The craft beer revolution has taken the United States by storm, and there’s no shortage of cities where this movement has truly flourished. Whether you're a casual beer drinker or a hardcore hophead, certain cities stand out as must-visit destinations for their vibrant brewery scenes. At Brewfits, we love celebrating these beer-centric cities, and today we're taking you on a tour of the best spots in the U.S. for brewery lovers.
Portland, Oregon: The Craft Beer Capital
Portland is often hailed as the craft beer capital of the United States, and for good reason. With more than 70 breweries within city limits, Portland offers a staggering variety of beer styles and brewery experiences. Whether you’re into funky sours, hop-forward IPAs, or rich stouts, Portland has a brewery that will make your taste buds dance.
Featured Breweries: Upright Brewing, Steeplejack Brewing Company
Denver, Colorado: Mile High Brews
Denver, home to the Great American Beer Festival, is another top destination for craft beer enthusiasts. The city boasts a thriving brewery scene, with over 100 breweries in the metro area. Denver's breweries are known for their innovation, with many experimenting with unique ingredients and brewing techniques.
Featured Breweries: Call to Arms Brewing, Our Mutual Friend Brewing
Asheville, North Carolina: A Craft Beer Haven
Asheville might be a smaller city, but it punches well above its weight in the craft beer world. With the highest number of breweries per capita in the U.S., Asheville is a paradise for beer lovers. The city's breweries are known for their creativity and commitment to quality, making it a must-visit destination for anyone serious about craft beer.
Featured Breweries: Burial Beer Co., Hi-Wire Brewing
San Diego, California: West Coast IPA Wonderland
San Diego is synonymous with the West Coast IPA, a style that has come to define the city's beer scene. With its perfect weather and laid-back vibe, San Diego is home to some of the most well-known breweries in the country. Whether you're sipping a crisp IPA at a beachfront brewery or exploring a more experimental brewpub, San Diego is a beer lover's dream.
Featured Breweries: Mission Brewery, Half Door Brewing Co.
Chicago, Illinois: The Windy City Brews
Chicago's craft beer scene is as robust and dynamic as the city itself. With an emphasis on diversity and innovation, the city features a wide range of breweries that offer everything from barrel-aged stouts to crisp lagers. Chicago's craft breweries like to push the envelope, whether it's through creative flavor combinations or revitalizing historic styles with modern twists.
Featured Breweries: Dovetail Brewery, Hopewell Brewing
Portland, Maine: New England’s Craft Corner
Portland, Maine, may be small, but its impact on the craft beer scene is mighty. Known for its New England IPAs, this coastal city boasts numerous breweries that focus on complex and flavor-packed beers. The community here is deeply interconnected, with local breweries often collaborating to create unique offerings that highlight regional ingredients.
Featured Breweries: Shipyard Brewing Company, Goodfire Brewing Co.
Boston, Massachusetts: Revolutionary Brews
Boston’s rich history is mirrored in its brewing. The city not only hosts a range of historic breweries that have been influential in the American beer scene but also newer craft breweries that continue to innovate. From traditional Irish stouts to avant-garde sours, Boston's breweries offer a depth of history and innovation that is unparalleled.
Featured Breweries: Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall, Trillium Brewing Company
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Beer City, USA
Often referred to as "Beer City, USA," Grand Rapids offers an exceptional mix of craft beer variety and quality. The city's breweries excel in both traditional and experimental styles, contributing to a vibrant local beer culture that encourages both competition and collaboration. Grand Rapids is not only a haven for craft beer aficionados but also a community where brewers support and elevate each other in the spirit of innovation.
Featured Breweries: Vivant Brewery + Spirits, City Built Brewing Company
Underrated Craft Beer Cities to Keep an Eye On
As the craft beer scene continues to flourish across the United States, several lesser-known cities are making significant strides and promise to become key players in the near future. Here are three underrated cities to keep an eye on, each bringing its unique flair and burgeoning craft beer culture:
- Tucson, Arizona: Known for its vibrant and innovative scene, Tucson's brewers incorporate local desert ingredients like prickly pear and mesquite, crafting beers that truly reflect their regional heritage.
- Boise, Idaho: Emerging as a craft beer powerhouse in the Pacific Northwest, Boise benefits from proximity to premier hop farms, producing fresh, hop-forward beers that highlight local sourcing and sustainability.
- Baltimore, Maryland: With a rich brewing history, Baltimore's modern craft scene blends historical influences with bold new flavors. The city's diverse neighborhoods host breweries that range from sour beer specialists to robust stout makers, signaling a brewing renaissance in Charm City.
These cities are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the incredible craft beer experiences available across the United States. So, grab your travel bag, plan your next beer adventure, and explore the best that the American craft beer scene has to offer. Also, check out what’s On Tap to see featured Brewfits breweries every month.
