Since the Great American Beer Festival changed the way it is showcasing breweries on the floor, we’ve decided to play along. In the past, breweries were grouped by their region. But now they will be grouped alphabetically. Here is a list of great breweries to try for each letter in the alphabet.
(Note: We didn’t include any Colorado breweries, because you can always get those outside of the hall. And there were no breweries that start with the letter “x,” and we start off with one that begins with a numeral.)
21st Amendment (San Francisco, Calif.): Located just steps from AT&T Park, this brewery is a fan favorite and has piled up medals at both GABF and World Beer Cup.
Allagash Brewing (Portland, Maine): This is a beer geek favorite (BGF) that specializes in Belgian-style beers. They are particularly known for their Allagash White.
Bale Breaker Brewing (Yakima, Wash.): Based in the region where most of the country’s hops are grown, this brewery that started in 2013 has become Washington’s fifth largest brewery and has become a favorite among brewers who regularly visit the area.
Captain Lawrence Brewing (Elmsford, N.Y.): This award-winning brewery specializes in Belgian-style beers and usually has some nice barrel-aged beers and sours.
Dogfish Head Brewing (Milton, Del.): If there is anyone who is considered a rock star among brewers it’s Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head, who has starred in reality TV shows about brewing. There is also usually a long line.
Evil Genius Brewing (Philadelphia, Pa.): You gotta love a brewery with beers named “Whatever, make me a bicycle clown” hefeweizen and “Pics or it Didn’t Happen” IPA. With names like those, it’s gotta be great beer.
Firestone Walker (Pablo Rosa, Calif.): Another BGF. Firestone Walker is one of the most respected and awarded breweries in the country. It has been named mid-sized brewery of the year multiple times in both the World Beer Cup and GABF. Definitely seek this one out.
Ghostfish Brewing (Seattle, Wash.): Three of the founders of this Seattle brewery are either gluten intolerant or have loved ones who are. Their mission is to create the best gluten-free beer in America. Judging by their awards, they have succeeded.
Hop Butcher for the World (Darien, Ill.): With a name based on a Carl Sandberg poem, this is the current buzz on the Chicago beer scene.
Icarus Brewing Co. (Lakewood, N.J.): Craft beer and Jersey may not be synonymous. But this brewery is consistently getting good marks on RateBeer, Beer Advocate and Untapped rating sites.
J. Wakefield (Miami, Fla.): Also a fan favorite. This Miami brewery is known for its Berliner Weisse heretofore dubbed the Florida Weiss. It is exactly what you would think, a tart, funky beer with tropical fruit flavors.
Kane Brewing (Ocean, N.J.): Another Jersey brewery. This one is particularly revered for its Head High IPA.
Ladyface Ale Companie (Agoura Hills, Calif.): Ladyface is known for their award-winning Belgian, French and American style ales.
Modern Times (San Diego, Calif.): This is an exceptional brewery in one of the country’s hottest craft beer zones. Their selection at GABF never disappoints.
New Glarus (New Glarus, Wisc.): Another BGF with Spotted Cow being its flagship. Also check out Noble Ale Works in this zone.
Offshoot (Placentia, Calif.): This is an “offshoot” of the BGF The Bruery, which specializes in hop-forward beers, such as IPAs and double IPAs.
Pfriem Family Brothers (Hood River, Ore.): Take it from Willamette Week, Portland’s alt-weekly, when it calls Pfriem the best brewery in Oregon.
Quarter Celtic Brewpub (Albuquerque, N.M.): Frankly, this is the only Q-lettered brewery pouring. Beer Advocate gives it a good ranking.
The Rare Barrel (Berkeley, Calif.): Another BGF. This is an all-sour brewery. And they have perfected the craft.
Societe Brewing Co. (San Diego, Calif.): And another BGF. This brewery focuses on hoppy and Belgian beers. If it’s there, try The Pupil or really any of their beers.
Three Floyds Brewing Co. (Munster, Ind.): Yes, there will be lines. The flagship and most talked about beer is the Zombie Dust IPA. And that is what everyone will be trying. So, when in Munster … .
Une Anne (Niles, Ill.): This Chicago-area 15 barrel brewery focuses on Belgian and French beers and is one of those small-time breweries with beers that you probably won’t see in Colorado any time soon.
Von Trapp Brewing Co. (Stowe, Vt.): Yes, it’s a brewery affiliated with the clan that is the basis of “The Sound of Music.” But they are one of Vermont’s biggest and best breweries.
Wild Barrel (San Marcos, Calif.): Only open about a year, this SoCal brewery is the new project by the high-profile beer expert Bill Sysak, who was Stone Brewing’s beer ambassador. He’s gotten help from brewers from the Lost Abbey, Stone and Rip Current. Not to be missed.
Yachats Brewery (Yachats, Ore.): Charlie Van Meter left award-winning Logsdon Farmhouse Ales to start this tiny brewery on Oregon’s Coast. And now this gives you another reason to visit the Oregon Coast.
Zwangzigz Brewing (Columbus, Ind.): What a great name. But the beer is great too. This brewery won best small brewpub and small brewer of the year at the 2016 GABF.
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