Los Angeles is no longer an “up and coming” craft beer destination. Thanks to a mix of longstanding breweries, upstart beer bars, and a roaming pop-up food culture that has deeply permeated the scene. Some of the city’s best beer is on par with any other beer-obsessed city in America.
1. MacLeod Ale Brewing Co.
Location: 14741 Calvert St. Van Nuys, CA 91411
MacLeod is a standard-bearer for the San Fernando Valley beer scene. The place specializes in traditional English styles, and has branched out in recent months to a more eclectic variety of food as well, including on-site pizzas made to order.
2. Ladyface Ale Companie – Alehouse & Brasserie
Location: 29281 Agoura Rd. Agoura Hills, CA 91301
Agoura Hills staple beer spot Ladyface hasn’t slowed down despite the increased competition nearby. The corner restaurant, brewery, and patio spot still turns out some of LA’s finest drinks, and all in a supremely cozy hillside environment.
3. Glendale Tap
Location: 4227 San Fernando Rd. Glendale, CA 91204
With dozens of taps and plenty of hard-to-source beer, Glendale Tap has emerged as one of the city’s best beer bars over the past decade or so. The semi-hidden corner location also now welcomes in a variety of food pop-ups weekly, from pizza slices to burgers and beyond.
4. Highland Park Brewery
Location: 1220 N Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Highland Park Brewery’s Chinatown location is big, fun, and full of flavor. Beer heads come through for speciality pints made on-site, while locals and casual newcomers tend to stick around for a few more drinks thanks to the full kitchen on site, which turns out some deliciously snacky stuff late into the evening.
5. 6th & La Brea Brewery & Restaurant
Location: 600 South La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036
This ABC-backed brewpub has fit into the neighborhood nicely, pulling in mostly locals for sports on TV, lots of craft beer, and a menu of food that runs from vegan buffalo cauliflower to a 12-ounce ribeye steak. Brandon’s, the semi-hidden side bar attached to the restaurant, also draws its own crowd.
6. Boomtown Brewery
Location: 700 Jackson St. Los Angeles, CA
Arts District warehouse option Boomtown Brewery hits all the right notes, with their on-site taproom that includes shuffleboard, cozy lounge areas, and a long wooden bar capable of keeping the crowds at bay.
7. Three Weavers Brewing Company
Location: 1031 W Manchester Blvd A-B. Inglewood, CA 90301
Inglewood’s Three Weavers is on a massive expansion path, having teamed up with some of that city’s new developments to keep things locally-minded and fresh. The women-owned brewery is poised to lead not only Inglewood, but all of LA, into a new generation of craft beer greatness.
8. The Slice & Pint
Location: 130 W Grand Ave. El Segundo, CA 90245
El Segundo Brewing’s offshoot restaurant is a rousing success, playing to lines out the door almost every day. Folks come through for beer, of course, but the inexpensive pizzas and friendly staff certainly help.
9. Common Space Brewery and Tasting Room
Location: 3411 W El Segundo Blvd. Hawthorne, CA 90250
Hawthorne’s craft beer moment continues with Common Space on El Segundo Boulevard. The upstart now has handles up at beer bars all over the city, and continues to throw one heck of an evening patio party.
10. Los Angeles Aleworks
Location: 12918 Cerise Ave. Hawthorne, CA
Hawthorne’s first true craft beer destination is a doozy. LA Ale Works sits just around the corner from the SpaceX facility, a short distance from the upcoming Inglewood football stadium, and is already a hit with locals eager to sample the variety of balanced beers from their open warehouse taproom — complete with rotating food trucks on property.