The craft beer movement across America is incredibly pervasive, with each state boasting at least one exceptional brewery, often times much more. It sure is an exciting era for lovers of hops!
Our mission was to identify the top brewery in every state by leveraging resources such as BeerAdvocate and RateBeer, along with traditional investigative methods and drawing from our personal insights into the country’s brewing landscape.
Head over to the bar and order a pint at any of these breweries where you can enjoy one of the best beers in the U.S.
Alabama: Fairhope Brewing
Location: Fairhope
Established: 2013
Popular beers: Painted Black IPA, Judge Roy Bean, (Take the) Causeway IPA
Food options: No items available onsite; external food permitted.
Coolest highlight: A taproom located within a red-brick structure, adorned with furnishings crafted locally.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Fairhope Brewing Company
Prior to this brewery’s arrival, Lower Alabama lacked craft beer choices, with less than 10 such breweries operating across the state. Thankfully, the entrepreneurial couple from Fairhope transformed the scene and have since become renowned for their innovative label designs and distinctive names.
After residing in Alaska and frequently visiting the Alaskan Brewing Company’s taproom, the duo felt motivated to launch their own brewery.
Alaska: Anchorage Brewing Co.
Location: Anchorage
Established: 2010
Popular beers: A Deal With the Devil, Endless Ending, Darkest Hour
Food options: Onsite restaurant
Coolest highlight: A beer garden featuring fire pits
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Anchorage Brewing Company
This brewery quickly gained a reputation for excellent barrel-aged and high-octane stouts and darker beers when it opened in 2010. And due to its remote location, Anchorage Brewing has been distributing globally since its launch.
It also has a unique business license in Alaska that allows it to sell beers from around the country out of its taproom.
Arizona: Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.
Location: Gilbert and Phoenix
Established: 2013
Popular beers: American Presidential Stout, Lil Gye (Guy) Rye, The Roosevelts
Food options: The restaurants located on-site are available at each of these sites.
Coolest highlight: A sincere dedication to naturalism and conservationism by the founders
Why Arizona Wilderness Brewing Is a Must-Visit
The title of this brewery reflects its deep connection to the natural world. It employs eco-friendly brewing methods and incorporates locally sourced ingredients into all its beer formulations.
Should that not captivate your interest, perhaps this will: In 2013, RateBeer crowned Arizona Wilderness as the premier new brewery globally.
Arkansas: Bike Rack Brewing Co.
Location: Bentonville (three locations)
Established: 2014
Popular beers: Angus Chute, Slaughter Pen, Epic Trail
Food options: BYO and mobile food vendor choices
Coolest highlight: Beer names are inspired by local bicycle paths in the region.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Bike Rack Brewing
When five aficionados of both beer and cycling established this brewery—a spot akin to a water cooler where people gather at a bicycle stand—it became the sole establishment of its kind within Bentonville. Since then, they've expanded with several outlets throughout the town, featuring not just a venue for beer and coffee but also a branch situated alongside a cycle path in the area known as the arts district.
Unsurprisingly, the local cycling crowd has a strong affinity for this brewery.
California: Sante Adairs Rustic Ales
Location: Capitola and Santa Cruz
Established: 2012
Popular beers: Bernice, West Ashley, Stripes and Polka Dots
Food options: The restaurant located onsite at the Santa Cruz brewpub
Coolest highlight: Guest kegs and bottles sourced from some of the finest breweries across the nation.
Why You Should Not Miss Visiting Sante Adairius
California boasts an impressive array of breweries, which can make choosing one quite challenging. However, we favor SARA, a favorite among enthusiasts, due to its bold and unyielding stance on brewing techniques. Specializing in barrel-aged saisons, Belgian-style ales, and mixed-fermentation beers, SARA also excels with its exceptional IPA offerings.
Furthermore, it has done so more than once twice has been ranked among the leading 10 breweries globally by RateBeer.
Colorado: Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project
Location: Denver and Fort Collins
Established: 2010
Popular beers: Wild Sage, St. Bretta, Von Pilsner
Food options: No onsite food options
Coolest highlight: Introduced The Brettanomyces Project due to the research conducted by brewmaster Chad Yakobson.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting Crooked Stave
Similar to California, Colorado is also a major force in the brewing industry, yet Crooked Stave distinguishes itself within this crowded and skilled crowd. This brewery has gained recognition primarily for its sour beers, particularly those utilizing the distinctive, wild, and erratic Brettanomyces yeast.
Actually, brewmaster Chad Yakobson has earned the nickname "The Brettanomyces Guru" since he authored his master’s thesis on this topic.
Connecticut: Fox Farm Brewery
Location: Salem
Established: 2016
Popular beers: Double Burst, Daylily, Viridescence
Food options: Nothing on site
Coolest highlight: Situated on what was once a dairy farm
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out on Fox Farm Brewery
This brewery offers a tranquil atmosphere reminiscent of Old New England, and the fact that the beers are exceptional only adds to the experience.
Fox Farm has gained recognition for its IPAs and rustic farmhouse ales, as well as its aged-in-barrel sour varieties. However, the brewery’s most devoted followers understand that regardless of the type of beer they produce, it will always be popular.
Delaware: Dewey Beer Co.
Location: Dewey Beach
Established: 2015
Popular beers: Hungry Gaze, Watermelon Farm Owner, Covert Apparatus
Food options: Onsite restaurant
Coolest highlight: Situated in a vintage eatery just a short walk from the shoreline
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out on Dewey Beer
The Delaware beer scene was once dominated solely by Dogfish Head, but now there's much more happening in the First State. Among the noteworthy breweries is a smaller operation situated along the coastline.
Dewey was conceived by three long-time buddies, and the beers have become so beloved that queues often form well ahead of their can launches.
Florida: Cigar City Brewing
Location: Tampa (three locations) and Asheville, North Carolina (CANarchy’s Collaboratory)
Established: 2009
Popular beers: Jai Alai, Hunahpu's Imperial Stout, Guayabera
Food options: At every location upon arrival
Coolest highlight: As part of the CANarchy craft beer collective located in Asheville,
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting Cigar City Brewing
Cigar City strives to encapsulate the sunny essence of Florida in every one of its brews. Judging from its success, they appear to be achieving just that.
Each year in March, it hosts a grand beer launch event for its Hunahpu's Imperial Stout, drawing massive crowds including renowned breweries from across the globe.
Georgia: SweetWater Brewing Co.
Location: Atlanta
Established: 1997
Popular beers: 420, Heading Towards the Coast, Hop Hash
Food options: Onsite restaurant
Coolest highlight: Features a private beer club known as Woodlands Circle
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out on SweetWater Brewing
The friends who founded this establishment in Atlanta have made a name for themselves with their strong preference for everything related to cannabis. Indeed, they host an annual festival on what is informally considered marijuana's birthday, April 20th—also referred to as 420—and even offer brews labeled with names inspired by different types of marijuana strains.
Beyond that, the beer is just plain excellent.
Hawaii: Beer Lab
Location: Honolulu, Waipahu, Aiea
Established: 2015
Popular beers: Omakase Series, Nimbus, Ollie
Food options: No food on site
Coolest highlight: The brewery's Department of Zymurgy produces both kombucha and jun, with jun being quite akin to kombucha.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Beer Lab
The majority of Hawaiian-brewed beer stays within the state due to its isolated position and limited number of breweries. Interestingly, when you consume Kona beers outside of Hawaii, they are actually produced locally elsewhere rather than in Hawaii itself.
Beer Lab isn’t broadly available, yet it boasts three popular spots across Oahu, each cherished for their contemporary brews infused with Japanese touches.
Idaho: Boise Brewing
Location: Boise
Established: 2014
Popular beers: Cafe Mule, Syringa, The Small and the Large
Food options: No food on site
Coolest highlight: Was initially introduced via a crowdfunding initiative
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Boise Brewing
Community-supported beer indeed exists, and Boise Brewing stands out as one of just a handful nationwide where a group of people and enterprises collectively owns the brewery.
Part of their approach involves crafting beers aimed at supporting different local initiatives, typically focusing on producing large-scale, experimental, and contemporary types of ale.
Illinois: Marz Community Brewing
Location: Chicago
Established: 2013
Popular beers: Jungle Boogie, Duchess De Bridgeport, The Machine
Food options: On-site choices for lighter meals are available.
Coolest highlight: They also produce sparkling waters, soft drinks, and shrubs.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting Marz Community Brewing
Chicago boasts an abundance of outstanding breweries, yet Marz distinguishes itself uniquely. The brewery embraces a distinctly contemporary and innovative approach to beer-making.
This involves incorporating ingredients such as mushrooms into a stout that is subsequently matured in both brandy and soy sauce casks. The brewing project encompasses roughly a dozen individuals who contribute to various aspects of the operation, rendering it a genuine collaborative effort.
Indiana: Bad Dad Brewing
Location: Fairmount
Established: 2017
Popular beers: Flip-Flops & Socks, Mosaic of Vulgarity, Inquire with Your Mom
Food options: House-made Neapolitan pizzas
Coolest highlight: Initiated by a genuine dad along with his two boys
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out on Bad Dad Brewing
This is Northern Indiana’s premier destination for pints and pizzas, and it's clear why it's so beloved. Bad Dad boasts significant pride in their menu items and beverages, drawing inspiration from the nation’s favorite beer styles and meticulously crafting each dish with great care.
Bad Dad was similarly named Indiana’s best brewery in 2019 by locals.
Iowa: Overthrowing Goliath Brewing Co.
Location: Decorah
Established: 2009
Popular beers: Fake Sue, Queen Sue, Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout
Food options: Onsite restaurant
Coolest highlight: A 100-barrel brewery featuring an events space
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting Toppling Goliath Brewing
Toppling Goliath stands out as arguably one of the most acclaimed breweries globally.
This is due to the brewery's spectacular beers and the high demand they generate, such as their annual release of an imperial stout. Priced at an astonishing $100 for a 12-ounce bottle, this beer has garnered a dedicated fanbase among those fortunate enough to obtain one—note that customers are limited to purchasing just one per visit.
Kansas: Free State Brewing Co.
Location: Lawrence
Established: 1989
Popular beers: Ad Astra, Stormchaser, Copperhead
Food options: Onsite restaurant
Coolest highlight: In 1989, Free State became the first lawful brewery to reopen in Kansas after more than a century.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Free State Brewing When Visiting
Free State is your local spot, exactly how the proprietors intended it to be. Moreover, their main brews and rotating selections rank amongst the finest in the state.
Patrons adore the cheddar ale soup and black bean quesadillas too, showing that great beer enhances the experience when paired with delicious food.
Kentucky: Outlier Brewing
Location: Louisville (two locations)
Established: 2011
Popular beers: Bo & Luke, 70K, Citra Arse Down
Food options: Barbecue available at Smokehouse location, with burgers and snacks served at Public House location.
Coolest highlight: The initial business strategy for the brewery was sketched out on a yellow notepad.
Why Against the Grain Brewery Should Be On Your List of Places to Visit
In search of a refreshing blend of healthiness and (bathroom) humor wrapped up in frothy goodness? Against the Grain offers robust brews complemented by the decidedly unfiltered tales both from their brewing journey and the minds of those who started it all.
The initial aim for the team was to create more exciting beer in Louisville. Beyond achieving this goal, they have not only integrated themselves into the local community but have also received recognition globally.
Louisiana: Great Raft Brewing
Location: Shreveport
Established: 2013
Popular beers: Chaos, From Afar, Every Tomorrow
Food options: Nothing on site
Coolest highlight: The first brewery to open in Shreveport following the end of Prohibition.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out on Great Raft Brewing
It appears that Great Raft has precisely the perfect formula for excellent beer down pat, along with knowing how to promote their brews effectively and create an unforgettable drinking atmosphere within their establishment.
They produce beer that pairs well with the cuisine from Louisiana, known for being spicy and hearty.
Maine: Maine Beer Co.
Location: Portland
Established: 2009
Popular beers: Peeper Spring Ale, Lunch,
Food options: Pizza on site
Coolest highlight: Collaborates with over a dozen wildlife and nature conservation groups
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Maine Beer
The slogan at Maine Beer Co. is "act rightly." This signifies not just crafting quality brews, but also valuing your neighborhood and the environment.
This brewery emerged from a passionate endeavor shared by two siblings that took several years of planning prior to launching in 2009 equipped with just a single barrel setup—a concept well ahead of its time when terms like "nano-brewery" weren’t even part of the conversation yet. Today, their distinctive slender bottles bearing minimalistic plain white tags are widely distributed across the nation.
Maryland: Heavy Seas Beer
Location: Baltimore
Established: 1995
Popular beers: Wild Card, Heavyweight, Gunner Apprentice
Food options: Onsite food options
Coolest highlight: The clan responsible for Heavy Seas played a key role in getting Maryland to amend its state law, enabling brewpubs to function.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Heavy Seas Beer When Visiting
Hugh Sisson, who aspired to become an actor, was handed the responsibility of managing a pub right after graduating from university at his father’s insistence, altering the course of his life entirely.
In 1980, Hugh made the decision to transform Sisson’s into a beer-centric establishment. His vision involved emphasizing top-tier imported beers, which were quite scarce in the United States back then. This initiative ultimately resulted in the creation of Heavy Seas, paving the way for what would become an iconic part of local drinking culture.
Massachusetts: Tree House
Location: Charlton
Established: 2011
Popular beers: Julius, Haze, Eureka
Food options: Onsite food options
Coolest highlight: They are constructing an eco-friendly farm aimed at safeguarding the land and supplying produce for their brews.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting Tree House
Tree House is a meticulous brewery—they produce their own coffee and cultivate their own ingredients for beer—and this dedication is evident in their striking and impressive brews. There are few breweries globally that generate as much excitement and anticipation around their offerings.
Kan releases last for two days when you include the night spent camping merely for an opportunity to buy something.
Michigan: Bell’s Brewery
Location: Comstock and Kalamazoo
Established: 1985
Popular beers: Two Hearted Ale, Amber Ale, Classic
Food options: Onsite restaurant in Kalamazoo
Coolest highlight: Previously, before transforming into a brewery, Bell’s functioned as a general store that offered homebrewing materials.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting Bell’s Brewery
The founder of Bell’s, Larry Bell, first became interested in fermentation while working at a bakery in Kalamazoo after graduating from the local college. A few years later Bell’s would become one of the first craft breweries east of Colorado.
Since then, it has turned into a Michigan staple and one of the most revered breweries in the United States.
Minnesota: Fair State Cooperative
Location: Minneapolis
Established: 2014
Popular beers: Vodka, Alternate Reality, FSB Collection
Food options: Only pretzels on site
Coolest highlight: A nightclub featuring innovative drink selections
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting Fair State Cooperative
As implied by its title, this brewery operates as a cooperative now under the ownership of over 1,500 people. Besides numerous benefits related to their brews, members have the opportunity to cast votes on matters concerning the brewery or even vie for positions on the board.
Even with numerous opinions around, Fair State reliably produces remarkable and inventive beers.
Mississippi: Southern Prohibition Brewing
Location: Hattiesburg
Established: 2013
Popular beers: Crowd Management, Prodigy Lite, Red Ant of the Mississippi
Food options: Pizza on site
Coolest highlight: A spot in the city center’s district where imbibing alcohol on the pavements is permitted.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Southern Prohibition Brewing
The brewery launched the year following when Mississippi updated its state laws to permit brewing beers with an alcoholic content exceeding 5 percent. This change paved the way for a fresh chapter in artisanal beer production across the southern states.
Southern Prohibition offers various main products but places particular emphasis on producing limited-edition batches that introduce innovative variations to traditional beer types.
Missouri: Side Project Brewing
Location: Maplewood
Established: 2013
Popular beers: Merci Blend, Punchdown Pinot Noir, Coconut Vibes
Food options: No onsite food
Coolest highlight: The co-founder, who works as a winemaker, places significant emphasis on barrel-aged beers.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting Side Project Brewing
Innovative and playful beers from Side Project have cemented its position as one of the globe's premier breweries, earning high praise. Locals absolutely love visiting the brewery’s taproom.
Hardly any brews around are as highly coveted as those from Side Project’s sour and aged-in-barrel series. At the establishment, the draught system is precisely managed, ensuring every type of beer reaches its ideal serving temperature.
Montana: Big Sky Brewing
Location: Missoula
Established: 1995
Popular beers: Moose Drool, Trout Slayer, Powder Hound
Food options: No food on site
Coolest highlight: A venue shaped like an ancient theater that brings in major performers such as Ween and The Avett Brothers
Why Big Sky Brewing Should Be On Your List To Visit
Back in the early '90s, prior to launching Big Sky Brewing, the founders ran a beer discussion program on Missoula’s community-access TV channel, MCAT. When their brewery eventually opened, Missoula was home to just one other brewpub, known for its focus on lager beers.
Initially established as an alehouse, Big Sky has expanded into a large-scale brewery with distribution reaching throughout the West Coast and Mountain West areas. Additionally, they produce canned seltzers available in alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties.
Nebraska: Zipline Brewing Co.
Location: Omaha (two sites) and Lincoln (two sites)
Established: 2012
Popular beers: Alpha Modern, Oatmeal Porter, Nut Brown
Food options: No onsite food options
Coolest highlight: Renamed after a backyard zip line mishap that led to a fractured arm sustained by one of the company’s founders' children.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out on Zipline Brewing
Zipline specializes in easy-to-enjoy, uncluttered brews that perfectly match their respective styles. This venture was initiated by two lawyers and a surgeon, individuals who, similar to numerous microbrew pioneers, started as passionate hobbyists before turning professional.
They also offer a range known as Zoo Brews that backs global wildlife preservation initiatives.
Nevada: Revision Brewing
Location: Sparks (two locations)
Established: 2017
Popular beers: Revised IPA, Conflict of the Lords, Limited Insanity
Food options: Food service available solely at the brewpub site.
Coolest highlight: During its inaugural year, the brewery was awarded a gold medal at the World Beer Cup for one of its IPAs.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out on Revision Brewing
Although revision hasn't been around for long, it quickly gained recognition and became a globally renowned brewery during this brief period.
The contemporary interpretation of IPAs, Double IPAs, and Triple IPAs forms the core offering of the brewery; however, their two-year-old barrel-aging program is rapidly attracting global recognition.
Stoneface Brewing Co., New Hampshire
Location: Newington
Established: 2014
Popular beers: Stoneface RIS Schwarz Side, Complete Clip, Stoneface RIS
Food options: Onsite restaurant
Coolest highlight: Foods such as Thai chili lime honey gochujang BBQ wing sauce or Impossible Meat burgers are pioneering options.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Stoneface Brewing
Founded by a group of buddies whose homemade brews started turning heads, Stoneface was christened as a tribute to the Old Man of the Mountain—a legendary natural wonder in New Hampshire that crumbled away in 2003.
However, Stoneface doesn’t dwell on the past; instead, their beers are distinctly contemporary and unconventional, featuring options like a barrel-aged black lager and hazy, juicy New England-style IPAs.
New Jersey: Kane Brewing
Location: Ocean Township
Established: 2011
Popular beers: Port Omna, Brunch on Sunday, Above Head
Food options: No food on site
Coolest highlight: In 2017, Kane, together with eight total breweries including itself, left the New Jersey Brewers Association to establish the Brewers Guild of New Jersey, aiming to more effectively address their requirements.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Kane Brewing Company
Kane was founded by a couple from New York City, where both were employed in corporate finance roles. They eventually decided to turn their passion for home brewing into their career path.
Their launch in 2011 coincided with a craft beer surge in New Jersey as the state modified its alcohol regulations to permit increased brewing and broader dissemination.
New Mexico: La Cumbre Brewing Co.
Location: Albuquerque (two locations)
Established: 2010
Popular beers: Malpais Stout, Postcards from Hell, Project Dank
Food options: Taco trucks will be rotating between the two sites.
Coolest highlight: Prior to launching his brewery, Jeff Erway, the founder, was a jazz guitarist.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting La Cumbre Brewing
La cumbre translated to English means “peak” or “summit” and that’s exactly what the minds behind these beers are going for: using their brews to reach the apex in the art of beer.
Perhaps the most renowned aspect of the brewery is its IPAs, a reputation attributed by the founder to his wife’s deep affection for robust hop flavors.
New York: Other Half Brewing
Location: Brooklyn and Rochester
Established: 2014
Popular beers: Hop Showers, All Citra Everything, Daydream
Food options: Only snacks on site
Coolest highlight: Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Other Half took the lead in raising funds for hospitality staff by launching a beer named All Together IPA. This initiative saw involvement from numerous breweries around the globe.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out on Visiting Other Half Brewing
Other Half is a globally acclaimed brewery renowned for partnering with leading breweries across the globe. It has gained prominence for refining the juicy, hazy style of New England IPA, which they refer to as their oat cream IPA.
These brews incorporate significant quantities of rolled oats and milk sugar during both the brewing and fermenting stages, setting them apart from all current offerings.
North Carolina: Heist Brewery
Location: Charlotte (two locations)
Established: 2012
Popular beers: TooQuench'l, Citraquench'l, Big Pick’n
Food options: The restaurants located on-site at each of these sites are available for use.
Coolest highlight: Kurt Hogan, who founded the company, is distantly related to the infamous 1930s gangster Baby Face Nelson.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Heist Brewery
Heist brews stand out as some of the best in North Carolina, and the brewery made history as the inaugural brewpub in Charlotte upon its opening in 2012.
The original Heist is also known as an esteemed cocktail bar offering over 100 types of whiskey; however, it's particularly the Belgian-style beers and contemporary IPAs that draw in the majority of patrons.
North Dakota: Drekker Brewing Co.
Location: Fargo
Established: 2014
Popular beers: After School Prrrt, Agent of Anarchy, Azacca Attacka
Food options: Food trucks make occasional appearances onsite.
Coolest highlight: The brewery occupies an enormous, historically significant ex-locomotive maintenance building.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out on Drekker Brewing
North Dakota boasts a significant Norwegian population, and Drekker embraces the Viking motif with great dedication — crafting beer "for every inner Viking."
Everything began as a vision shared by four buddies passionate about crafting their own beer at home. Most of their creations focus on robust IPAs, and they predominantly utilize Norwegian kveik yeast for brewing these beverages.
Ohio: Jackie O’s
Location: Athens (three locations)
Established: 2007
Popular beers: Eerie Manifestation, Mystical Matriarch, Mount Everest
Food options: Food choices available at every site
Coolest highlight: The initial brewpub was among the first establishments in Ohio to prohibit smoking.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out on Visiting Jackie O’s
Jackie O's stands as a trailblazer in the realm of Ohio brewing. Among the first in the state to introduce a barrel-aging and souring program, they produce nearly every type of beer imaginable. Additionally, the brewery runs an associated bakery.
The name pays tribute to the deceased mother of co-founder Art Oestrike; she passed away from lung cancer around the time when the initial concept for the brewpub was taking shape.
Oklahoma: Prairie Artisan Ales
Location: Oklahoma City, McAlester, and Tulsa
Established: 2011
Popular beers: Bomb!, Standard, Phantasmagoria
Food options: The brewpub is exclusively located in Tulsa.
Coolest highlight: Prairie's extension into Tulsa was funded via a crowdfunded initiative.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting Prairie Artisan Ales
Prairie was established with the primary aim of crafting distinctive, intricate farmhouse and barrel-aged beers that the founders, brothers Chase and Colin Healey, were eager to enjoy themselves.
Initially, Prairie opted for niche and distinctive styles rather than mainstream trends, but has recently expanded its range to include IPAs and explore new markets.
Oregon: Breakside Brewery
Location: Milwaukee and two sites in Portland
Established: 2010
Popular beers: Travel Fever, Remain Western, Breakside IPA
Food options: The restaurants located onsite at each of the two Portland venues
Coolest highlight: The brewery converted a 1972 Winnebago into a mobile bar for rental at events.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting Breakside Brewery
Many people regard Oregon as the top beer destination within the United States, and it undoubtedly boasts a rich history, superior quality, and plentiful options that validate this claim.
We chose this relatively new player because everything it touches—or brews, in this instance—turns to gold. Only a handful of breweries, big or small, can match the impressive array of accolades adorning Breakside’s metaphorical mantle.
Pennsylvania: Tired Hands Brewing Co.
Location: Ardmore has three sites, and Philadelphia has two locations.
Established: 2011
Popular beers: Just Void, Additional Added Knuckle, Gutted Route of Beauty
Food options: Restaurants are available at every site except for the Ardmore General Store.
Coolest highlight: Throughout the year, the brewery hosts volunteer activities and contributes part of its earnings to different charitable initiatives.
Why Tired Hands Brewing Should Be On Your List To Visit
This acclaimed brewery strongly emphasizes its connection with the local community, evident through the dishes offered at their eateries, the components used in their brews, as well as ongoing charitable activities and volunteering initiatives.
They produce some amazing beers that draw inspiration from Belgian and French traditions but also incorporate a strong element of American innovation.
Tilted Barn Brewery: Rhode Island
Location: Exeter
Established: 2014
Popular beers: Selected Individual, Alternative Candidate, Facilitator
Food options: Food trucks on site
Coolest highlight: The farm brewery cultivates its own hops.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting Tilted Barn Brewery
Behind Tilted Barn, you'll find an unusual duo in the brewing scene: a married couple who transitioned from farming to brewing, rather than the typical path of brewers moving into agriculture.
Tilted Barn specializes in cultivating numerous ingredients used in their hop-centric brews, even growing their own hops. The brewery is particularly renowned for producing bold, vibrant, and fruity New England-style IPAs.
Westbrook Brewing Co., South Carolina
Location: Mount Pleasant
Established: 2010
Popular beers: Mexican Cake, Gose, Double Claws
Food options: Food trucks on site
Coolest highlight: The university students who started the brewery would host keg parties using their self-made brews as a way to cover their college fees.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Westbrook Brewing
Westbrook's brews showcase innovative flavor pairings and reinterpretations of traditional beer styles.
This describes the story behind Westbrook’s most beloved brew, Mexican Cake. The beer was initially created for the marriage ceremony of the founders, Edward and Morgan Westbrook. Following its warm reception from those present at the wedding, it evolved into an annual commemorative edition for the brewery each year.
South Dakota: WoodGrain Brewing Co.
Location: Sioux Falls
Established: 2014
Popular beers: Milk Stout, SMaSH Censored, Veneer Pils
Food options: There's no dining available onsite; however, food trucks make regular appearances.
Coolest highlight: The brewery obtains distinctive yeast strains from a microbiology firm based in Sioux Falls.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out on WoodGrain Brewing
At WoodGrain, precision is key, as evident from how their namesake highlights wood grain details across all furnishings and surfaces within both the brewery and taproom areas.
A lot of the components used in the beers come from local sources, such as hops and barley. Additionally, WoodGrain manages its own grain mill along with a storage facility to ensure top-notch quality control.
Tennessee: Bearded Iris Brewing
Location: Nashville
Established: 2016
Popular beers: Attention All, Supreme Leader, Double Country Style
Food options: There's no on-site dining, with only an occasional visit from food trucks.
Coolest highlight: The brewery's tasting room boasts a stylish setup complete with a pool table and cozy lounge ambiance.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting Bearded Iris Brewing
The Bearded Iris has garnered admirers thanks to its boldly contemporary IPAs and pale ales, known for their robust character, vibrant flavors, succulent notes, and the hazy appearance of a misty San Francisco dawn.
Even though the brewery's slogan is "foster diversity," they openly admit that they only produce a limited range of beer types. However, the few varieties they do create are outstanding.
Texas: Jester King
Location: Austin
Established: 2010
Popular beers: Atrial Rubicite, Montmorency versus Balaton, SPON
Food options: Onsite restaurant
Coolest highlight: The brewery premises are vast and welcoming — akin to a play area suitable for both grown-ups and children — and feature an operational farm.
Why You Should Visit Jester King Brewery
Jester King’s brews could perhaps best be compared to wines — and interestingly, the brewery cultivates its own grapes at their farm.
Similar to highly prized wines, Jester King’s farmhouse ales and spontaneously fermented brews possess a genuine connection to their origin, a concept known as "terroir" among French vintners. These beverages are untamed and unusual, offering an experience unlike anything you've encountered previously.
Utah: Epic Brewing Co.
Location: Salt Lake City and Denver
Established: 2010
Popular beers: Big Bad Baptist, Pursuing Shadows, Senior Brett
Food options: Restaurant at the location in Denver, small dishes in Utah
Coolest highlight: A modification in state legislation permitting higher-alcohol-content beers led to the inception of Epic by its creators.
Why Visiting Epic Brewery Is Essential
Originating from Utah with a branch in Colorado, Epic is renowned for its extensive range of barrel-aged stouts such as Big Bad Baptist, a formidable brew.
The founders prioritize quality over quantity, even though they produce nearly 40 distinct types of beer and cover every category you'd anticipate at a contemporary craft brewery.
Vermont: Hill Farmstead
Location: Greensboro Bend
Established: 2010
Popular beers: Abner, Susan, Community & Isolation
Food options: Nothing on site
Coolest highlight: A number of the brews are christened after the forebears of creator Shaun Hill.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting Hill Farmstead
It would be difficult to exaggerate the excellence of Hill Farmstead, which is particularly impressive considering this state boasts some of the nation's finest breweries. However, Hill Farmstead stands at an unparalleled tier that very few have attained.
The exceptional and transformative beverages emerging from this Greensboro Bend farm have roots tracing back more than 200 years within the Hill family. As the brainchild behind it all, Shaun Hill wields a significant impact across the entire brewing industry, spanning from one shore to another.
Virginia: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Location: Richmond (two locations)
Established: 2011
Popular beers: Gingerbread Stout, Kentucky Christmas Morning, The Great Return
Food options: Food trucks available at each location
Coolest highlight: The concept for the brewery emerged following a taste of excellent homebrewed beer during a visit to Australia.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Eric McKay and Patrick Murtaugh, lifelong buddies, dedicated a decade to formulating their vision for the brewery. It’s named after an Australian sheep station where they enjoyed the brews that would transform both their life paths and professional journeys.
They love to emphasize their "purposeful brewing" approach and adhere to stringent standards, resulting in consistently outstanding beers.
Washington: Fremont Brewing Co.
Location: Seattle
Established: 2009
Popular beers: Dark Star, Spiced Coffee Cinnamon Bomb, The Brother
Food options: Occasional food on site
Coolest highlight: Matt Lincecum, who founded Fremont, previously worked as an attorney in the beverage sector.
Why Fremont Brewing Should Be On Your List To Visit
Fremont goes above and beyond with its localized approach, and it certainly benefits from having the planet’s second-biggest hop-growing area right at home.
However, founder Matt Lincecum pushes past using just locally sourced ingredients; he ensures his impact extends into the community through support of charitable initiatives and adoption of eco-friendly brewing techniques at his sites. Plus, let’s not forget, the brews themselves are top-notch.
West Virginia: Big Timber Brewing
Location: Elkins
Established: 2014
Popular beers: Dual Blade, Woods Festival, Robust Lumber Porter
Food options: Nothing on site
Coolest highlight: The brewery sources hops from West Virginia for certain brews.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Big Timber Brewing
The tale of Big Timber is well-known: A local lad departs from a quaint mountain village with grand ambitions, ends up in Montana where he begins home brewing, then revisits his origins to establish a proper brewery. Despite the familiarity of this narrative, the quality of the brews surpasses expectations.
They regularly produce IPAs, porters, pale ales, and lagers, as well as a rotating selection of seasonals that feature barrel-aged stouts.
New Glarus Brewery Co., Wisconsin:
Location: New Glarus
Established: 1993
Popular beers: Wisconsin Belgian Red, Raspberry Tart, Thumbprint Scream IIPA
Food options: No food on site
Coolest highlight: When New Glarus Brewery was established in 1993, Deb Carey made history as the first woman to start a brewery in the United States.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting New Glarus Brewery
Despite its widespread acclaim nationally and internationally, New Glarus restricts its beer sales to just Wisconsin, making things delightfully tempting yet exasperating for those residing elsewhere.
The sour beers from this brewery truly stand out, with their six main varieties being top-notch.
Wyoming: Melvin Brewing
Location: Jackson, Alpine and Eureka
Established: 2009
Popular beers: 2x4 DIPA, Hubert, Citradamus
Food options: Restaurants at each of the three sites
Coolest highlight: The original location of the brewery was at the rear of a Thai restaurant.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Visiting Melvin Brewing
Following its title as the top small brewpub in America at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival, Melvin expanded and relocated to a bigger production site. This change ensured that a greater number of enthusiasts could enjoy their remarkably tasty range of beverages.
Melvin excels notably when it comes to IPAs, encompassing everything from classic styles to contemporary and avant-garde interpretations.