In Orange County, there’s fun around every corner. The region is famous for its theme parks and surf scene, attracting visitors eager for sunny skies and amusement-filled days. But when you need a break from all the excitement, an ice-cold reprieve is within arm’s reach.
Visiting local brewing spots is one of the best things to do in Orange County, thanks to a large community of craft beer enthusiasts. Join us as we take you on a flavorful journey through the area's best breweries.
Anaheim
Anaheim might be renowned for its theme parks, but the city shows its creative flair at these bubbling breweries.
1. All-American Brew Works
This veteran-owned patriotic spot is a favorite among those who live for themed restaurants. All-American Brew Works has a flavor-packed on-tap list to match its unique atmosphere.
These brews are carefully crafted and infused with delectable tasting notes. Try a peanut butter porter, a wheat ale with blueberry and vanilla, or a blonde ale with apricot and white grapes.
Another shining feature is the in-house deli, which offers sandwiches as delicately prepared as the beer. Crisp vegetables, saucy spreads, and barbecued meats are expertly layered into sandwiches that will leave you satisfied and already planning your return for more.
Sports events are often shown on the venue's televisions, making it a prime spot to watch the games on those nights when the urge for a sandwich and a cold beer just can’t be ignored.
2. Asylum Brewing
Come for the beer and stay for the ambiance. Asylum Brewing isn't for the faint of heart or taste buds. The red-lit atmosphere gives off a spooky yet cozy feel, ideal for those who like their breweries with a dash of character.
Order a round of hoppy Haze and Loathings, or opt for the signature Monsters We Breed. Settle on a comfortable couch or sneak sips between rounds of pinball. No matter how you enjoy this place, the beer is delicious.
3. Bottle Logic Brewing
This microbrewery packs a powerful punch. Bottle Logic Brewing is a small-batch operation with big flavors to offer. Expect the unexpected here, where experimental brewing is the norm and menu changes regularly occur.
Fun flavors are one thing you can count on at Bottle Logic. Think honeydew hard seltzers, pistachio stouts, and mandarin orange lagers. Beers are served with a smile and a nod toward an empty seat in the easygoing pub.
With a food truck scene that changes daily, you never know where a night here will take you.
4. Brewheim Beer Makers
Beer enthusiasts are always welcome at Brewheim Beer Makers. This brick-walled space is always bustling with thirsty crowds eager for good beer and a friendly atmosphere.
The craft brews on tap are unique, with tasting notes such as tobacco, white grapes, and tropical fruit. Each one is made with fresh ingredients for a high-quality taste that comes through every sip.
An always-changing menu makes this a spot you’ll return to again and again. Luckily, there’s almost always a food truck parked outside, so you can have a bite to eat with your beer. The venue also offers weekly trivia for anyone who craves some healthy competition.
5. Broken Timbers Brewing Company
Broken Timbers Brewing Company is an intimate brewery ideal for the laid-back beer lover looking to relax with a cold glass in hand. Its house-made brews are complex and aromatic, steeped in a variety of unique flavors.
Try a habanero IPA or an imperial stout with a touch of coconut. You’ll find malty red ales and cherry porters accompanied by huckleberry hard seltzers. Can’t decide what to order? Tell the team what you like and get a flight personalized to your tastes.
6. The Bruery
The Bruery located in nearby Placentia, is a beer lover’s paradise. The venue is led by a team of creatives dedicated to brewing craft beers that make visitors rethink how they drink. Drawing inspiration from nature, vineyards, and even junk food, this taste-forward operation is a must-try.
Dozens of brews on tap mean there’s always something new to try. Sour fans rejoice at the selection of tart favorites, while stout lovers drool over the brews laced with powdered sugar and dulce de leche.
If you’re drawn toward IPAs, never fear. The Bruery’s secondary brand, Offshoot Beer Co., offers a hop-happy selection. While you won’t find a kitchen here, it's a popular stop for local food trucks.
Spectacular Shows Nearby!
Elevate your Orange County experience with breathtaking Cirque du Soleil performances.
7. Golden Road Brewing
Head to Golden Road Brewing for a cold one on the spacious outdoor patio of this colorful biergarten. The venue melds new flavors in a state-of-the-art brewery, complete with an innovation lab. Coastal flavors are fan favorites, with ales featuring spicy mango, banana, and guava.
The menu is jam-packed with comfort food. Pair your beer with a bowl of piled-high nachos or a burger topped with bacon and fresh veggies. We highly recommend the massive pub pretzel. Thanks to its location across the road from Angel Stadium, Golden Road Brewery is a great place for a pregame beer or postgame snack.
Costa Mesa
We love to escape the heat with a frosty glass at these Costa Mesa breweries.
8. Bootlegger’s Brewery
What was once a small, passionate start-up has become a county-wide phenomenon. Bootlegger’s Brewery was built on creativity and quality. A wide range of house-made brews on tap, the cozy atmosphere, and the friendly staff keep visitors returning.
Stop by for a smooth coffee blonde ale or a cherry-laced Golden Chaos. Seasonal brews appear throughout the year, with the pumpkin ale remaining a reliable favorite. Its impressive selection of board games makes it a fun spot to sip beer and socialize. You can even take a tour of the brewhouse.
9. Green Cheek Beer Co
A staple among Orange County breweries, Green Cheek Beer Co crafts globally inspired brews with a California twist. This brewery is located amid Costa Mesa's industrial parks and a community hot spot for local beer lovers.
You’ll have your pick of German-style white ales, Irish-inspired dry stouts, and Russian IPAs. The venue also features a delectable menu full of pub classics, including smash burgers and chicken wings with a side of loaded Tater Tots.
Check the calendar before planning your visit. You don't want to miss paint nights and Trivia Tuesdays.
10. Gunwhale Ales
Traditional farmhouse brewing meets modern West Coast flair at Gunwhale Ales. The result is a menu that meets our tastes for the uncommon. These hop-forward brews are bold and nuanced in their flavors. Yeast-happy saisons and full-bodied stouts meet spruce, sorbet, and oyster brine for brews that must be tasted to be believed.
A host of wild flavors highlights the natural flavor of each hoppy brew. At Gunwhale Ales, beer is always the focus. Brewing enthusiasts settle into this comfortable space to mingle and sample the latest concoction. Opt for a seat outdoors to experience each sip under the Costa Mesa sky.
11. Salty Bear Brewing
Salty Bear Brewing gets creative with its beer, with menu staples such as huckleberry hard seltzers and the yuzu-laced Fancy Sauce Kolsch. From stouts to IPAs, Salty Bear has something for every palate.
Enjoy your ales on comfortable couches, or carry them outside for picnic-style seating. Occasionally, the venue offers live musical performances. It's located inside The Camp, an eco-friendly shopping center, so Salty Bear customers are steps away from specialty shops, bakeries, and restaurants.
Head to the nearby bottle shop to take some local spirits home, or stop by Wine Lab for some fabulous wine tasting in Orange County.
12. Brewing Reserve of California
After a long day of lounging on Sunset Beach, head to the Brewing Reserve of California for some tasty local flavor. Family-owned and community-oriented, this spot is a favorite among locals and visitors.
The venue's classic brew offerings include a crisp BRC Lager and the refreshing OC Tropical, a golden ale steeped in Hawaiian tea. It also serves a healthy assortment of hard seltzers. This chill, laid-back space makes a comfortable place to unwind away from Orange County’s bustle. We love stopping in after a grueling week of performances.
A rotating selection of vendors come to serve the crowd, offering a new culinary adventure each day.
Irvine
Irvine breweries serve up rich flavors and aromatic brews.
13. Left Coast Brewing Company
This family-owned brewery has had generations to perfect its house-made beers. Left Coast Brewing Company concocts ales, distilled liquors, and juicy barbecue in its production room.
Here, you’ll find classic American IPAs, malty stouts, and a rotating selection of seasonal brews. Try a cocktail made from spirits distilled just steps away and mixed with refreshing beachside ingredients.
Between sips, enjoy some smokehouse fare. Fried chicken sandwiches and smoky pulled pork satisfy any craving, while fried pickles and loaded mac and cheese make delicious side dishes. Bring the whole family for a game of cornhole and a basket of onion rings.
14. Hangar 24
Head to Hangar 24 in Orange County for a brewery trip fit for the whole family. Like our own acts, this spot is inspired by a love of high-flying adventures. When you take a sip of the venue's fruity IPAs and Orange Wheat ale, you'll feel as though you've been carried away to a tropical island.
Hangar 24 is also one of the area's best restaurants for large groups. We love the loaded fries, saucy wings, and classic burgers. Plus, there's always something going on. The calendar has events lined up almost daily, and we love popping in for live music or a game of trivia.
With plenty of outdoor seating, Hangar 24 is a fun spot for 4th of July events in Orange County.
Santa Ana
Try hop-forward ales at Santa Ana’s best breweries.
15. Santa Ana River Brewing Company
The Santa Ana River Brewing Company offers a unique take on classic West Coast brewing. Founded by two lifelong Santa Ana residents, the spot transforms decades of booming craft breweries into a distinctive new style.
The craft beers are brewed in small batches, meaning you can expect new menu options with every visit. Unexpected flavors are the norm here, from the Vietnamese coffee milk stout to the dark saison with chilis and cacao.
Whatever the menu has in store, it’s sure to make the most of this spot’s West Coast brewing technique.
16. Board & Brew
Down the road from Huntington Beach, Board & Brew in Santa Ana is the quintessential coastal sandwich shop. Its laid-back atmosphere makes for a relaxed place to grab a bite on a surf-filled afternoon. Every ingredient on the menu is fresh and sustainably sourced to satisfy your taste buds and your conscience.
No beachside sub is complete without a cold beer. Craft brews from across the state are on tap at Board & Brew. Think a Brewery X seltzer from nearby Anaheim and a Docent West Coast IPA from San Juan Capistrano. Alternatively, you can opt for the house specialty: a malty, well-balanced Honey Blonde ale.
Embracing the Craft Beer Renaissance in Orange County With a Local Twist
There’s no better way to beat the heat in California than with a glass of locally brewed ale. But once you’ve savored the last sip, it's time for another amazing adventure. Follow us into a finale of our design, complete with spectacular acrobatics and breathtaking thrills.
Our shows are filled with astonishing visuals and state-of-the-art special effects. Watch as our acrobats fly overhead, defying conformity and the laws of gravity. These performances will have you on the edge of your seat as our compelling storylines unfold.