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Cheers to the 10 best new breweries across the country
Photo courtesy of Alena Kravchenko // Getty Images
Hundreds of craft breweries open in the United States every year. 10Best wanted to find the best new breweries in the country for 2022, ones that opened in the past four years, so we asked a panel of beer experts to nominate their favorites and then we invited our readers to vote. These are the 10 best new breweries in the United States, according to our readers.
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Photo courtesy of Steeplejack Brewing
No. 10: Steeplejack Brewing Company - Portland, Oregon
Steeplejack Brewing Company, located within a beautifully restored early 1900s church, proudly provides a gathering space for Portlanders to gather, connect and enjoy great craft beer. Alongside an extensive made-from-scratch food menu, Steeplejack offers a variety of beers, from light pilsners to hoppy IPAs and dark stouts.
The team at Steeplejack is proud to support their community and hosts a number of fundraisers to support local causes, schools and nonprofits. If you're local, keep an eye on the calendar for these special nights, as well as live music, trivia and kids-eat-free Mondays.
Photo courtesy of Brian Maass Photography
No. 9: Pretentious Beer Co. - Knoxville, Tennessee
Pretentious Beer Co. is anything but pretentious. This fun brewery, an offshoot of Knoxville's Pretentious Glass Co., offers something for everyone. Beyond the beloved punny brews on tap, they also brew hard seltzers and beers created specifically with the non-beer lover in mind.
Photo courtesy of romaset // Getty Images
No. 8: Oak Park Brewing Co. - Sacramento, California
Sacramento's Oak Park Brewing Co. strives to be a space that brings the community together "to not only drink craft beer but make a difference." OPB, as it's affectionately known in the neighborhood, often pairs its release parties with benefit concerts to support local nonprofits and draw attention to local artists. Oak Park Brewing Co. invites beer enthusiasts (and wannabes) to stop in at lunch or happy hour to meet the brewers and witness the production process.
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Photo courtesy of Jess Blackwell
No. 7: Cohesion Brewing Company - Denver, Colorado
Opened in 2021, Cohesion Brewing Company brings the Czech lager experience to Denver’s Clayton neighborhood. Cohesion aims to introduce Denver to both Czech classics and lesser-known styles while incorporating local ingredients.
Photo courtesy of urbancow // Getty Images
No. 6: Little Cottage Brewery - Avondale Estates, Georgia
Located in Avondale Estates, Georgia, Little Cottage Brewery is a heavy metal-themed brewery. Little Cottage describes itself as "small batch brews with a passion for big flavors." Coming from the "Faucets of Fatality" (their taps), guests will find a variety of Little Cottage's brews. Keep an eye out for Balthazar, a "light, crisp and refreshing Kölsch," and Bang! POW! Zap!, a heavily fruited sour ale.
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Photo courtesy of Like Beard
No. 5: Inner Voice Brewing - Decatur, Georgia
Inner Voice Brewing is known for offering a welcoming space in Decatur, Georgia to enjoy great craft beers. With friendly bartenders and brewers passionate about introducing visitors to the perfect brew, Inner Voice offers a variety of craft beers that range from traditional IPAs and stouts to more experimental brews.
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Photo courtesy of Todd Lacy
No. 4: Attic Brewing Co. - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia's Attic Brewing Company opened in January 2020 and is passionate about supporting the historic Germantown neighborhood they call home. The brewery always offers 14 beers on tap, and their selection includes IPAs, Belgian, barrel-aged, stouts and more. One of their most popular initiatives, the Give Back Beer series, provides opportunities to collaborate with local nonprofits by donating a portion of profits from all sales of the current Give Back Beer on tap.
Photo courtesy of Jake Atkinson
No. 3: Human Robot Brewery - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Opened in 2020, Human Robot offers both classic-style beers as well as beers brewed with newer, experimental techniques. Visitors can find a number of Human Robot's brews on tap, as well as ciders, wines and canned cocktails. Hungry? Pair your beer with some great eats from Poe's Sandwich Joint.
Photo courtesy of Irina Shatilova // Getty Images
No. 2: Swedesboro Brewing Company - Swedesboro, New Jersey
Founded in 2020, Swedesboro Brewing Company is committed to producing "exceptional quality" beer inspired by Swedesboro's unique history. Visitors to the brewery are often given the opportunity to tour the brewing facilities and learn about the craft brewing processes that SBC employs. Along the way, they'll be introduced to or reminded of Swedesboro's rich history.
Swedesboro Brewing Company is proud to offer a variety of brews, including those that are no longer as popular within the craft brewing community. The team at SBC intentionally chooses to include these brews in their rotation because they know and understand that "different people have different palates."
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Photo courtesy of N/A
No. 1: Funguys Brewing - Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina's Funguys Brewing is a family-friendly, pet-friendly "mom-and-pop craft brewery" serving up a number of popular IPAs and lagers, but a fan favorite is the heavily fruited smoothie style sours, better known as the "Smoothsicles."
For a unique experience, be sure to try the Berry Berry Cheesecake or Fruit Punch. Food is not served at Funguys, although there are often food trucks. Guests are always welcome to bring their own food.
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About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
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The Experts
Dennis Malcolm "Ale" Sharpton
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a... Read More
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday, Thrillist.com, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, James Beard Foundation, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting, and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys. Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
Dennis Malcolm "Ale" Sharpton
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday, Thrillist.com, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, James Beard Foundation, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting, and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys. Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
Gary Monterosso
Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who... Read More
Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who has written for national and regional publications. He is a regular guest on “You Oughta Know,” on WHYY-TV, a PBS station based in Philadelphia. Gary also hosts one-minute beverage updates on several southern NJ radio stations. From 2010-2017, he was seen on the History Channel show called “The Epic History of Everyday Things.” He is the author of the book, “Artisan Beers.” After a 41-year career as a NJ- based educator, Gary now teaches beer appreciation classes at Wilmington University. Gary has appeared on many television programs discussing craft beers and has guested on BBC radio offering an American perspective on the beverage. In late 2014, he lent his expertise to CBS News New York, by offering fall beer recommendations. One of the highlights of his career was a three-year stint on the Sirius Satellite Radio network, talking about the latest happenings in the beer world. In 2014, Gary was selected by Chilled Magazine to be a member of the “Chilled 100,” signifying him as one of the top 100 beverage personalities in the United States. He continues to be a fixture at regional beer events by hosting dinners and tasting seminars. He has qualified as a Certified Beer Server, a part of the Cicerone Certification Program, recognizing his knowledge of beer styles, culture, the brewing process and ingredients.
Gary Monterosso
Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who has written for national and regional publications. He is a regular guest on “You Oughta Know,” on WHYY-TV, a PBS station based in Philadelphia. Gary also hosts one-minute beverage updates on several southern NJ radio stations. From 2010-2017, he was seen on the History Channel show called “The Epic History of Everyday Things.” He is the author of the book, “Artisan Beers.” After a 41-year career as a NJ- based educator, Gary now teaches beer appreciation classes at Wilmington University. Gary has appeared on many television programs discussing craft beers and has guested on BBC radio offering an American perspective on the beverage. In late 2014, he lent his expertise to CBS News New York, by offering fall beer recommendations. One of the highlights of his career was a three-year stint on the Sirius Satellite Radio network, talking about the latest happenings in the beer world. In 2014, Gary was selected by Chilled Magazine to be a member of the “Chilled 100,” signifying him as one of the top 100 beverage personalities in the United States. He continues to be a fixture at regional beer events by hosting dinners and tasting seminars. He has qualified as a Certified Beer Server, a part of the Cicerone Certification Program, recognizing his knowledge of beer styles, culture, the brewing process and ingredients.
Latiesha Cook
Latiesha Cook is the Co-Founder, President and CEO... Read More
Latiesha Cook is the Co-Founder, President and CEO of Beer Kulture, a St. Petersburg, Florida based nonprofit focused on increasing diversity and inclusion in the craft beer industry. Born in the Bronx, New York, Latiesha is a wife, mother of four, Cicerone certified beer server, published author and entrepreneur. In her leadership role at Beer Kulture, she has guided the team in launching an array of initiatives designed to diversify craft beer, including Cicerone scholarships, internships, a job board, and kollaboration beers with breweries around the world, as well as community projects to help local neighborhoods and causes throughout the country.
Latiesha Cook
Latiesha Cook is the Co-Founder, President and CEO of Beer Kulture, a St. Petersburg, Florida based nonprofit focused on increasing diversity and inclusion in the craft beer industry. Born in the Bronx, New York, Latiesha is a wife, mother of four, Cicerone certified beer server, published author and entrepreneur. In her leadership role at Beer Kulture, she has guided the team in launching an array of initiatives designed to diversify craft beer, including Cicerone scholarships, internships, a job board, and kollaboration beers with breweries around the world, as well as community projects to help local neighborhoods and causes throughout the country.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
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