Nothing says “Southern hospitality” like a good drink shared with good company, and in Shelby County, rest assured that you will always be able to find your next favorite place to buy one-of-a-kind wines and spirits or sip on your classic favorite cocktails. Discover Shelby, whether you’re looking for a brewery or a vineyard, a bar or a shop, is here to guide you along our “Wine and Ale Trail” and point you in the direction of some of our favorite local hubs. Bottoms up, Shelby County!
Bars and Breweries
Back to Top of ListLocated in Columbiana, Cattywampus Cocktails embodies the cute, cozy vibes of Shelby County. Cattywampus not only delivers on serving some of our favorite drinks, but also on putting on some of the best bar events around, packing their schedule with live music from local artists! All of their syrups are made in-house, highlighting the intention and individuality of their menu and the truly one-of-a-kind nature of their drinks. Some of Discover Shelby’s favorites are the Pickle Tini (for any of the martini lovers who are looking for something a little more adventurous), the Praline Old Fashioned (a Southern twist on a cocktail staple), and the Columbiana Margarita (a classic margarita with a pineapple syrup and a red wine float)!
Siluria Brewing Company is the only all-grain brewery between Birmingham and Montgomery, so needless to say, it is a go-to stop on our Wine and Ale Trail. Owned by a retired Army veteran (and his adorable dog Millie), Siluria stands as a local favorite amongst neighbors and residents, serving some of the best and most unique imported beers and house-made ciders and wines. Their outdoor beer garden contributes to the home-y atmosphere, and you can even book a private room for any occasion! Be sure to check their Facebook to keep up-to-date on any events, like karaoke, trivia, or sing-o! We love Siluria, and you will, too!
If you’re looking for a dressier option for a night out, The Anvil is the place for you. The Anvil incorporates a seasonally-rotating menu and flavors from all over the world to curate the feel of a “modern, British pub” come to life here in Shelby County! Their regular events, such as their one-Saturday-per-month Afternoon Tea and their last-Wednesday-of-the-month Wellington Wednesday, are can’t-miss. You can have a whole meal during your time at The Anvil, or you can take advantage of their classy bar area or outdoor patio and sip on original or classic drinks and chew on snacks, small plates, and shareables with friends. However you choose to use your time in The Anvil, you will not walk away disappointed.
Beer-lovers – we’ve found your new favorite place! In 2021, the city of Pelham officially completed renovations on an old elementary school, turning it into Campus No. 124 , which would go to be declared “the entertainment district of Pelham” and serve as the home of The Beer Hog. With nearly 70 beers on tap, The Beer Hog offers one of the most extensive, varied beer menus in the entire county. Make the most of Pelham’s entertainment district by also playing a game of glow-in-the-dark mini golf at Putter Up, grabbing a bite of some food from the Gulf at Half Shell Oyster House, or competing in a friendly round of pool at Poppa G's Billiards.
Contrary to its name, The Old Place is one of the newest additions to the Wine and Ale Trail of Shelby County and is equipped with a selection of over 30 beers and premium spirits, a side room supplied with pool tables and classic arcade games like pinball, and a kitchen ready-to-go with hot snacks and apps. The Old Place's calendars of bar games and live music makes it one of Pelham's best drinking holes.
As the name suggests, this military-themed bar is “where wine and whiskey meet history,” decorated with sandbags, barbed wire, heavy-duty metal counters and tables, and leather seats. A “dog tag” loyalty program rewards regulars, and the curated wine and bourbon menu promises “wine with a purpose” and “valor in each pour.” The Bunker also provides the perfect setting for building camaraderie with your party, as it was initially founded by two former veterans, Chris and Dave. Share some tapas with friends and have a glass of one (or more!) of your favorite drinks in a bar unlike any other in Shelby County.
Vineyards and Wineries
Back to Top of ListMorgan Creek Vineyards and Winery, located in the beautiful town of Harpersville, hosts some of the most beautiful scenery in Shelby County. The lush fields of the vineyard stand in as the perfect backdrop for some of the best wine tasting in Shelby County. All named after famous Alabama landmarks or symbols like the Cahaba River (primarily located in Shelby County, made accessible to hikers and bikers by the Cahaba River Park!) and our magnolia blossoms, the flavor profile of these wines all carry a distinctly Southern identity. Additionally, in the summer months, you can pick blueberries (July) and muscadines (August) from the vineyard yourself and take a piece of the vineyard home with you.
This highlight of the Wine and Ale Trail crafts wine for drinkers of all sensibilities. From sweeter, fruitier wines, to dryer whites and reds, there is the perfect glass for every one of every palate, so your whole party can (and will!) leave Ozan’s tastings with a new favorite wine that they’ll have to come back to try again. Take in the beautiful, rolling hills of the vineyard before heading to your tasting, wine or cocktail-making class, or prepared wine and cheese pairing. At Ozan’s adjoining YH Distillery, you and the spirits drinkers of your party can also have a tasting of the distillery’s botanical gin and varieties of aged whiskey! Keep an eye out for any events that Ozan might be holding in the duration of your visit! Ozan collaborates with Shelby County’s own Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, such as Saturday wine brunches and lunches on a restored historic train car, where you sip on some of the best Alabama-made wine while watching the green landscape of Shelby County roll past.
Wine Shops
Back to Top of ListKelly Davis founded this wine shop on Main Street Columbiana in memory of her grandmother, who would always ask for “just a tish” more wine in her glass. Now that legacy has become one of the best wine shops in Shelby County. Nestled in the cozy vibes of downtown Columbiana, Just A Tish exemplifies Southern charm and is a perfect place to relax on the outdoor patio, browse through the shelves of artisan gifts, or purchase a new bottle of wine after an afternoon perusing through all of Columbiana’s adorable boutiques and stores. You can even preorder a charcuterie board that Just A Tish has specially designed to pair with your drinks of choice.
The Vintage Wine Shoppe carries all types of wines from all over the world. Buy a Cabernet from the valleys of Chile, a Pinot Noir from the coast of South Africa, or Chianti from the vineyards of Italy. Wines from Portugal, Germany, France, Austria, and Australia are also here to satisfy all of the wine aficionados of Shelby County. You’ll understand quite quickly why the Vintage Wine Shoppe call themselves “Birmingham’s Premier Wine Store,” and even though you’re getting wine at premier quality, you don’t have to worry about dealing with premier prices. Focused on the customer, the Vintage Wine Shoppe offers the best wine at the most affordable rates!
While you’re in Shelby County enjoying all of our events and hiking/biking trails, you deserve to also kick your feet up and let yourself wind down. Luckily for you, the Wine and Ale Trail of Shelby County directs you to some of the best breweries, shops, and vineyards in the state, all with Shelby County’s signature quaint, cozy, small-town feel. While you’re here, be sure to check out some of the other “trails” that Shelby County has to offer its locals and tourists. The Mural Trail takes you on a loop through Shelby County to get a look at some of the best public art displays of our area, showcasing our dedication to preserving our Southern heritage and history. On the Local Flavor Trail, learn about the best places to refresh over a good meal, and on the Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails, get out and see the over 150 miles of trails in Shelby County, which draws in visitors from across the country and world. There is something for everybody in Shelby County, but for now, raise your glasses! Cheer’s, y’all!