6 American Churches That Became Temples of Beer

Sometimes people are converted in churches, and sometimes it’s churches that get converted. When a congregation folds, the building’s ornate architecture, beautiful stained-glass windows, and murals might sit abandoned. Often those houses of God become something new, like a tattoo shop, an elevated restaurant, or even a house of beer. For the beer devotee, the six temples of ale below are good reminders to give these historical buildings a second glance. Otherwise, you might miss out on a new favorite watering hole.

Beer Church Brewing Company in New Buffalo is one of those places you stop by on the way to some other place, and then can’t wait to return to later. More than just a brewery in a Civil War era church, it’s also home to Michigan’s first Pizzeria Napoletana. Its beers keep to the theme, with names like Crooked Cross (a cream ale) and Pontius Pilate IPA. So get a room at the Hilton Garden Inn in the nearby picturesque town of Chesterton, Indiana, hike the Indiana Dunes National Park, and then reward yourself with a cold beer.

Located in the former home of St. Michael’s Church in Baltimore, Ministry of Brewing stands out for its focus on enriching its local community. It regularly hosts fundraisers and courses to help members of under-served communities hone their skills and find work. Its white interior and high ceilings make for a great space to enjoy a beer with friends. If you’re looking to stay in the area, check out The Ivy Hotel, the only Black-owned luxury hotel and spa in Baltimore, set within an historic mansion built in 1889.

A former Unitarian chapel in Louisville, Holy Grale was founded in 2011 with a minimal creed as a “place of worship for all beer lovers.” Their Gralegarten is inspired by the biergartens of Bavaria, and their upstairs dining hall known as “Heaven” is available for private events. If you’re prepared to drink a lot, they invite you to “sleep with us” in their Gralehaus “bed & beverage” next door, above the Gralehaus cafe.

Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh is located in the former St. John the Baptist Church, and was among the first brewpubs in the country to take up residence in an historic church. Since then, it has won Best Large Brewpub in America at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival. It serves a traditional Polish and Bavarian menu alongside in-house beer offerings including Bourbon-aged Cherry Quad, Pious Monk Dunkel lager, and Celestial Gold pilsner. If you’re in town for more than one day, consider staying downtown at the pet-friendly Even by IHG.

It’s no secret that the man who spearheaded the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther, loved beer. So it made sense to turn the 1897 Our Savior Lutheran Church in Madison into a German beer hall Prost! (the German word for “cheers”). With 22 beers on tap, there’s no shortage of beer to go with your Schnitzel sandwich, pretzel sliders, or würst plate. If you’re looking to stay in Madison, a walkable city between two lakes, check into The Edgewater and you’ll get a stunning view with easy access to the city’s nightlife.

Just 10 miles south of Ann Arbor is Salt Springs Brewery. The brewery sits in a 126-year-old Methodist Episcopal Church that was once a teetotaler denomination. The microbrewery and restaurant made the 2025 list of top ten brewpubs by USA Today. The beer menu includes memorable offerings like Salt Paddy Dry Irish Stout and Blood Orange Hefeweizen. If you need to stay the night and want to keep on theme, Saint John’s Resort is a former seminary turned luxury stay, and located just 35 minutes away. Their profits go to local educational and humanitarian initiatives.