Looking for an excuse to head to the nearest bar after work? Look no further: September 28 is Drink Beer Day. Celebrate this important national holiday the right way by skipping the brand-name beers and hitting up a local brewery. Not only do local spots capture the charm of the area, they also often offer an extensive range of craft beers.
So raise your glass to these local favorites in each state, churning out some of the country’s best beer.
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Alabama: Band of Brothers Brewing Co.
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Address: 1605 23rd Avenue, Tuscaloosa
Details: Brothers Jeremiah and Jeremy Donald learned to brew beer from their grandfather, opening what is now the largest taproom in Tuscaloosa. At their brewery, they produce favorites like Monk on the Radio, a Belgian strong ale, and Voodoo, a mild ale.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Band of Brothers Brewing Company.
Alaska: Devil’s Club Brewing
Address: 100 North Franklin Street, Juneau
Details: With spot-on snacks (including a brie grilled cheese), a well-designed industrial space, and, of course, delicious beers, Devil’s Club has everything you could want in a local brewery. Rotating taps are always fun, but their Signature IPA is dry and citrusy and perfect for an Alaskan evening.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Devil’s Club Brewing.
Arizona: Oak Creek Brewing Co.
Address: 2050 Yavapai Drive, Sedona
Details: Sedona’s only combination production brewery and brewpub has been serving up pints for over 20 years. Enjoy live music, delicious food and favorites like the Oak Creed Prosperity Porter and the Oak Creek Pale Ale.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Oak Creek Brewing Co..
Arkansas: Bike Rack Brewing Co.
Address: 410 Southeast 8th Street, Bentonville
Details: Bike Rack Brewing Co. was started by five friends who wanted to create a place to celebrate their love of craft beer and biking, so they opened Bentonville’s first brewery on one of the city’s most popular bike trails. Today there’s no better way to relax after a long ride than with a Slaughter Pen IPA and Epic Trail Amber. (You’ll be even more relaxed knowing your bike is protected when you have bicycle insurance. Just saying.)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Bike Rack Brewing Co..
California: Lost Coast Brewery
Address: 1600 Sunset Drive, Eureka
Details: Make sure to take a tour of this expanded brewery, and then get a pint of Great White, their original Belgian-style white ale, from the taps where it was born.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Lost Coast Brewery.
Colorado: Upslope Brewing Company
Address: 1501 Lee Hill Road, Boulder
Details: This Boulder-based brewery makes delicious beers that quench your thirst—season specials like the Pumpkin Ale are favorites, but the Upslope Craft Lager is a tried and true classic — and 1% of can sales benefit freshwater conservation.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Upslope Brewing Company.
Connecticut: Firefly Hollow Brewing
Address: 139 Center Street, Bristol
Details: This brewery is a bit hidden, located in the side of a hill. Come to this spot for the live music from local bands, and make sure to try a Toadstool Oat Stout before you go.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Firefly Hollow Brewing.
Delaware: Midnight Oil Brewing
Address: 674 Pencader Drive, Newark
Details: Come here for the late hours and the carefully-crafted beers. Order a Sundown Saison for a nice, refreshing taste.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Midnight Oil Brewing.
Florida: Saltwater Brewery
Address: 1701 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach
Details: Head to Saltwater Brewery to enjoy a Screamin’ Reels. You can also pick up six pack from the brewery, each packaged with biodegradable rings made out of barley and wheat ribbing, to prevent harming the wildlife.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Saltwater Brewery .
Georgia: Red Hare Brewery
Address: 1998 Delk Industrial Boulevard, Marietta
Details: Breweries aren’t just for adults — Red Hare brews two different types of sodas for their underage guests. And for the adults, try the Gangway IPA or Gem City Classic. (We know — going out with kids can be expensive. Here are some tips to save while still having fun.)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Red Hare Brewery.
Hawaii: Kohola Brewery
Address: 910 Honoapiilani Highway, #55, Lahaina
Details: A bit off the beaten path, but once you arrive grab a Lokahi Pilsner or one of their limited release beers. Kohola Brewery is a BYOF location, so bring as many snacks as you can carry.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Kohola Brewery.
Idaho: Payette Brewing Company
Address: 733 South Pioneer Street, Boise
Details: This local spot is known for their experimentation — make sure to try their perennial series, which includes four types of beer aged for 12 months in oak barrels.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Payette Brewing Company.
Illinois: Goose Island Brewing Company
Address: 1800 West Fulton Street, Chicago
Details: The brewery responsible for the craft beer explosion in Chicago, Goose Island churns out hundreds of cases of beer a day and sponsors over 60% of the city’s street festivals. Try the innovative Bourbon County Brand Stout.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Goose Island Brewing Company.
Indiana: 3Floyds Brewery
Address: 9750 Indiana Parkway, Munster
Details: The famous spot in Northwest Indiana is known for both its outstanding beer and Sanantic art imprinted on its bottles. Try the seasonal IPA Apocalypse Cow, which is augmented with lactose milk sugar.
Fun fact: It’s illegal in Indiana to flirt for a free drink — and that’s not the only strange law out there.
Image Credit: Courtesy of 3Floyds Brewery.
Iowa: Toppling Goliath Brewing Company
Address: 310 College Drive, Decorah
Details: Whether you are a lager fan or prefer barrel and wood aged ales, this local spot has it all. Try the pseudoSue or the Golden Nugget, an IPA with hints of tropical fruit.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Toppling Goliath Brewing Company.
Kansas: Hank is Wiser Brewery
Address: 213 North Main Street, Cheney
Details: You are probably wondering who Hank is — he’s the owner, who retired from a two-decade sales career to pursue his love of brewing craft beers. Hank made himself a beer expert before brewing his first batch, trying more than 5,000 different beers and visiting more than 400 breweries across the country.
Interested in brewing your own beer? Here’s how to decide if it’s worth the investment.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Hank is Wiser Brewery.
Kentucky: West Sixth Brewery
Address: 501 West Sixth Street, Lexington
Details: This Southern brewery has a large number of beers, including taproom exclusives. On Sundays, they offer a free tour of the brewing room, a 100-year-old building was formerly a bread factory. Try the limited release Snake Eye, which has hints of chocolate, caramel and coffee.
Image Credit: Courtesy of West Sixth Brewery.
Louisiana: Gnarly Barley Brewing Company
Address: 1709 Corbin Road, Hammond
Details: Gnarly Barley offers free brewery tours and is both kid- and pet-friendly. Popular drinks include the Jucifer IPA and the Peanut Butter Korova Milk Porter. Come on your birthday and get a free pint on the house.
Looking for more freebies? We got you covered: Here are some free things you can get this fall.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Gnarly Barley Brewing Company.
Maine: Allagash Brewing Company
Address: 50 Industrial Way, Portland
Details: Allagash is known far and wide for it’s crisp, refreshing IPAs. You can’t go wrong with the Allagash White—and if you have a free afternoon, take the Grand Cru tour: an extensive three-hour tour through the brewing facility.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Allagash Brewing Company.
Maryland: Balt County Brewing
Address: 10950 Gilroy Road, Hunt Valley
Details: Everyone knows good beer is only half the appeal of a brewery – the other half is the food! In addition to beers like the Marylan’ With Pride IPA, BCB has a full menu, complete with tacos, loaded fries and french toast sticks.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Balt County Brewing.
Massachusetts: Dorchester Brewing Co.
Address: 1250 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston
Details: Dorchester Brewing is dedicated to giving customers something to do while they drink. Their events calendar is chock full of activities, from a donut popup to pizza and game night to Oktoberfest to Trivia Tuesdays.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Dorchester Brewing Company .
Michigan: Bell’s Brewery
Address: 8938 Krum Avenue, Kalamazoo
Details: You’ve probably heard of Bell’s Two Hearted Ale by now, so why not take a visit to its birthplace? Bell’s has two different breweries in Michigan, and both provide tours and tons of beers to enjoy while you’re there.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Bell’s Brewery.
Minnesota: Voyageur Brewing Company
Address: 233 West Highway 61, Grand Marais
Details: This local brewery uses freshwater right from the neighboring lake in their brewing process, giving a crisp, refreshing taste to all their beers. Try the creamy Trailbreaker, a Belgian Wheat beer with hints of orange.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Voyageur Brewing Company.
Mississippi: Chandeleur Island Brewing Company
Address: 2711 14th Street, Gulfport
Details: Chandeleur Brewing Company is an homage to the long stretch of island where the company’s twin-brother founders loved to fish for redfish and speckled trout. Drawing on the island theme, “Chandy” brews tropical offerings, like its pineapple-wheat beer and its guava jelly sour ale, which is made with guava puree.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Chandeleur Island Brewing Company.
Missouri: Crane Brewing
Address: 6515 Railroad Street, Raytown
Details: Crane Brewing’s forte is its experimental brewing, crafting hybrids from a number of unusual flavors. Sip on fruity seasonal beers brewed with kumquats, beets, or gooseberries, or try the Tea Weiss, which reimagines a German classic by combining it with locally grown rooibos tea.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Crane Brewing.
Montana: Great Northern Brewing Company
Address: 2 Central Avenue, Whitefish
Details: Enjoy a cold brew for a good cause. Great Northern Brewing Company’s Pints With Purpose program gives back to the community by donating $1 of every pint (or glass of wine) it sells to local nonprofits. Grab a can of the Good Med Montana Red Ale, an aromatic homage to the “spirited lifestyle of Northern Montana.”
Image Credit: Great Northern Brewing Company.
Nebraska: Thunderhead Brewery
Address: 18 East 21st Street, Kearney
Details: As only brewery in town, Thunderbird offers a space to play pool, eat a mean pizza, watch the game and drink beer aged in a whiskey barrel. Try the company’s take on the Russian Imperial Stout called “Your Argument is Invalid.” If that doesn’t work for you, Thunderhead also brews an Imperial IPA called “I Concede the Point.”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Thunderhead Brewery.
Nevada: Tonopah Brewing
Address: 315 South Main Street, Tonopah
Details: At Tonopah, savor slow-cooked brisket and pork with a beer brewed in the traditional Bavarian method. Sip on the Hefeweizen-style Half-Life, which carries notes of banana and cloves, or its fruitier sister, the Yankee Girl, for added pomegranate flavor.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Tonopah Brewing.
New Hampshire: Able Ebenezer Brewing Company
Address: 31 Columbia Circle, Merrimack
Details: All the beers at this local spot in Merrimack are inspired by actual historical events — if you are an IPA fan, this local spot is for you.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Able Ebenezer Brewing Company.
New Jersey: Carton Brewing
Address: 6 East Washington Avenue, Atlantic Highlands
Details: A household name in New Jersey, Carton Brewing puts out the popular everyday IPA Boat Beer. Feeling adventurous? Try the Sundae special — it’s a stout aged with walnuts and maraschino cherries.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Carton Brewing.
New Mexico: La Cumbre Brewing Company
Address: 3313 Girard Northeast and 5600 Coors Boulevard, Northwest C1, Albuquerque
Details: It wasn’t hard to make La Cumbre Brewing Company our top pick and not just because its name literally means “the top” in Spanish. Try the Elevated IPA, a hoppy take on a classic American pale ale, or go all in with the A Slice of Hefen Beer, as delicious as it sounds.
Image Credit: Courtesy of La Cumbre Brewing Company.
New York: Other Half Brewing Company
Address: 195 Centre Street, Brooklyn
Details: This brewery built a cult following using social media to amass customers all over the five boroughs. All beers are covered in a colorfully designed can, and have dreamy names like “Mosaic Daydream” and “Frame of Mind.”
If you are a local looking for a good brew or a tourist looking for a local spot, make sure you follow these tips before you venture into the city.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Other Half Brewing Company.
North Carolina: Boojum Brewery Company Taproom
Address: 50 South Main Street, Waynesville
Details: This brewery gets its namesake from the myth of Boojum, a beer-loving monster who lived in a mountain and stole from the miners. A couple of miners tracked him down and discovered his lair, finding a jug of beer and the recipe for an IPA, which they now brew here inhouse. Fruit lovers should try the Honey Baby Sweetie, which is layered with blueberries, boysenberries and passionfruit.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Boojum Brewery Company Taproom.
North Dakota: Drekker Brewing Company
Address: 1666 1st Avenue North, Fargo
Details: Coen Brothers fans should be sure to visit this local Viking-inspired brewery. Want some caffeine with your hops? Try the Irish red ale Coffee Rudder, which is infused with freshly roasted coffee beans. They’ve also got sour beers on tap, like the Brain Freeze Paradise Punch or Techno Viking.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Drekker Brewing Company.
Ohio: Urban Artifact Brewery
Address: 1660 Blue Rock Street, Cincinnati
Details: Built in the lower level of a historic church in north Cincy, this enclave of good music and delectable sour beer is a place to check out. Try the Keypunch, a Gose with key lime zest and key lime juice, giving it a tart finish.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Urban Artifact Brewery.
Oklahoma: Prairie Brewpub
Address: 223 North Main Street, Tulsa
Details: Try the seasonal Christmas Bomb! while you’re here – an imperial stout that’s housed in wooden barrels for several months with delicious vanilla and caramel notes. Not the biggest beer drinker? Check our their extensive cocktail and wine list — which, budget or not, could be worth the splurge.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Prairie Brewpub.
Oregon: de Garde Brewing
Address: 114 Ivy Avenue, Tillamook
Details: de Garde is unique with their process, called spontaneous fermentation – literally pulling wild yeast from the air instead of using industrial yeast – to brew their tasty offerings like Citra House, a wild ale with coriander, orange peel and sea salt..
Image Credit: Courtesy of de Garde Brewing.
Pennsylvania: Brew Gentlemen
Address: 512 Braddock Avenue, Braddock
Details: This brewery’s founders use a combination of Japanese philosophy and Zen Buddhism to inspire the elegant and balanced taste behind their brews. Next you find yourself in this stunning taproom, try General Braddock’s American IPA.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Brew Gentlemen.
Rhode Island: Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island
Address: 63 Canal Street, Westerly
Details: This local spot took up home in an old postal building in 2010, and has been brewing ever since. Check out the Captain’s Daughter Double-IPA, a regularly rotating brew with pilsner malt, tropical fruit flavor and a strong hop aroma.
Up for exploring? A half-hour drive away is Exeter, a historical agricultural town. Here’s a list of other small towns that should be on your bucket list.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island.
South Carolina: Holy City Brewing
Address: 4155 Dorchester Road, North Charleston
Details: There are plenty of taste bud treats on the menu here, like the Toolbox Full of Rainbows (an amber/red ale) and the Sparkly Princess (an American IPA), but it’s the Overly Friendly IPA we think you must try. Named by an intern who was inspired by how friendly the local people are, this brew just feels like home. There’s an enhanced version — the Muy Amigo IPA — that includes cilantro, jalapeno and pineapple.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Holy City Brewing .
South Dakota: Lost Cabin Beer Company
Address: 1401 W. Omaha Street, Rapid City
Details: No matter your preference, you’ll find a beer at this taproom you’re bound to enjoy. There’s a light German lager called the Father-in-Lager, a Scotch ale called the Lord Grizzly and a passion fruit pale ale called Juicy Bruce.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Lost Cabin Beer Company.
Tennessee: Bearded Iris Brewing
Address: 101 Van Buren Street, Nashville
Details: If you like fruit beers, you can’t miss the Mood Ring, a double IPA with hints of vanilla and raspberries. If you’re looking for a light beer that will help you feel like you’re on a beach in Mexico, try the Forecast, a Meixca-style lager that has a hint of salt and lime.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Bearded Iris Brewing.
Texas: Saint Arnold
Address: 2000 Lyons Avenue, Houston
Details: With a great selection of year-round beers, including the Fancy Lawnmower and Pub Crawl Pale Ale, you can’t ever go wrong here. But there are also some great seasonal beers that rotate — come winter, look out for The Cut with Bread Pudding, a Christmas ale with vanilla and cinnamon.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Saint Arnold .
Utah: Wasatch Brewery
Address: 250 Main Street, Park City
Details: This is a pretty iconic (and favorite) brewery in the state, not only because it was the first in Utah or because the founder of Wasatch played an instrumental part in getting brewpubs legal here (even though both things are fantastic). But locals love their cleverly punny and absolutely delicious craft brews, like the Polygamy Porter and Provo Girl, or the seasonal delight of the Snowbird IPA.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Wasatch Brewery .
Vermont: The Alchemist Stowe
Address: 100 Cottage Club Road, Stowe
Details: One of the biggest breweries in the Green Mountain State, this local brewery in Stowe attracts tourists from all around the country hoping to try their famous IPA Heady Topper — ranked number one on BeerAdvocate, an online beer enthusiast community.
Image Credit: Courtesy of the Alchemist Stowe.
Virginia: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Address: 2408 – 2410 Ownby Lane, Richmond; 820 Sanctuary Trail Drive, Richmond; and 1000 West Main Street, Charlottesville
Details: Best friends Eric McKay and Patrick Murtaugh bonded over their mutual love of craft beer and opened the giant brewing facility in Richmond’s historic German brewing district—and have now expanded to a few locations for beer lovers to visit. With fall right around the corner, try the Hardywood Farmhouse Pumpkin, a Wallonian-style ale brewed with pumpkin and spice.
Beer not your thing? Check out these six must-visit wineries, one of which is in Amherst County, Virginia.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Hardywood Park Craft Brewery.
Washington: Fremont Brewing Company
Address: 1050 North 34th Street, Seattle
Details: Not only can you try some of Seattle’s best IPAs at this local spot — like the Universal Pale Ale or Interurban Pale — but you can also get complimentary pretzels. If the weather’s nice, make sure to grab a seat outside in the beer garden so you can enjoy the Summer pale ale in style.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Fremont Brewing.
Washington, D.C.: DC Brau
Address: 3178 Bladensburg Road Northeast, Washington, D.C.
Details: Anyone who’s been inside a grocery store in the nation’s capital has seen the distinctive label of a DC Brau IPA — it’s the first packaging brewery in D.C. since 1956. Try the popular The Public, a bitter ale with citrus and grapefruit aromas.
Image Credit: Courtesy of DC Brau.
West Virginia: Chestnut Brew Works
Address: 444 Brockway Avenue, Morgantown
Details: This small brewery got its start in the woods of southern Monongalia county, but, backed by popular demand, moved into the heart of Morgantown. Check out Your Best Hoption, which is quite hoppy, as the name suggests.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Chestnut Brew Works.
Wisconsin: 3 Sheeps Brewing Company
Address: 1837 North Avenue, Sheboygan
Details: This spot in Sheboygan has the best name, and the best beer names as well: from “Really Cool Waterslides” to “Baad Boy” to “Hello, my name is Joe.” This brewery pushes the boundaries of what can go into beer, from coffee to honey to green peppers.
Image Credit: Courtesy of 3 Sheeps Brewing Company.
Wyoming: Melvin Brewing Alpine Taproom
Address: 624 Co Road 101, Alpine
Details: A favorite of the area, Melvin Brewing is worth the trip. Check out the 2X4 DIPA, which has won a medal at the World Beer Cup (who knew this was a thing?).
Looking for other ways to explore your state? Check out this list of the best coffeehouses in each state.
This article originally appeared on Policygenius and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Melvin Brewing Alpine Taproom.
