6 Underrated Cities for Craft Beer Lovers (And Brewers)
Sure, you can find great beer in Portland and Denver. But these unexpected cities are becoming craft beer destinations. Ready for a taste test?
It’s a great time to be a beer lover.
In 2013, there were about 3,000 breweries in the United States, which more than doubled by the end of 2017. In fact, between 2012 and 2016, not a single state in the U.S. saw a decline in its overall number of breweries. Thanks to its surge in popularity, great beer is more accessible than ever: 83 percent of Americans live within ten miles of a local brewery. Today, the craft beer market is a 28.9 billion dollar industry. For craft beer enthusiasts or simply those interested in the industry, you don’t need to look far at all to quench your thirst for a fresh brew.
While iconic beer cities like Milwaukee, Portland and Denver might instantly come to mind, many other places across the country are emerging as bonafide craft beer hotspots. Why not get off the beaten brewery path and try something new? Here are some of the best US cities for innovative brews and thriving beer culture — and some of them might surprise you!
In This Article
1. Reno, NV
You may simply envision it as a smaller version of Las Vegas, but don’t be mistaken — The Biggest Little City in the World is more than casinos. There are many great reasons to move to Reno, including its proximity to Lake Tahoe and a rapidly growing job market. But you can also add a flourishing beer scene to that list, making Reno an outstanding choice for people who want a city with a little bit of everything. The city has more than half a dozen breweries, and you’ll find many more in nearby Sparks and the Tahoe area.
Breweries aren’t just opening in Reno — they’re thriving. Pigeon Head Brewery doubled its production in 2018, and other breweries, like Under The Fox Brewery & Pub, have expanded (you can visit their brewery in both Reno and Carson City). They’ve got many other local gems like The Depot and Brasserie St. James. Plus, the area hosts a variety of annual craft beer events.
2. Bowling Green, KY
Sure, Kentucky is famous for bourbon (and for good reason), but Bowling Green is putting the state on the craft beer map. Dominating the scene is White Squirrel Brewery, where the focus is on small batches created from the top ingredients.
But what makes Bowling Green an especially exciting place for beer right now is the opportunity for growth for brewers of every level. Want to shop for your at-home brew kit, over 80 different hops, 40 specialty grains, 55 bags of malt — or anything else you might need to craft your own brew? Blue Holler Brew Supplies will be your home away from home. Their extensive inventory answers the need for any home brewer. Blue Holler also began offering some of its own seasonal beers, attempting to quench the thirst of the community while joining the ranks of the few dozen craft brewers in the state.
And beer lovers will want to make sure they’re around for the Bourbon & Brew Fest, a day filled with booze and southern hospitality. It began only a few years ago with less than 1,000 attendees, but it now attracts thousands of visitors, brewers and distillers from around the U.S.
3. Pawtucket, RI
Only five miles from the smallest state’s capital, Pawtucket has a big surprise in store: one of the largest American-made craft beer co-ops. Isle Brewer’s Guild acts as a Partner Brewery and offers a space where local brewers can use their state-of-the-art facilities to brew their own craft beer. Brewing requires a bit of financial capital upfront, which makes this Pawtucket spot an advantageous spot for wannabe brewers to call home.
Of course, this is in addition to more than a dozen local breweries and distilleries, some of which are part of the new Rhode Island Brewery Trail.
Other popular spots include FoolProof Brewing Company, where you’ll find a mix of classic and unusual beer styles and Crooked Current Brewery, which offers affordable tastings and tours. Other places like Smug Brewing, which opened its doors in 2018, prove that the craft beer scene there continues to grow.
4. Spokane, WA
Collaboration is the name of the game for brewing in Spokane, so budding brewers will truly enjoy the community in this eastern Washington locale. Not only are there dozens of breweries in the area, but it’s home to Steel Barrel, the state’s only “incubator brewery.” Before investing in a brick-and-mortar location, aspiring brewers can share equipment with other breweries. Once they’ve established themselves, arranging a permanent location of their own becomes infinitely more accessible.
A couple of notable breweries include Bellwether Brewing Co., No-Li Brewhouse and the family-owned Whistle Punk Brewing. The craft beer scene has grown so much in the area that you can even follow the Spokane Ale Trail (it includes 22 breweries!). Furthermore, several craft beer events, such as the Spokane BrewFest, happen annually.
5. Minneapolis, MN
You’ll be spoiled for choice in Minneapolis when it comes to breweries — currently, the city has over thirty, with the highest concentration in the Northeast Minneapolis and North Loop neighborhoods. A bonus: you can find even more in the suburbs and the city’s twin, Saint Paul.
Minneapolis can credit its craft beer scene to Surly Brewing Co. for moving forward the Surly Bill with the Minnesota state legislature. This made it possible for craft brewers to sell their own product on-site, so places like La Doña Cervecería or Finnegans (or any of the city’s other breweries) wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for Surly.
Aside from well-attended festivals like the Winter Beer Dabbler and Minnesota Craft Beer Festival, you’ll also encounter some unusual events related to brews, too. Yoga and a pint? Beer choir? Minneapolis has got it all.
6. Lincoln, NE
Named one of the 2024 Top 100 Best Places to Live, Lincoln has pretty much anything you could want in the way of food and drink. So if you’d like to revel in the history of the state’s oldest brewery (Empyrean Brewing Co.), imbibe in small-batch beer (Boiler Brewing Company) or relax at a bar that features lots of local brews (Pour Craft Beer and Spirits), there’s a place for you in Nebraska’s capital.
You’ll find some phenomenal beer-related events here, including the Haymarket Park Beerfest (splurge for the VIP ticket if you live and breathe all things brews) or the Okto Beerfest, an annual event that benefits the Nebraska State Stroke Association.
The city has more than a dozen breweries, which are great spots to hang out on the weekends or create your own tasting trail. These are perfect for tourists and locals alike.
Want more content about cool places delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Livability’s newsletter!
