Darkness Brewing
224 Fairfield Ave, Bellevue
Darkness Brewing is the quintessential neighborhood brewery. They opened their taproom in Bellevue in Northern Kentucky in 2016, and have quietly become a hidden gem. Their taproom has a quant feeling, inside an old cinderblock building that was originally a car lot and also had life as a wedding rental business. Their bar top came from wood reclaimed from a 19th Century Bellvue home, and owners Eric Bolser and Ron Sanders built out most of the taproom themselves.
The taproom also features artwork that is for sale from local artists, and they have a lounge room in the front with extra space. The taproom is a bit dark in keeping with their theme, and they have just one TV that typically shows some sort of quirky movie.
In 2019, the brewery opened Darkness Diner, a permanent food truck just outside the taproom. They also have lots of outdoor events on their patio, live art shows, and some other unique offerings.
Their beers have focused on both dark styles as well as traditional offerings. They originally planned to not repeat beers, but their Kentucky Common, Man on the Moo Milk Stout, and Mayan Sacrifice became such fan favorites that they became staples.
Must-try beer: Mayan Sacrifice (Golden Stout) – Not every brewery decides to make an imperial golden stout its centerpiece, but Mayan Sacrifice from Darkness is a great example of the beer and the style. It’s a smooth drinking golden coffee stout that contains ancho and pasilla chilis, cocoa nibs from Maverick Chocolate, coffee, and lactose. The beer also won a silver medal at the 2023 US Open Beer Championship.
Other great beers: Man on the Moo, Hop Head Nebula, Bellevue Common
Major Awards
US Open Beer Championship
- Mayan Sacrifice (Golden Stout) – Silver Medal – 2024
- La Fawnduh (Chocolate or Cocoa Beer) – Bronze Medal – 2024
- Mayan Sacrifice (Golden Stout) – Silver Medal – 2023