The 10 Breweries Every Craft Beer Fan Should Visit Once

If you didn’t know it already, the craft beer world has exploded in the last few decades. At last count, there were more than 9,000 breweries (micro and macro) currently operating in the U.S. To put this into perspective, there were only a little over 1,700 breweries in 2010. That’s a major increase in IPAs, pilsners, pale ales, sours, and stouts.

The oversaturation of brewing in the U.S. means two things: For one, there are a lot more options than there used to be; secondly, there are a great many breweries that simply aren’t worth your time. That said, a select few breweries belong on your must-visit list.

These can’t-miss breweries can be found all over the country, from coast to beer-filled coast. Below, you’ll find 10 of the best breweries not only for outstanding sour beers, IPAs, and lagers, but also for overall ambiance, brewery tours, and mouthwatering food options. Keep scrolling to see them all.

Great Notion Brewing, which opened in 2016, is an award-winning brewery known for its mix of classic IPAs, hazy IPAs, sour beers, stouts, and more. While it has many locations, your best bet is to visit the original Portland, Oregon (Alberta Street) brewery if you want to get the full experience. There, you’ll find a taproom, an outdoor beer garden, and its first brewhouse. Grab a taco from Matt’s BBQ Tacos (located inside the brewery) and wash it down with a Mosca (a 5% ABV Mexican-style lager).

If you prefer New England–style IPAs to the piney West Coast version, you will want to take a trip to The Alchemist. This is because, in 2004, brewer John Kimmich created the first hazy IPA when he brewed the now iconic Heady Topper. Stop by and visit the massive taproom, enjoy a beer in the outdoor beer garden, or take a brewery tour. While you’re there, visit the Beer Café and (after you enjoy a hand-pulled Heady Topper) try a pint of Kiss of Dank, a 5.2% ABV American IPA brewed with Citra, Summit, and Columbus hops.

If you have plans to visit North Dakota anytime soon, you better take a trip to Drekker Brewing Company in Fargo. Their motto is “Let’s Get Weird,” so you have an idea of what you’re in for when you step through the door. Opened in 2014, the brewery is located in what they call “Brewhalla.” There, you’ll not only find the brewery and a massive taproom but restaurants and various shops as well. After you realize that you’re in a beer-lover’s dreamland, grab a pint of Pillagers, a 5.2% ABV porter known for its mix of roasted malt, chocolate, and coffee flavors.

You might not think that there’s anything in Iowa besides corn and a few smaller cities, but you’d be wrong. One of the best breweries in America is located in Decorah, Iowa. Stop into the brewery and visit the taproom to grab to-go beers, a ton of beers on tap, and a delicious menu including cheese curds, pizza, chicken wings, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and more. Wash all that food down with a Double Dry Hop King Sue. This 7.8% ABV hazy double IPA is known for its juicy, hoppy, tropical fruit flavors.

If you only visit one brewery on this list, make it Russian River Brewing Company. Opened in 1997, the brewery was originally owned by Korbel. The sparkling wine brand eventually got out of the beer business and transferred the brewery to head brewer Vinnie Cilurzo. In the decades since it’s become one of the most well-known and respected breweries in the world. Stop by the Santa Rosa brewery to visit the taproom and try one of its award-winning beers like its 6.5% West Coast IPA Blind Pig or schedule a tour of the facilities.

Treehouse Brewing is another brand that has become so popular in the last few years that it now has multiple locations. If you want to get the most out of your visit, you’ll head directly to the original Charlton, Massachusetts, location. You can stop by and order beer to go, visit one of its flagship tap rooms to enjoy a pint or two, or sit outside and enjoy the beautiful end-of-summer/early-fall weather with a pint in hand. If you’re lucky, there might even be a food truck or two there during your trip.

If you’re an IPA fan, you might want to take a trip to San Diego and visit one of the countless iconic breweries located there. But if you’re only going to travel to one, you can do much worse than Pure Project Brewing. Opened in 2016, the brand is all about giving back to the community, brewing with the seasons, and creating a sustainable environment. Stop by its North Park location, where you’ll find a 7,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor space featuring 20 beers on tap as well as picnic tables, rockers, and swings. Enjoy any of these seats while you sip a 5.3% ABV unfiltered Rain pilsner.

New York City is home to many well-known, award-winning breweries. But if you don’t branch out and stop by any breweries outside the city, you’re missing out. One of the best breweries in the state, Equilibrium Brewery, is located in Middletown. If you visit Equilibrium Brewery’s Taproom, Beer Garden, and Bonfire Restaurant, you’ll be treated to bottles, 22 draft lines, and even two nitro lines. Food includes wings, poutine, brisket sandwiches, burgers, salads, and more. Don’t leave without trying a 6.5% Wavelength IPA or a 6.5% ABV Tie-Dye Science hazy IPA.

With a name like Prairie Artisan Ales, you better believe this isn’t a brewery located in a big city like New York or Chicago. This popular brewery is located in McAlester, Oklahoma, but it’s only a production facility that doesn’t allow tourists. The brewery does have a massive location in Oklahoma City that is a must-visit. The facility has a 3.5-barrel brewhouse and the brewers release two to four new beers every week. Stop by the taproom for a huge beer list that includes pilsners, IPAs, sour beers, and more. If you find yourself in OKC anytime soon, stop in and try one of its award-winning beers including ’Merica Ya’ll, a 6% ABV hazy IPA featuring Nelson Sauvin hops.

Maine is referred to as “Vacationland” for a reason. From hiking in Acadia to visiting the quaint towns, and touring the cities Stephen King has mentioned in his books, Maine is a great state for a holiday. If you’re already there to try to find Castlerock or Derry (spoiler alert: they aren’t real cities), take a trip to Freeport to visit the award-winning Maine Beer Company. To say that its onsite tasting room is enormous is a massive understatement. Stroll in and grab a refreshing, crisp Peeper pale ale and pair it with charcuterie, a salad, or a wood-fired pizza.