Breweries In The U.S. You Need To Visit At Least Once

If you're a craft beer lover, there's an excellent chance that you're familiar with Delaware-born Dogfishhead. This epic brewery now has locations all over Delaware and one in Miami, and continues to crank out delightful beers with unexpected ingredients. In addition to their off-the-wall contributions to the beer world, like IN YOUR MACE coffee milk stout, Dogfishhead excels in reinventing the classics. Their Punkin Ale is an excellent example of this, with deep pumpkin flavor, brown sugar, and gorgeous malty ale.

The Holy Grail of Dogfishhead beers is its outrageously hoppy 120 Minute IPA. This classic draught is a high-octane IPA with a big, bold, fresh flavor that's perfect for sipping on a summer's day. If you want fewer hops but all of the taste, check out their 60 Minute or 90 Minute IPAs. They're made by the same process, but hopped for less time. Stop into Dogfishhead for a tour of the brewery and sample some of their signature beers straight out of the tap.

Placentia, California's The Bruery isn't hung up on any one particular style. Instead, their brewmasters use years of industry expertise and their own sophisticated tastebuds to guide them as they go through the brewing process. Thanks to their open-mindedness and ability to think outside the box, The Bruery is easily one of the best breweries in the country, creating a whole tapestry of different offerings, each with its own style and flair.

Take Licuados, a fruit-forward imperial pastry stout that's packed with cinnamon, vanilla, and banana notes. Although it's got a lot going on, Licuados is never too overpowering. Instead, the beer is both refreshing and robust. Love Bites is another beer made in the same style but has a decidedly different taste and feel. Love Bites is a chocolaty, decadent, memorable beer with luscious strawberries and cacao. Visit the brewery to take a peek behind the curtain and watch the brewmasters do their magic while sampling unique new flavors and blends.

Of the many things that Great Notion does well, two super standouts are its whimsical beers and personal app, where you can collect points, beers, and badges to open up new characters. If you're a beer enthusiast and a gamer, get thee to Portland, Oregon, or Seattle, Washington to go check out Great Notion in person. True to form, Great Notion's breweries are a feast for all of the senses, and you can see where your favorite beers are manufactured.

Some of their best offerings are also their most off-the-wall drafts, like Strawberry Fluff. It's a boozy celebration of vanilla, cotton candy, and bright strawberry flavors. Apricult is another exceptional offering. It's a sour IPA packed with rich tangerine, apricot flavors, and plenty of hops. However you like your poison — hoppy, malty, fruity, or straight-up magical — Great Notion has something just for you. So download the app, stop in to say hi, and prepare to be overwhelmed by beer-y goodness.    

Speciation Cellars in Grand Rapids, Michigan, produces naturally-inspired beers and wines that celebrate local ingredients and showcase each drink's individual style. Their beautifully-appointed brewery is a great place to chill out and have a pint of fresh beer, tart cider, or tasty wine with your friends. You can also talk to local brewmasters and get an idea of how they make their signature suds.

You should definitely try out a few beers when you're at Speciation Cellars. Their Subspecies NE Pale Ale is an excellent example of a dry-hopped pale ale, balanced with just the right amount of malt. If you're looking for something a little darker and heavier, you really can't go wrong with Reinforcement, a vanilla-laced imperial stout tinged with notes of maple and cinnamon. Rest assured, everything that you can get at Speciation Cellars is sure to please your palate and have you coming back for more.

If you're in the Sunshine State and want to grab a great beer to sip while you soak up some Vitamin Sea, give Funky Buddha Brewery a try. This Oakland Park staple creates experimental and traditional blends that are flavor-forward and delicious. It's like getting your own little slice of nirvana in every can. True to the name, Funky Buddha Brewery's beers are a bit on the funky and whimsical side while still paying homage to tried-and-true beer traditions.

Some of their standout offerings are classic styles with a Florida twist. The Floridian is a wheat beer full of spicy clove and sweet banana. It's the ultimate summer beer, perfect for enjoying right at Funky Buddha itself or bringing to the beach. Pineapple Beach is another excellent pick. It's a beautiful, tropical combination of mild blonde beer with plenty of tart pineapple flavor. Visit their main brewery to see what other taste sensations are on tap.

You don't have to go all of the way to Bruges, Belgium, to taste some phenomenal Belgian-style beer. Instead, just pop over to Cooperstown, New York, and visit Ommegang Brewery for exceptionally crafted, Belgian-style beers. Ommegang Brewery is such a staple in Cooperstown that they participate in a giant beer festival during the summer, showcasing Belgian beer, local food, and plenty of great music.

One of Ommegang Brewery's top drafts is Hennepin, a golden-hued Saison that's flecked with different spices, plenty of citrus, and a nice hit of ginger on the end. It's completely drinkable all on its own or paired with a plate of cheese and fruit. However, if you're looking for something with a bit more bite, check out Neon Rainbows. This New England-style IPA slightly diverges from Ommegang Brewery's traditional Belgian offerings, but the formula is right on point, with plenty of juicy hops and delicious citrus flavor.

Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, California, is a legacy brewery that's been delighting Californians with its innovative beers since 1997. Although it's changed names and owners a few times throughout the years, the consistent quality of Russian River Brewing Company's products has remained the same. This brewery excels at creating Belgian-style beers big on hops and flavor. One of their flagship offerings, Pliny the Elder, remains a perennial favorite for beer enthusiasts. It's a nuanced, delicious brew that is exemplary of form, style, and taste.

Not only does the Russian River Brewing Company put out some fantastic beers, but they also have a tremendous brewpub and beer garden, plus guided tours of the whole works. You can spend the day learning the secrets of Russian River Brewing Company's top beer masters, then pick up a six-pack and some merchandise to bring home. It's a must-visit for beer enthusiasts.

Up north, in the cold reaches of Fairbanks, Alaska, Black Spruce Brewing Company is waiting to warm up your frigid days with one of their award-winning beers. This friendly and funky brewery prides itself in constantly refining each of its craft offerings, and you can certainly taste the craft and skill in every sip. It's a fun place to hang out, with a cool, off-beat vibe and friendly atmosphere. Although you can enjoy it in bottles and cans, Black Spruce beer is best straight out of the tap.

Their Short Days Golden Ale is a vibrant, golden beer, heavily scented with plenty of orange peel. You can taste the delicate malt and fruity hops right away. It's a bold beer without being too overpowering. Jerry Juice IPA is another great pick from this brewery. It's a great beer for people who don't like overly hoppy offerings, but still want that signature bitterness in their glass.