Favorite Local Beer?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by wmeckley44, Mar 2, 2026.

  1. Roadsnakes

    Roadsnakes Devotee (374) Jan 22, 2024 Wisconsin

    Milwaukee

    Eastside Dark Bavarian Dark Lager
    '
    Honoring the eclectic East Side of Milwaukee, this Bohemian-style dark lager is a blend of three specialty grains, creating a rich, smooth, dark beer that anyone can enjoy.
    '

    '
    [​IMG]
     
  2. DarkDragon999

    DarkDragon999 Maven (1,331) Feb 13, 2013 Rhode Island

    I dont know why a brown ale would be draft/brewery only but Im pretty sure I have not seen that one for sold at the liquor stores. I would have got it if i saw it.
     
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  3. StoutElk_92

    StoutElk_92 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,045) Oct 30, 2015 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Around me in Mass, besides the two big popular locals Tree House and Trillium there is a smaller local brewery in Cambridge that actually self-distributes. Not only can you find them at most liquor stores but they make great quality beer and a range of styles too including lagers and traditional Czech, German, Belgian, British, etc. styles. They make a lot of fun, creative, unique and interesting limited beers and even great IPAs too hazy or not, so a little something for everybody. Lamplighter Brewing Co. is definitely a local favorite of mine and I always say they are my favorite local brewery you can actually get in stores around Boston... Rabbit Rabbit is a great flagship year-round hazy Double IPA from them, possibly Citra/Amarillo. Birds Of A Feather is pretty great too, dank and crispy with some Mosaic hops in it I believe.
     
  4. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Have you visited Concordance Ferments in Hatboro? They just recently opened (October 2025).

    I enjoyed one of their beers at this past weekends German Bierfest in Philly, a dry hopped Pilsner. I spoke to the brewer (Dave Sakolsky) for about 20 minutes and he is a very interesting fellow who beyond his brewing prowess is very open minded to new ideas.

    I have yet to visit but they seem to have a carefully curated selection of beers. And I appreciate that only one tap handle is for an IPA (@MrOH).

    Cheers!

    https://www.concordanceferments.com/_files/ugd/c82381_88d464c7deb44520a95104e730b67ecc.pdf
     
  5. rolltide8425

    rolltide8425 Pooh-Bah (2,470) Feb 18, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I’ve been there a couple times actually, one of which was their soft opening, and have very much enjoyed my visits. Hoping to get back again soon.
     
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  6. zotzot

    zotzot Grand Pooh-Bah (5,352) Feb 22, 2015 Vermont
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I live near Burlington VT, and we’ve had a lot of flux recently on breweries

    but my favorite local brewery is Frost Beer Works
    Nice, low key, good beers
     
  7. brewme

    brewme Grand Pooh-Bah (4,014) Mar 1, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Tree House is my favorite local brewery, with Very Green my favorite beer from them.

    Untold & Widowmaker are some solid, local, lesser known options.
     
  8. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Never heard of untold or widowmaker. Perhaps I’ll pop in.

    Speaking of Mass, I was in Cambridge back in January and really enjoyed my visit to Lamplighter.
     
  9. AlfromPA

    AlfromPA Zealot (613) Dec 9, 2021 Colorado

    Currently here in Denver I like 4 Noses and Prost. The 4 Noses Czech Pilsener, Zlato, is fantastic, extremely floral. Prost Vienna Lager is a superb version of that style.
     
  10. unklebik

    unklebik Initiate (90) Dec 25, 2025 Ohio

    "Neighbor Girl" by Paradigm Shift in Massillon. 9.0% Belgian Tripel.
    I luv that place! Kool relaxed vibe & friendly clientele. Plus they have varied beer selection, not just 21 hazies or pastry stouts...
     
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  11. LeinenkugelDrinker

    LeinenkugelDrinker Pooh-Bah (2,171) Feb 14, 2023 Nevada
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Ichthyosaur IPA by Great Basin has long been my favorite. Piney with some bitter lemon, good Cascade hops. Everything I want in an IPA. Not like these “hazy” “juicy” “floral” murk-bombs…
     
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  12. hefeweizass

    hefeweizass Devotee (320) Nov 11, 2025 New York
    Trader

    I guess I'm a little spoiled with breweries here in the mid-Hudson Valley.

    My favorite overall beer is probably West Kill Brewing's Bezucha Bros. They're right up in the Catskills so they get that delicious mountain water, and it makes for a exceptional Czech style pilsner. Their Kaaterskill hazy IPA is a consistent best-seller on my beer wall, as well. They rotate beers in/out at a good clip, and it always sells.

    Wayward Lane outside of Albany drops off at my store now once a month, and everything I've had from them has been amazing. I've especially loved their Belgian style wit called Hat Tip.

    Arrowood Farms has consistently great and affordable beers in a wide range of styles, definitely a great go-to throughout the entire year. My favorite of theirs would be their Cicada, which is a corn lager, or their Spring-Fed, which is a kolsch.

    Chatham Brewing does great stuff, as does Hudson Brewing Company. Union St Brewing from Hudson/Kingston has exceptionally crisp and clear offerings, as well. Return Brewing from Hudson has a great West Coast IPA. Kingston Standard does really cool bottled beers like Lambics. Industrial Arts down in Poughkeepsie has excellent IPAs as well as NA options. There's Subversive Malting & Brewing from Catskill with their excellent NY Nectar and Puff Puff Pils. There's Catskill Brewery with their Devil's Path. There's Upward Brewing with their Base Camp Lager. There's Suarez right across the river from me.

    Truly, the list is kinda endless.
     
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  13. ReilleysTastingRoom

    ReilleysTastingRoom Initiate (65) Feb 27, 2026 New Jersey

    I’m local to Bakes Brewing in Belmar New Jersey and they’ve been killing it with their beers on rotation! They are mainly that hazy IPA/DIPA based but have a lot of good options and a really cool spot!

    Some of the recents I’ve been loving from them are:
    • Colt Juice - 8% Imperial DIPA
    • Ch’ip 9 - 12% Quad IPA
    • Secret Sliding Door w/ Superdelic - 8.5% Imperial DIPA
    • Parade of Champions - 8.8% Imperial DIPA

    I did a couple of beer reviews on some of them if anyone’s interested to check them out for more!
    https://youtube.com/@reilleystastingroom?si=RLGg8RgySM4jJuSX
     
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  14. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Although 45 min drive, Sapwood is my favorite small brewery (I guess I can’t really call that local to me). Favorite locals (30 min or less from my house), there are about 7-8 that are like splitting hairs to me, each have there pluses and minuses but solid. RAK, Milkhouse, Midnight Run, Brewers Alley, Monocacy, Steinhardts, Olde Mother all solid. Vanish has a satellite taproom in Frederick as well. Sapwood is easily best however.
     
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  15. DownyIsHungry

    DownyIsHungry Pooh-Bah (1,902) Feb 6, 2015 Minnesota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Anything from Earth Rider in Superior WI is top notch. My favorites are their Brett IPA, Navigator Doppelbock, Festbier, and Casket Quarry IPA.

    Blacklist in Duluth, MN is another favorite. They have done a really great job with wheat beers the past few years. I could drink their Dreadnoughts Dunkelweizen all day.
     
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  16. NYR-Zuuuuc

    NYR-Zuuuuc Maven (1,351) Jan 1, 2013 Connecticut

    Easy one for me here in CT. New England Brewing Company by a mile.
     
  17. Taylor_Maierhofer1996

    Taylor_Maierhofer1996 Savant (1,068) Jun 30, 2021 Illinois
    Society Trader

    Analytical Brewing Analyze This! American IPA Lexington, Illinois

    Emancipation Farmer’s Favorite American IPA Fairbury, Illinois

    Blind Pig Brewing U of IPA Champaign, Illinois

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  18. ReformedWineNerd

    ReformedWineNerd Devotee (310) May 24, 2025 Texas

    I live in SE Texas,45 minutes south of Houston..
    For me it’s Art Car IPA from Saint Arnold brewery..
    It’s not my favorite beer by any stretch but it’s certainly my go to..
     
  19. keilerdunkel

    keilerdunkel Savant (1,014) Apr 8, 2004 Illinois
    Trader

    I’m in the western suburbs of Chicago and am lucky enough to live approximately halfway between Goldfinger and Art History. Both make my current favorite lagers (Goldfinger Pils and Art History Gravitace & Levitace)

    Honorable mention goes to Bubblehouse and Sturdy Shelter.
     
  20. zotzot

    zotzot Grand Pooh-Bah (5,352) Feb 22, 2015 Vermont
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I misread the title of this thread. It says favorite local BEER, not brewery.
    My favorite local beer is Second Fiddle from Fiddlehead Brewing. They are only 2 miles from my house and I was so excited when they opened in an old pottery studio.
    I think the recipe has moved around some over the years, but it’s still my go-to- beer.