Great Craft Beer Places to Celebrate in USA

The craft beer scene in the United States continues to rapidly grow. NPR reportsĀ over 5,300 US breweries currently exist and over 5,200 of them are craft beer places (in 2012 there were only 2,000 breweries).

This article lists some great craft beer places around the United States. I include only one per state and some travel writer friends also provided suggestions. These are merely suggestions, a starting point, and I encourage you to explore the craft beer scene and let me know what you discover and like.

great craft beer places in USA. Article by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
Great Craft Beer Places in the United States

Great Craft Beer Places to Celebrate in USA

Virginia – Crooked Run Brewing

Since I live in Virginia it was difficult to choose only one craft brewery. I love craft beer places with magnificent views, great beer (of course), fun people, or inspiring stories. The most uniqueā€”yes, I am going with uniqueā€”selection of beers I have found is brewed at Crooked Run Brewing in gorgeous Loudoun County.

great craft beer places in USA. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
great craft beer: Crooked Run Brewing, Leesburg, Virginia. Photo credit: FuninFairfaxVA.com

While sipping the Cherry Cayenne blend (yummy) I asked the brewmaster how many unsuccessful batches he has produced. He said 1 out of over 150 was just too weird to serve to the public. Love the creativity and pushing of boundaries here.

Crooked Run Brewing: 205 Harrison Street Street SE, Leesburg, VA | website |Ā Facebook | TwitterĀ | Instagram

New York – Grist Iron

OK, for this craft beer place I AM selecting a gorgeous view. Grist Iron overlooks Seneca Lake (in the Finger Lakes area of New York state). The modern brewery building has a lot of patio space to enjoy the views along with comfortable indoor space to enjoy the vibe. They serve great food and the property also has a magnificent lodge to stay in.

great craft beer places in USA. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
USA craft beer: Grist Iron Brewing, Finger Lakes, New York

Grist Iron Brewing: 4880 Route 414, Burdett, NY | website |Ā Facebook | TwitterĀ | Instagram

Oregon – Pelican Brewing

Perhaps their slogan of #BornAtTheBeach attracted me. Their beer tap handles most definitely appeal to me.Ā Pelican Brewing is a convenientĀ day trip from Tualatin Valley for a pint of excellent Oregon craft beer a short stroll from Haystack Rock.

great craft beer places in USA. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
USA craft beer: Pelican Brewing, Cannon Beach, Oregon

They also serve great food; try the clam chowder, fish & chips, salmon, and clams.

Pelican Brewing: 1371 S. Hemlock Street, Cannon Beach, OR | website |Ā Facebook | TwitterĀ | Instagram

Colorado – Grist Brewing

Grist Brewing is run by a few science geeks. Nothing wrong with that, since most brewmasters are amateur chemists. At Grist, though, they are proud to flaunt that they combine science and creativity. The Grist Brewing nerds create small batch experiments so you should visit often.

great craft beer places in USA. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
craft beer in USA: Grist Brewing, Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Grist Brewing Company: 9150 Commerce Center Circle Suite 300, Highlands Ranch, CO | Facebook | Twitter

Florida – Florida Keys Brewing Co.

20 exciting beers are always on tap at the Florida Key’s first production craft brewery. Iguana Bait is their flagship beer, a tasty refreshing Kƶlsch with honey and hibiscus. The flavorings (mango, passionfruit, etc.) are actual fruit (not extracts) sourced from local farms.

Florida Keys Brewing Company in Islamorada

For more information see our article about Florida Keys Brewing Company in Islamorada.

Louisiana – Crying Eagle

The brewing passion project that is Crying Eagle in Lake Charles launched after extensive research; that is, visiting countless brews around the US. In other words, these guys did not take the traditional path from home brewers to opening up shop in a warehouse.

great craft beer places in USA. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
great USA craft beer: Crying Eagle Brewing, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Amazing craft beer was their goal from day one and they have a magnificent facility for their product line, which complements (not overpowers) the spectacular southwest Louisiana food.

Crying Eagle Brewing: 1165 E. McNeese Street Street SE, Lake Charles, LA | website |Ā Facebook | TwitterĀ | Instagram

Alabama – Big Beach

Summertime lasts a little longer at Alabama’s beaches than most of the USA and the living is always easy. Alabama’s southernmost brewery brews a variety of beers and correlates them to popular mass produced beers. For instance, they will tell you, if you like the big brewer’s ABC, then try Big Beach’s XYZ. Nothing complicated here, just relaxed refreshments among friends (old and new).

great craft beer places in USA. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
USA craft beer: Big Beach Brewing, Gulf Shores, Alabama

Big Beach Brewing: 300 E. 24th Avenue, Gulf Shores, AL | websiteĀ | TwitterĀ | Instagram

Pennsylvania – Aldus

Aldus is named for the 14th century genius from Venice, Italy who invented the italic font but also first produced books for the masses. The latter is the passion of this brewer who wants to take the fear out of craft beer and create craft beer thats easy to drink.

Plus Aldus Brewing occupies the original Snyder’s Pretzel factory so that is very cool.

Also see Places to Eat in Gettysburg

great craft beer places in USA. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
great US craft beer: Aldus Brewing, Hanover, Pennsylvania

Aldus Brewing: 555 Centennial Avenue, Hanover, PA Ā |Ā Facebook

Delaware – Crooked Hammock

In the shadow of the big fish, Crooked Hammock is a family-friendly, fun place to get your beer groove on. Enjoy the plentiful outside space, games and activities, live music, and, yes, hammocks. The brewed on site beer compliments the scrumptious food (mmmm, pulled pork sandwich!) or makes a splash on its own.

great craft beer places in USA. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
craft beer in US: Crooked Hammock Brewery, Lewes, Delaware

Crooked Run Brewing: 36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes, DE | website |Ā Facebook | TwitterĀ | Instagram

See more Places to Eat in Delaware

Hawaii – Kona Brewing

Kona Brewing is probably the largest craft brewer on this list. While buying a six pack of liquid Aloha from my local grocery store in Northern Virginia is fun, visiting the real place in Kona is so much better. Mahalo!

See alsoĀ 8 Great Reasons to Stay at Kona Beach Hotel

great craft beer places in USA. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
US craft beer: Kona Brewing, Hawaii.

Kona Brewing: 74-5612 Pawai Place, Kailua Kona, HI | website |Ā Facebook | TwitterĀ | Instagram

Maine – Sea Dog Brewing

Sea Dog might be the oldest craft brewery on this listā€”founded in 1993ā€”and has locations in three states. I am a long-time fan of their Wild Blueberry beer. It is perfect with fresh steamed lobster and while onĀ a Maine Windjammer Cruise.

great craft beer places in USA. Article by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
great US craft beer: Sea Dog Brewing, Maine. Photo by FuninFairfaxVA.com.

Also try the Sea Dog location on Treasure Island, Florida, part of St Pete Beach. It is one of our favorite Florida Breweries.

Sea Dog Brewing: 26 Front Door, Bangor, ME | website |Ā Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

See some of our favorite US Gulf Coast craft breweries: Mississippi Gulf Coast craft beer and Beaumont TX craft beer.


Suggestions of other great craft beer places from some travel writer friends:

North Carolina – Fullsteam Brewery

I canā€™t mention craft beer in the Research Triangle (my home) without mentioning Fullsteam. The owner Sean Lilly Wilson is a big deal in the craft beer world, considering he was a big factor behind the ā€œPop the Cap NCā€ movement that led to the stateā€™s removal of the six percent alcohol level cap in 2005. By the way, Fullsteam makes some wonderful beer (Rocket Science is my favorite and supposedly Wilsonā€™s, too) and serves flights in the most fitting container Iā€™ve seen.

See also Things to Do in Durham North Carolina

great craft beer places in USA. Article by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
Fullstream Brewery, Durham, NC. Photo by TravelThroughLife.net.

Fullsteam Brewery: 726 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham, NC | website |Ā Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Suggested by Carl Hedinger |Ā TravelThroughLife.net | Facebook |Ā TwitterĀ |Ā Instagram

Illinois – Dovetail Brewery

We love German beer and Dovetail Brewery gets as close as weā€™ve ever had this side of the Atlantic. These brewers have such respect for the traditional brewery methods that they shipped a copper beer kettle from a 1000-year-old brewery in Germany to Chicago to brew their beer. The water they use is carefully filtered and formulated to replicate German water. Itā€™s also individually formulated for each beer. To say they take their brewing seriously is a huge understatement.

great craft beer places in USA. Article by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
Dovetail Brewery, Chicago, Illinois. Photo byĀ FoodTravelist.com.

Dovetail Brewery: 18 W. Belle Plaine Avenue, Chicago, IL | website |Ā Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Suggested by Sue Reddel |Ā FoodTravelist.com | Facebook |Ā TwitterĀ |Ā Instagram

Massachusetts –Ā Brew Practitioners

Brew Practitioners in Western MassachusettsĀ is a unique experience in every way. Step into this converted auto repair garage, and youā€™ll be struck be the fun design. Taste their beers and you will realize that they have a true passion for brewing. Their mega flight is a beer lovers delight, with generous portions and multiple varieties ranging from special IPAs to smooth stouts. Each is amazing in its own way.

great craft beer places in USA. Article by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
Beer Practitioner, Florence, Massachusetts. Photo by RoarLoud.net.

Brew Practitioners: 36 Main Street, Florence, MA | website |Ā Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Suggested by Frank Parrott | NothingButNewEngland.com| Facebook |Ā TwitterĀ |Ā Instagram

As you road trip around the USA, make sure you spend a little time at some of the amazing and creative great craft beer places.

Do you have any otherĀ great craft beer places to recommend?

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37 thoughts on “Great Craft Beer Places to Celebrate in USA”

  1. America used to produce piss water, but now with the craft beer scene booming, it has some of the best brews anywhere! My favorite brewery is in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a great beer city. Glad to see some of the staff available in… Paris. Even if I have to pay 6ā‚¬ for a small bottle. #nostalgia

  2. It’s amazing how creative these brewers are (like the Pelican Dirty Bird). I can see why craft beer is so popular!

  3. So much beer, so little time to drink it. I’m just back from Mammoth Lakes in California and discovered a few more places to add to the master list.

  4. Charles, you’re going to have to get to Minnesota one of these days. Craft breweries are springing up all over here, including two within walking distance of my home. Lucky me.

  5. We haven’t visited many craft breweries, but your photos sure make the idea enticing. Our style is more for wineries and distilleries, although now we will have to start watching for great craft beer places.

  6. It’s amazing how many craft breweries are popping up all over the country. I think that may be one of the fastest growing industries!

  7. Yes, a good starting point for brew discoveries in each of these states! I’m amazed I’m still finding new places right here in my hometown.

  8. Nice to see a few from New England on your list! Vermont is my go-to for great craft beer, but Maine and Mass have some amazing spots also. Looking forward to checking out your suggestions! šŸ™‚

  9. Have never tried Pelican Brewing, but I would love to, as I’m gaga over pelicans! Tried the Orange Blossom Beer while in AZ last week and loved it.

  10. I love beer! I’ve been to Pelican Brewing in Oregon, and have added Kona Brewing to my list from your list so that I can check it out next time I’m on that island.

  11. Great article on a variety of craft beer makers. We visited one in Wichita, Kansas and had a great time learning about beer making. Thanks for sharing these other locations.

  12. I recently embarked on a road trip on the The Great River Road. One of my favorite finds was the the Mark Twain Brewery in Hannibal, Mo.

  13. Pingback: 8 Great Places to Eat and Drink Local in York County Pennsylvania
  14. Nice post. I am an avid lover of micro brews myself and love to chase down new breweries in all the countries I visit.

  15. The Pelican Brewing in Pacific City on the Oregon Coast is awesome! Their deck is right on the sand with the most amazing view.

  16. Thanks for including Fullsteam! I’ll be happy to take you there when you’re in the area:)

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