We spent a recent weeknight in Renens, standing between steel tanks and the faint smell of yeast, sipping our way through La Nébuleuse’s lineup. Thirteen years ago, when three friends started experimenting with hops and tanks in a basement in Flon, the craft beer scene in Suisse Romande was still taking shape. The name itself came later—after a few beers and a sheet of scribbled ideas that, from afar, looked a bit like a nebula.
Today, the operation is bigger (25 people, 10 beers, two non-alcoholic, and usually a couple of limited editions in rotation), but the spirit feels much the same. The brewery hums with quiet intention. Natural infusions, CO₂ being reused, bottles still packed by hand. You can drop in for a quick visit, or settle in properly: a tour, a tasting, a pizza, and a pint to start. It’s unpretentious, great value, and just different enough to make a weeknight feel a little special.
Swiss craft beers have come a long way from hazy concepts to a stellar line up of hazy IPAs. La Nébuleuse is now a local institution, supplying bottles and kegs across Vaud and beyond. And they’re not alone. All those varying percentages made us philosophical, where else are the best places to grab a proper pint in Lausanne?
Our top picks to knock the froth off one:
With 32 taps and a shop next door, La Mise en Bière is nirvana for all craft beer lovers. The bar is cosy. The staff are super knowledgeable. And as soon as they run through a keg, it’s swapped for a different beer. Swiss brewers are on the menu alongside names from around the world. There’s always, always something new to come back for.
Rumour has it that The Great sells the most beer in the whole of Switzerland. This cannot be verified, nor can anyone’s personal consumption after midnight when everyone gets up to dance on the tables. But we can vouch for an excellent beer selection, the best chicken tenders in town and a crowd of all ages. Sports bar by afternoon, party by night.
It doesn’t quite get more local than beer being brewed on site and served directly from the tanks downstairs. This brasserie draws passion and people. The homemade pizzas are great. There’s a run club every Tuesday and DJs on the weekend keep people moving ‘til late.
A proper neighbourhood bar for people who are serious about beer—but not about being seen. With 13 taps and a fridge stacked with hundreds of bottles, the selection leans global, local, and everything in between. It’s the kind of place where you come to try something new, end up in a darts tournament, and somehow stay all night. A little off the main circuit, but very much worth the detour.
One of the pioneers of Lausanne’s craft beer scene, Docteur Gab’s has come a long way from its early chalet days in Epalinges. Today, their beers are everywhere—and for good reason. Playful, well-balanced, and consistently evolving, they’ve managed to grow without losing their personality. A solid go-to when you want something local that knows exactly what it’s doing.
A proper neighbourhood taproom with an alternative edge, Cylure keeps things simple: around a dozen beers on tap, mostly local, often rotating, and always a little off the beaten path. Expect a mix of house brews and small producers, with the option to try different formats if you’re in the mood to explore. Low-key, unpretentious, and the kind of place you stumble into for one and stay for three.
