Santa Cruz, CA: Beach Town Breweries You’ll Love
Some of the greatest breweries in California can be found in the Santa Cruz area. Here are some local favorites you need to try in 2023!
Santa Cruz, located about 70 miles south of San Francisco, is a seaside town known for its beautiful beaches, relaxed atmosphere, and great breweries!
Whether you are looking for a place to relax with a pint after a day of surfing or you want to try something new, this charming coastal town has plenty of local favorites and delicious beer options for you to choose from.
So grab your friends and head on over to one of Santa Cruz’s many amazing breweries for a cold one!
If you’re looking for a brewery that uses only the finest organic ingredients, look no further than Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. This local hangout is proud to have women who are both owners and brewers. They offer a wide selection of beers, hard ciders, hard kombuchas, and local wines.
You can enjoy a pint in their taproom, but their beer garden’s outdoor seating area can’t be beat. While you’re there, be sure to check out their incredible handcrafted copper tree sculpture in their taproom.
In addition to their delicious drinks, they regularly host comedians, bands, and movie nights.
If you want to take some of their delicious brews home with you, they offer growlers and crowlers to go. So next time you’re in Santa Cruz, be sure to check out this amazing brewery!
Related: Growler vs Crowler: Differences + Best Choice for Fresh Beer
Is Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Dog Friendly?
Yes, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing is one of the many dog-friendly breweries in Santa Cruz. So be sure to bring your furry friend along for a pint.
Does Santa Cruz Mounting Brewing Have Food?
Yes, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing has food available in their taproom and often has food trucks on site. So you can enjoy a delicious meal with your beer.
Address and Website
- 402 Ingalls Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Visit their website here
Humble Sea Brewing Company is another brewery you’ll want to check out while you’re in Santa Cruz. Founded in 2015 by three childhood friends, they also have taprooms in Pacifica and Felton.
They’re known for the “Foggy IPAs,” along with other styles of beer. They don’t fill growlers, but they do offer crowlers, and you can also sign up for their “Hop Box” subscription service.
Humble Sea Brewing Company strives to be a positive force in their community, supporting ocean-based causes and human rights issues. Over the years, they’ve raised tens of thousands of dollars and awareness for local groups and non-profits.
Humble Sea is a fantastic spot to bring the whole family. Adults and children of all ages will enjoy their expansive patio, which is the perfect place to enjoy a sunny Santa Cruz afternoon.
If you’re looking to drink amazing beer and do some good in the world, Humble Sea is the brewery for you. Their unique offerings and friendly atmosphere make it a perfect spot to enjoy a pint or two.
Is Humble Sea Brewing Dog Friendly?
Yes, Humble Sea Brewing is dog friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friend along.
Does Humble Sea Brewing Have Food?
Yes, Humble Sea serves up delicious Argentine-style empanadas, and they also have rotating food vendors each day if you’re looking for something different.
Address and Website
- 820 Swift Street #100, Santa Cruz, CA
- Visit their website here
New Bohemia Brewing Company’s brewmaster made his first beer in a dorm room in Santa Cruz and has decades of professional brewing experience, so he knows how to make a tasty beer!
New Bohemia, also known as NuBo, specializes in brewing craft lagers, traditional European beers, and non-traditional beers. Their house yeast comes from Ceske Budejovice, a town in the heart of Bohemia in today’s Czech Republic known for producing fine pilsners.
NuBo has delicious brews and a welcoming atmosphere, making it the ideal spot to meet up with friends. The beer garden is only a few blocks from the beach, which is the perfect spot for enjoying a beautiful day.
So next time you’re in Santa Cruz, be sure to check out New Bohemia Brewing Company! You won’t be disappointed.
Is New Bohemia Brewing Company Dog Friendly?
Yes, New Bohemia Brewing is dog friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friend along.
Does New Bohemia Brewing Company Have Food?
Yes, New Bohemia Brewing has a great BBQ food menu with something for everyone.
Address and Website
- 1030 41st Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
- Visit their website here
If you’re searching for a relaxed and laid-back brewery in Santa Cruz, Shanty Shack Brewing is the place to go. The owners first met at a homebrew shop and later opened their own brewery in a converted warehouse in the Harvey West neighborhood in 2016.
The name Shanty Shack comes from the dilapidated house on Chanticleer Avenue (aka the “Chanti Shack”) where they first began brewing.
The brewery has a great outdoor patio that is perfect for enjoying a sunny day in Santa Cruz. The tap list features a variety of small-batch beers, including IPAs, barrel-aged sours, fruited kettle sours, pilsners, stouts, gruits, and Belgian styles.
You can also enjoy live music and backyard vibes at this hidden local gem.
Is Shanty Shack Brewing Dog Friendly?
Yes, Shanty Shack Brewing’s patio is dog and kid-friendly, so you can bring the whole family along.
Does Shanty Shack Brewing Have Food?
Yes, Shanty Shack Brewing has food such as sandwiches, salads, and other tasty snacks, or you can enjoy food from one of the rotating food trucks.
Address and Website
- 138 Fern Street, Santa Cruz, CA
- Visit their website here
Woodhouse Blending & Brewing is a great spot for beer lovers in Santa Cruz. The head brewer has decades of experience, and his brews have won numerous awards, so you can be sure that you’re getting a quality pint.
They create traditional and non-traditional beers as well as barrel-aged blends, so there’s something for everyone.
The large indoor and outdoor areas are perfect for getting together with friends and family to experience all that the city has to offer. They often have live music, making it an excellent spot to relax and enjoy a beer or two.
Is Woodhouse Blending & Brewing Dog Friendly?
Yes, Woodhouse Blending & Brewing is dog friendly, so you can bring your furry friend along.
Does Woodhouse Blending & Brewing Have Food?
Yes, Woodhouse Blending & Brewing has a food vendor who serves Brazilian-inspired cuisine.
Address and Website
- 119 Madrone St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Visit their website here
The Greater Purpose Brewing Company is the ideal place to unwind with a handcrafted beer. Their taproom has a laid-back atmosphere with a large outdoor seating area. Their signature brews include the Imperial Black IPA, Irish Red Ale, and Mosaic Session IPL.
With live original music and a community vibe, Greater Purpose Brewing Company supports local charities and non-profits. They donate 30% to 60% of their profit to support local Santa Cruz charities and nonprofits.
Not only can you enjoy a delicious beer, but you can also feel good knowing that your purchase is supporting a great cause. What’s not to love? Swing by Greater Purpose Brewing Company next time you’re in Santa Cruz. You won’t be disappointed.
Is Greater Purpose Brewing Company Dog Friendly?
Yes, Greater Purpose Brewing Company is dog friendly, so you can bring your pup along.
Does Greater Purpose Brewing Company Have Food?
Yes, Greater Purpose Brewing Company has a selection of rotating food trucks.
Address and Website
- 21517 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
- Visit their website here
Discretion Brewing is a family-owned brewery located in the Seabright neighborhood of Santa Cruz that is committed to sustainable practices. They have 16 beers on tap and carefully source their ingredients to support local, sustainable farming.
Discretion was the first Santa Cruz brewery to invest in solar power, and 100% of their used grain is given to local farms where pigs feast on the delicious goodness leftover from brewing, which spares the landfill more than 225,000 pounds of grain each year.
Their taproom overlooks the brewing equipment, and they also have a large beer garden that hosts live music. Sustainable, delicious beer AND live music? Sign me up!
Is Discretion Brewing Dog Friendly?
Yes, Discretion Brewing is dog friendly! They have a large outdoor beer garden that is perfect for enjoying a pint with your pup.
Does Discretion Brewing Have Food?
Yes, Discretion Brewing has a full menu including appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pizzas and entrees.
Address and Website
- 2703 41st Avenue Suite. A, Soquel, CA 9507
- Visit their website here
Final Thoughts
If you’re a craft beer enthusiast, then you need to check out the best breweries in Santa Cruz. This charming coastal town is home to some of the best breweries, and you’ll find no shortage of delicious beer options here.
From pale ales to stouts, there’s something for everyone at these local favorites. So grab your friends and head on over to one of Santa Cruz’s many amazing breweries for a cold one!
Please drink responsibly. Cheers – Scott