Sacramento, CA, is home to some of the best breweries in the world. In this article, we bring you our top picks and let you in on some of the best beer festivals that you need to visit should you ever be in the area. Get to know more about the local beer industry and what it has to offer with us.
Let’s get brewing!
What Are The Best Breweries In Sacramento?
Alaro Craft Brewery
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The name “Alaro” comes from the surname Ballestero which dates back to medieval Spain. Here, Ramon Ballesteros was lord of the Alaro castle of Alaro.
Situated in the location where Rubicon Brewing Co was born, at the moment Alaro Craft Brewing brings a great new vibe, a beautiful – however casual interior and outdoor patio area – as well as a super friendly staff to this time-honoured space in the heart of Midtown Sacramento.
With a powerful focus on well-designed, well-executed handcrafted beer – in addition to a seasonal, local, sustainable and craft menu that features a diverse selection of creative dishes from tapas-style small bites to full-bellied burgers that border on sublime – this Sacramento brewery’s team has curated one of the most bespoke restaurants on the grid.
In addition to this Sacramento brewery’s amazing beer and fantastic food, Alaro Craft Brewing boasts a well-curated wine list, house-made sangrias, fair trade sodas, teas and organic soft serve ice cream!
Alaro Craft Brewing is open during the following times:
- Mon-Thurs 11:00am-9:00pm,
- Fri – Sat 11:00am-9:30pm, and
- Sunday 10:30am – 8:00pm.
Fieldwork Brewing Company
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Created in 2014, Fieldwork Brewing Company is a Sacramento craft brewery which is headquartered in Berkeley, CA. It focuses on exceptional, honest beer-making. Visit them in Berkeley, Corte Madera, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Mateo and San Ramon. Guests to this gem of the beer industry may expect an ever-changing tap list of fresh releases that they can enjoy by sampler flight or by the glass. Fresh beer to take away is available in 16 oz cans or 32 oz Crowler cans. This outstanding example of Sacramento breweries also offers convenient curbside pickup and local home delivery.
Reservations are available two months in advance at Fieldwork Brewing Company. The majority of their taproom is held for walk-ins; however, they highly suggest making a reservation so that you can ensure your spot. Reservations are capped at 3 hours to make sure that the maximum amount of people are able to experience the taproom.
Fieldwork Brewing Company is open during the following times:
- Monday – Thursday: 12 pm to 10 pm,
- Friday – Saturday: 11 am to 11 pm, and
- Sunday: 11 am – 10 pm.
Urban Roots
Urban Roots is an independent craft beer brewery and smokehouse that is located in Sacramento, CA. They opened their doors in 2018 and set out to establish a space that embodies the things which inspire them most — extraordinary people, beer and food.
Urban Roots is open at 100% capacity for dine-in. Seating is available indoors, at the bar and in the beer garden. They do not accept reservations — all seating is first come first serve.
This Sacramento brewery is open during the following times:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Thursday: 11am — 9pm
- Friday – Saturday: 11am — 10pm
- Sunday: 11am — 9pm
How Many Breweries Are In Sacramento?
The Sacramento area in California is home to 81 independent craft beer breweries.
What Is The Largest Brewery In Sacramento?
Knee Deep Brewing Company
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Knee Deep Brewing Company is a family-owned micro beer brewery that was created in the summer of 2010. In that first year, their beer was ‘contract brewed’ in a tiny brewery in South Lake Tahoe, CA.
Those first batches were only in kegs and sold in the Reno Nevada market. In 2011 Knee Deep Brewing Company transferred their contract brewing to two breweries in the area of San Francisco Bay. At the same time, they reached an agreement to lease the former Beermann’s Brewery that is situated in Lincoln, CA.
In mid-2011 Knee Deep Brewing Company started brewing in the Lincoln facility. By the following year, all their beers were brewed in house.
With indoor and outdoor seating – as well as tonnes of TVs – Knee Deep Brewing Company’s space is equipped to service all their guests’ needs. There are games onsite and full sports simulators that are available. These can be reserved on the hour.
Pouring hours are:
- Monday 11-8pm,
- Tuesday 11-8pm,
- Wednesday 11-8pm,
- Thursday 11-8pm,
- Friday 11-9pm,
- Saturday 11-9pm, and
- Sunday 11-8pm
What Are The Major Beer Festivals Or Events In Sacramento?
The major beer festivals and events in Sacramento are:
- Art of Beer: January,
- Sacramento Beer Week: February/March,
- Capitol Beer Fest: March,
- Beer & Chili Festival: April,
- Bockbierfest at the Sacramento Turn Verein: April,
- West Coast Brew Fest: May,
- California Brewer’s Festival: September,
- Farm-to-Fork Festival with Brewer’s Alley: September, and
- Oktoberfest at the Sacramento Turn Verein: October.
Which Brewery In Sacramento Has The Best Food?
The name “The Monk’s Cellar” in itself is a nod to the brewing traditions of Belgium, which is a country that is known for its vibrant beer culture. From his trips to Europe, their founder Andy Klein was inspired to establish a place in Placer County where people would be able to meet in a casual, safe environment. Here good food and great beer are an integral part of everyday life.
As with the celebrated beer destinations of Belgium, The Monk’s Cellar is not a place where beer is dissected and analysed endlessly but enjoyed one sip at a time. At this Sacramento brewery, their goal is to establish a culture where their beer is shared as easily as the conversations, ideas and goals of the community.
The brewery is available for dine-in and take out during the following hours
- Tues – Thurs 11:30am to 9 pm,
- Fri & Sat 11:30 am to 10 pm, as well as
- Closed Sun & Mon.
If you ever find yourself in California, why not take a trip and visit some of the breweries Sacramento offers that we’ve chatted about in this article. You will definitely not be disappointed!
Jake has been a craft beer and homebrew enthusiast since his college days. He loves scouring Europe for unique and unusual hops to add to his beers.
Founder of Jake’s Brew Haven – he currently hosts beer-tasting sessions at select local pubs in Baltimore.