The Best Craft Breweries in Northern California

Deanna Morgado

Northern California is littered with craft breweries up and down the region. While these breweries are great, some dive a little deeper into the making of fantastic craft beers. At these spots, visitors can sip on beer flight tasters, take home their own growler of their favorite brew, and even have a guided tour to see the brewing process. Here are a handful of the best craft breweries in Northern California.

1. North Coast Brewing Company

This upbeat brewery is also a delicious grill, set in the beautiful ocean town of Fort Bragg. North Coast Brewing Company offers a wonderful assortment of brews, all made locally, all on tap. Not only are the craft brews here impeccable, but the food is just as good and pairs perfectly with the beer.

North Coast Brewing Company, 444 N Main St, Fort Bragg, CA, USA +1 707 964 2739

North Coast Old Rasputin Ι © Bernt Rostad/Flickr

2. The Rare Barrel

This rustic alehouse is responsible for brewing some of the most delicious beer in the region. On the weekend, patrons can come, sit, and enjoy these crafts beer straight from the original tap. While Rare Barrel has a wide variety of brews, the craft sours that are made here are absolutely to die for.

The Rare Barrel, 940 Parker St, Berkeley, CA, USA +1 510 984 6585

Craft beer tent Ι © Lars Plougmann/Flickr

3. Wildcard Brewing Co.

Wildcard Brewing Co. is probably one of the best breweries in the country. The care that is taken to each and every beer at this Redding location is hard to find. It’s a great place to enjoy a good brew. Whether you’re a brew expert or recent enthusiast, the people at Wildcard have something for you.

Wildcard Brewing Co., 9565 Crossroads Dr, Redding, CA, USA +1 530 722 9239

Tree Shaka Brett Spiked Saison Ι © Adam Barhan/Flickr

5. Mad River Brewing Co.

Pull up a chair at Mad River’s tasting room for some world-class craft brews and fun evenings full of live music. The brewery kitchen slings out some amazing eats, too. Public tours are also held for those that really want to get up close and personal with the beer, from beginning to end. Mad River Brewing Co. is situated in Blue Lake, creating a beautiful backdrop for your craft brewery experience.

Mad River Brewing Co., 195 Taylor Way, Blue Lake, CA, USA +1 707 668 4151

Three mini beers. Ι © Robbie Sproule/Flickr

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