Post overview: Best Breweries in Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn is no stranger to breweries. Perhaps moreso than any other borough, this is the heavy-hitter in the craft brew scene and we are all better for it.
Over the past 10 years there’s been a sharp increase in Brooklyn breweries and it’s not hard to see why. Locals can’t seem to get enough of the good stuff and everyone (and their dog) seems to offer a creative twist.
But listen, not all the breweries in Brooklyn are created equal. Far from it. Some stand head-and-shoulders above their competition and I took it upon myself to find those very gems.
Read on for the best breweries in Brooklyn, New York (based on firsthand experience).
Best Breweries Brooklyn, New York
Other Half Brewing Co. (Red Hook & Domino Park)
Founded in 2014 by friends Sam Richardson, Andrew Burman and Matt Monahan, nobody could brace for the wild success of what would become one of the most iconic breweries in Brooklyn.
The reason for their endeavour was clear: they weren’t finding beer in NYC that excited them so they sought to change that. Today they churn out some of the best brews in Brooklyn — something you can test for yourself at their spacious taproom.
The awe-inspiring selection of beer can overwhelm those unaccustomed to seeing more than 10 beers listed on a menu (they typically have 19-20 beers on tap). But tip to the wise – they excel with hoppy beers so the IPAs are always a safe bet.
But there’s a reason for the madness — everyone should be able to find a beer to love! The diverse menu boasts everything from sours and ales to hazy IPAs, ciders and porters.
The hardest thing about this beloved Brooklyn brewery if finding an open table in the rustic tasting room. The easy-going vibe and lively chatter makes it hard to leave, so folks tend to linger.
Big aLICe Brewing (Brooklyn Industry City)
Crafting innovative locally-sourced beer, Big aLICe Brewing is a must-visit for those searching for the best breweries in Brooklyn, New York.
This small-batch brewery was named after a red-and-white generator stack (affectionally called ‘Big Allis’) that became a Queens landmark. What makes them unique from the other Brooklyn breweries mentioned on this list is that they’re a certified farm brewery.
Essentially this means that every business decision is done with the community in mind. Founders, Kyle Hurst and Scott Berger, work with local hops farmers and business owners to source all of their ingredients.
Everything from hops and malts to one-off ingredients like fruit, honey, coffee, donuts (you know, the usual suspects) is sourced locally to support local and state agriculture.
Serving some of the best beer in New York City since 2013, Big Alice Brewing currently boasts three locations: Queens, Brooklyn and Finger Lakes.
I find that most of the beers at this cool Brooklyn brewery lean towards complex and hearty notes, thankfully they never fail to hit the spot.
Local’s Tip: Food isn’t offered so outside food is permitted. I especially enjoy the brewery in Brooklyn because of the great food options from nearby vendors.
TALEA Beer Co. (Greenpoint)
What happens when two well-established women quit uninspiring corporate careers and take on an industry predominantly run by men? They end up opening one of the best breweries in Brooklyn, to no one’s surprise.
TALEA (pronounced tah-lay-uh) Beer Co. is the passion project of Tara and LeAnn (the brewery’s name is a blend of their first names), an endevour they took on because they wanted to make craft brew more approachable and inclusive.
This is the only woman-founded brewery in Brooklyn so it’s no surprise that their mission would be inclusivity. They strive to make easy drinking fruit-forward beers that lack acidity in an effort to capture folks that are convinced they don’t enjoy beer.
In addition to the creative brews pouring into every glass, my biggest reason for considering TALEA Beer Co. one of the best breweries in NYC is the welcoming atmosphere. Everyone is embraced and everyone leaves happy.
“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
Address: 87 Richardson St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Evil Twin Brewing (DUMBO)
Started by Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergso, an identical twin from Denmark, Evil Twin Brewing seems to have one mission in mind: upset the apple cart. His twin brother launched Mikkeller Brewing Company in 2006, which Jeppe challenged with Evil Twin Brewing in 2010.
This is one of the most popular breweries in Brooklyn for a reason. Originally started as a nomadic brewery (without a home base, brewing beers at other breweries in New York City). After 8 years of the nomadic lifestyle, Jeppe and his wife/business partner Maria, decided to settle down in Queens and then opened a second location in DUMBO.
Expect to find exciting, albeit unusual, variations on classics. As you probably know by know, I’m partial to the IPAs but even I can’t pass up an unusual seasonal delight every now and then.
At Evil Twin Brewing NYC we wanted to expand upon the traditions of innovation & further it with the intimacy of a local neighborhood microbrewery. With more control over our recipes, we are able to experiment on new flavors while perfecting the classics.
Threes Brewing (Gowanus & Greenpoint)
Let’s continue our list of the best breweries in Brooklyn with a crowd favorite — Threes Brewing.
Considered one of the most popular Brooklyn breweries, the masterminds behind the brewhouse are applauded for churning out some of the most balanced craft brews in NYC.
That’s not to say the brews lack complexity (anything but!), it’s just that the velvety texture makes them (almost) too easy to drink.
The focus is on creating approachable lagers, hop-forward IPAs and floral pilsners all 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). Just make sure you bring good company because you’ll want to linger.
In my opinion, this is one of the best breweries in Brooklyn but it turns out I’m not the only one that thinks so. The brewery’s success speaks for itself, since opening in 2014 they’ve expanded to three new locations: Greenpoint (Brooklyn), Huntington (Long Island), and a seasonal outpost on Governor’s Island.
Brooklyn Brewery (Williamsburg)
Brooklyn Brewery needs no introduction. This New York City microbrewery has made headlines for their perfectly balanced lagers that can be found in stores across the country, but not everyone has the luxury of visiting the taproom.
This has the be one of the sleekest breweries in NYC, largely thanks to the cozy leather couches, wood-trimed everything and ample picnic tables. Come to think of it, it’s very reminiscent of those epic basement hangouts we all dreamed of in high school.
Ordering couldn’t be easier. Every table is equipped with a QR code. Simply scan and order, the food and drinks will be delivered when ready. I’m a big fan of the Bel-Air Sour, can’t recommend it enough if you’re into sours.
But let’s get real — it’s hard to go wrong with anything churning out of this popular New York brewery, so try as many as you (responsibly) can.
Address: 79 N 11th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Locals tip: Brooklyn Brewery offers brewery tours, if interested, you can read about the small batch tours.
Wild East Brewing Co. (Gowanus)
Opening in 2020, Wild East Brewing Company’s success can be attributed to one thing: they serve some of the best beer in Brooklyn. Specializing in sours and fermented beers, this is the place to go for saisons and pale ales.
Combining classic European brewing techniques with modern innovations, 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.
The spacious taproom is irresistibly inviting and oozes industrial-chic farm. It’s the only place you want to be during a relaxed weekday.
Wild East Brewing Co. is definitely worth a visit for anyone interested in visiting the best breweries in Brooklyn.
Local’s Tip: Wild East Brewing Co. offers brewery tours and tastings, if interested, you can sign up here.
Grimm Artisan Ales (East Williamsburg)
Grimm Artisan Ales is one of the most impressive breweries in New York City. How do I know? They won New York State Brewers Association’s highly coveted Brewery of the Year award 2 years in a row. The crazy 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 NYC brewery is nothing to scoff at and has a tasting room to match.
As soon as you enter you’ll quickly notice that the taproom doesn’t immediately look like a traditional brewery. The white walls and ample window light make it seem more like an upscale modern bar than most typical breweries in New York City.
The barrels in the back serve as assurance though, you’re in the right spot.
I try to make it out to Grimm Artisan Ales at least once a month. I don’t expect them to stop being one of the breweries in New York City anytime soon and I’m always looking forward to trying one of their cold cups of foamy ale.
Address: 990 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Check out the breakdown of all the categories Grimm Artisanal Ales placed in on American Craft Beer‘s website.
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 by two friends with a shared passion for homemade food, Rob Kolb and Anthony Accardi decided to try their hand at homebrewing. This effectively sowed the seeds for Transmitter Brewing, a beloved staple in Brooklyn.
The goal is to keep the focus on traditional beer by perfecting their understanding of hops and yeast. Perfecting the classics rather than competing for the limelight of the newest trends in New York City’s craft brew scene is what sets them apart from the competition.
All this to say, this is one of my favorite breweries in New York City whenever I’m in the mood for a quick pint of some of the best beer in NYC.
But heads up, there’s only two picnic tables outside, so this isn’t the NYC brewery to go to if you want to lounge for a while.
Our mission at Transmitter Brewing is to leverage our passion, and introduce you to compelling and unique beers with an appreciation of their history and a focus on the quality of ingredients. We are constantly striving to create approachable interesting yeast driven beers with complimenting grains and hops.
Transmitter Brewing
Kings County Brewers Collective (Bushwick)
The Bushwick neighborhood is not stranger to beer, far from it. At one point an area in Northern Bushwick was referred to as “Brewer’s Row” because there were 14 breweries within a 14 block radius.
Adjusted for today’s terminology, we’d probably call it heaven.
The Kings County Brewers Collective (KCBC) opened its doors in in 2016, becoming the first brick and mortar brewery Bushwick had seen in 40 long years. Thanks to 3 award winning home-brewers who decided to open up shop we now have one of the best breweries in New York City.
Expect to find a plethora of lagers & IPAs, but not a lot of dark beers. My go to is Ride the Liger, a crisp Kolsch that goes down smooth. The best way to try the wide array of brews is with a flight (which on Wednesdays will only run you $10).
KCBC’s popularity has spread throughout the city attracting visitors from all five boroughs. The tap room is laid back and relaxed, just like you will be after visiting this popular NYC brewery.
Address: 381 Troutman St, Brooklyn, NY 11237
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 Brooklyn Breweries
Cheers!
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