Thirsty for a well-brewed beer—crafted using high-quality ingredients and top-notch techniques? According to the thousands of STYLE readers who voted in last year’s Readers’ Choice Awards, these breweries are the cream of the hop. 

Aptly named, Solid Ground, is indeed solid. The highly educated, experienced owners use their background and passion to create award-winning, high-quality beers (from traditional lagers to  innovative ales), dry ciders, and wine. Beyond just beverages, the establishment’s kitchen also receives rave reviews; favorites include the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich and “Ugly Nugz.”

 

MUST-TRY BEER: Kabru
Brewed to be a classic West Coast IPA, with flavors of citrus, tropical fruit, lemon zest, pine, and spice, Kabru is a clean, dry, and refreshing brew that pairs perfectly alongside Indian and Thai curries, pho, fajitas, or burgers.

Loomis Basin Brewery, affectionally known as LBB, takes great pride in their neighborhood "backyard" atmosphere. Patrons love the laid-back, intimate tasting room where you can unwind with friends and family while sipping on a bevy of palatable pints.

 

MUST-TRY BEER: The Haka
New to the LBB lineup and crafted using New Zealand hops of Nectron and Nelson Sauvin—giving it a tropical, juicy, and soft lush flavor—this hazy IPA is easy to drink without being too intense. Try it with one of the brewery’s cheesy, crunchy-crusted wood-fired pizzas (available every Friday night starting this spring).

You won’t find pretentious vibes or an IPA-heavy menu at Folsom’s Red Bus. What you will find is an actual red bus—and an ultra-casual, welcoming gathering place that pours an ever-changing list of fluids, including ciders, stouts, and seltzers. A permanent patio and wood-fired pizza kitchen is scheduled to open this spring.

 

MUST-TRY BEER: Planet Caravan
Amber in color—due to generous use of English caramel malts—and lightly hopped, this traditional-style ESB (extra special bitter) is impeccably balanced with a toasted malt flavor, honey sweetness, and perfect amount of bitterness.

Fort Rock Brewing,
12401 Folsom Boulevard, Suite 110, Rancho Cordova, 916-936-4616, fortrockbrewing.com
EDITOR’S PICK: Folsom Dam Good Pilsner

GearTooth AleWerks,
7553 Green Valley Road, Placerville, 530-303-3469, geartoothalewerks.com
EDITOR’S PICK: Pulp Friction Hazy Pale Ale

Hwy 50 Brewery,
3544 Carson Road, Camino, 530-556-5060, hwy50brewery.com
EDITOR’S PICK: Irish Dry Stout

Knee Deep Brewing Company,
13395 New Airport Road, Suite H, Auburn, 530-797-4677, kneedeepbrewing.com
EDITOR’S PICK: Tanilla

The Monk's Cellar,
240 Vernon Street, Roseville, 916-786-6665, monkscellar.com
EDITOR’S PICK: Biere Blanche

Moonraker Millhouse,
3501  Robin Lane, Cameron  Park,
530-745-6816, moonrakerbrewing.com/millhouse
EDITOR’S PICK: Zulu Haze

Mraz Brewing Company,
2222 Francisco Drive, Suite 510, El Dorado Hills, 916-934-0744, mrazbrewingcompany.com
EDITOR’S PICK: Peach the Magic Dragon

Red Bus takes community to a whole new level, as evidenced by their recent collab with Visconti's Ristorante (viscontisristorante.com) and Brian Wallace Art (brianwallaceart.com). The three partnered to create a new house beer for Visconti’s: Birra Romeo. The label, created by Wallace, was inspired by the Alfa Romeo crest, and features the Visconti's family crest and VW Wolfsburg crest. Try the 4.8% ABV Italian pilsner on tap or in cans at Visconti’s.