farmland. Known for their award-winning Old Tom Porter, Piney River is worth the drive for anyone after both good beer and a change of scenery.
Other Local Favorites
Springfield’s craft beer scene doesn’t stop there. Hold Fast Brewing near Missouri State University keeps things fresh with a rotating lineup of unique brews, and Great Escape Beer Works rounds things out with adventurous beer styles that make it a top pick for anyone chasing new flavors.
If wine’s more your speed, the Ozarks have plenty to offer. The Ozark Mountain American Viticultural Area (AVA), established in 1986, is the sixth-largest wine region in the country, stretching across southern Missouri and into parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas and covering roughly 3.5 million acres. Within it runs the Ozark Mountain Wine Trail, a route connecting local wineries and distilleries across the region. Branson is home to both Lindwedel Winery and Ozark Hills Winery. Just outside town in Walnut Shade, Bear Creek Wine Company has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating along with live music most weekends. North of Springfield in Walnut Grove, 7C’s Winery rounds things out with a selection of meads, wines made from honey, for anyone looking for something a little different. However you plan your route, you’ll find good Missouri wine paired with the kind of scenery that makes the drive worth it.
Local Wineries Worth the Trip
Lindwedel Winery in Branson sits up on a hilltop with sweeping views, making it a great pick for a sunset tasting. Nearby in Walnut Shade, Bear Creek Wine Company pairs its handcrafted wines with live music most weekends and a relaxed, welcoming setting. North in Walnut Grove, 7C’s Winery offers a range of meads alongside its traditional wines for anyone wanting to try something outside the usual.
Tastings and Events Throughout the Year
Every winery along the trail brings something a little different to the table, and most host seasonal events that make repeat visits worthwhile. Between harvest festivals, holiday tastings, and regular loyalty programs (7C’s included), there’s usually a reason to plan another stop. For the full list of stops and current events, check out the Ozark Mountain Wine Trail.
Scenery to Match the Wine
The Ozark Mountain Wine Trail pairs easily with everything else the region does well: hiking trails, lake views, and rolling hills all within a short drive. Whether you’re spending a full day exploring the countryside or just stopping for a glass on the way through, the Ozarks make for a good backdrop.
For those who enjoy spirits, the Springfield area has a handful of microdistilleries putting their own spin on local craftsmanship. Copper Run Distillery in Walnut Shade, Missouri, holds the title of first legal moonshine distillery in the Ozarks since Prohibition. This small-batch operation uses locally sourced ingredients, including Missouri white oak barrels and limestone-rich water, to make authentic Ozarks moonshine, whiskey, and rum. You can find Copper Run’s spirits in local supermarkets and liquor stores, or stop by for a tour and tasting on-site.
Ty Iechyd Da Distillery (pronounced “tea-yah-key-dah”) is part of Springfield Brewing Company and blends the craft of brewing with distilling. Located in downtown Springfield, Ty Iechyd Da makes a wide range of spirits, from botanical gins to bourbons aged in maple syrup barrels to sherry-cask-finished rye. It’s a distinctive addition to Springfield’s drink scene and worth a visit for anyone who takes their spirits seriously.
At Finley Farms in nearby Ozark, Missouri, guests can enjoy a farm-to-table experience with carefully crafted cocktails. The on-site Ozark Mill serves seasonal drinks made with the farm’s own produce and local ingredients, and Finley Farms also runs mixology workshops for anyone who wants to learn the craft behind the cocktails themselves.
Missouri Ridge Distillery, located near Branson, rounds out the region’s distillery scene. This family-owned operation makes craft whiskeys and rums rooted in the Ozarks’ long tradition of distilling.
Whether you’re after a tasting, live music, or a hands-on cocktail workshop, these microdistilleries offer a real taste of what the Ozarks do best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Springfield and the surrounding Ozarks have a solid lineup of craft breweries, from downtown staples like Mother’s Brewing Company and Springfield Brewing Company to neighborhood spots like Tie & Timber Beer Co. and Hold Fast Brewing. A few worth the short drive outside city limits include Wire Road Brewing in Battlefield and Piney River Brewing near Walnut Grove.
Most do, though hours vary. Mother’s Brewing Company runs tours on Saturdays, and several other breweries offer tastings or flights even without a formal tour. It’s worth checking a brewery’s website or calling ahead, since tour schedules can change seasonally.
Many are. Spots like 4 by 4 Brewing and Tie & Timber Beer Co. are known for their family-friendly atmosphere, board games, and dog-friendly patios. Since policies can vary by location, it’s a good idea to check with the brewery directly if you’re bringing kids or pets along.
The Ozark Mountain Wine Trail connects a handful of local wineries and distilleries across southern Missouri, including stops like Lindwedel Winery, Ozark Hills Winery, Bear Creek Wine Company, and 7C’s Winery. It’s part of the larger Ozark Mountain American Viticultural Area (AVA), one of the largest wine regions in the country.
Branson is home to a few wineries worth visiting, including Lindwedel Winery, known for its hilltop views, and Ozark Hills Winery. Just outside town in Walnut Shade, Bear Creek Wine Company adds live music and a rustic setting to the mix.
Yes. Copper Run Distillery in Walnut Shade holds the distinction of being the first legal moonshine distillery in the Ozarks since Prohibition, and Ty Iechyd Da Distillery in downtown Springfield offers a wide range of craft spirits, from gins to bourbons. Finley Farms in Ozark and Missouri Ridge Distillery near Branson round out the local distillery scene.
Definitely. Since many of these breweries, wineries, and distilleries are within a short drive of each other, it’s easy to plan a day that covers a few different stops, whether that’s sticking to downtown Springfield or venturing out toward Branson and Walnut Grove.