Here’s an ironclad journalism rule: Sometimes the simplest stories are the toughest to pull off. When we set out to assemble this annual package of the latest and greatest breweries in the country, we envisioned a breezy survey of beer professionals — brewers, bar owners, educators, writers, and more — across the brewing industry’s national landscape.
What brand-new brewery thrilled most in the last year, enticing them back for another pint of squeaky-clean pilsner or an expressive IPA with explosive aromatic pop? To our surprise, many survey takers declined to participate, unable to name a single new brewery they wanted to recommend. Fewer people were going out, it seemed, or openings slowed in their region. Rolling snake eyes on submissions, again and again, shouldn’t have surprised us. The brewing industry is maturing, and the blush is off the brew kettle.
Openings are slowing, closures are accelerating, symptomatic of a dicey moment when no one is quite sure if drinkers want to double-fist NA beers and THC-infused seltzers, or just crush dizzyingly strong double IPAs.
Yet digging deep, we discovered a creative vein of breweries bubbling up beneath the surface. We looked to limit openings to fall 2023, including breweries that opened standalone, and standout, brick-and-mortar locations, too. We also opened the list to breweries with new ownership, leading to the rebirth of a San Diego legend. Without additional ado, here are 22 of the best new breweries to drop into your bucket list for the coming year in beer.
Austin
