Checking out a local brewery is clearly the biggest must - do when visit a new city : museums are ok and all , but you ca n’t tope a painting . However , unless you’regoing full - on beercation , figuring out which brewery to hit can be a challenge , peculiarly with novel ones popping up constantly .
Luckily , we determined the undivided must - confab brewery for a 35 - pack of major American cities . While excellent beer was obviously a major consideration , we also count factor like how much fun it is to hang out in the tap way , what kind of tour situation they offer , and whether or not it ’s jolly simple to get there – mean far - fling suburban brewery in industrial parks need not go for . The must - visit brewery in a metropolis has to be IN that metropolis , ripe ? Right .
So keep this handy for the next time you ’re in Denver and have an good afternoon to kill before your secondly - least - favored cousin ’s wedding . felicitous drink !
Great Divide Brewing Co.
< h2 > Atlanta , GA : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / locale / drink / atlanta / prevention / sweetwater - brewery" ; target="_blank”>SweetWater
< em > MidtownSouthern hops - heads have been flocking to the A ’s chillest brewing giant since the doorway opened way back in 1997 . These days , the craft power plant is repping an award - win batting order and freewheelin ’ philosophy ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / atlanta / sweetwater-420 - fest" ; target="_blank”>420 mention abound ) from inside a massive 25,000sqft production quickness in Midtown Atlanta , offer < a href=“http://sweetwaterbrew.com / brewery / tour of duty - tasting - calendar/" ; target="_blank”>$10 public tours ( includes a souvenir pint glass , y' all ) , a full < a href=“http://sweetwaterbrew.com / vibe / events - list/" ; target="_blank”>calendar of on- and off - site events , and more timbre beer than the Chattahoochee has < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / amusement / atlanta / places - to - swim - in - atlan … ; target="_blank”>sunburnt tubers. Beers of note: The < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / drink / atlanta / best - saltation - beers - atlanta" ; target="_blank”>Hop Hash serial is brew with an extra potent loony toons of hop rosin , and includes the Hop Hash Double IPA , Hash Session IPA , and Hash Brown ( unfearing - har - har ) .
< h2 > Austin , TX : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / drunkenness / austin / bar / jester - king - brewery&qu … ; target="_blank”>Jester King
< em > Southwest AustinThe saloon at one of Hill Country ’s fine brewery is only open Friday - Saturday … and if it were any other brewery , that might be enough for disqualification , considering our love of Tuesday drinking . But Jester King still dominates by sexual morality of being Austin ’s respectable brewery ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / drink / austin / honorable - craft - breweries - in - texas - th … ; target="_blank”>and TX ’s second - best overall ) . We ’ve differentiate you about the < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / drink / nation / best - brewery - food" ; target="_blank”>fantastic Stanley ’s pizza from an on - site woods - burn oven , all of which geminate with live bluegrass and more beer option than you ’ll know what to do with . straggle out on the 58 acres of Jester King ’s property with beer like the Evil Twin collab Even More Jeppe , or parking lot on a picnic bench and open up up a brewage from the bottle survival , which is packed with a worldwide extract of JK ’s favorites. beer of note : < /strong > The oyster mushroom-shaped cloud and fume sea salt Snörkel and the elderflower sour Even More Jeppe are the beers of dreams .
< h2 > Baltimore , MD : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / potable / country / bar / union - craft - brewing" ; target="_blank”>Union Craft
< em > WoodberryThe first brewery to spread within Baltimore ’s city limits in three decades , Union Craft ’s made a name for itself with standout suds like the generously hop Duckpin , and also a welcoming vacation spot of a taproom that marries frequent one - offs and peculiar acquittance with an heroic outside arena where you’re able to play a few round of cornhole with some solid food motortruck and alive music . detached tours run on Saturdays , but also consider popping in on a Thursday , when they always tap a sassy cask - train ale. Beers of annotation : < /strong > Double Duckpin ’s the move for hopheads ; Old Pro ’s a tart , well - balanced Gose for the record hop - averse .
< h2 > Boston , MA : Samuel Adams
< em > Jamaica Plain < /em>Now , get wind us out because we can already predict the mitt - wringing over not put up up a trendier survival of the fittest , but make a trip to pay your respects to one of craftiness brewing ’s OGs is just one of those things you do when call Boston , like walking the Freedom Trail for a while before decide to bail before you even get to Paul Revere ’s house , or wait in line at Mike ’s Pastry . Free tours ( though , there is a evoke $ 2 donation for charity ) of their Jamaica Plain home base run on the reg , and are some of the most well - bleed you ’ll bump at any brewery , anywhere , and include a tasting that ’s imposingly full-bodied given that you compensate so trivial ( or nothing , if you hate charity). Beers of note of hand : < /strong > C’mon , really ?
< h2 > Charlotte , NC : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / drinkable / nation / bar / olde - mecklenburg - brewe … ; target="_blank”>Olde Mecklenburg
< em > South EndLet ’s first give a shoutout to < a href=“http://nodabrewing.com/" ; target="_blank”>NoDa Brewing’s new brewery – it ’s triple the size of its premature space , meaning there ’s room for live music , a monthly craft market place , and more . But Olde Mecklenburg is a beery ( German ) universe unto itself . Said cosmos let in an indoor Brauhaus with porc Wiener schnitzel and würste to accompany its < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / drink / nation / german - beer - purity - law - why - the - r … ; target="_blank”>Reinheitsgebot-friendly beers , and one of the < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / drink / charlotte / adept - outdoor - terrace - bars - in - ch … ; target="_blank”>best terrace in Charlotte that can well induct < em>1,000+ . And with all that room in the outside biergarten ( it sits on 8.5 acres ! ) , the brewery can switch large parties like the < a href=“http://www.oldemeckbrew.com / events/2015 / mecktoberfest/" ; target="_blank”>annual Mecktoberfest in September. Beers of note: The Fall - appropriate , medal - winning Mecktoberfest and the flagship Copper altbier are zee moves here .
< h2 > Chicago , IL : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / potable / chicago / bar / half - Akka - tap - room&qu … ; target="_blank”>Half Acre
< em > North CenterVisit Chicago and the first thing any resident worth a damn will implore you to do is drag yourself away from Michigan Ave and actually see some of the neighborhoods , and no local brewery ’s more seamlessly integrate into its neighbourhood than North Center ’s Half Acre . You ’ll find oneself 14 standout taps ( plus reliably interesting firkins on offer every Friday ) at their wood - laden hideout , and a new - this - year food menu that ’ll set aside your beer of choice to pair with a brisket burrito . Chicagoans eff this place so much that both the taproom and the tours ( Saturday only ) be given to fill up up , so it makes sense that they had to expand production to a second facility nearby , require to boast its own restaurant and beer garden in the calendar month to come. beer of note : < /strong > Beloved hoppy pale ale Daisy Cutter , also hop - forward wheat ale Akari Shogun .
< h2 > Cincinnati , OH : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venues / crapulence / chicago / bars / rhinegeist - brewery & … ; target="_blank”>Rhinegeist
< em > Over - the - RhineBreweries can be dark , cave - like places to inflict , and sometimes that ’s a good thing . But sometimes you desire a short temperateness , which Rhinegeist clearly factor into the 4,500sqft rooftop pack of cards it sum during last year ’s brewery expansion , adding to the monolithic industrial - bier - hall vibe of the inside . There ’s ping pong . There ’s corn hole . There ’s a DJ John Wilkes Booth . There is n’t food on - web site , but they ’re cool with you bringing it in ( and Findlay Market across the street has just about anything you could want ) , so you’re able to sustain yourself for a long date with some of the fine beer in Cincy. Beers of note: Truth , their flagship IPA , lives up to its name , while Peach Dodo is a delightfully crisp take on a gose .
< h2 > Cleveland , OH : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / great - lake - brewing - company-44113" ; target="_blank”>Great Lakes Brewing
< em > Ohio CityWe’ve said it before , and we ’ll say it again : Cleveland ’s poised to start competing with the < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / beverage / state / good - beer - cities - in - america" ; target="_blank”>best beer cities in America. And Ohio City is the neighborhood to watch . It all revolve around the tremendous Great Lakes Brewing , a Midwestern OG ( 1988 represent ! ) that accept up a duet square cube that you could stroll for solar day , and let in an original 1860s mahogany bar , a former cellar pub where former Prohibition posting - boy Eliot Ness ( the namesake anti - prohibition cop of GLBC ’s best beer ) drank after abrogation , multiple twelvemonth - rhythm beer gardens … oh , and the beer ’s pretty effing great too . There are political party jalopy to Indians games in the summertime , the celebrated passing of Christmas Ale in the wintertime … and even serious , it ’s a great starting point ( literally and figuratively ) for a walking tour of the nearly dozen brewery that now call Ohio City nursing home . The Ohio beer revolution starts here . So should you. Beers of note: The Eliot Ness gold lager and the spicy / sweet Christmas Ale are the most celebrated , but opt for pub - scoop like the funky Abbey Ave Dubbel or the BBQ - quick Big contraband Smoke doorman , which has a little vanilla extract to equilibrize the intensity .
< h2 > Columbus , OH : 7th Son
< em > Italian VillageColumbus has never exactly stood out among < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / tidings / nation / the-15 - best - cities - for - beer - lover … ; target="_blank”>Ohio ’s well beer towns – but that does n’t mean it ’s mourning of brewing greatness . Take Seventh Son . The award - winning three - twelvemonth - old craft brewery is stationed in C - Bus ’ historic Italian Village and housed in a boomerang - shaped 5,500sqft former auto shop with rustic , raw wood fixity , retractable glass wall , and two shrub - trace patio that just beg for hour of blissful day crapulence . Beer dinner and other suds - centrical events are a regular occurrence , and thirsty toper can fill up on a rotating array of < a href=“http://seventhsonbrewing.com / food for thought - motortruck - schedule/" ; target="_blank”>local food hand truck offerings ( including Sunday brunch ) . Even good ? The 15 - barrel brewhouse is the complete pre - Buckeyes spot for the tailgating - averse. beer of note: Go with the supremely tropical Golden Ratio IPA or Seventh Son ’s flagship American Strong Ale , a solid portmanteau word of stone fruit , velvety red malt , and a tinge of Citrus paradisi rind . & nbsp ;
< h2 > Dallas , TX : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / locale / drink / dallas / prevention / residential district - beer - company … ; target="_blank”>Community Beer
< em > Design DistrictSadly , this is not a brewery be given by Troy and Abed . On the bright side , this Design District spot is one of the < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / boozing / austin / best - new - texas - breweries" ; target="_blank”>best new brewery in TX ( it ’s already scored multiple GABF medals ! ) and has taproom events that will keep you hail back , especially on the " open house " they hold on Saturdays . That ’s when $ 10 gets you three beer , a circuit , live music , and the ability to buy support from food truck . Or swing by select Saturday mornings to do < a href=“http://www.eventbrite.com / e / yoga - community - beer - company - tickets-2664208 … ; target="_blank”>yoga in the brewery – it runs $ 15 , but it also score you a beer and a tour afterwards . And flexibility. beer of note : < /strong > Bold , barrel - mature Russian imperial stout Legion and the balanced , gang - pleasing Mosaic IPA are excellent starting points .
< h2 > Denver , CO : Great Divide
< em > RiNoGreat Divide ’s original taproom and patio was such a tiny blank space that if you drank a beer there articulatio humeri - to - shoulder joint with everyone , you were just grateful it was n’t olfactory organ - to - olfactory organ . Nowadays , GD ’s raw digs are more spacious , a place where you could enjoy a complimentary tour and see huge pallets of beautiful Yeti cans while you drink in one on the house . cut through your fingers that the canning wrinkle is mesh when you walk around on the A-one - high catwalks – it ’s just sheer fun to watch . And oh yeah , 16 hydrant are decant from the brewery ’s Barrel Bar , where you ’re indisputable to find a rare beer or two . When the weather ’s nice , sit on the patio , sip on the hibiscus saison Nadia Kali , and inebriate up that strong Denver sun. Beers of note : < /strong > Summery saison Colette , and anything from the hardy Yeti serial are enceinte partners for that Nadia Kali .
< h2 > Detroit , MI : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venues / swallow / detroit / bars / motor - metropolis - brewing- … ; target="_blank”>Motor City Brewing Works
< em > Cass CorridorDetroit ’s reinventing itself as a nutrient and wassail innovator , with brewery and streak pop up nearly as promptly as construction have give out down ( well , mayhap not that promptly ) . One epicenter of that revivification has been the Cass Corridor , where Motor City has been doing its affair since 1994 , surviving everything destiny could throw at the city . It ’s the abode of Detroit ’s favorite session beer , Ghettoblaster , which pairs great with the non - Detroit - flair pizza , but even better with big - ass flights . Go monger ’s pick and hope for the thick Corktown Stout and incendiary Belgian Tripel . wassail those on the roof . Then seize a 15 - pack ( DETROIT ! ) and head out to see all the ways the Cass Corridor has rise from the ashes to become a picture of the D ’s refilling , all while MCBW has remained in tact. Beers of note: Ghettoblaster has the flavor of a big beer with a modest 4/2 % wallop , but that Belgian Tripel has a easy flavor that belies a cruel thrill of 9.2 % .
< h2 > Houston , TX : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / eat / houston / eatery / karbach - brewin … ; target="_blank”>Karbach
< em > Lazybrook / TimergroveLike so many fast - rise brewery , Karbach completed a immense refurbishment in 2015 . Unlike some breweries , they REALLY went for it when it comes to the food for thought – imagine wagyu steak feast with the brewery ’s spent grain and prawn and heirloom grits with laager - spike chili stock . If that all sounds too highfalutin for you , you’re able to just roll with a pretzel and house - made sausage with some beer cheeseflower sauce , or fall out in the more laid - back biergarten , which is also where they staging point for the brewery tours that escape throughout the week. Beers of note: Weisse Versa Wheat is a must for hefeweizen devotee , and Hellfighter purple porter’s beer gets even unspoiled in its drum - aged form .
< h2 > Indianapolis , IN : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / salute / indianapolis / prevention / st - joseph - brewe … ; target="_blank”>St . Joseph
< em > Chatham ArchSt . Joseph is n’t exactly Indy ’s most well - know brewing kit – that award doubtlessly goes to local legend / Hot Pocket hot spot < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / eat / nation / Dominicus - top executive - brewery - adds - food - menu - of … ; target="_blank”>Sun King – but it ’s definitely the most unparalleled . The northeast Indianapolis brewery and bar has only been in operation since 2015 , but the space – a palatial Catholic church dating back to 1873 – has jolly much see it all . St. Joseph transmute the building into a beer - geek sanctuary , gross with a wide deck , a water faucet - run along bar , and a high balcony overlooking the lustrous brewhouse altar . Parishioners will also find a vast array of special edition , seasonal , and pith brews , including a starring card of UK - inspired ales , as well as a full bar and a Brobdingnagian carte du jour of < a href=“http://www.saintjoseph.beer/#!food / c1jo3" ; target="_blank”>elevated pub food . Tuck in your shirts and ready thy liver : mass is now in session. Beers of note: The Golden Maris summertime ale is a loving , smooth - imbibing testimonial to British brewing tradition , and the clean , crisp Cornerstone Kolsch is the save good will of a humid Midwestern Nox .
< h2 > Kansas City , MO : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / avenue - brewing - co-64108" ; target="_blank”>Boulevard
< em > Southwest BoulevardA sojourn to Boulevard is frequently on the to - do list for Kansas City visitor and locals likewise , to the point that people are often turn out from tours or the tap room . Ahem , WERE often turned away , as Boulevard unveiled a huge enlargement in July 2016 that includes a full - on museum - esque visitors ’ center and , above it , 10,000sqft beer hall equip with an outside deck overlook the city . The 24 taps include both classic like Tank 7 and observational excerption , and beyond beer you ’ll find Irish cracker and other beer - well-disposed intellectual nourishment , foosball , and a photo booth pucker inside an old dawdler so you may memorialize all those beer you enjoyed. Beers of note: Do n’t give without try on the aforementioned singularly smelly farmhouse ale Tank 7 , or anything from the Smokestack Series .
< h2 > Las Vegas , NV : Chicago Brewing
< em > WestsideIt ’s a small weird to name a brewery " Chicago " in Las Vegas , but Sin City prides itself on concocting fake versions of famed situation , so it kind of score sense . More importantly , this is the only brewery in this rundown that ’s open 24 hours a day . The brewery sit inside of the legendary Four Queens Casino , a frame-up that enables you to easily take a chance after you ’ve ordered its multi - tiered stein sampler tray . And if you ’re a little short on cash during your Vegas vacation , terminate by for Taco Tuesday , or on a Kick the Keg company day , when a beer wo n’t be more than $ 2 , and it ’s accompany by beer niff and cornhole. beer of note : < /strong > And the Irish bull - theme Hardway IPA , but there ’s just something appropriate about the aptly named blonde ale All Nighter .
< h2 > Los Angeles , CA : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / drink / los - angeles / cake / golden - road - brewi … ; target="_blank”>Golden Road
< em > GlendaleLook , we sometimes dress down LA as behind the times when it fall to craft beer … specially when it ’s the somewhat - dry meat in a sandwich between Sans Diego and Francisco . Truth is , there ’s great stuff . It ’s just … with all that drive , it ’s voiceless to hit more than one in a day . But if it ’s one you hit , make it Golden Road , a place that twin impeccable beer offerings : tropic Heal the Bay IPA and light 329 Lager for hot day , seasonals like the devastating Wolf Mother Triple IPA ( 11.3 % ! ) and Key Lime Saison for … red-hot days when you need to drink like a champ ( it ’s LA , come on ! ) . There are also one - offs . And one of the respectable patios in Glendale . And Jenga . And late - fried avocados . God . perchance we were wrong about LA all along . We ’ll ponder it on our 90 - minute/3 - mile Uber ride back home. Beers of note : < /strong > Along with the above , check out Get Up Offa That Brown , a darker and nuttier offering among the hop - heavy lineup .
< h2 > Memphis , TN : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / drink / memphis / bars / high - cotton - brewing & … ; target="_blank”>High Cotton
< em > DowntownWhile many Memphians might point to universally beloved < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / drink / memphis / bar / wiseacre - brewing" ; target="_blank”>Wiseacre as the obvious tourer option , we ’re inclined to direct visitors over to High Cotton ’s more familiar and set - back brewery and taproom downtown . For one , it ’s right smart more accessible to the average stroller , and for two , it freakin ’ rules . cogitate Mississippi Delta juke joint meet country garage , with loads of reclaimed wood and bare - bones fixtures illume by a dim glow . And the beer ? fondly craft and perfectly potable , including masterful saisons and a smooth ESB . Free tours materialise Saturdays at 3 pm . The patio , well , that happens whenever you want it to. Beers of note: Make like a Belgian farm worker in the Tennessee sunshine and cool off with a citrusy , peppery saison , or geminate your BBQ with the balanced ESB .
< h2 > Miami , FL : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / drink / miami / barroom / concrete - beach" ; target="_blank”>Concrete Beach
< em > WynwoodPut the baby oil down , detritus off your trunks , and direct over to Wynwood , Miami ’s < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / lifestyle / miami / miamis - most - popular - instagram … ; target="_blank”>most ‘ Gram - worthy neighborhood to check out Concrete Beach Brewery . A passionateness labor for Magic Hat founder and longtime craftsmanship old hand Alan Newman , it ’s evolved in two class to become Miami ’s go - to craft destination . tourist and locals rub elbows on the dog - friendly terrace , which wraps around a round , indoor - outdoor bar for ultimate 360 - degree dry pint access . Concrete ’s taproom also provides plentiful views of the impeccable 20 - drum brewhouse , as well as a stage put for performance of all kind . Free public tour hunt down seven daytime a week , and the beers , which range from fruity laager to kettle sour and smooth IPAs , are as amazingly diverse as they are delicious . Seriously , a kumquat Berliner Weisse ? Bienvenido indeed. beer of banknote : < /strong > Start with a biscuity , lemony Stiltsville Pils , then take it up a notch with a soft and tropical Rica Wheat IPA .
< h2 > Milwaukee , WI : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / locale / drink / nation / Browning automatic rifle / lakefront - brewery - inc & … ; target="_blank”>Lakefront
< em > Brewer ’s HillSo you might quibble with the fact that the water prospect from Lakefront ’s laid - back patio is actually a river ( if you ’re , you know , the worst ) , but you will in all likelihood tranquilize down once you have one of their excellent IPAs in hand . Further mollify you will be the food , which is more than just cheese curd and sausage balloon ( though also , both of those thing ! ) , with option like a beer - braise pork flatbread with chimichurri on naan . Tours ( $ 10 ) extend on the hour at - lower limit throughout the week and include a take - home meth , but if you want a singularly Wisconsin experience , settle into their beer hall on a Friday night for a fish Christopher Fry pair with live polka music. Beers of note : < /strong > The IPA made them famous , but the mellower Riverwest Stein is a balanced gold lager that ’ll go well with your encased meats .
< h2 > Minneapolis / St. Paul , MN : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / drink / minneapolis / bar / surly - brewing - comp … ; target="_blank”>Surly
< em > UniversityCalling Surly ’s sprawling beer palace a " taproom " understates it a second – it houses a endowment shop class twice the size of most American taproom , for cry out loudly . Whatever you call it , the primary beer manor hall is easily the < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / eat / minneapolis / thrillist - minneapolis - full - of … ; target="_blank”>best new brewpub in the Twin Cities . Trust us on this : prescribe the chop brisket sandwich and a Furious . If you ’re a fancypants beer lover , you might gravitate towards the upscale Brewer ’s Table restaurant upstairs . The tour ’s actually deserving the $ 5 – it includes four samples and a savor glass . And if you ’re lucky enough to be visiting when it ’s not negative 40 degree and snowing alfresco , a immense patio out back offer cornhole , piece of cake board , green grass to lounge on , and fire pits to mess about nearly with < a href=“http://surlybrewing.com / beer / todd - the - axe - man/" ; target="_blank”>Todd the Axe Man . The beer , not < a href=“http://www.mprnews.org / story/2025-04-07 / dining - with - dara - hops" ; target="_blank”>the guy. Beers of note: The 100 IBU Furious and the caffeinated Coffee Bender are standouts on a roll of unfeignedly olympian beer , which utter volumes .
< h2 > Nashville , TN : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / drink / capital of Tennessee / bar / jackalope - brewing - Colorado … ; target="_blank”>Jackalope
< em > The Gulch<a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / drink / nashville / bar / Yazoo River - brewing - compa … ; target="_blank”>Yazoo might have the hype , but Nashville ’s Jackalope has the pith . The cozy brewery and bar on the border of The Gulch and Pie Town has been quiet crank out some of the South ’s tastiest beers for the last five twelvemonth , sorcerous local palates and growing an impressive national followers despite circumscribed statistical distribution . pearl by on a Friday or Saturday <a href=“http://jackalopebrew.com / tours/" ; target="_blank”>for a tour of the 6,700sqft space , then manoeuver to the sunlight - souse patio or collapse on one of the wiretap room ’s many couch . The bar is attractively equip … remember hipster coffee tree store fulfil hunt auberge but , you know , with lots and lots of beer , from fruity wheat berry beers to fruity picket ( did we mention they care fruit ? ) . Trivia nights , board games , and weekly live music keep folk think of and hey , Jackalope ’s also one of the only breweries in the res publica run by < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / swallow / Carry Nation / female person - brewer - changing - the - craf … ; target="_blank”>two badass ladies , so that ’s pretty cool. beer of note : < /strong > Don’t skip out on the Lovebird , a wheat beer spike with raspberries and strawberries , or the Thunder Ann , a citrusy , juicy picket brewed with apricot and mango .
< h2 > New York , NY : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / booze / new - york / bars / other - half - brewing- … ; target="_blank”>Other Half
< em > Carroll GardensOther Half is n’t the kind of brewery you stumble upon by mistake – it ’s a lawful beer - geek destination , the sort of brewery you seek out like a Orion tracking a prized dollar bill . Tucked under a smoggy stretch of the Brooklyn - Queens Expressway and across the street from a particularly weathered - looking McDonald ’s , the modest production facility has been cranking out some of country ’s finest < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / drink / nation / best - academic term - ipas - session - beer - c … ; target="_blank”>hop - forward brews since 2014 . The boys finished construction on their small but attractively designed taproom not long after their < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / drink / new - york / best - breweries - in - unexampled - york - sta … ; target="_blank”>national buzz began , and it ’s been wall - to - wall packed ever since . tour are offered by date , and you also get a nice scene of the bustling brewhouse while sampling the fleet at the bar . And if you get hungry after , hey , a < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / eat / country / how - to - essentially - get - a - mcdonalds - b … ; target="_blank”>Big Mac is only a filthy stone ’s throw away. Beers of note : < /strong > Anything even remotely hoppy is staring amber , specially the tangerine - hued , pleasantly resinous Hop Showers IPA and the All Green Everything , a 10.5 % Imperial IPA that smell out like that awkward icky and drinks like a beautiful , drunken dream .
< h2 > Philadelphia , PA : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / drink / philadelphia / legal profession / yards - brewing - carbon monoxide … ; target="_blank”>Yards
< em > Northern LibertiesA lot of breweries these days have kid - friendly playrooms that make it seem like a bar checkmate with a daycare . This is not one of those bars … in fact , there ’s an active " no minor " insurance policy on weekends due to " orotund crowds and festive atmosphere . " Translation : it ’s a salutary , raucous clip . bar by between 12 - 4pm on the weekend for a tour , and score two 4 oz samples – not surprisingly , it ’s one of the top places for < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / drink / philadelphia / undecomposed - wine - beer - and - liquor- … ; target="_blank”>free John Barleycorn in the city . The Philly Pale Ale flow like water system , you’re able to bring pool or shuffleboard , and the Yards crew who made and take your beer ( include the owner Tom ) is often hanging out in the taproom . gang also congregate outside on " Yards Beach , " the tiny garden and patio out front . It ’s typically full of round-eyed laugh … but null of children. beer of greenback : < /strong > The top - selling Philadelphia Pale Ale and the GABF medal - advance English balmy Brawler are the moves here , though if the formidable Olde Bartholomew barleywine is around , do n’t pass it up .
< h2 > Phoenix , AZ : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / drink / phoenix / barroom / mother - bunch - brewing & … ; target="_blank”>Mother Bunch
< em > DowntownYou’d be stupid to fall out up on the two - for - one mickle of Phoenix Ale and Sonoran , a duo of big brewery that currently share a taproom ( and 10 + taps ) . Also , because it ’s only 10 minute from the aerodrome , if you need a place to steady your nerves before or after a escape . But Mother Bunch gets the nod not only because it ’s a position to drink top - notch beer ( Cherry Porter , Oatmeal Chocolate Milk Stout on nitro ) – it ’s also an < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / eat / phoenix / the-11 - most - crucial - restaurants … ; target="_blank”>important Phoenix restaurant . So do n’t pass up on pairing its beer with a greenish chili - enhanced 3 Alarm Burger , the PBBLT with pork barrel stomach < em > and bacon , or a corned beef sandwich slow - prepare in the brewery ’s own McBride ’s Irish Red Ale. Beers of government note : < /strong > If it ’s red-hot , go with the tropic Grapefruit Wit , and the crushable Summer Session IPA . If it ’s not , attend around , because you ’re belike not in Phoenix any longer .
< h2 > Pittsburgh , PA : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venues / swallow / pittsburgh / bars / eastward - end - brewing … ; target="_blank”>East End
< em > LarimerLet ’s get the " bad " news out of the way – East oddment ’s tour costs $ 25 ! Before you pop out booing , listen to what ’s included in it : four samples , a guided turn ( duh ) , and a free growler fill up up with its delicious beer ( or $ 15 of merch ) . And once you ’ve done the tour , you ’re free to drink a Big Hop IPA from one of the < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / drink / pittsburgh / best - brewery - in - pittsburgh … ; target="_blank”>Steel City ’s top breweries and attend out in one of the busiest taprooms known to humankind – in August alone , there ’s a woodworking form , ping - niff action , two pub quizzes , a vintage pop - up marketplace , and a verse dark . Roses are cherry-red , reddish blue are racy , East End is great … something something brew. Beers of government note : < /strong > The roasty Black Strap Stout and the flagship Big Hop IPA should be your first and 2nd rounds .
< h2 > Portland , OR : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / locale / drink / nation / bar / cascade - brewing - barrel … ; target="_blank”>Cascade Barrel House
< em > BuckmanWith nearly 80 breweries in the city limits , there is no proper answer here for Portland . But there ’s a correct agency to < em > do thing , and it ’s to set out your journey off at Cascade , one of the land ’s o.k. purveyor of gun barrel - of age sours – from the legendary Kriek to interminable ( and ever - interchange ) Belgian - inspired  ; marvel aged in everything manakin topically source wine gun barrel to oaky tequila vessels ( oh , and they have IPAs and stuff for the rest of you ) The day to go ? Tap It Tuesday , when they straight malleus - tap a keg , likely of something rare you ’ll never have again . It ’s a singular experience for citizenry who love rarified beer . More importantly , it ’s within walk distance of < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / locale / drink / portland / bar / upright - brewing" ; target="_blank”>Upright , < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / drinking / portland / bar / burnside - brewing - co- … ; target="_blank”>Burnside , Green Dragon , < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / bars / portland / or/97214 / se - portland / infrastructure - camp- … ; target="_blank”>Base Camp, < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / locale / potable / portland / bar / hair - of - the - dog - brewage … ; target="_blank”>Hair of the Dog , and other Portland linchpin . Consider this the go - to starting point for a perfect Portland brewery experience. Beers of note: Taps change constantly , but treat yourself to house - only bottles like the 2013 take on the celebrated Kriek , or the brain - blowing sour / blond blend Figaro … bottle of which have been aging in the brewery since 2012 .
< h2 > Sacramento , CA : Oak Park
< em > Oak ParkSacramento is kind of the opposite of what you see when you close your optic and think “ California , ” what with the non - palm trees and non - bronzed material body . But there is a burgeoning beer scene blot out out … and the best of the bunch is Oak Park . The big - buns Neck Thumper Russian Stout and Joyland Imperial Red – both meaty and time in at 9 % and 8.5 % , respectively – are grounds enough to confab this brick - ladened , hick touch , which also shake one of the metropolis ’s best patios . But smaller beers like the delicately balanced and funky Steamphunk saison and other Belgian - urge ales show the brewery ’s true hope . For one of California ’s most overlook tube field , Sacramento ’s pulling out some beers that would give the boastful cities pause. Beers of note : < /strong > In addition to the above , essay out the Brimstone , a unattackable Belgian golden carbonate to the consistence of champagne .
< h2 > San Antonio , TX : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / alamo - beer - company-78202" ; target="_blank”>Alamo Beer Co.
< em > EastsideFun fact : Alamo Beer was founded by a dude from Santa Ana , CA , but has no relation to General López De Santa Anna , who we learned of from history / Pee - wee Herman has something of a connectedness to San Antonio . But whatever . This is about beer , which floweth from a gigantic readiness with a gorgeously manicure beer garden that would look just fine outside a museum , but seem even well when it ’s a place where you’re able to gaze on the apparent horizon – and the wondrous , monumental brewery lighting up that apparent horizon – while subsisting on the joint ’s lager , Pilsener , and wan . Really , that ’s all you need , and that ’s what they do . This is n’t some place that barrel - ages a bunch of stuff . You need a basement for that shit anyway. Beers of note : < /strong > What you see above is what you get . And you should get them all .
< h2 > San Diego , CA : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / locus / drink / san - diego / bar / green - flash - brewing … ; target="_blank”>Green Flash
< em > Sorrento ValleyIf we ’re speak San Diego metropolis limits here – which disqualifies the monstrously epic < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / locus / drink / san - diego / bar / stone - brewing - world … ; target="_blank”>Stone Brewing World Bistro & amp ; Gardens – Green Flash in spades takes the must - visit brewery cake . The SoCal IPA title-holder not only run a twosome dissimilar < a href=“http://www.greenflashbrew.com / visit / green - flash - san - diego / degustation - elbow room & … ; target="_blank”>tasting rooms around the city , they also offer a free bird bus between < a href=“http://www.greenflashbrew.com / visit / shuttle/" ; target="_blank”>all San Diego locations . part at the output brewery on Mira Mesa , where you may hop on a 60 second public tour and taste ( Tuesday - Sunday … <a href=“http://www.greenflashbrew.com / visit / fleeceable - flash - san - diego / brewery - tour … ; target="_blank " > Quran ahead of time ) then scope out a sunny corner of the lush , 4,000sqft tap room and beer garden and shivering on one of GF ’s 30 improbably fresh , house - brew draught . Grab a insect bite from < a href=“http://www.greenflashbrew.com / visit / greenish - flash - san - diego / food - menus/&q … ; target="_blank”>Green Flash Gastro truck , and if you ’ve got the time , do n’t sleep on < a href=“http://www.greenflashbrew.com / events / class / green - flash - san - diego - bre … ; target="_blank”>GF ’s event calendar , a rattling mix of happenings include triviality , seminar , picture screenings , yoga , and pile of beer fests. Beers of note: The West Coast IPA is a dank , citric Cali classic , but for something a tiny routine light , go with a juicy Soul Style IPA and rag the Mangifera indica , tangerine tree , and peach undulation .
< h2 > San Francisco , CA : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / drink / san - francisco / bars / linchpin - brewing … ; target="_blank”>Anchor
< em > Potrero HillIf you find yourself roll around the Bay desperately searching for a seemly brewery , you ’re a damn fool . They ’re literally everywhere – the real issue is narrow it down to one . Why not get down with the place that start it all : Anchor Brewing , the fable behind Anchor Steam , among many other top notch brands . When a young Fritz Maytag ( yes , heir to the washing machine chance ) purchased the struggling brewery in 1965 , he had no melodic theme his particular minor - concern example would spark a revolution . And yet over 50 years and some 4,000 craft breweries later , here we are . Daily in - deepness go of Anchor ’s gorgeous Potrero Hill quickness span a full minute and a half , cost $ 20 , and < a href=“http://www.anchorbrewing.com / brewery / tours#id = public - tour - and - savoring - s … ; target="_blank”>can be booked online up to three months in advance ( they no longer allow walk - in ) . And of course of instruction , the whole matter concludes with a draw tasting , so be sure to derive thirsty . Got an spare time of day on your hands ? snaffle a $ 35 tour and smack at Anchor ’s sister company , < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / drinking / nation / best - craft - brewery - distillery - hy … ; target="_blank”>Anchor Distilling and keep the good hard liquor flowing. Beers of billet : < /strong > taste a Steam from the root is a must here . If it ai n’t broke , right ? And Anchor ’s more recent additions – the beach - quick California Lager and clean , piney Go West IPA – are also well deserving a taste .
< h2 > Seattle , WA : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / pike - brewing - company-98101" ; target="_blank”>Pike Brewing
< em > DowntownSeattleites will tell you to stay away from Pike Place Market , and instead go to myriad other great breweries that call this citadel of craft home base . They ’re half right . Seattle ’s brewery are great . We ’re fond to < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / locus / drink / seattle / bar / John C. Fremont - brewing - compa … ; target="_blank”>Fremont and < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / boozing / seattle / bar / populuxe - brewing" ; target="_blank”>Populuxe . But if you ’re visiting , you ’re gon na go watch out the Pisces the Fishes get tossed . And if you love beer , you ’re in secret using that as an alibi to get a pint of Kilt Lifter or the beastly fruity Monk ’s Uncle tripel or umber - spiked XXXXX Stout at Pike . You ’re gon na sit in the crowded brewpub after nearly getting stampede on the stairs . And you ’re gon na love it , because you ’re in one of Seattle ’s original craft brewery . Plus , those fish are really exciting after you ’ve had a few , and beer makes climb up the hills to the hipper breweries more fun. Beers of note: That legendary , smoky Scotch Kilt Lifter gets even more complex ( and Scotchy ) in its barrel - aged interlingual rendition , and the Alba IPA , at 4.2 % , is a redoubtable seance on the rare gay day .
< h2 > St. Louis , MO : Schlafly
< em > DowntownThose with geekier proclivities might cry out for Perennial ( and to be sure that ’s a fine choice ) , but centrally located Schlafly gets the nod here , having been a fastness downtown since opening as the OG of St. Louis ’ craftiness beer scene in 1991 . pluck into some pale ale bread with blue cream cheeseflower or nab one of their five kinds of moules frites while you make your way through a beer flying , then wind down with some pool , some darts , or some live music ( Thursdays through Sundays ) . Tours ( free ) are first - total first - serve on Sundays , and you want to be in the first - come category , because they give a good one. Beers of note : < /strong > They make a one and only Pumpkin Ale if you ’re there in fall , and a bluff triple - hopped American IPA if you ’re not .
< h2 > Tampa Bay / St. Petersburg , FL : Cigar City
< em > WestshoreGranted , Cigar City ’s become so thoroughly identified with Tampa in beer circle that you may now delight some at their airport location , but you ’d be derelict not to make a pilgrim’s journey to the original brewery . Why ? Aside from the delight of go through a fresh Jai Alai decent from the source , the roomy , refreshingly laid - back taproom has plenty of specialty offer like a Watermelon Habanero IPA on cask and – well this could go on a while , they try out a ton . Tours ( $ 8) run fairly on a regular basis Wednesday - Sunday and come with plenty of samples and a take - abode glass , though you should also make certain to take home a cigar , hand - rolled on - site. Beers of note: Jai Alai is an incredible IPA , Big Sound is a rich , malty Scotch ale … all of them , really .
< h2 > Washington , DC : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / drinkable / washington - dc / bar/3 - stars - brewing- … ; target="_blank”>3 Stars
< em > Takoma ParkFor a while now , DC residents have been flock to 3 genius to get their hand on advanced brews like their much - lionise peppercorn saison , but the taste facilities unfortunately left some thing to be desired … like A / coulomb , which you very much need in DC . fortuitously , in late 2015 they rolled out their Urban Farmhouse , a pine - laden repair for up to 100 beer drinker to get their local beer on in temperature - controlled seventh heaven . you may also explore vending political machine loaded up with DC - made snack , and on Saturdays they ’ll have a food hand truck in the mix ( that ’s also the day they offer barren tours ) . You ’ve mystify ta admire a place for thinking of the beer first . But now that 3 Stars has a great place to drink it , well , it ’s a destination. beer of note : < /strong > away from that saison , reach for Ghost , an easily - drink Belgian IPA .
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Thrillist administrator editorMatt Lynchand aged editorAndy Kryzacontributed to this story .