California is a mecca for craft beer enthusiasts, boasting over 1,000 breweries, including some of the best craft breweries in the world. From legendary pioneers to innovative newcomers, the state’s breweries offer a wide range of styles, flavors, and experiences. Here’s our list 10 of the best breweries in California. They’ve been chosen for their outstanding beers, impact on the industry, and unique qualities.
Russian River Brewing Company (Santa Rosa & Windsor)
Famous Beers: Pliny the Elder (Double IPA that made our list of the top beers of 2024), Pliny the Younger (Triple IPA)
Why You Should Go: Russian River is a craft beer icon, known for pushing the boundaries of hoppy beers and pioneering barrel-aged sours. Their annual Pliny the Younger release attracts beer fans from across the country. Their Windsor location is a massive production facility with a beautiful beer garden, while the original Santa Rosa pub retains its cozy charm.
Website: https://www.russianriverbrewing.com/
Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, Buellton, Venice)
Famous Beers: Parabola (Barrel-Aged Stout), Union Jack (West Coast IPA), 805 (Blonde Ale)
Why You Should Go: Firestone Walker has mastered the balance between innovation and drinkability. Their barrel-aged program is one of the best in the world, producing complex, sought after stouts. The Barrelworks location in Buellton is dedicated to wild ales and sours, making it a great spot for adventurous drinkers. They also collaborate with local winemakers to create unique barrel-aged blends, blending beer and wine traditions.
Website: https://www.firestonewalker.com/
The Bruery (Placentia & Anaheim)
Famous Beers: Black Tuesday (Imperial Stout), Oude Tart (Flemish Red), Mischief (Belgian-Style Golden Ale)
Why You Should Go: The Bruery specializes in experimental, high ABV, and barrel-aged beers, often with unusual ingredients. They have one of the most unique membership clubs, giving fans access to exclusive, small batch releases. Their emphasis on Belgian and barrel-aged beers sets them apart in a state dominated by hop-forward styles.
Website: https://www.thebruery.com/
Monkish Brewing Co. (Torrance & Anaheim)
Famous Beers: Foggiest Window (Hazy IPA), Never Sleep (Triple IPA), Feminist (Belgian Tripel)
Why You Should Go: Once focused on Belgian-style ales, Monkish pivoted to hazy IPAs and quickly became one of the best in the country. Their hop-forward releases sell out instantly, often requiring online lotteries or long lines at the taproom. They don’t distribute widely, making their IPAs some of the most sought after in the beer world.
Website: https://www.monkishbrewing.com/
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Chico & Mills River, NC)
Famous Beers: Pale Ale, Hazy Little Thing (Hazy IPA), Bigfoot (Barleywine)
Why You Should Go: One of the pioneers of craft beer, Sierra Nevada put West Coast pale ales on the map. Their commitment to sustainability and quality has kept them relevant for decades. Their Chico facility is one of the most eco-friendly breweries in the world, using solar power, hydrogen fuel cells, water recycling, and zero-waste practices.
Website: https://sierranevada.com/
Green Cheek Beer Co. (Orange, Costa Mesa, Sunset Beach)
Famous Beers: West Coast IPAs, Hazy IPAs, Crisp Lagers
Why you Should Go: Founded by former Noble Ale Works brewer Evan Price, Green Cheek quickly became a top spot for fresh, innovative, and perfectly executed hoppy beers. Their taproom offerings are always changing, with fun, playful names that reflect their lighthearted approach to brewing.
Website: https://greencheekbeer.com/
Beachwood Brewing (Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach)
Famous Beers: Amalgamator (West Coast IPA), Citraholic (Hoppy Pale Ale), Barrel-Aged Stouts
Why You Should Go: Beachwood combines world class BBQ with award winning beers. They are known for their precise, hop-forward West Coast IPAs and a killer selection of barrel-aged offerings. They operate their own hop farm, giving them extra control over the flavors in their beers.
Website: https://beachwoodbrewing.com/
Humble Sea Brewing Co. (Santa Cruz, Pacifica, Felton)
Famous Beers: Foggy IPAs, Tart Ales, Crisp Pilsners
Why You Should Go: Humble Sea has made a name for itself with its “Foggy” IPAs, which are New England-style hazy beers with a softer mouthfeel and big tropical flavors. Their branding is quirky and fun, featuring a nautical theme with a heavy dose of humor.
Website: https://humblesea.com/
Cellarmaker Brewing Co. (San Francisco, Berkely & Oakland)
Famous Beers: Tiny Dankster (Hazy Pale Ale), Coffee & Cigarettes (Smoked Porter), Batch 1000 (Triple IPA)
Why You Should Go: One of the best small scale breweries in the state, Cellarmaker focuses on limited batch releases of exceptionally crafted hoppy beers and stouts. Their hop selection and experimental brewing methods lead to some of the most flavorful and aromatic IPAs around. Cellarmaker often collaborates with other breweries, creating limited edition beers that are highly sought after.
Website: https://cellarmakerbrewing.com/
Stone Brewing (Escondido, San Diego, Pasadena, and others)
Famous Beers: Stone IPA, Arrogant Bastard Ale, Enjoy By IPA (limited releases)
Why You Should Go: Stone is synonymous with bold, hop-forward beers and a rebellious spirit. Their Arrogant Bastard Ale is a hallmark of the “extreme beer” movement. Stone’s Escondido location features a stunning garden and bistro, making it a destination for beer and food lovers alike.
Website: https://www.stonebrewing.com/
Final Thoughts
California’s craft beer scene is massive, but these 10 breweries consistently produce outstanding beers, innovate within the industry, and offer unique experiences. Regardless of your favorite beer styles, all of the breweries on this list are worth seeking out. Narrowing the field down to just 10 was no easy task. Let us know if you believe your favorite California brewery should’ve been included.
Which of these breweries have you been to? What’s your favorite California beer? Who didn’t make the list that should’ve? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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