6 Underrated Cities for Craft Beer Lovers (And Brewers)

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It’s a great time to be a beer lover.

In 2013, there were about 3,000 breweries in the United States, which had 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. As of the April 2026 Brewers Association report, the number of operating U.S. breweries is just over 9,500.

The State of the Craft: 9,500 Breweries and Counting

And, while the industry is continually adjusting to a changing market and experienced a 5% decline in production last year, craft brewers increased their market share. They demonstrated resilience and pivoted when necessary, proving that craft breweries are in it for the long haul. Lagers and Non-Alcoholic (NA) craft options are especially resilient and have seen major growth over the last year. While IPAs still hold the title for the largest volume of craft sales, lagers are projected to be the fastest-growing segment. And in response to a rise in sober-curious consumers, the non-alcoholic beer market has grown into a more than $26 billion industry. For example, Athletic Brewing Company, based out of Milford, CT, is now the 15th-largest overall brewing company in the country, climbing more than 10 spots in the national rankings in just a few short years.

Thanks to its surge in popularity, great beer is more accessible than ever: over 80% of Americans live within ten miles of a local brewery. Today, the craft beer market is a 69.45 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 bona fide 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!  

1. Reno, Nevada

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 15 different breweries, and you’ll find even 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. It successfully transitioned into the area’s premier specialist in the “Lager Renaissance,” focusing on hyper-clean German-style lagers and seasonal favorites like their Turkish Coffee Black Lager. Other breweries, like The Fox Brewery & Pub, have expanded by adding locations (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, Kentucky

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, which focuses on small-batch beers made with top ingredients. They recently moved into a larger location and offer a variety of events and experiences, including their monthly Jazz Sessions, held on the first Sunday of the month.

But what makes Bowling Green an especially exciting place for beer right now is the opportunity for brewers at every level to grow. 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 Brewery will be your home away from home. Blue Holler is the only homebrew store in Southern Kentucky, and their extensive inventory meets the needs of any homebrewer. Blue Holler also began offering some of its own seasonal beers, aiming to quench the community’s thirst 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 fewer than 1,000 attendees, but it now attracts thousands of visitors, brewers and distillers from around the U.S.

3. Pawtucket, Rhode Island

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 serves as a Partner Brewery and offers local brewers access to its 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 in 2018, show that the craft beer scene there continues to grow. And that growth continues today. Discipline Brewing Co. is slated to open in the coming months.

4. Spokane, Washington

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 was once home to Steel Barrel, the state’s only “incubator brewery.” Before investing in a brick-and-mortar location, aspiring brewers could share equipment with other breweries. Though Steel Barrel has since closed its doors, that spirit of community collaboration lives on in the Spokane brewery scene, with many breweries participating in alternating proprietorships to help new brewers get started. 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. And these spots are gaining national recognition – No-Li won a Gold Medal at the US Open Beer Championship for their Redband Tangerine Wheat.

The craft beer scene has grown so much in the area that you can even follow the Spokane Ale Trail (it includes more than 25 breweries!). Furthermore, several craft beer events happen annually. A local favorite is the Spokane Lilac Festival’s Brewfest, an annual gathering at Riverfront Park that features nearly every brewery in the region.

5. Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll be spoiled for choice in Minneapolis when it comes to breweries – currently, the city has over 30, with the highest concentration in the Northeast Minneapolis and North Loop neighborhoods. A bonus: you can find even more in the suburbs and nearby St. Paul. The area has more than 80 different breweries, and the Northeast and North Loop neighborhoods in Minneapolis proper remain among the highest-density brewery districts in the country.

Minneapolis can credit its craft beer scene to Surly Brewing Co. for advancing the Surly Bill through 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, you’ll also encounter some unusual events related to brews, too. Yoga and a pint? Beer choir? Minneapolis has got it all. 

6. Lincoln, Nebraska

Named one of the 2026 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. 

Brewery Trends to Watch

• Lagers and Non-Alcoholic (NA) craft options have seen major growth over the last year.
• IPAs still hold the title for the largest volume of craft sales
• Lagers are projected to be the fastest-growing segment through 2031
• The non-alcoholic beer market has grown into a more than $26 billion industry.
• Athletic Brewing Company is now the 15th-largest overall brewing company in the country, climbing more than 10 spots in the national rankings