Which craft breweries should I visit in Lausanne and the surrounding area?
Lausanne and its surrounding area have seen a surge in craft breweries in recent years. We've selected four breweries that are definitely worth a visit if you're looking to tour brewing tanks and meet the brewers.
The pioneering downtown location, established in 1997; the microbrewery that landed the official City contract; the brewery that cultivates local raw materials; and us in Renens in our 1200m² former printing works. Four different approaches, four experiences to be had.
Four breweries opening their doors in the Lausanne region
La Brasserie du Château - The pioneer brewery that has been brewing its beers since 1997
Lausanne's first craft brewery . That sets the tone. Located right in the heart of the Cité district , they brew on-site, and you can even watch the brewing tanks from the bar. The added bonus: homemade pizzas to accompany their craft beers. Their Ginger beer remains a classic that's been a hit since the beginning.
The atmosphere is that of a true brewpub, with its blend of neighborhood warmth and passion for brewing. Spread over two floors, with exposed brick walls and faux foliage on the ceiling, the place has its own unique charm. They organize tours for groups upon request , offering a glimpse behind the scenes.
The Lance-Pierre Brewery - The microbrewery that brews the official beer of Lausanne
Three childhood friends who have been brewing since 2014, based on Rue de la Tour in the heart of Lausanne. Their masterstroke? Being chosen by the City to brew BDL , the Official Lausanne beer . And when we say 100% local , we're not kidding: barley grown in Mont-sur-Lausanne, yeasts captured in Sauvabelin, water from the Lausanne network.
They deliver to their customers by cargo bike all over the city. Perfectly consistent. Their production remains limited—we're talking about a true microbrewery where every batch counts. If you come across their beers somewhere, it's because they haven't traveled more than a few kilometers. Their artisanal approach takes the concept to its logical conclusion: small, local, committed.
They offer guided tours with the brewer followed by a tasting accompanied by snacks. An ideal format for discovering the inner workings of a small, family-run microbrewery.
La Brasserie du Jorat - The regional brewery that cultivates its roots
In Ropraz, 15 minutes from Lausanne , this regional brewery cultivates a deeply rooted approach to local produce. Using local ingredients and traditional know-how, they offer guided tours of approximately two hours, available upon request from Monday to Saturday. The complete process, from ingredient selection to bottling, includes a tasting at the end of the tour.
What sets Brasserie du Jorat apart is its dual role: traditional craft brewing combined with services for businesses . They brew your own recipe if you wish, create custom labels, and rent kegs and tap systems. A level of flexibility you won't find everywhere.
La Nébuleuse Brewery in Renens - The leading French-speaking Swiss brewery wins a gold medal
Ten minutes from Lausanne by train, we have been brewing in Renens since 2015. We are the only brewery in French-speaking Switzerland with a gold medal at the European Beer Star - our Double Oat in 2021. Production of 12,000 hectolitres per year , which makes us a structured player capable of supplying the whole region.
We offer free guided tours every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday . The Zeppelin Tour lasts one hour in our 1200m² former printing works. We show you everything, from grain milling to bottling, no fluff. You'll taste our full range : 11 year-round beers ranging from Speakeasy (our 4% ABV Light IPA) to Embuscade ( a 6.4% ABV IPA), including our Zepp (Craft Lager), our Moonshine (White), our gluten-free Stirling , and our alcohol-free Diversion range ( IPA , Wheat , Shandy ).
Our stainless steel tanks, our well-oiled industrial process, our team ready to answer all your questions. No frills, just good beer brewed with precision. We fully embrace our urban industrial side – we don't brew in an Instagram-friendly mountain chalet, we brew in a real factory with real machines. And it works.
Four places to enjoy a beer without visiting a brewery
No time or desire to visit a brewery? Here's where to drink Lausanne craft beer without putting on your boots.
La Mise en Bière is the temple of craft beer in Lausanne. 32 beers on tap in constant rotation , more than 1000 different references per year. Cellar + tasting bar. The place where beer geeks hang out. For the summer bar La Grenette , we brewed an exclusive beer for this partner restaurant – a unique collaboration you'll only find there. We're official partners of the Festival de la Cité every summer, with thousands of festival-goers discovering our beers at the heart of Lausanne's cultural event. And of course, La Tap , our bar right next to our brewing tanks in Renens: our entire range at affordable prices, foosball, popcorn, chill music. The perfect place to extend your visit or just enjoy a relaxing beer.
Lausanne, the new craft beer hub of French-speaking Switzerland
Lausanne has established itself as a recognized craft beer hub in French-speaking Switzerland . From microbreweries brewing in their own workshops to structured players like us distributing throughout the Lake Geneva region, and including regional breweries cultivating their roots, the diversity is undeniable. This richness reflects the spectacular growth of craft beers in French-speaking Switzerland in recent years.
We are proud to be one of the driving forces behind this movement, with our international medals and our ability to supply the region. This local dynamism offers a real alternative to industrial producers. which saturate supermarkets with their standardized beers. If you want to understand what truly distinguishes craft beer from industrial beer , nothing beats a visit to a brewery to see the differences with your own eyes.
Cheers 🍻
