The best breweries in L.A.

What is it? One of the city’s most adventurous, innovative and collaborative breweries.

Why we love it: From a tiny outpost in the Hermosillo bar to a massive buildout in a Chinatown warehouse, Highland Park Brewery has grown from an L.A. underdog to a downright powerhouse. While you can still pull up a seat at the Hermosillo on York for a handful of the brewery's offerings, the kid- and dog-friendly Chinatown location is a stunner—and it's where nearly all of the releases, parties and events take place. The larger digs provide a full kitchen for some of the best drinking snacks in town, plus double the tanks, allowing the team to crank out more experimental, funky and collaborative new beers. The menu board swaps out brews frequently, but we're partial to their barrel-aged sour ale, and the rotation of hazy IPAs often packs the brightening punch of pineapple, citrus or mango.

Time Out tip: Note that it gets crowded here, especially on release days and weekends.

Address: 1220 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Hours of operation: Mon–Wed noon–10pm; Thu noon–11pm; Fri, Sat 11am–midnight; Sun 11am–10pm

What is it? The city’s first combined brewery and cider house, and a Lincoln Heights weekend mainstay.

Why we love it: After half a decade of researching centuries-old fermentation techniques across Europe, Ben Farber and Chelsey Rosetter launched Benny Boy in April 2022. The husband-and-wife duo use whole flower hops instead of the more widely used pellet hops, which Farber says provides a smoother, less bitter flavor. Forgoing the IPA-dominant menu of so many rival breweries, Benny Boy offers an eclectic mix of crisp lagers and Belgian strong ales, as well as a Desert Champagne Gose, a tart concoction brewed with fresh prickly pear, sage and desert salt. On the cider side, Benny Boy makes their ciders with in-state apples sourced from Santa Cruz, including the spice-forward Devil's Umbrella, which comes infused with pineapple and habanero. An expansive beer garden connects a 55-foot tank bar to a 1,200-square-foot cider room, providing an urban oasis for outdoor parties with food trucks and DJs.

Time Out tip: Check out the events calendar to find out what’s going on at Benny Boy; the brewery has been known to host wiener dog races for Oktoberfest and other fun, free monthly programming.

Address: 1821 Daly Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Hours of operation: Tue–Thu 4–10pm, Fri 4pm–midnight, Sat noon–midnight, Sun noon–10pm

What is it? A cornerstone of the Arts District bar crawl and large group birthdays since 2015.

Why we love it: Skee-ball, darts, ping pong, great bar food—Arts District Brewing is more than just a brewery, it's a bona fide drinking destination. The 15-barrel system pumps out some stellar varieties here, including the flagship Traction, an IPA infused with papaya and mango, and the Mateo, an easy golden ale that can effortlessly pair with some of the pub-style comfort food that gets passed from the food-service window and into the taproom. Sloppy Joes, mango habanero wings, chorizo burgers, salads and nachos are all on offer and, let's be real, pair with just about everything. There’s a full cocktail bar if you want to amp things up a bit, but first-timers should opt for a beer flight to sample what Arts District Brewing does best.

Time Out tip: The brewery compound even includes a small hidden cocktail lounge if the noise and crowds get to be a bit much.

Address: 828 Traction Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu 11am–midnight, Fri 11am–2am, Sat noon–2 am, Sun noon–midnight

What is it? A warehouse-style brewery in Torrance with additional satellites in West Torrance, Long Beach and Glendora. 

Why we love it: You might pass right by the Smog City taproom if you don't pay attention. From the outside, the humble brewery looks just like all the other warehouses on Del Amo Boulevard: white, boxy, industrial. Pull into their parking lot, though, and you'll immediately spot beer-wielding Torrance folk spilling out the door. Laurie and Jonathan Porter started making beer in 2011, and built up enough of a presence to open a brewery in 2013, and four years later, launched a second outpost in Long Beach's SteelCraft food hall. Locals can pick up growlers of Smog City staples (the Coffee Porter and the West Coast IPA are serious crowd-pleasers) or put their stamp of approval on variations by the glass. 

Time Out tip: Check the calendar to find out what's going on at Smog City; all four taprooms have weekly events like trivia, karaoke, live music and more.

Address: 1901 Del Amo Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu noon–9pm; Fri, Sat noon–10pm; Sun 11am–9pm

What is it? L.A.'s largest brewery and the juggernaut of the Southland beer scene.

Why we love it: While Goldenroad’s kingpin status is due to the company's much-maligned acquisition by Anheuser-Busch, it hasn't degraded GRB's hop-forward beer selection—or its Atwater Village location's bustling beer-garden atmosphere. GRB's original space features bright-and-airy interiors and a shaded outdoor area, which both buzz with thirtysomethings, happy toddlers, cornhole and live music. While heavy on IPAs, GRB also serves wine, gluten-free cider and—perhaps most unique—a range of vegan food. If you're not near Atwater, you're still in luck: There's an outpost in Downtown's Grand Central Market, plus an Anaheim location with a killer patio. There's even a GRB in Sacramento. It wouldn't be an L.A. summer without a can of Mango Cart wheat ale—good thing they're everywhere.

Time Out tip: You can also find Golden Road sold in bars and bottle shops across SoCal.

Address: 5410 W San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri 11am–midnight, Sat 10am–midnight, Sun 10am–10pm

What is it? A no-frills, cult-favorite craft brewery in the South Bay.

Why we love it: The only place to pick up a case of Monkish is from the taproom, so to this Torrance office parking lot you shall go. You’ll find this family-operated South Bay brewery just around the corner from Smog City, in fact, and when you get to the Belgian beers, you’ll also be greeted by free pretzels. (Not a bad way to begin.) While the Belgians are fantastic, especially the triple with hibiscus, you should also opt for one of the IPAs or a sampler of four beers. The ambience at the taproom isn’t the best, but the incredible brews more than make up for it—and at least the parking lot patio is dog- and kid-friendly.

Time Out tip: Monkish also has a beer garden in Anaheim if you’re closer to Orange County or happen to find yourself down south.

Address: 20311 South Western Avenue, Torrance, CA 90501

Hours of operation: Mon–Wed noon–9pm, Thu–Sat noon–10pm, Sun noon–8pm

What is it? A longtime craft brewery and another linchpin of the Arts District bar crawl that’s been around since 2013. 

Why we love it: Housed in an expansive, century-old building in the Arts District, Angel City Brewery is one of the neighborhood's rock-solid day drinking spots—with the weekend crowds to match. There’s a chance Angel City may close by April 2026 (assuming that its parent company, Boston Beer, is unable to find a buyer), so we should enjoy Angel City while we still can. The former warehouse space keeps that industrial feel and plenty of room to spread out among picnic tables while you sip on IPAs, pilsners, lagers and limited releases. Tacos & Trivia Tuesdays bring beer nerds together each week, while karaoke, art shows, yoga, food pop-ups and one-off events make this communal gathering space a place for more than just beer. If you’re a first-timer, the classic Angeleno IPA is a solid choice with a bold, grapefruit-infused flavor. 

Time Out tip: For those in search of something more unique, the annual kolsch-style avocado ale should do the trick.

Address: 216 South Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu 4pm–1am, Fri 4pm–2am, Sat 11am–2am; Sun 11am–11:30pm

What is it? A mainstay of Downtown L.A.'s competitive craft beer scene for over half a decade.

Why we love it: Boomtown distinguishes itself by brewing "old-world ales with an American twist." The taproom offers a half dozen beers year-round and a broad rotating selection of a dozen seasonal concoctions. The Brett Michaels, a kettle-soured Belgian blonde, is barrel-aged for at least three years and infused with a seasonal fruit. The Just, another crowd favorite, is a hop-forward West Coast Double blended with cannabis terpenes. The staff make use of the enormous industrial warehouse space by hosting boisterous nightly events, including open mic, vegan food pop-and karaoke. The company also supports local artists by commissioning their art on packaging and staging exhibitions in the taproom, and Boomtown's Amber Sawicki has recently stepped up to become one of the few female head brewers in the city. 

Time Out tip: Complete your Arts District brewery trifecta by walking here after visiting Arts District Brewery and Angel City Brewing.

Address: 700 Jackson St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Hours of operation: Mon–Wed 4 –10pm, Thu 4 –11pm, Fri noon–1am, Sat noon–1am, Sun noon–9pm

What is it? A Pomona-based microbrewery with a Chinatown tap room known for its live DJ set.

Why we love it: Since 2016, Matthew Xavier Garcia’s Homage Brewing has produced a creative array of lagers, hazy IPAs and sours that—true to the brand’s name—pay homage to European brewing culture. A few years back, Homage Brewing opened a second, larger location in Chinatown, which features 21 house taps plus guest beer selections, natural wines and ciders. Located just a few minutes’ walk from Highland Park Brewing and the Metro station, the Chinatown location offers a breezy outdoor patio and a DJ playing records inside, which makes for a surprisingly lively taproom experience conducive to dancing and group hangouts. There’s also a small food menu that includes burgers, wings, cheese plates and other light snacky fare.

Time Out tip: Don’t be surprised if you drop in on a random evening and find the place absolutely rammed—Homage’s DJ sets often draw sizable crowds.

Address: 1220 N Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Hours of operation: Mon–Wed noon–10pm; Thu noon–11pm; Fri, Sat 11am–midnight; Sun 11am–10pm

What is it? A retro-chic Glendale brewery located in a World War II-era airplane hangar just down the street from Golden Road Brewing.

Why we love it: For IPAs galore and a quieter atmosphere than GRB, you can’t beat Paperback Brewing. The charming space includes a lofted area with shuffleboard and lounge-style seating, while the ground floor offers plenty of high-tops and regular tables. While Paperback Brewing specializes in IPAs–both hazy and West Coast—the company also brews a few stouts and lighter options like One Night With Nora, a blonde ale with a touch of sweet honey malt. It’s also located next door to Glendale Tap, if you’re looking to do a three-stop mini beer crawl.

Time Out tip: If you get hungry, grab the excellent smashburgers from Bun & Blanket parked out front. 

Address: 422 Magnolia Avenue, Glendale, CA 91204

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu 4–10pm, Fri 4–11pm, Sat noon–11pm, Sun noon–10pm

What is it? A spacious, family-friendly South Bay brewery that dates back to the earliest days of L.A.’s modern craft beer scene.

Why we love it: This Hawthorne brewery now has a smaller, 21-and-over taproom within Culver City’s Ivy Station, which puts it within walking distance of the Metro. At either location, you’ll find a rotating selection of 25 unique beers on tap, including the Wheater Melon (a fruited wheat ale) and El Lay pale ale at the time of writing. Both public transit-friendly locations regularly stream Dodger games and other sporting events and host food trucks and other pop-ups—just check the location-specific calendars for Culver and Hawthorne.

Time Out tip: The Culver City location offers trivia for teams of up to six on Tuesday nights.

Address: Culver City: 8809 Washington Blvd, Suite 132, Culver City, CA 90232; Hawthorne:12918 Cerise Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250

Hours of operation: Culver City: Mon–Thu 3–10pm; Fri, Sat noon–midnight; Sun noon–10pm; Hawthorne: Mon–Thu 3–11pm; Fri–Sat noon–1am; Sun noon–10pm

What is it? A Van Nuys brewery specializing in small-batch ales and one of the best beer destinations in the San Fernando Valley.

Why we love it: MacLeod Ale owners Alastair and Jennifer Boase know a thing or two about "real" ale. The small-batch beers here are made with imported English grains, naturally carbonated, cask conditioned and served at cellar temperature straight from the casks they were fermented in. In addition to serving some of the best cask beers in L.A., the brewery also offers a vast selection of draft and nitro beers, as well as some of the Valley's finest pizza (the spinach artichoke is the staff special). For local beer drinkers, MacLeod provides a taste of something different in a laid-back, friendly atmosphere, and for British expats, it's one of the only spots in town to get a proper pint. Little Spree, a Yorkshire-style pale ale, is a good place to start your re-education.

Time Out tip: The food menu includes tasty housemade pizza made with a cold-proofed sourdough crust.

Address: 14741 Calvert St, Van Nuys, CA 91411

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu 4 pm–midnight; Fri, Sat noon–1 am; Sun noon–midnight

What is it? A Glendale microbrewery known for its Asian-inspired craft beer selection.

Why we love it: In 2015, Sherwin Antonio and Kirk Nishikawa turned a drunk promise from high school into Brewyard Beer Co. Since then, they've conceived a host of explosively creative concoctions to pay homage to both 19th-century California lager and their respective Filipino and Japanese roots. The Ube Wan IPA is brewed with strong ube and coconut flavors, while the Yoi Yoi, a Japanese rice lager, carries hints of Japanese "Ume" Plums and premium Koshihikari Sushi Rice. And be sure to try the Jewel City Common, a malty amber that won first place in the 2019 California Commercial Beer Competition.  

Time Out tip: Check Brewyard’s Instagram for the weekly events line-up—recent highlights include an open mic and a paint-and-sip night.

Address: 906 Western Ave, Glendale, CA 91201

Hours of operation: Tue–Thu 4–9pm; Fri 4–11pm; Sat noon–11pm; Sun noon–6pm

What is it? Inglewood’s first craft brewery. 

Why we love it: Three Weavers is one of L.A. County's largest independent taprooms—and one of the few headed by a woman. The brainchild of Lynne Weaver, a real estate tax expert turned homebrewer, Three Weavers serves an award-winning Kolsch, the Seafarer, a signature imperial stout called the Midnight Flight, and a number of West Coast IPAs infused with English crystal malt and tropical fruits. The brewery also pledges proceeds from its tasting room sales to a different nonprofit organization every month.

Time Out tip: Three Weavers is one of the few places you can regularly find Tripp Burgers, one of the city’s leading smashburger pop-ups.

Address: 1031 W Manchester Blvd, Unit A‑B, Inglewood, CA 90301

Hours of operation: Mon, Tue 3–8pm; Wed, Thu 3–9pm; Fri, Sat noon–10pm; Sun noon–8pm

What is it? An Alhambra taproom that sells by the growler and the keg—you’re even welcome to bring your own.

Why we love it: Ohana Brewing Co.'s actual brewery may be located in a Downtown warehouse, but its tasting room is far from industrial, and far from the actual brewery. This family-run operation—which first began in a garage in 2014—now slings 10 incredible beers at its Alhambra storefront, on which a "Ohana Brewing Co" sign is inked in Hawaiian-inspired script. The broad offerings include Tiki on the Beach, a tropical blonde ale infused with hibiscus cranberry; No Sleepy Time, a coffee stout; and a Spa Water Saison with cucumber and lemongrass.

Time Out tip: This is more of a tasting room than a brewery, so don’t come here with a large group.

Address: 7 South 1st Street, Alhambra, CA 91801

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu 4–9pm; Fri 2–9:30pm; Sat noon–9:30pm; Sun 11am–7pm

What is it? An expansive, all-purpose informal Mid-Wilshire brewery that’s great for large groups and pet owners.

Why we love it: Housed in the historic Firestone tire station on La Brea, All Season Brewing hits the mark in terms of ambience, convenience and quality drink offerings. Beer lovers flock here for All Season’s extensive list of brews, which runs heavy on IPAs and lagers, but those who’d rather sip on something fruity will be more than sated by their tropical-leaning cocktails on tap, including a delicious mezcal paloma. A menu of draft wines and classic cocktails, delicious snacks from Chicas Tacos, arcade games and Skee-Ball round out a night at the expansive open-air brewery, which also has an excellent weekday happy hour menu (3–7pm) that includes $6 shots, $10 margaritas and $2 off select beers. It’s the perfect centrally located spot to catch the game or meet up for a casual hang with friends.

Time Out tip: If you’re frustrated by the lack of parking (the surrounding neighborhoods are strictly permitted after 6pm), All Season Brewing offers valet after 5pm every day but Sunday.

Address: 800 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu 3pm–midnight; Fri, Sat noon–2am; Sun noon–midnight 

What is it? A Long Beach brewery with stunning ocean views and a full food menu.

Why we love it: As far as brewery-owned gastropubs go, Ballast Point runs some of the best, and their oceanside Long Beach location is no exception. The 30-plus beers on draft should keep you busy, but they never distract from the sweeping views of Alamitos Bay. Throw in the straightforward food menu and a couple of fire pits, and Ballast Point easily wins the title for brewery with the best views in L.A. County. Head upstairs for the best seats in the house and order off the straightforward food menu as you sip on award-winning year-round IPAs like Grapefruit Sculpin, plus a handful of seasonal releases. If you’re looking for ordering recommendations, I like the Baja fish tacos, Filipino-inspired pork ribs and garlic fries, and you can’t go wrong with either the chicken wings or fish and chips.

Time Out tip: This is one of the most popular places in Long Beach—so expect to wait for a table if you show up at peak hours.

Address: 110 North Marina Dr, Long Beach, CA 90803

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu 10am–10pm; Fri, Sat 10am–11pm; Sun 10am–10pm