My Top 5 Breweries (Based on Setting)
If you’re anything like me, everywhere you go you run a quick Google search, ask around for the best breweries in the area, and make a list of “gotta go to’s.” I always try to hit a few different breweries when on the road and am constantly looking for a local hidden gem that I haven’t been to yet. The endless hunt for a good brewery — a life’s work.
But what makes a brewery a good brewery? Heck, even a great one? This answer will be different for everyone you ask. Is it a friendly staff? Hip patrons? Great beer? A cool logo? For me, one of the biggest factors that goes into a great brewery is going to be the setting. I love, love, love drinking beer in a cool setting. Easily one of my favorite things to do. I’ve been running my personal list through my head for some time now and finally wanted to get it written on paper (typed online).
5.) Restaurant at The Big Sur River Inn | Big Sur, CA.
OK, OK, I know, I know. I’m not even one selection into this and I’m already breaking the rules. But look, I’m not doing anything but simply giving you a suggestion of a cool place to drink beer — can you blame me? I’ll get right into the breweries soon, but right now let’s talk about The Restaurant at the Big Sur River Inn in Big Sur, CA. Since it sits right along the Big Sur River, you’re able to get your beer at the restaurant and walk right into the river, where they have wooden Adirondack chairs nestled into the banks of the creek. You can enjoy your beer while your feet float in the water. They also have a great selection of local craft beers. Amazing. If there is a heaven, it’s this:
4.) Metropolitan Brewery | Chicago, IL.
I know breweries along a river are a dime a dozen, but something about this gem in a usually hectic Chicago makes it feel even better. When at Metropolitan Brewery, you seem to forget you’re in such a bustling city for a couple beers (or 10). A huge deck situated along a small bend in the Chicago River and covered by vegetation, this brewery knocks it out of the park (Go Cubs!).
3.) Idyllwild Brewpub | Idyllwild, CA.
This is a fun one. Idyllwild Brewpub has a deck situated on the second level of the structure with a bar railing running across the outside of the deck. You can sit facing out, nestled into the tree line, and surrounded by the nearby mountain tops. Bonus feature here — as I mentioned, the bar is facing out, which allows you to put the “goings on” of the restaurant behind you. I love this. Sometimes you just want to be alone with your beer and a great view. Amiright?
2.) Ballast Point Brewery | Long Beach, CA.
This could have easily been number one. It’s what is considered a home brewery for me. Ballast Point sits right at the point of the marina and is surrounded by, if I may say this, breathtaking views of the bay and ocean. It’s a great place for daytime drinks and an even better place for sunset drinks. You can kick back with one of their many great beers, zone out to Slightly Stoopid playing over the speakers, and just gaze at the boats coming and going. Amazing.
1.) Lake Arrowhead Brewing Co. | Lake Arrowhead, CA.
Can I get a drumroll please?! Lake Arrowhead Brewing Co. has to be one of my favorite breweries of all time. It sits a quick walk off of Lake Arrowhead in the front, and the back it is absolute heaven. You walk through the brewery and head to their back garden/patio situation and are surrounded by huge pine trees. It’s a really cool perspective because the base of the trees sits just a little higher than the patio, so it feels like your engulfed in them. Something about going from beachy lake to pine tree oasis is awesome to me.
Well there it is, folks. This is my list from recent memory. I know these are mostly West Coast, so drop me some recs and maybe I’ll add some new ones in there!
