This list of the best breweries in New York City was written by Antonina Pattiz, a 10-year local and the founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps). Great to have you here!
Brooklyn’s craft beer scene is no secret. Moreso than any other borough, Brooklyn punches above its weight. So today, I’d like to cover the best breweries in Brooklyn for anyone planning to visit. The breweries on my list are central to Brooklyn’s relaxed vibes and easy-going beer drinking culture. Let’s dive right in!
List of the Best Breweries in Brooklyn
(Table of Contents)
Brooklyn Breweries (Table of Contents)
- List of the Best Breweries in Brooklyn
- Threes Brewing (Gowanus & Greenpoint)
- Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co.
- Other Half Brewing Co. (Red Hook & Domino Park)
- Evil Twin Brewing (DUMBO)
- Brooklyn Brewery (Williamsburg)
- Wild East Brewing Co. (Gowanus)
- Big aLICe Brewing (Industry City)
- Grimm Artisan Ales (East Williamsburg)
- Transmitter Brewing (Brooklyn Navy Yard)
- Kings County Brewers Collective (Bushwick)
- TALEA Beer Co. (Greenpoint)
- Best Breweries in Brooklyn, New York (Post Summary)
- Map of the Best Brooklyn Breweries
Threes Brewing (Gowanus & Greenpoint)
Considered one of the most popular breweries in Brooklyn, the masterminds behind Threes Brewing are applauded for churning out some of the most balanced craft beer in Brooklyn. That’s not to say the brews lack complexity (anything but!), but the velvety texture makes them too easy to drink.
The focus is on creating approachable lagers, hop-forward IPAs and floral pilsners, while perfecting traditional styles with modern twists. You can expect to find knock-out brews served in a relaxed setting (the outdoor patio can’t be beat) with the option of grabbing a bite from The Meat Hook (pop up food vendor).
This is definitely one of the best breweries in Brooklyn, and I’m not the only one that thinks so. Since opening in 2014, Threes Brewing has expanded to three locations: Greenpoint (Brooklyn), Huntington (Long Island), and a seasonal outpost on Governor’s Island.
Website: Threes Brewing
Address: 333 Douglass Street (Gowanus) & 113 Franklin Street (Greenpoint)
Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co.
Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co. has been a local favorite since opening in 2014 (they moved to their new location in 2020, pictured above). The brewery stands out for its artisanal approach to brewing classic lagers, pilsners, IPA’s and ales in-house. The brewery’s commitment to using the finest ingredients, often locally sourced, adds local flare to their knock-out brews.
The industrial taproom is always buzzing with cheery locals, but the impeccable rooftop is where it’s at. We met a friend for beers last October and had a blast catching up over delicious brews while soaking in the epic views. Tons of folks around us brought playing cards, which was a great idea because this is the perfect place to linger.
The brewery’s welcoming atmosphere reflects their dedication to the local community. Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co. not only serves some of the best beer in Brooklyn, but it fosters an inviting place for the community to connect, making it a standout brewery in Brooklyn’s dynamic beer scene.
Website: Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co.
Address: 1150 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Featured in: 15 Great Things to Do in Greenpoint
Other Half Brewing
Founded in 2014 by friends Sam Richardson, Andrew Burman and Matt Monahan, who weren’t feeling excited about the beer scene in Brooklyn and took matters into their own hands. Nobody could brace for the wild success that followed.
Renowned for their innovative approach to craft beer, particularly their mastery of IPAs, Other Half has become a staple for Brooklyn beer enthusiasts. Consistently pushing boundaries with exciting flavors, it’s their knack for experimentation that sets them apart.
Take the peanut butter & jelly crunchee for example. Best described as a parfait in a can with huge doses of strawberries, peanut butter, hand-mixed granola blend and milk sugar. Or try the Berliner Weisse brewed with watermelon and sweet limes.
Plus, they do some cool collaborations with other breweries, ensuring there’s always something interesting on the menu. Speaking of the menu, it’s large. They typically have up to 20 beers on tap, if you feel overwhelmed, it’s hard to go wrong with the IPAs (my go-to at this Brooklyn brewery).
Website: Other Half Brewing
Locations: 195 Centre Street, Brooklyn & 34 River Street, Brooklyn
Evil Twin Brewing (DUMBO)
Evil Twin Brewing has carved out a unique space in the craft beer world with its daring and inventive approach to brewing. Founded by Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø, Evil Twin is renowned for pushing the boundaries of traditional beer styles.
Keen to upset the apple cart, Jarnit-Bjergsø’s (identical) twin brother launched Mikkeller Brewing Company in Denmark in 2006, which Jeppe challenged with Evil Twin Brewing in Brooklyn in 2010. This Brooklyn brewery’s flagship beer, Even More Jesus, has gained a cult following for its rich, complex flavors.
The brewery’s creativity isn’t limited to beer; their Brooklyn taproom is an experience in itself, featuring a greenhouse-like setting that adds a perfect backdrop for an evening spent with friends. Expect to find exciting, albeit unusual, variations on classics while visiting this remarkable Brooklyn brewery. Everything is bound to impress.
Website: Evil Twin Brewing
Address: 43 Main St, Brooklyn, NY
Featured in: 20 Best Things to Do in DUMBO, Brooklyn
Brooklyn Brewery (Williamsburg)
Brooklyn Brewery, a trailblazer in the American craft beer movement, holds a special place in Brooklyn’s rich brewing history. Founded in 1988 by Steve Hindy and Tom Potter, it played a pivotal role in revitalizing the beer landscape, not just in New York but across the country.
Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn Brewery is renowned for their flagship Brooklyn Lager, a beer that is enjoyed globally (and can be found in stores across the country). This brewery blends traditional methods with modern innovation, producing a wide range of beers from classic ales to experimental batches.
Brooklyn Brewery’s offers tours, which gives visitors an insightful glimpse into the brewing process and the rich history behind these iconic beers from Brooklyn. The taproom is also great, cozy leather couches and picnic tables give this brewery cool basement vibes.
Website: Brooklyn Brewery
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 79 N 11th St, Brooklyn, NY
Good to Know: Read about the small batch tours offered at the brewery.
Wild East Brewing Co. (Gowanus)
Specializing in sours and fermented beers, this is the place to go for saisons and the best pale ales in Brooklyn. Combining classic European brewing techniques with modern twists, the end result is a beautiful thing. Flavorful and refreshing pints of lagers, farmhouse ales, hazy IPAs and sours guaranteed to keep you coming back for more.
Local’s Tip: Wild East Brewing Co. offers brewery tours and tastings, if interested, you can sign up here.
Website: Wild East Brewing Co.
Address: 623 Sackett St, Brooklyn, NY
Big aLICe Brewing (Industry City)
Big aLICe Brewing is a small-batch brewery named after a beloved Queens landmark (a red-and-white generator stack affectionately called ‘Big Allis’). This farm-certified brewery makes every business decision with the community in mind.
Founders, Kyle Hurst and Scott Berger, source all their ingredients from local farmers and business owners. Everything from the hops and malts to one-off ingredients like fruit, honey, coffee, donuts (yep, really) are sourced nearby to support local agriculture.
Known for their experimental approach, Big Alice crafts a diverse range of beers. They’ve garnered attention for bold flavors and innovative recipes, such as their signature sour ales and barrel-aged brews. Their welcoming taproom in Brooklyn is a hot-spot for locals, offering a friendly atmosphere to enjoy some of the best beer in Brooklyn.
Website: Big aLICe Brewing
Address: 52 34th St, Brooklyn, NY
Grimm Artisanal Ales (East Williamsburg)
Grimm Artisanal Ales is one of the most impressive breweries in Brooklyn. How do I know? They won New York State’s Brewery of the Year award two years in a row. The best part? They’ve only been open since 2018.
Bringing home six awards last year alone (including silvers for their blonde ale and American IPA), this highly acclaimed Brooklyn brewery is nothing to scoff at and has a tasting room to match. The taproom doesn’t look like a traditional brewery, it’s more like a modern upscale bar, which is a nice change of pace from the usual brewery aesthetic.
The barrels in the back serve as assurance though, you’re in the right spot. Take your time perusing the long menu before settling on your preferred style (or heck, surprise yourself by ordering something new). Regardless of what you order, you’ll be in for a treat because Grimm Artisanal Ales makes some of the best beer in Brooklyn.
Website: Grimm Artisanal Ales
Address: 990 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Transmitter Brewing (Brooklyn Navy Yard)
An unapologetic mastery of traditional and farmhouse ales has made Transmitter Brewing one of the most respected breweries in Brooklyn. Started in 2014, by two friends with a shared passion for homemade food, Rob Kolb and Anthony Accardi decided to try their hand at home-brewing.
Transmitter’s focuses on farmhouse style and Belgian-inspired ales, the brewery has carved a niche for itself with its emphasis on unique yeast strains and fermentation processes. They strive to perfect the classics, rather than competing for the limelight with the newest trends in New York City’s craft brew scene.
The brewery’s commitment to small-batch brewing allows for meticulous attention to detail and quality, resulting in some of the best craft beer in Brooklyn. Transmitter’s approach is as much art as it is science, expertly blending time-tested traditional techniques with modern innovation.
Website: Transmitter Brewing
Address: 141 Flushing Ave Building 77, Brooklyn, NY
Kings County Brewers Collective (KCBC)
Kings County Brewers Collective (KCBC) opened its doors in 2016, becoming the first brick-and-mortar brewery Bushwick had seen in 40 long years. The owners (three friends) wanted a creative outlet and opened a little brewery that would allow them to experiment with various styles of beer. The rest, as they say, is history.
Expect to find a plethora of lagers & IPAs, but not many dark beers like porters and stouts. If you’re at a loss of what to order, opt for Ride the Liger, an irresistibly crisp Kolsch perfect on a warm day. The best way to try the wide array of brews is with a flight (which on Wednesdays will only run you $10). The beers are cold and the taproom is laid-back and inviting, it’s the perfect recipe for summer.
Website: Kings County Brewers Collective
Address: 381 Troutman St, Brooklyn, NY
TALEA Beer Co.
TALEA (pronounced tah-lay-uh) Beer Co. is the passion project of two friends, Tara Hankinson and LeAnn Darland (the brewery’s name is a blend of the owner’s names). They decided to open a brewery in Brooklyn because they wanted to make craft beer more approachable and inclusive.
TALEA is the first solely female-founded brewery in New York City, breaking new ground in a traditionally male-dominated industry. They strive to make easy drinking fruit-forward beers that lack acidity in an effort to capture folks that are convinced they don’t like beer.
Their focus on crafting approachable, low-bitterness beers has opened up the world of craft beer to a broader audience, including those who might not typically enjoy traditional beer styles. TALEA’s beers, often fruity and refreshingly unique, are definitely among the most unique beers in Brooklyn.
“From confusing packaging and bearded bros with attitudes to dark, industrial taprooms, the male-dominated industry was lacking an approachable, inclusive perspective and voice.”
talea
Website: TALEA Beer Co. | Locations
Best Breweries in Brooklyn, New York (Post Summary)
In sum, here’s a roundup of the best breweries in Brooklyn, hope you enjoyed!
- Other Half Brewing Co.
- Big aLICe Brewing
- TALEA Beer Co.
- Evil Twin Brewing
- Threes Brewing
- Brooklyn Brewery
- Wild East Brewing Co.
- Grimm Artisan Ales
- Transmitter Brewing
- Kings County Brewers Collective
Map of the Best Beer in Brooklyn
Cheers!
Antonina
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Matt Byrnes says
So glad to see Greenpoint Ales on this list! I love that place and love that it’s always full of locals. I’ve been in Bushwick for 6 years and agree with all the spots on this list. Keep up the good work!
Matt
Antonina says
Hey Matt, so happy to hear you’re a fan of Greenpoint Ales as well, love that place!