With more than 4,100 brewery and brewpub now operating in the US , our fiddling nation that could has last fall in the ranks of honored brewing powerhouses like Germany and Belgium . For years , hubs like San Diego and the Portlands have flooded the market with quality intersection , nobly prompt their fellow Americans to choose better beer . But even though those meccas are undoubtedly responsible for for America ’s new baller status , there are new cities rising to meet them .
The brewer in these 10 city represent the latest in a long crease of ambitious , passionate , and biotic community - minded entrepreneurs willing to fuddle cautiousness and a gross ton of John Cash to weave in the name of great beer . Until now , though , they ’ve been flying quietly under the radar , just waiting for some beer author , bedevil with cover the same damn IPA release , to come along and mess up up their spot . Well , ( cue airhorn ! ) , view it blown .
Memphis, TN
Everybody knows Memphis for its music , mouthwatering BBQ , and key purpose in the in force John Grisham movies . Lesser known , however , is Bluff City ’s bustling workmanship beer scene , a dedicated community of brewers and imbiber intemperately set on transforming their beloved township into one of the South ’s premier sottish destination .
According toMemphis Made Brewing Companyco - owner Andy Ashby , Memphis now gasconade four small - yield brewery , three of which have opened in the last two eld alone . And despite menial start , the local conniption has begun to thrive in the lower Mississippi Delta . More and more Memphis - field businesses are buying into the trade craze , buy in bottles and keg of hometown brewage , install market - store draft organisation for growler filling , and hosting eternal tap takeovers , match - the - brewer events , and beer dinner . " Memphis has been a little slow on the drift , " Ashby explained . " Trends lean to come out on the coast and move in , and we ’re in the middle of the country . But people really have a gustatory sensation for it now . "
Within the confines of the city proper , you ’ll findHigh Cotton Brewing , known for creatively brewed and sunnily funky Belgian - style ales;Wiseacre Brewing , a can - centric operation with a GABF Bronze Medal Pilsener and a baller , dog - well-disposed East Memphis taproom;Ghost River Brewing , which has been brewing European - flair classics since 2003 ; and Memphis Made , whose Kentucky Derby - inspired Southern Julep pushes the envelope with big Belgian flavors , overbold mint , and Bourbon - like oakiness . Do n’t vex , they all pair really , really well with BBQ .
V Ben/Shutterstock/Dmitrij Skorobogatov/Shutterstock
Durham, NC
There are three affair you need to have intercourse about North Carolina ’s Research Triangle : college sports is its king , indie music is its queen mole rat , and craft beer is the clotheshorse , youthful prince that convey it all together . Home toAll About Beer Magazine ’s yearly World Beer Festival , Bull City has emerge from the Raleigh and Chapel shadow as a North Carolina craft beer hub 2d only to Asheville ’s long - reign dominance , with five production breweries and brewpubs leading the ever - raise roll .
nurse royal court as Durham ’s erstwhile craft brewery , Triangle Brewing Companyhas been dishing out inspired Belgian- and American - style ales since 2007 ( check out the Habanero Pale Ale).Fullsteamis the property to be come nightfall , when band , sports fan , and food trucks take over the giant , repair shed - like Rigsbee Ave taproom , which pelt brews from the data-based , bar - only R&D line or ultra - local selections from the Beautiful South series . And after but two years , Ponysaurus Brewing Co.has boldly entered the affray with a rotating fleet of updated European classics like a sharp-worded weissbier , a nutty Libyan Islamic Group saison , and an herbal Biere de Garde .
Of naturally , no Durham adventure would be over without a stoppage into the slight beer stock that start it all –Sam ’s Quik Shop . Originally open as an Esso gas station in 1949 , it ’s transition into a destination for rare and great bottle since owner John Boy consume over in the ' XC . It looks like a standard gizmo store . Except , with 1,500 bottle from around the man , it fall out to be one of the beer shops in the res publica , and just another reason Durham should be a destination .
Memphis Made Brewing
Toronto, Ontario
While the idea of Canadian beer might bring to mind the image of a gray-headed field hockey participant squelch arse of Molson Ice by the caseload ( which we ’re totally down with ) , more and more Canucks are trading in their light lagers for more flavorous – and yes , high - gravitational attraction – humble - tidy sum brews . Toronto , in particular , has been steadily building a red-blooded , innovative craft - brewing scene match to stand up to anything the gloomy 48 might have to offer .
There are upwards of 35 microbreweries and brewpubs in the Greater Toronto Area alone , many of them unfold their doors within the past five geezerhood . Currently , Bellwoods Breweryis leading the charge . First and first , Bellwoods sports topographic point - on branding , each recording label and piece of swag skillfully designed to mirror a quirky vintage - poster aesthetic – all deep reds , mustard yellows , and flatness blues . It also casually crank out some of the fine beer in North America , ranging in style from hopped - up American IPAs to funky barrelful - aged Brett saisons and magnanimous , bad 10 % ABV Russian purple stout .
Other honorable mentions go toJunction Craft Brewingin the West End , famous for supremely well - balanced , well-off - drinking Conductor ’s Craft Ale;Steam Whistle Brewing , a laager - focused mercantile establishment with a superbly crisp , laurels - winning pilsner ; and hipster havenIndie Ale House , whose jumbo , boundary - breaking card includes a complex majestic origin orange wit aged in tequila barrels , a sharp-worded , vulgar saturnine rye , and a huge , belly - warming regal IPA called , well , Cockpuncher ( believe yourself admonish ) .
Ponysaurus Brewing
Bloomington, IN
Sleepy Bloomington has long been a hotbed for the seemingly disparate worlds of college athletics and indie music . How better to unite these warring factions than kegs upon kegs of frothy , feel - respectable alcohol ? No wonder Bloomington craft beer is on the verge of blowing up – for a town of just over 80,000 mass ( most of which do and go during the shoal yr ) , four microbrewing outfits and dozens of craftsmanship - rivet bars are showcase and stop .
Today ’s Bloomington beer scene revolve aroundUpland Brewing , the wildly popular brewpub that ’s anchored the local brewing tantrum since 1998 . free Bloomington ’s late craft beer wave , Upland expanded to a stain - new west side output facility and barroom in 2012 . Both position teem a circumvolve bounty of bomb - ass brew like the citrusy Campside sitting IPA and a bevy of sours . The elderBloomington Brewing Company– a local resort just pace away from Indiana University – has bide by the police force of good beer and good pizza since 1994 , when it let loose Hoosier favorites like favorite Kirkwood Cream Ale . newfangled kids on the blockFunction BrewingandQuaff ON ! Bloomingtonare heading up the ruck these days , with a constantly expanding fleet of advanced , mode - bust brews guaranteed to keep both the kindling and the suspensor in upright hard drink throughout the school year .
And did I remark that standalone breweries are the only outlets de jure allowed to sell off - premise beer on Sundays ? That ’s right , even during football game time of year . Enough say .
Bellwoods Brewery
Birmingham, AL
Far from the wonderment of theRedneck Riviera , Birmingham ’s progressively in - demand craft beer scene is prove the good ol' boy sure can brew . Yet it was n’t always this fashion . As late as 2009 , all beer betray in the body politic of Alabama was capped at a meager 6 % ABV … until a group of brilliant beer enthusiast organized the " Free the hop " campaign , successfully buttonhole for the received 13.9 % and allow small brewery to begin experiment with innovative style . That was followed in 2012 by the legalization of homebrewing . And now , a fistful of local slyness breweries are working to raise the intact state ’s visibility .
While baby brewery have been popping up all over the Birmingham surface area , more late additions like the yeast - focusedAvondale Brewing Companyand the outdoorsy , hop - obsessedCahaba Brewingowe a majuscule deal to their open up big chum in beer . dispute palates and changing life with " ale from the heart of Dixie " since July , 2008 , Downtown Birmingham’sGood People Brewing Companytops the list of local craft beer innovators . Its all - can roster is wedge - full of sheer feeling , include the dangerously hoppy ( 100 + IBU ) Snake Handler double IPA , a astonishingly sessionable Coffee Oatmeal Stout , and a gamey , hop - forward rye IPA refresh enough to make the sticky tardy - summer Alabama atmosphere feel like a breezy autumn eventide .
Back Forty Beer Company , send in nearby Gadsden , has been putting out what it view as " liquified folk fine art " since 2009 , developing family relationship with expanse chefs to promote food - and - beer pairing . Of particular notation is the Truck Stop Honey chocolate-brown ale , a average - bodied dark ale brewed with local Alabama wildflower honey . It ’s a front-runner of 2012 James Beard Award - winning chef Chris Hastings , who keeps a rotating selection of Back Forty flowing at his nationally recognizedHot and red-hot Fish Club . After all , after a daylight in the hot Alabama sun , what complements a hearty helping of deep - fry Southern goodness better than a crisp , freshly brewed beer ? Literally nothing .
Upland Brewing Co
Appleton/Green Bay, WI
Wisconsin knows beer – that ’s never been in doubt . But when most kinsfolk recall Wisconsin beer , they unremarkably reckon Milwaukee or Madison , with their giant macro - lagers , lead wiliness brew , and Big 10 sports . Hell , their baseball team is even named after beer . But Green Bay ? Appleton ? They ’re not always part of the conversation .
That conversation is changing . An ungodly number of microbrewery and brewpubs have been quietly making their marks up northerly over the last 20 years , includingHinterland– which to this day cheer raw generations of brewers with concoctions like the biscuity Packerland Pilsner – andTitletown , which has been brewing up offering like the Addlepated Ale – an American gold bursting with gross hop and somewhat smoky malt liquor mature in oak – since 1996 .
Rookie breweryBadger State Brewingopened up just over two age ago in the legendary Lambeau Field Stadium District , the first brewery to do so and thus , the first brewery to Johnny Cash in on the beautiful art of Wisconsin tailgate with beers like the hops - forwards Mean Green New Zealand IPA . Another fry , Stillmank Brewing Company , go its cognitive operation from declaration brewing down in Milwaukee to a deftness just 15 minutes from Lambeau in 2014 and has been showering football game fans with its ultra - smooth , award - winning Wisco Disco ESB ever since .
Avondale Brewing Company
Venture a few geographical mile north of Green Bay ( OK , more than a few – this shit is remote ) , and you ’ll findDoor County Brewing , a gorgeous microbrewery inspired by Wisconsin ’s born landscape . Door County has been brew craft beer beautiful enough to oppose its environs since 2012 , gather a following of firm customers unforced to make the trip up to the Baileys Harbor taproom for a perceptiveness . Unsurprisingly , this rural brewery excels at farmhouse ale , with Belgian - panache seasonals like L’Automne and L’Hiver among the brewery ’s best offerings . And , of course , everything pairs perfectly with a heaping plate of unquestionable , Wisconsin - made Malva sylvestris curds .
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City might seem an unlikely candidate for a top US craft beer destination , but SLC has been building a serious repertory of world - renowned wiliness brewery since 2009 , when otherwise ultra - conservative governor Jon Huntsman , Jr. comfort hard liquor police to appropriate little breweries to betray their merchandise on site . Though they still had to contend with a concourse of additional regularisation ( no beer flight , no opening bottleful in clear view of client , a 4 % ABV jacket on all grocery - store sales ) , a propagation of industrious craft brewer set out to domesticate a little piece of the Western frontier by opening a slew of award - winning brewery throughout the metropolis .
You ’d be remiss not to focus on relative honest-to-goodness - timersWasatch Brewery&Squatters Beers , two diverse brands that make up the pioneeringUtah Brewers Cooperative(the folk music behind Wasatch were responsible for getting brewpubs legalized in the state of Utah way back in ' 89 ) . These day , the Cooperative ’s extensive fleet is featured at most bars and restaurants around town , including three Squatters brewpub ( one blot out inside the SLC airport – you ’re welcome ) and two Wasatch brewpubs . Want to go in with the locals ? Grab a cheekily titled Polygamy Porter : as the motto says , " Why have just one ? "
The other big hitter is the eco - friendlyUinta , now a nationally pass around brand . Located on the far west side of the city , Uinta ’s 100 % solar- and wind - powered production brewery also houses a taproom coffee shop where beer - assay visitor can taste a selection of its 20 + quality brews . Bringing up the rearward isEpic Brewing , by far Salt Lake ’s ballsiest small brewery . The fearless dudes behind this uber - creative craft rig are determined to border almost every legal obstacle in their way , hawk a never - ending batting order of in high spirits - ABV , full - flavor ale , including an award - winning mountain chain of barrel - aged Belgian sourness , all sold in 22 oz hoagie . A visit to their " tapless ginmill " – draft beer is trammel to 4 % ABV , so it ’s all bottle pours here – is not for the syncope of heart , but those who dare are greatly rewarded .
Badger State Brewing Company
Louisville/Lexington, KY
The Louisville - Lexington area has long been synonymous with its most popular export : good one-time - fashioned Kentucky Bourbon dynasty ( and horses … slews of horses ) . Lesser have a go at it is the region ’s recent contribution to the world of craft beer , with a local scene on the cusp of explosion . More than a dozen Kentucky - based craft breweries have opened their doors in the last five long time alone , get together the ranks of established brewers likeCumberlandandLexington , God Almighty of the keep Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale .
Louisville’sAgainst the Grain Brewery & Smokehouse , demonstrate in 2011 , is recognise coast to coast for its enormous program of style - defying , data-based brews and exceptionally bizarre packaging . Take ATG ’s delicious Kentucky Ryed Chiquen , an gold ale aged in rye whisky whisky barrels – each 750ml bottle of the stuff is clear by a wax seal , covered in ( hopefully ) faux chicken feathers . Across town , Louisville’sGreat Flood Brewing Companyrepresents the proverbial yin to Against the Grain ’s yang . The two - year - sure-enough microbrewery focuses on pared - down , well - execute classic like easy - drinking amber ales , rich porters , and record hop - forward IPAs .
Over in artsy , collegiate Lexington , West Sixth Brewinghas been schooling Kentuckians in the artistry of calibre IPA product since 2012 . Packed with four different varieties of hops – Cascade , Columbus , Centennial , and Citra – West Sixth ’s flagship IPA is a thing of piney , citrusy beauty , balanced by a hardy linchpin of five different malts . Another proportional newcomer , Country Boy Brewinghas been kick it down the road from West Sixth since 2012 . The Boy ’s Ghost Gose is a fantastic example of the traditional German style – sporting lady , extremely refreshing , and finished with a drying dose of sea salt and coriander seed . And fresh out the logic gate in 2014,Ethereal Brewing ’s got a card of handcrafted brewage that execute the gamut from modernistic American styles like wild ale and imperial IPAs to more obscure European barleywines and farmhouse ales that are immeasurably ( ugh ) sluggable .
Uinta Brewing
Boise, ID
For serious craft beer nerds , Boise is most easily recognise for housing a vast outpost of10 Barrel Brewing , a craft upstart that was recently sold to AB - InBev . But 10 Barrel ’s not the only game in town : a rash of evenly reputable modest - batch breweries have sprung up around Idaho ’s capital city , coming together to form the tourist - approved Boise Ale Trail .
In increase to the the mid-1990s OG Boise breweries like multi - award - winningSockeye , three new surface area microbreweries are aid to transform the Treasure Valley from a craftsmanship beer desert into a remarkable terminus . 2010 check the comer of the onward - thinkingPayette Brewing Company , a hipster enclave brew splendid ales and lager beer down by the bank of the Boise River . Payette ’s put out a ton of beer over the age , but two brew consistently top the devotee - favorite list : 12 Gauge imperial stout , a bold , 10 % ABV stout best enjoy aged , and the Slaughterhouse Red , a velvety red ale pour with toffee malt and dank record hop .
Slanted Rock Brewing Company , established in 2011 , maintain a core roll of four traditional , easy - boozing style while also create some surpassing seasonal beers , including an 8 % ABV Scotch ale that showcases the age - old style ’s molasses - like sweetness . Crooked Fence Brewing , open in 2012 and relocated to nearby Eagle in former 2015 , is the youngest member of the area ’s craft age group , and it ’s making a killing among Boise ’s heavy - metallic element and punk scene ( yes , it exist ) with its gamy - gravity , devilishly judge brewage . Try the flagship 9.2 % ABV Sins of Our Fathers regal stout – it ’s bond to put some hair on your downy pectus .
West Sixth Brewing
Omaha, NE
Nebraska ’s brewing history date back to the mid-1800s , yet , as with most Midwestern beer towns , it completely die out during the first half of the twentieth hundred , thanks to bummer like Prohibition . A handful of Omaha - ground artisan brewers , however , are revitalizing the Department of State ’s brewing prowess , open microbrewery throughout the urban center and organizing the annual Omaha Beer Week to spread the foxiness gospel . These Corn Huskers can drink , that ’s for sure , and they ’re not too unsound at making the hooey , either .
Ground zero for the setting is the historical Benson dominion , also known as the beer district . Noteworthy spots in the booming region let in three - class - oldBenson Brewery , a neighborhood brewpub with a warm , Brooklyn - esque aesthetical ( consider hanging Edison bulb , exposed brick , reclaimed - wood furniture ) and a phone line on drinkability thanks to its house - made American and English standard . A few blocks down the way , you ’ll findInfusion Brewing Company , one of Omaha ’s most celebrated fresh craft outstation . extract ’s seven - gun barrel brewhouse and taproom are place in a carefully restored 1917 meat food market , give the joint a genuine loony toons of Nebraska - born genuineness to pair with a rotating beer list that peaks with the Camaraderie , an 8.5 % ABV imperial IPA dripping with complex blood orangeness flavor and brew in coaction with famed Odell Brewing of Fort Collins , Colorado .
For something a small different , Midtown’sFarnam House Brewingfocuses on funky farmhouse ale and experimental Brett - fermented and dour ale . Brewed in traditional Belgian style , Farnam ’s Papio Kriek and Oud Bruin are beautifully tart , like two fleet gripe to the jaw followed by a drying embrace . Welcome to the foxiness beer revolution , Omaha .
10 Barrel Brewing
Oh , and here ’s a wind : seize the Omaha Visitors Board - design free " Explorer ’s Journal . " The pamphlet currently highlights nine top - notch Omaha microbrewery and come with vouchers for a liberal dry pint at each period . Yep . Free beer . You ’re welcome .
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Meredith Heil is a writer , toper , and dad - joke enthusiast living in Brooklyn . For misdirected late - night texts , follow@beerdedladies & for ill - flesh out try at humour , see@meredad .
Farnam House Brewing Company
