6 Companies That Offer Quality Craft Beer

America may not have the best reputation globally when it comes to beer, but anyone in the know can tell you that's all changing. There are dedicated professionals pouring their hearts and souls into incredible beverages, and the U.S. beer scene continues to pick up steam. Check out one of these outlets for delicious, imaginative beers. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

6 Sources for American Craft Beer

Name Location
Craft Pride Austin, TX
Wynkoop Brewing Company Denver, CO
Foothills Brewing Winston-Salem, NC
Fremont Brewing Seattle, WA
Ardent Craft Ales Richmond, VA
Wibby Brewing Longmont, CO

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Event Location
Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival Breckenridge, CO
Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival Calgary & Edmonton, AB, Canada
Feast Portland Portland, OR
Colorado Mountain Winefest Palisade, CO
Firkfest Anaheim, CA
Nantucket Wine & Food Festival Nantucket, MA
Naples Winter Wine Festival Naples, FL
Woking Food and Drink Festival Surrey, UK

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In Depth

Craft beer production is well on its way to becoming a true American tradition, with hundreds of new breweries opening each year, and innovative creators around the country bringing novel flavors to market. Many independent beer outlets also help nurture local culture, serving as venues for socializing and community gatherings. In no particular order, here are six places customers can find unique and well-crafted brews.

Starting off our list at #1 is Craft Pride, a bar committed to showcasing the unique regional beers of Texas. Located in Austin's historic Rainey Street district, and staffed by beer aficionados who can assist customers in finding the right craft brew, this venue features more than fifty taps dispensing flavors from across the state.

The drafts available at Craft Pride include hazy I.P.A's like the Heavenly Daze from Zilker Brewing, dark and malty options like the Bill Pickett Porter from Texas Beer Company, and experimental offerings such as Martin House Brewing's Pacific Waves coconut sour ale. The bar also features events from music to trivia, and the company produces podcast episodes and staff videos about the state's independent beer creators.

The drafts available at Craft Pride include hazy I.P.A's like the Heavenly Daze from Zilker Brewing, dark and malty options like the Bill Pickett Porter from Texas Beer Company, and experimental offerings such as Martin House Brewing's Pacific Waves coconut sour ale.

Next up at #2 is Wynkoop Brewing Company, a home for eclectic beers and pub food in Denver, Colorado. One of the companies that enabled the revitalization of the city's LoDo neighborhood, Wynkoop is known for innovative brews like its Earl Grey I.P.A., made with real tea, or the Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout born from an April Fools' joke.

In addition to experimenting with creative styles and unusual ingredients in its brews, Wynkoop offers pub fare including tacos, bison burgers, and beer-battered fish and chips. The venue also features billiards tables and hosts competitions, festivals, and other community events. Wynkoop provides tours of the brewery, and shares news and reflections on beer crafting through its blog.

At #3 we have Foothills Brewing, creating and serving beer in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This company offers year-round standbys like the Hoppyum I.P.A. or the award-winning Bohemian-style Torch Pilsner, as well as seasonal options. The limited-release Foot Work Series showcases experimental creations from the company's brewers, offering unique flavors like a Scottish ale incorporating sea salt.

This company offers year-round standbys like the Hoppyum I.P.A. or the award-winning Bohemian-style Torch Pilsner, as well as seasonal options.

Foothills' brewery and tasting room hosts tours and private parties, and its pub offers gourmet casual dining and entertaining events. In addition to brewing, the company roasts coffee at its Footnote location, which serves both caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. The company's creative pub cuisine is also available for catering. Foothills offers classes on craft brewing, and publishes news and informational articles on its blog.

Entry #4 is Fremont Brewing, a family-owned company crafting small-batch artisan beers in Seattle, Washington. Its flagship offerings include classic styles like the Interurban I.P.A. or the Dark Star oatmeal stout, alongside novel flavors such as the pepper and fruit notes of the Sky Kraken pale ale. Other selections include seasonal choices, and the ever-evolving Head Full of Dynomite line.

Fremont Brewing is committed to sustainability, from supporting organic hop growers to brewing with local grains; it also promotes community well-being through partnerships with social justice organizations, and raises money for LGBTQ groups with its PRIDE Kolsch. The brewery has won numerous awards and seeks feedback on freshness to maintain rigorous quality standards. Fremont's Urban Beer Garden provides a pet-friendly, all-ages space for beer lovers to gather.

The brewery has won numerous awards and seeks feedback on freshness to maintain rigorous quality standards.

At #5 is Ardent Craft Ales, located in the city of Richmond, Virginia. Ardent's beers range from familiar styles like juicy I.P.A's, to niche offerings including an Italian Pilsner and a Honey Ginger spiced ale. The company creates unique collaborations such as the Eldig Baltic Porter, with neighboring Vasen Brewing Company, or the Hathor Gose, supporting the local Pink Boots Society for female brewers.

Ardent's taproom and beer garden provide a space for community events like the annual Swine & Brine food and beer festival, as well as offering opportunities to taste new entries in the brewery's lineup of drafts. Ardent's blog shares company news including brew releases, and its online store offers branded merchandise for fans.

Capping off our list at #6 is Wibby Brewing, located in Longmont, Colorado. Founded by a graduate of the Certified Brewmaster Course at Berlin's VLB, Wibby is dedicated to producing innovative craft lagers rooted in the German tradition. The company's signature offerings include award-winning selections like the chocolate roast flavor of the Moondoor Dunkel or the Bavarian-derived Lightshine Helles.

The company's signature offerings include award-winning selections like the chocolate roast flavor of the Moondoor Dunkel or the Bavarian-derived Lightshine Helles.

Wibby's twists on classic German styles include an I.P.A.-style lager featuring strong citrus aromas, or the Double Dunkel, brewed with cacao nibs and vanilla beans. The company's taproom welcomes guests for events from game nights to neighborhood festivals, including its own spin on Oktoberfest celebrations. Its online store offers branded apparel and gifts for devotees of its brews.