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Metro area

Best breweries in Santa Cruz, California

Within 13 miles of Santa Cruz we track 13 breweries. 3 rate Exceptional. Private Press Brewing in Santa Cruz leads the list at 4.76 (Exceptional).

The scale

  • Exceptional

    A short list of extraordinary breweries worth planning a trip around.

  • Great

    Consistently produce world-class beer.

  • Fine

    Make genuinely good beer, if not the pint you will still be talking about next year.

  • Poor

    Not bad beer so much as unremarkable beer.

  • Limited

    Most craft beer drinkers pass these by.

Ranked breweries

  1. 1

    Private Press Brewing

    Santa Cruz, California, United States

    Private Press is a barrel-aged brewery focused exclusively on composing Imperial Stouts and Barleywines. Private Press Brewing is owned and operated by Brad Clark, who brings over a decade of professional brewing experience specializing in crafting malt forward beer styles and barrel aging. Private Press is a dedicated pursuit to craft the beers Clark loves and admires, without compromise.

    Rating
    4.76Exceptional
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  2. 2

    Sante Adairius Rustic Ales

    Capitola, California, United States

    Sante Adairius Rustic Ales is a small, but daring, brewery located in the coastal city of Capitola, CA, just south of Santa Cruz. Sante Adairius is a brewery founded on respect for quality and authenticity. We focus our attention on producing well-constructed beers with an eye towards simplicity and character. SARA takes liberty in emulating those memorable beers, their brewers, and the experiences they foster, never forgetting those giants on whose shoulders we stand. Our approach to beer making is one of whimsy, highly inspired by the Belgian tradition, but also in harmony with brewers all over the world who push against boundaries of style with a nudge, not a shove. Often our beers are barrel-aged, usually in wine barrels, with various yeast and bacteria. As often as not though, Sante Adairius brews beers more approachable and traditional in nature, yet no less flavorful or distinctive. Owned and operated by Adair Paterno, Sante Adairius Rustic Ales is an attempt to bring people together over great beer. SARA is an expression of our many years of beer geekery, the rabbit hole of tasting every beer we could get our hands on, and trusting we could contribute to the canon of those beers of the highest esteem. We believe great beer comes first. We stay true to our brewing roots. We take seriously the fact that we are brewing for you, and for ourselves. We appreciate your interest in our efforts. Sante!

    Rating
    4.74Exceptional
    Popularity
    Very widely rated
  3. 3

    Humble Sea Brewing Co.

    Santa Cruz, California, United States

    A coastal brewery making beer in the kook capital of the world — Santa Cruz, California. The latest can and bottle relase details can be found at @humblesea on our Instagram.

    Rating
    4.53Exceptional
    Popularity
    Very widely rated
  4. 4

    Shanty Shack Brewing

    Santa Cruz, California, United States

    Shanty Shack Brewing produce's fine quality beer and are regularly brewing different ones. They are most well known for "Train Hopping", which is an American IPA and "Razzmanian Devil", which is a Fruited Sour. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Sours.

    Rating
    3.90Fine
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  5. 5

    Woodhouse Blending & Brewing

    Santa Cruz, California, United States

    Woodhouse brews are made with love and are inspired by the rare beauty of our home, Santa Cruz. Our brewery is made up of creative individuals, artists, athletes, and musicians from all walks of life. We strive to bring uniqueness, quality, and imagination to every single brew.

    Rating
    3.87Fine
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  6. 6

    Discretion Brewing

    Soquel, California, United States

    Discretion Brewing is a Family-Owned company dedicated to Handcrafted Exquisite Beer. Our ingredients are carefully sourced to support sustainable farming, and we harness the power of the sun to brew our beer. Discretion is goodness in a glass!

    Rating
    3.84Fine
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  7. 7

    Soquel Fermentation Project

    Soquel, California, United States

    The Soquel Fermentation Project is a farmhouse brewery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The abundant rainfall, sunshine, and temperate climate create an environment found no where else in the world. Using traditional brewing techniques and modern scientific methods, this project systematically evaluates the terroir and microflora of this unique region. By sourcing fruit from local farms and barrels from local wineries, the goal is to create beer with an identity firmly rooted in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

    Rating
    3.83Fine
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  8. 8

    Steel Bonnet Brewing Company

    Scotts Valley, California, United States

    Steel Bonnet is a family owned and operated nano brewery located in Scotts Valley, CA. Originally from the UK, Owners Donald and Sue turned a passionate hobby into a family-run brewery crafting small batches of British and American style ales; from traditional Scottish ales, to delicate english milds, to hop-forward American West and East Coast style pale ales and IPAs. Learn more about our beer at www.steelbon.net/beer In our taproom, we aim to provide a family, dog and community-friendly environment where guests can relax, sample and learn about our beers, play games, and listen to great music any day of the week. We encourage guests to bring their own food into the taproom, and we usually have rotating food trucks on weekends. Visit www.steelbon.net/events for our current food, music & events schedule. Cheers!

    Rating
    3.74Fine
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  9. 9

    Buena Vista Taproom

    Watsonville, California, United States

    Buena Vista Brewing Co is a craft brewery located in Watsonville, CA— just 15 miles South of Santa Cruz. Our taproom and Beer Garden serve as a community space— a place for everyone to enjoy a beer and the company of others. We host a rotating list of food trucks every weekend, and we often feature local musicians, artists, vendors, and groups within our space.

    Rating
    3.54Poor
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  10. 10

    Bellpenny Brewing Company

    Santa Cruz, California, United States

    BELLPENNY BREWING COMPANY IS A SMALL, LOCAL CRAFT BREWERY BORN FROM 24 YEARS OF BREWING EXPERIENCE AND A LOT OF HEART. ADHERING TO THE TECHNIQUES AND PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE NOT CHANGED OVER CENTURIES, WE STRIVE TO BRING THESE RESPECTED TRADITIONS TO THE PRESENT. FIERCE IN SPIRIT AND STUBBORN IN NATURE, BELLPENNY COULD HAVE ONLY COME TO LIFE BY THE SUPPORT FR

    Rating
    3.43Poor
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  11. 12

    Seabright Social

    Santa Cruz, California, United States

    Seabright Social produce's not great quality beer and has a decent variety of ones to choose from. They are most well known for "The Blur", which is an American IPA and "Oatmeal Stout", which is an Oatmeal Stout. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.

    Rating
    2.92Limited
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  12. 13

    West End Tap And Kitchen

    Santa Cruz, California, United States

    Rating
    2.87Limited
    Popularity
    Barely rated