What Makes Your Area's Beer Scene Special?

18 of us beerstagrammers have collaborated to explain why our city/region/state's beer scene is great.

A few weeks ago, I posted a story asking if any other beerstagrammers would be interested in contributing to a blog post explaining what makes their city's/region's/state's beer scene special, or even, the best. I got a lot of responses!

Below are those responses. I am thrilled to have so many collaborators for this piece. I (obviously) enjoy traveling to different places and talking about their beer scenes on here, but no one knows a beer scene better than a local. Be sure to also check out each contributor's linked accounts too for more content about their respective areas. All photos and text written by the credited beerstagrammers.

Portland, Oregon

It's tough to think of Portland without thinking of craft beer, so much so the city has earned the nickname of "Beervana". It's practically a Portland stereotype to be drinking a craft beer! Located in the Pacific Northwest, Portland breweries have access to the freshest hops, as well as other top-notch ingredients like berries, spruce tips, malts, and clean water. Brewers across the country seek out Oregon ingredients for their beers, especially those fresh hops.

Beer has been brewed in Portland since before Oregon was even a state. Nowadays, Portland is widely known in the beer world for several highly recognizable breweries like Great Notion, Wayfinder, and Breakside, plus many smaller craft breweries producing innovative beers. Some of my favorites include Ruse and Threshold. With so many breweries in one, not very large, city, there is no choice but to brew great beer in Portland. Check out more about Portland beer and my recommendations as a local here.

The rest of Oregon also deserves attention for its beer scene. Areas like Bend and the Oregon Coast have many fantastic breweries that we are fortunate to have easy access to from Portland.

-- @ablondewithabrew

Austin, Texas

As the population of Metro Austin reaches 2.5 million and the city itself has the 10th largest population in the US, the number of breweries has also increased in dramatic fashion. There is a rich history of beer making in the city that dates to the late 1800s with the first arrival of German and Czech immigrants.

In 2024, there are more than 80 breweries in the Metro Austin area and as we enjoy up to 10 months of warm weather the preference in town is for well-balanced pilsners and lagers. Our area also benefits from the Texas Hill Country where most of the hops and fruit that are used in our beers come from, with wild ales and sours putting Austin in the beer map by Jester King a short 40 minute drive from Austin.

The city also does stouts and IPAs very well and you can find notable examples of these at: Pinthouse, St Elmo, Meanwhile, and Zilker Brewing just to name a few.

A great time to visit Austin for a taste of the local scene is for the Texas Craft Brewers Festival held in the last weekend of September/first weekend of October (last year more than 70 breweries from all over the state participated).

-- @pedroreyesmilk

Boston, Massachusetts

Being the gateway to New England, the Boston beer scene has matured greatly in the last decade. Home to legacy breweries like Harpoon and Sam Adams, in the last five years we're seeing more innovation come out of the breweries and taprooms in the area than ever before. In Boston proper you have the prior mentioned breweries making their mark and offering experiences for tourists and locals alike. Across the river in Cambridge and Somerville there are a glut of breweries such as Lamplighter, Cambridge Brewing Company, Remnant Brewing, and Portico that are all within walking or biking distance from another.

Just north of the city lies Night Shift Brewing, known for its famous hop owl and Idle Hands Brewing cranking out fantastic Euro-style beers and baseball themed IPAs. For those seeking hazy, New England Style IPAs, it's the South Shore region that you'll want to explore. Between Widowmaker, Vitamin Sea, and Untold Brewing (Plus of course Trillium), you'll have a nice bunch of breweries to 'hop' around to.

It's been amazing to see what's happening in our Bay State for beer, and you'll just have to come see for yourself why Beantown should also be known as Beer-Town.

-- @craftbeerconcierge/www.thecraftbeerconcierge.com

Buffalo, New York

Buffalo has a rich brewing history: in 1919, right before Prohibition, the city boasted 29 breweries! Today, Buffalo has over 40 breweries, and the beer scene is as bustling as ever.

Buffalo’s nickname “The City of Good Neighbors” rings especially true in the brewing community. Collaborations and special batches happen all year long, from a neighborhood of breweries teaming up for a St. Patrick’s Day beer, to special brews for events like the YMCA Turkey Trot, or joint efforts between breweries and other local brands. The beer in my photo is called White Christmas Belgian Blonde Ale - a collab between New York Beer Project and Perry’s Ice Cream, named after one of their most popular holiday ice cream flavors, and with a donation to local children’s hospitals.

-- @buffalobeerfluencer

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago arguably has one of the best craft beer scenes in the country. Not only are award winning stouts, hazies, and even lagers flowing freely, the people of Chicago beer are also incredible! With rich brewing history, the city has been home to breweries for almost two centuries and is home to the Siebel Institute, one of the worldwide leaders in brewing education. In more recent years Goose Island paved the way for craft beer in Chicago and throughout the country by developing its wildly popular barrel aging program. While they are no longer independent, Chicago’s beer scene wouldn’t be the same without them!

One of the many perks being in the country’s third biggest city is its accessibility through public transportation. There are several neighborhoods across the city that are both accessible by public transportation and give the opportunity to walk between multiple breweries for an easy and safe brewery crawl! One of the greatest is Malt Row, home to 8 breweries, including some favorites - Dovetail Brewery, Begyle Brewing, and Hop Butcher For The World. 

The wonderful people of the Chicago brewing community are also integral in hosting the best festivals year-round. A few annual favorites are Brew at the Zoo at the Lincoln Park Zoo, Beer Under Glass during Illinois Beer Week, and the Festival of Barrel Aged Beers. You can’t pass up a chance to visit Chicago for one of these fests, or, honestly, any time throughout the year to enjoy some outstanding Chicago craft beers!

-- @lovechristinarose

Christchurch, New Zealand

It might not be the capital for craft beer for the country, but Christchurch is most definitely the Craft Beer Capital of the South Island here in New Zealand. Since the quakes a decade ago the craft beer scene has had a major revolution with 18 different breweries each offering their own unique take on beer. Not bad for a city of 400,000.

Some examples of the breweries include world beer awards winners Cassels and their famous Milk Stout and APA. Derelict Brewing whose beers always sell out and are highly sought after, especially the dark and hazy beers. If you want to brew your own as well as drink some amazing beers, you can’t go past Brew Academy and Chinchiller. Granville, Jared, and the team will teach you through the process of brewing and yes you do get to take home what you brew!! For lovers of the sourer styles your best bet is Wilderness Brewing. They are the local kings of the various sour and Belgian styles usually done in small batches that sell out all the time

On the hunt for some food? Look no further than Beers on Blenheim Rd. Smoke house meat and food at its best along with 25+ taps of their own beer and guest brews. Highly recommend wearing stretchy pants as the food is that good!

Looking for a festival? Christchurch plays host to the Great Kiwi Beer Festival every January to take advantage of the summer at its best. Over 300 taps available along with workshops and seminars as well as live music for most of the day make for a great day out in the sun

Lastly there’s the smallest tavern in New Zealand located right in the heart of the city. Canterbury Brewers Collective. The ever-changing taps showcase only independent breweries. A great stop of any tourist that wants to taste Christchurch & Canterbury beers.

-- @that_hoggie_guy

Florida

In the sun-soaked state of Florida, the last decade has proven to be a fruitful time for the local craft beer industry. Craft beer has grown at an exponential rate here, and is now reaching over 350+ breweries state wide. With an abundance of choices, there truly is something for every type of craft beer lover. Florida’s craft beer hotspots include the Tampa Bay area ranking at #1 (think Angry Chair, Cigar City, and Woven Water), the Miami/South Florida region next (with Funky Buddha and Tripping Animals), and Central Florida/Orlando taking the #3 spot for the most breweries per area (local highlights: Hourglass, Sideward, and Ivanhoe Park).

From the Panhandle to the Florida Keys, the breweries in the Sunshine State are producing the freshest beer with regionally sourced ingredients, giving it a distinct Florida flair. The local flavors of Florida are shining through with brewers opting to infuse beer with exotic tropical fruit, juicy Florida citrus, and locally grown hops. You’ll find no shortage of lush and delicious Fruited Sours, Wheat Ales, and Kolsch style beers here.

Many Florida breweries and taprooms have adopted the indoor/outdoor lifestyle, so you can typically find large sun filled patios & beer gardens attached with ample lawn games available, and outdoor beer events/festivals happening year round. Florida has a strong and supportive craft beer community that has tremendously aided in so much growth in the Sunshine State!

-- @orlbeerbabe

Knoxville, Tennessee

The cool thing about the beer scene in Knoxville is that you've got choices. If you want to check out a bunch of breweries in one stop, you can do that. If you're in another area of town and don't feel like driving to downtown/the Old City, no worries! Knoxville and the surrounding counties have 46 breweries/taprooms (32 in Knoxville alone), so most likely there is an option near you!

If you're up for a hike and want to grab a beer after, Townsend/Maryville and the Great Smoky Mountains are just a quick drive from Knoxville. There are breweries near all your favorite tourist traps near Gatlinburg if you are on vacation!

If you are in town for just a short time, visit the Knox Brew Hub, where you will find 22 taps that are all Knoxville beers. Knox Brew Hub was rated one of the Best Beer Shops in 2023 by the Wine Enthusiast.

Knoxville breweries have been recognized and won a number of awards over the past few years for their beer/venues. In 2023 Balter Beerworks won the Brewery of the Year award in the 501-1000 barrel category and Orange Hat Brewing Co won a bronze in the Irish Style Red Ale category, both at the GABF! Schulz Brau was ranked #3 in the Top 10 Breweries in the 2023’s U.S. Open Beer Championships.

-- @whatsbrewingnext

Minnesota

Minnesota is a Northern US state with influences from the Midwest, Canada, and both coasts. You can see the influences in not only the culture, as I think the beer community in Minnesota is some of the most friendly, generous, and giving out of any state, but also in the styles themselves. You can find breweries that are producing top notch beers across the entire Style Guidebook - from breweries producing all styles of IPAs (West Coast, New England / Hazy, “Midwest” IPA) to International Styles (Trappist, Lambic / Sours, English / Irish) to Lagers (German, Czech, American) to Stouts (Robust Porters, Pastry Stouts, Barrel Age of all variety).

And the community centric culture that MN has, we see a lot of community/neighborhood breweries. Those down to earth locations that are gathering points for the community - something you see a lot less nowadays with most states having bundled areas in their cities where breweries are located. We are lucky enough to have breweries, producing good beer, spread out across the state supporting their local communities through acting as a gathering point and through being an active participant in their city. So, even more than the beer styles and quality, it is the community that I think makes us so special.

-- @matts_beer_adventures

New Mexico

New Mexico, affectionately referred to as the Land of Enchantment, has a hidden gem of a beer scene. Breweries in New Mexico date back to before 1855 in Santa Fe, which happens to be the oldest capital in the United States. In recent years, breweries tended to be more popular in the larger cities like Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces, but we are now seeing breweries become hubs of community in small towns like Truth or Consequences (which was named by a radio show), Carlsbad, and Santa Clara.

While it is impossible to include all the incredible breweries the state has to offer, a few noteworthy breweries that are worth checking out include Bow & Arrow Brewing, the first Native and woman owned brewery in the country; Bathtub Row Brewing, located near the street where Manhattan Project Director Robert J. Oppenheimer lived; and La Cumbre Brewing Company, home of the GABF award-winning Elevated IPA.

However, New Mexico has much more to offer than the beer scene. It will captivate you with its picturesque landscapes, rich culture, and state specific cuisine (like red and green chile, with an “e”!). Whether you're sipping a bold IPA in the cozy ambiance of a local taproom or enjoying a refreshing lager under the expansive desert sky, New Mexico will prove itself to be a beer trip worth making.

-- @onmytipsytoes

New York City

New York City is a melting pot with a deep beer history. The first commercial brewery in the US was built on Stone Street in the early 1600s. With the influx of German immigrants in the late 1800s, the scene ballooned to over 100 breweries in what is now downtown Manhattan. And until prohibition, New York was the top hop-growing region in the country.

Today, our craft beer culture is thriving with 5 boroughs of beer to explore. Other Half may be the biggest name in IPAs, but we have a solid variety of creative breweries that are proud to pour the NYC nuances, cultures, and heritages into their beers.

Back Home Beer is the newest on the scene, pulling from the brewer’s Iranian background to highlight flavors of the Middle East (and they’re building a taproom very soon!). The Bronx Brewery celebrates community and the diverse creative scene with brews that blend music and art. Their Y-seres collabs with local artists are always something to look forward to. TALEA is a woman-owned brewery that aims to make craft beer more inviting to women with inclusive spaces, and a variety of sours and lighter beers. Evil Twin makes some of the most interesting beers in the region, with witty labels and names to pair with beverages brewed with bagels, or soda syrup, or all of the fruit and hops.

My current favorites oscillate between Finback (Hot take: I think their IPAs are better than OH’s), Fifth Hammer (wide variety of extremely excellent styles), and EBBS (no frills, just good beer including the best Hefeweizen I’ve ever had). NYC is a city of options, experimentation, and evolution. It’s New York or nowhere!

-- @sideshowsips

Northern California

The beer scene in Northern California today has an impressive list of breweries, the majority of them still independent, and no-matter what part of the region you’re in, there’s probably at least one world-class brewery a stone’s throw away.

The SF bay area has extremely notable names such as Cellarmaker, Bare Bottle, Ghost Town, and Fieldwork, just to name a few. The greater Sacramento area has places like Urban Roots and Moksa. Go down to Santa Cruz and Monterey and you’ll find Humble Sea and Alvarado Street. The Lake Tahoe region has its own collection of breweries such as Fifty Fifty and South Lake Brewing Company. And this barely scratches the surface of the many smaller breweries that have become important pieces of not only the local beer scene, but the fabric of the communities they reside in.

But this alone isn’t what makes NorCal special. Because Northern California is home to a few of the most influential breweries and beers in the world for the modern craft beer movement: Sierra Nevada, Russian River, and Anchor Brewing (RIP, at least for now).

I’m not going to rehash the history of each of these breweries here, but the influence of Anchor Steam, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, and Pliny the Elder is undeniable. Each of these beers has a very important place in the history of craft beer. They each played a part in making craft beer mainstream, laying the groundwork for the success of hundreds, if not thousands of breweries all over the world, and they’re all right here in our back yard.

--@anotherbeerplz

Ontario, Canada

Ontario, Canada is home to 389 breweries with about 50 of those in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). I love the homey feel of the breweries in the area, and many are dog friendly so you can bring your furry friend along! With so many things to do and so many breweries in the area, it makes for a great spot for your next beer trip.

In my home area of Durham Region (an area located within the GTA) we are fortunate to have a number of breweries that provide a small-town feel while producing high-quality beer. Town Brewery is well recognized for their IPA 5 Paddles is a great choice for something different from their Coconut Cream Ale to their Peanut Butter Godiva stout. One of the newest breweries, Banter and Co. Brewing, is in the adorable community of Brooklin and should be a first choice when seeking out a high-quality, simple, yet dynamic beer that is true to style.

The province of Ontario has 14 recognized beer trails, with 2 of them being in the GTA, so you will have no shortage of new breweries. The Ontario beer scene truly has something for every type of beer lover. Some honorable mentions outside of the GTA are: Flying Monkeys in Barrie for weird and wonderful vibes, Sawdust City Brewing for a saloon feel in cottage country and Fairweather Brewing in Hamilton as one of my favorites in the province.

-- @beertravelfood

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh is home to over 75 craft breweries, some with roots dating back as far as 1861. In 2022, the Steel City was rightfully named the #1 City for Beer Drinkers by a SmartAsset for affordability and quantity of breweries in the region. There is something for every type of drinker in Pittsburgh. You can find a variety of styles ranging from German ales at the historic Penn Brewery - to what some call the “Pittsburgh IPA” located at the infamous Dancing Gnome and Grist House.

If you’re looking to visit more than one spot, you can hop on a brewery trail. The Pittsburgh Brewers Guild has 9 curated trials that will guide you as you sip your way around the city of bridges. You can find more information about each individual brewery or map out your next trip at Pittsburghbreweries.com.

The Pittsburgh craft beer community is taking strides towards inclusivity. The Pittsburgh Brewers Guild recently published their Code of Conduct to promote a safe, inclusive environment and ensure everyone can enjoy a great craft beer. Pittsburgh is also home to Barrel & Flow, the #1 Brew Fest in America, as voted by USA Today. Barrel & Flow strives to connect opportunity, accessibility, and artistry to celebrate and empower the Black community. The “She Knows Beer” collaboration series is unique to Pittsburgh. The initiative is spearheaded by the Pittsburgh Brewery and Taproom Diversity Council and shines a light on women and women-identifying individuals in the industry.

It's always a great day for a beer in the ‘Burgh.

--@hellobrewtifulpgh

San Diego, California

They don’t call San Diego the Capital of Craft for no reason. San Diego has over 150 breweries, the most of any county in the entire US. So put on your sunscreen and flip-flops, there’s a lot to learn about one of the greatest beer scenes in the country! San Diego is the home of pioneers of the brewing industry like Stone, AleSmith, and Karl Strauss as well as the popular beer style west coast IPA. San Diegans love their IPA’s; it’s our top selling style and you can usually find taproom menus filled with different IPA choices. The #1 question I get from people is: if I have a day or two in San Diego, what are the breweries I should visit? Since there’s so many, narrowing it down can be a daunting task, so here’s my guide to 5 must-visit breweries when you’re soaking up the sun: 

North Park Beer Co is world acclaimed and they’re the perfect brewery for the hazy IPA lover. They have two locations, and one is by Balboa Park, which is a popular tourist attraction! 

With 5 locations in SD County, Pure Project is (in my opinion) the most well-rounded brewery. They do all styles exceptionally well and have a huge variety on tap at any given time. 

Burgeon is a modern brewery with an old soul that really captures the SoCal aesthetic at their 4 locations. They do really great west coast IPAs, pale ales, and lagers. 

Seek Beer has one location in North Park, and although they do everything well (in my opinion), they have the best sours in the county. They also won the SD Beer News Customer Service award last year, so you know you’ll always have a friendly experience. 

GOAL. is one of the newest breweries San Diego has to offer and it’s conveniently in the same building as Seek. Goal makes amazing imperial stouts and IPAs, and in their short time in business have made quite a name for themselves. 

--@beerlovingmother

Vancouver Island, British Columbia

There's no time quite like island time! With 48 unique breweries to choose from, Vancouver Island is quickly becoming a significant player in British Columbia's Craft Beer scene. From the heart of Victoria, to the picturesque communities scattered across the island, craft breweries have become local hubs for beer enthusiasts and foodies alike. Brewers on the island often use local ingredients to create their distinctive brews, drawing inspiration from the region's natural beauty. 

The island is recognized for having some widely known breweries such as Tofino Brewing Company, Twin City Brewing, Phillips Brewing, Hoyne Brewing, and Driftwood Brewery, just to name a few. Each community has their own must-try beers, unique flair, and brewing style. Victoria is also home to Canada's very first brewpub - Spinnakers, which opened in 1984 and is a popular spot among locals. 

The island's Craft Beer community is ever-growing, with a variety of tap houses, brewpubs, festivals and events to help celebrate the glorious beverage. It's a great getaway destination for craft beer enthusiasts who also love exploring the great outdoors, and finding hidden gems along the way!

-- @thathoppygirl/www.thathoppygirl.com

Vermont

It feels like Vermont is the birthplace of craft beer as we know today; the scene here has grown so much in the past decade that it feels like every town has its own brewery (which isn’t true …. well not yet)! With over 70 breweries, you don’t have to look far to visit one and find yourself at home in the taproom. In fact, as of 2023, Vermont is the state with the most breweries per capita!

There is a long-standing tradition of brewing beer in Vermont – with a wide variety of styles, there is always something for everyone. Most breweries even make the commitment to using local ingredients – one of our favorites is Kramer & Kin. Located in Northern Vermont, they opened their doors in 2020 and find inspiration in the nature around them – they primarily only use ingredients foraged near them (the furthest thing that they have outsourced was coffee from Kestrel Coffee Roasters in Burlington).

Of course, there are household names such as the Alchemist, Foam, Lawson’s, and Von Trapp (to name a few) – all equally deserve a visit, but don’t just stop there! Our suggestion is to see what else is around them and make a day of it. From Alchemist (and Von Trapp), you’d be a fool to skip out on Freak Folk Bier, which just opened it’s taproom recently and is only 20 minutes away!

When in Burlington checking out Foam, the list can go on and on – but stopping by Queen City Brewery and Zero Gravity is a must (after all, they are next to each other); as well as checking out Burlington Beer Company and Switchback (again – right next to each other). And for Lawson’s – our suggestion is to grab a beer (and a light snack), then make your way to Three Penny Taproom. The food and beer selection are out of this world and it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon!

But it doesn’t stop there – with so many great beer options, making a list and getting suggestions is always a must when making a visit!

-- @beersoverboston

Washington, DC

Washington, DC has a rich history of beer and brewing dating back to the 19th century. In the late 1800s, the city was home to many breweries, catering to a thriving local beer culture. Although prohibition dealt a blow to the industry, the craft beer resurgence in the late 20th century revitalized DC's brewing scene. From longstanding iconic breweries like DC Brau and Atlas Brew Works, to newbies like Lost Generation, craft beer is an integral to city. DC is also home to diverse breweries like Urban Garden and Soul Mega and established transplants like Other Half.

DC’s beer community is constantly growing despite the drops in beer drinking nation-wide. Unlike a lot of other beer cities, DC’s brewery culture isn’t a scene, there’s no hype boi culture, it’s a through-line interwoven into the drinking culture in the city that focused on enjoying solid beers.

-- @beerstagramming

If you have read about all these different areas' beer scenes and wish yours was included, send me a message or comment below on this post. There can always be an update or even a Part Two.

Thanks again to all the above beer lovers for collaborating with me on this post. Be sure to check out all their accounts and websites, and follow them for more.