Best breweries in Brooklyn

The masterminds behind Threes Brewing are applauded for churning out some of the most balanced craft beer in Brooklyn. That’s not to say the brews lack complexity (anything but!), but the velvety texture makes them (almost) too easy to drink.

The focus is on creating approachable lagers, hop-forward IPAs and floral pilsners, while perfecting traditional styles with modern twists. You can expect to find knock-out brews served in a relaxed setting (the outdoor patio can’t be beat) with the option of grabbing a bite from the pop up food vendor.

This definitely one of the best breweries in Brooklyn, and I’m not the only one that thinks so. Since opening in 2014, Threes Brewing has expanded to five locations. Gowanus, Greenpoint, Huntington (Long Island), Moynihan Station and a seasonal outpost on Governors Island.

Other Half Brewing is the passion project of three friends who felt Brooklyn’s beer scene was lacking. Determine to shake things up, the crew took matters into their own hands but nobody expected the wild success that followed.

Renowned for their mastery of IPAs, Other Half has become a staple for Brooklyn beer enthusiasts. Consistently pushing boundaries with exciting flavors, the brewery’s knack for experimentation that sets them apart.

Take the peanut butter & jelly crunchee for example made with strawberries, peanut butter, hand-mixed granola and milk sugar, it’s like a parfait in a can. Another innovative brew is the Berliner Weisse, made with watermelon and sweet limes.

Plus, they do some cool collaborations with other breweries, ensuring there’s always something interesting on the menu. Speaking of the menu, it’s large. They typically have up to 20 beers on tap, if you feel overwhelmed, it’s hard to go wrong with any of the IPAs on offer.

Evil Twin Brewing was founded by Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø, whose (identical) twin brother launched Mikkeller Brewing in Denmark in 2006. Keen to upset the apple cart, Jeppe challenged his brother by opening Evil Twin Brewing in Brooklyn in 2010.

Known for pushing the boundaries of traditional beer styles, the menu is full of numerously-named brews. From a double IPA called New Yorkers Are Actually Incapable of Seeing Orange Traffic Cones to an imperial stout called I Only Wear Black 365 Days Out of the Year.

Expect to find exciting, albeit unusual, variations on classics while visiting this popular Brooklyn brewery. Everything is bound to impress, but I’m partial to the sours and IPAs personally.

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Kings County Brewers Collective (KCBC) opened in 2016 and broke Bushwick’s dry spell. It was the first brick-and-mortar brewery Bushwick had seen in 40 long years.

The owners (three friends) needed a creative outlet and opened a brewery that would allow them to experiment with various beer styles. The rest, as they say, is history. Expect to find an impressive variety of lagers and IPAs.

The best way to try the wide array of brews is with a flight (which on Wednesdays will only run you $10). Warm an inviting, the relaxed taproom is the only place to be this summer.

An unapologetic mastery of farmhouse ales has earned Transmitter Brewing the distinct honor of being one of the most respected breweries in Brooklyn. The brewery was started by two friends, Rob Kolb and Anthony Accardi, whose shared passion for food inspired them to try their hand at home-brewing.

The brewery carved out a niche for itself by focusing on fermented farmhouse and Belgian ales with an emphasis on unique yeast strains. Transmitter keeps the focus on classics, rather than competing for the limelight with the newest trends in New York City’s craft brew scene.

The brewery’s commitment to small-batch brewing allows for meticulous attention to detail and quality, resulting in some of the best craft beer in Brooklyn. Another perk? The brewery is located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which requires a bit of trek, so it’s not as busy as some of the other spots mentioned on this list.

Grimm Artisanal Ales is one of the most impressive breweries in Brooklyn. How do I know? They won New York State’s Brewery of the Year award two years in a row.

Bringing home six awards last year alone (including silvers for the blonde ale and American IPA), this highly acclaimed Brooklyn brewery is nothing to scoff at and has a tasting room to match.

The taproom doesn’t look like a traditional brewery, it feels more like an upscale bar, which is a nice change of pace from the usual brewery aesthetic. The barrels in the back serve as assurance that you’re in the right place.

Take your time perusing the long menu before settling on your preferred style (or heck, surprise yourself by ordering something new). Regardless of what you order, you’ll be in for a treat because Grimm Artisanal Ales makes some of the best beer in Brooklyn.

Specializing in traditional Czech beer, this the place to go for saisons and the best sour beers in Brooklyn. Combining classic European brewing techniques with the patience required for properly fermented creations, Wild East’s sours can turn the most ardent beer enthusiast into a regular.

My advice Wild East Brewing Co. offers brewery tours and tastings, if interested, you can sign up here.

TALEA (pronounced tah-lay-uh) Beer Co. is the passion project of two friends, Tara Hankinson and LeAnn Darland (the brewery’s name is a blend of the owner’s names). This the first female-founded brewery in NYC, no easy feat in a male-dominated industry.

The duo decided to open a brewery in Brooklyn because they wanted to make craft beer more approachable and inclusive. As such, TALEA focuses on fruit-forward and low acidity beers that are easy to drink.

The plan is to open the world of craft beer to a broader audience, including those who might not typically enjoy traditional beer styles. Refreshingly unique, TALEA makes some of the most unique beers in Brooklyn. This a great place to visit if someone in the group is convinced they don’t like beer.