In this article, we are going to discuss the 10 US cities with the most breweries per capita. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the economic contribution of the American beer industry, the recent acquisition in the U.S. beer market, and the domestic production of Sapporo beers, and go directly to the 25 US Cities with the Most Breweries Per Capita.
10. Seattle, WA
Breweries per 100,000 Residents: 2.16
Seattle’s great natural water sources from nearby mountains and its close proximity to some of the world’s finest hop fields in the Yakima Valley make it one of the Best Beer Destinations in America.
Founded in Seattle in 1981 by Paul Shipman and Gordon Bowker, Redhook is the oldest brewery in the Evergreen State. The brewery gave birth to some iconic IPA brands including Storm Surge and Big Ballard etc. Redhook was acquired by Tilray Brands earlier this month.
9. Richmond, VA
Breweries per 100,000 Residents: 2.22
Named #1 craft beer destination in the world by VinePair, the Richmond region is home to several craft breweries, distilleries, cideries, and hundreds of restaurants serving locally made beer and cider on tap. The city is also home to a brewing facility of the famed Stone Brewing Company.
8. Salt Lake City, UT
Breweries per 100,000 Residents: 2.26
Aside from its busy clubs and bars, SLC is also brimming with microbreweries, brew pubs, and distilleries, such as Epic Brewing and Red Rock Brewing etc. If you’re looking for some delicious grub to accompany your beer, there are several breweries whose food could be bragged about as easily as their brews.
7. Buffalo, NY
Breweries per 100,000 Residents: 2.31
With numerous events around town every weekend that revolve around craft beer, wine and cocktails, it’s no wonder why the Queen City has long been referred to as a ‘drinking town’. There are now tens of breweries around the region, reinvigorating once-bustling waterfronts, revitalizing old buildings, and granting the town gathering spots brimming with conversation, great beer, and civic pride.
6. Pittsburgh, PA
Breweries per 100,000 Residents: 2.34
Pennsylvania has emerged as a craft beer enthusiast’s paradise, boasting a thriving beer scene that stretches from the bustling streets of Philadelphia to the picturesque landscapes of Pittsburgh. With an abundance of talented brewers, innovative beer styles and unique tap room experiences, Pittsburgh offers a beer pilgrimage like no other.
5. San Diego, CA
Breweries per 100,000 Residents: 2.52
California is the birthplace of the American craft brewing movement and at the forefront of the industry’s growth. Today, more breweries call California home than any other state in the nation. With its long stretches of sandy shoreline and plenty of breweries spread across the county, San Diego is known as the craft beer capital of America. The city was named the Top Beer Town in America by Men’s Journal, and the New York Times has proclaimed that it ‘is rapidly becoming the country’s best craft beer scene’.
4. Louisville, KY
Breweries per 100,000 Residents: 2.76
Though it’s right in the heart of the Bourbon country, Louisville is now also home to a number of acclaimed craft breweries, making it one of the most exciting beer cities in the country. Louisville Ale Trail is a project created in 2020 by three beer lovers who saw the need for greater recognition and representation of the city’s beer culture.
3. Milwaukee, WI
Breweries per 100,000 Residents: 3.23
Only one city can claim to be the ‘Beer Capital of the World’ and that city is Milwaukee. A big part of the city’s population in the early 19th century was mostly made up of German, Irish, and Polish immigrants, who brought with them a history of drinking and brewing beer. The local geography provided them with good crop land to grow barley and hops. There is also an ample supply of water available, which helped them build a long-lasting brewing culture in the Badger State. Companies like Miller, Schlitz, and Pabst are giants in the Milwaukee brewing industry.
2. Denver, CO
Breweries per 100,000 Residents: 3.74
Denver is home to some of the most celebrated breweries in the world and hosts the Great American Beer Festival every year, so it comes as no surprise that the Colorado capital is counted among the Best Beer Cities in America.
1. Portland, OR
Breweries per 100,000 Residents: 4.38
Oregon’s first brewery opened back in 1854, when it wasn’t even a state yet, and the scene has flourished since then. In fact, beer is so highly regarded in the Beaver State that you can study fermentation science at Oregon State University, or get a certificate in the business of craft beer from Portland State University. With its vibrant brewery scene and bustling brewpubs, Portland is a must-visit beer destination for any zythophile.
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