California is renowned for its craft beer scene, boasting some of the most innovative and popular breweries in the country. From the northern regions to the southern coasts, California’s breweries offer a diverse range of brews that cater to every palate. Here, we explore the top 10 best breweries in California, their top beers, taproom locations, and reviews.
Mother Earth Brew Co.
Location: Mother Earth Brew Co. Tap Room
Founding Date: 2010
Number of Beers on Tap: 15
Untappd Profile: Mother Earth Brew Co. on Untappd
Top Beers:
Highlights:
- Cali Creamin’ is a vanilla cream ale that is smooth, slightly sweet, and immensely popular among craft beer lovers.
- Boo Koo IPA offers a hoppy and aromatic experience with tropical and citrus notes.
- Sin Tax Imperial Peanut Butter Stout is a rich and creamy stout with hints of chocolate and peanut butter.
Mother Earth Brew Co. receives high praise for its welcoming atmosphere and unique beer flavors. Cali Creamin’ is often highlighted as a standout favorite, making it a must-try for visitors.
Lagunitas Brewing Company
Location: Lagunitas Brewing Company
Founding Date: 1993
Number of Beers on Tap: 20
Untappd Profile: Lagunitas Brewing Company on Untappd
Top Beers:
Highlights:
- IPA is a classic West Coast IPA that features a balanced bitterness with floral and citrus notes.
- Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale is a smooth and hoppy wheat ale, known for its slightly sweet finish.
- Maximus Colossal IPA is a bold and strong IPA with intense hop flavors.
Lagunitas Brewing Company is celebrated for its vibrant taproom and consistent quality across its beer offerings. The IPA is particularly praised for its balanced taste and wide appeal.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Location: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Founding Date: 1980
Number of Beers on Tap: 23
Untappd Profile: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. on Untappd
Top Beers:
Highlights:
- Pale Ale is a pioneering beer in the American craft beer movement, known for its deep amber color and piney, citrusy hops.
- Hazy Little Thing IPA is a juicy, unfiltered IPA with a hazy appearance and rich hop flavor.
- Torpedo Extra IPA offers a bold hop profile with notes of pine, citrus, and tropical fruit.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is highly regarded for its commitment to quality and innovation. The Pale Ale remains a timeless favorite, frequently praised for its balanced and refreshing taste.
Ballast Point Brewing Company
Location: Ballast Point Brewing Company
Founding Date: 1996
Number of Beers on Tap: 30
Untappd Profile: Ballast Point Brewing Company on Untappd
Top Beers:
Highlights:
- Sculpin IPA is a highly acclaimed IPA with a bright, tropical fruit aroma and crisp finish.
- Grapefruit Sculpin adds a refreshing grapefruit twist to the original Sculpin IPA.
- Victory at Sea is a robust porter with coffee and vanilla flavors, offering a rich and smooth drinking experience.
Ballast Point Brewing Company is renowned for its diverse beer selection and innovative flavors. Sculpin IPA, in particular, receives widespread acclaim for its balance and complexity.
Stone Brewing
Location: Stone Brewing
Founding Date: 1996
Number of Beers on Tap: 40
Untappd Profile: Stone Brewing on Untappd
Top Beers:
Highlights:
- Stone IPA is a classic West Coast IPA known for its bold hop character and crisp finish.
- Arrogant Bastard Ale is a strong ale with intense flavors and a cult following.
- Ruination IPA is an aggressively hoppy double IPA with citrus and pine notes.
Stone Brewing is celebrated for its robust and unapologetically bold beers. Stone IPA and Arrogant Bastard Ale are frequently highlighted for their distinctive and memorable flavors.
Russian River Brewing Company
Location: Russian River Brewing Company
Founding Date: 1997
Number of Beers on Tap: 20
Untappd Profile: Russian River Brewing Company on Untappd
Top Beers:
Highlights:
- Pliny the Elder is a world-renowned double IPA with a perfect balance of malt and hops.
- Blind Pig IPA is a well-balanced IPA with a smooth bitterness and floral aroma.
- Consecration is a sour ale aged in wine barrels with currants, offering a complex and tart flavor profile.
Russian River Brewing Company is widely acclaimed for its exceptional IPAs and sour ales. Pliny the Elder, in particular, is often cited as one of the best beers in the world.
Firestone Walker Brewing Company
Location: Firestone Walker Brewing Company
Founding Date: 1996
Number of Beers on Tap: 32
Untappd Profile: Firestone Walker Brewing Company on Untappd
Top Beers:
Highlights:
- Union Jack IPA is a hop-forward IPA with citrus and pine flavors.
- Pivo Pils is a crisp and refreshing pilsner with a floral hop aroma.
- Parabola is a rich and complex Russian imperial stout with notes of chocolate, coffee, and bourbon.
Firestone Walker Brewing Company is praised for its diverse range of high-quality beers. Union Jack IPA is a standout, loved for its bold hop character and balance.
Anchor Brewing Company
Location: Anchor Brewing Company
Founding Date: 1896
Number of Beers on Tap: 12
Untappd Profile: Anchor Brewing Company on Untappd
Top Beers:
Highlights:
- Anchor Steam is a historic beer with a unique fermentation process, offering a distinct malt and hop flavor.
- Liberty Ale is a classic American pale ale with a balanced hop character.
- California Lager is a crisp and refreshing lager with a smooth finish.
Anchor Brewing Company is celebrated for its historical significance and pioneering role in the craft beer movement. Anchor Steam is a timeless favorite, known for its unique taste and brewing process.
Modern Times Beer
Location: Modern Times Beer
Founding Date: 2013
Number of Beers on Tap: 30
Untappd Profile: Modern Times Beer on Untappd
Top Beers:
Highlights:
- Orderville IPA is a hazy IPA with a juicy hop character and smooth finish.
- Black House Coffee Stout is a rich and roasty stout brewed with coffee.
- Fortunate Islands is a tropical pale ale with a bright and refreshing flavor.
Modern Times Beer is known for its innovative and flavorful brews. Orderville IPA and Black House Coffee Stout are particularly popular, praised for their unique and well-crafted profiles.
The Bruery
Location: The Bruery
Founding Date: 2008
Number of Beers on Tap: 40
Untappd Profile: The Bruery on Untappd
Top Beers:
Highlights:
- Mischief is a hoppy Belgian-style ale with fruity and spicy notes.
- Black Tuesday is a massive imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels, known for its rich and complex flavors.
- Or Xata is a creamy ale brewed with rice, cinnamon, and vanilla, inspired by the traditional horchata beverage.
The Bruery is celebrated for its creative and high-quality brews. Black Tuesday is particularly noted for its depth and complexity, making it a favorite among stout lovers.
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