Here Are Some of the Coolest Breweries in the United States

With two Virginia locations—one in Richmond’s historic German Brewing District and the other in West Creek—Hardywood Park Craft Brewery makes their beers with local ingredients, sustainable practices, renewable energy, and a whole lot of passion for beer. The owners are childhood friends who not only bring their passion for beer to the neighborhood, but their passion for reigniting and revitalizing a part of Richmond that had long fallen into obscurity before they built their brewery. Their beers can be found throughout Virginia and North Carolina, but are perhaps best enjoyed at the brewery itself, in the taproom or around one of the picnic tables on the expansive patio, with a group of good friends.

2408-2410, Ownby Ln, Richmond, VA 23220, Phone: 804-420-2420

This Maine brewery, located in Portland, focuses on making Belgian style beers in their beautiful brewing facility and taphouse. Allagash Brewing Company uses local ingredients and sustainable practices in the production of their beer, and evidence of this can be found in ample supply on a tour of the facility, which can be booked seven days a week. The taphouse is a great place to relax with a glass of draft beer (the selection is always changing) or buy some to take home with you, and Allagash also serves delicious food from local food truck Bite Into Maine, which makes classic Maine dishes like lobster rolls, burgers, and lobster grilled cheese.

50 Industrial Way, Portland, ME 04103, Phone: 207-878-5385

Some of Black Tooth Brewing Co’s year-round brews include the Saddle Bronc Brown, the Hot Streak IPA, and the unique Copper Mule—a cream ale with ginger and lime. But this Wyoming brewery creates much more than these classics. Their seasonal beers and limited release beers are highly sought after by Black Tooth Brewing Company’s rabid local fans, and the brewery’s characteristic label designs, with bold black and white images, are fun and distinctive. Black Tooth Brewing Co. embodies the spirit of the West, and has a welcoming and fun taproom which opens daily at noon.

312 Broadway St #3917, Sheridan, WY 82801, Phone: 307-675-2337

Lazy Hiker Brewing Co. is located in Franklin, North Carolina, among the Appalachian Mountains. In fact, many of the visitors sipping pints at Lazy Hiker are thru-hikers from the Appalachian Trail, taking a quick break from their trek to enjoy a delicious beer on the patio, or day hikers celebrating their successful hike. The beers at Lazy Hiker are named for local places, trails, and features, and some of their popular brews include the Trail Mate Golden Ale, Slack Pack IPA, and Wesser Evil Porter. Lazy Hiker Brewing Co. opens daily at noon, and while they don’t serve food, Mad Batter Food Truck can usually be found in their parking lot.

188 W Main St, Franklin, NC 28734, Phone: 828-349-2337

Lift Bridge Brewing Co., located in Stillwater, Minnesota, is so much more than a brewery. Since it was first founded in 2008, Lift Bridge Brewery has become a community staple, and though they have grown into the 6th largest craft brewery in the state, and are still best known for their beer—particularly their Farm Girl Saison and Hop Dish IPA—Lift Bridge has also expanded into other beverages as well. Their craft soft drinks, like their non-alcoholic root beer, Mini-Donut Cream Soda, and Black Cherry Soda, are sold throughout the region, as is their new line of hard seltzers, which currently only comes in a few flavors though Lift Bridge is always expanding and growing.

1900 Tower Dr W, Stillwater, MN 55082, Phone: 888-430-2337

This New York City beer hall has two distinct locations: one in Greenwich Village and another in Morningside Heights, and both locations are comfortable and inviting, or, as Arts and Crafts Beer Parlor likes to say, “an extension of your living room.” Although Arts and Crafts Beer Parlor is not a brewery, they do feature two dozen taps of fabulous craft beer from all over the country, as well as a wide variety of ciders, seltzers, and other drinks. At both locations, Arts and Crafts Beer Parlor also features a rotating selection of art on exhibit.

Greenwich Village Location- 26 W 8th St New York, NY 10011, Phone: 646-678-5263

Morningside Heights Location - 1135 Amsterdam Ave New York, NY 10025, Phone: 917-675-6835

Barley Brown’s Brew Pub is a fun and relaxed brewpub that is a great place to hang out with friends and enjoy a pint of beer and a big heaping plate of pub grub. Barley Brown’s has a taphouse and a restaurant, both in Baker City, Oregon, in a large, industrial building with tall ceilings and a laid back atmosphere. Barley Brown’s splits their beer menu by flavor profile, so visitors can choose a drink based on whether they’re looking for a mild beer, a hoppy one, a wheat beer, a bold one, or a flavored beer, and for those who have trouble making decisions, there are also samplers and flights available.

2190 Main St, Baker City, OR 97814, Phone: 541-523-4266

Confluence Brewing Company tries to make its beers like the state of Iowa itself: hardworking, approachable, honest, and friendly. The large, open taproom is unpretentious, with the perimeter filled with towering silver tanks and kettles where beer is brewing, and the center full of friends at tables, laughing and chatting over pints of beer. Those interested in the process of brewing, or who are looking for a behind the scenes look at Confluence Brewing Company can book a tour on their website. Some of their most popular brews include Downtown Throwdown APA, Ash Tree ESB, Blue Corn Lager, and Capital Gold.

1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315, Phone: 515-285-9005

Arizona is full of agriculture and beautiful nature, and the Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. works hard to celebrate both of those aspects and more in their mission and practices as a brewery. Arizona WIlderness Brewing Company has two locations—a brewpub in Gilbert and a beer garden in downtown Phoenix—and both have the same great selection of beers, but the Gilbert location is the original and where the beer is made. The beers at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company range from the Don’t F#%K It Up Blonde Ale to the Carrot de Garde, made with real Arizona carrots.

721 N Arizona Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85233, Phone: 480-497-2739

Blackfoot River Brewing Co, located in Helena, Montana, focuses their efforts on “real good beer made by real good people.” Some of their most popular brews include Smooooooth Cream Ale, the North Fork Organic Porter, Tartanic Scottish Ale, and a line of beers like a porter and a winter ale that are specially crafted to reduce the amount of gluten they contain, for those who are sensitive to it. In the taproom, visitors can expect to find great company, free popcorn, and a traditional beer engine used to serve drinks, with weekly specials and deals for drinks and growlers, and events on site like live music.

66 S Park Ave, Helena, MT 59601, Phone: 406-449-3005