In Washington, beer isn’t just something you crack open after a long day on the trail. According to the Brewers Association, the state is home to more than 430 craft breweries as of 2025, ranking fourth in the nation. In the Yakima Valley, growers produce roughly three-quarters of the nation’s hops, and more and more Washington destinations offer visitors a chance to sip their way through local breweries.
Whether you’re a beer geek at heart or are thirsty for an introduction to the state’s award-winning ales and lagers, here’s a guide to some of the best Washington State beer destinations.
Explore Washington State Beer Destinations
Bellingham
Nestled along the water in northwest Washington, Bellingham is a popular base camp for outdoorsy beer lovers. You’ll find a handful of options downtown, including dog-friendly Gruff Brewing Co. with its large outdoor space featuring fire pits and covered seating. Aslan Brewing Co. boasts a stellar food menu along with its beer list, while Beach Cat Brewing‘s South Paw location boasts a large waterfront deck perfect for families.
Elsewhere in town, Kulshan Brewing Company pours nearly two dozen house-made beers at three pubs, including the Trackside Beer Garden, housed in a converted shipping container on the shores of Bellingham Bay (open spring through early fall). For American-inspired beers alongside hearty tamales, don’t miss queer-owned El Sueñito Brewing.
Time your visit for April Brews Day to sample beers and ciders from 40+ Pacific Northwest businesses.
Yakima Valley
Roughly 75% of the country’s hops are grown in the fertile Yakima Valley, and its craft beer scene is a must for beer lovers.
When hops are harvested between mid-August and early October, local brewers use freshly harvested hops that haven’t been dried to create fresh-hop beers. The resulting ales and lagers feature bold tropical, floral, and even pine-tinged flavors while dialing up the juicy notes. Visit in October for Yakima’s premier beer event, the lively Fresh Hop Ale Festival.
Even if you miss fresh-hop season, the Yakima Valley is an excellent Washington State beer destination all year. Sip beers fresh from the farm at family-owned Bale Breaker Brewing Company or Cowiche Creek Brewing Company, both on working farms. Discover even more breweries along the Hop Country Craft Beer Trail.
Also See: Yakima Valley Travel Guide
Seattle
With 60+ craft breweries scattered across Seattle’s neighborhoods, the state’s largest city is one of the top beer destinations in Washington. Start your brewery crawl in the Ballard Brewery District, where more than a dozen producers pour ales and lagers within a one-mile radius. Highlights include Reuben’s Brews, which crafts dozens of beers and hosts community events to benefit local nonprofits, and Lucky Envelope Brewing, whose brews and techniques are inspired by cultures around the world.
Away from Ballard, the mystical Holy Mountain Brewing crafts outstanding barrel-aged beers while Black-owned Métier Brewing Company pours award-winning beers alongside Japanese-inspired street food. The brewery displays art from BIPOC artists and often features live sets from local musicians.
Elsewhere in the city, explore Seattle’s craft beer history at several longstanding stops, including Georgetown Brewing Company and the leafy beer garden at Fremont Brewing Co.
Related: MyBeerStop’s Guide to Seattle Breweries
Spokane
More than 25 brewpubs cover the Spokane area, making it an excellent beer destination in Eastern Washington and an essential stop for beer geeks in search of smaller Washington state breweries.
Start in downtown, where Brick West Brewing Company crafts a balanced lineup of easy-drinking lagers, IPAs, and dark beers. Their spacious beer garden is always buzzing with live music and local food trucks. Just a block away, Iron Goat Brewing prides itself on experimenting with new hop varieties, producing a solid mix of seasonal brews. The award-winning No-Li Brewhouse, meanwhile, pours beloved beers in the bustling U District with a patio overlooking the Spokane River.
North of downtown, Wildland Cooperative is a worker-owned farm, brewery, and market (open spring through fall) that rewards visitors with small-batch beers that incorporate seasonal ingredients. Ready to dive in? Follow the Visit Spokane Beer and Cider Trail to earn points and redeem prizes at participating breweries.
Vancouver and the Columbia River Gorge
Once home to the iconic Lucky Lager beer brand, Vancouver is today a hub for creative craft brews in Southwest Washington. Heathen Brewing pours a crowd-pleasing mix of IPAs, easy-drinking lagers, and fruity sour ales at two locations, including one with a spacious patio in the heart of downtown. A few blocks away, Loowit Brewing Company produces a wide-ranging tap list while keeping an eye on environmental stewardship. For experimental, small-batch brews in a ‘90s-inspired taproom, stop into Vice Beer in East Vancouver.
If time allows, head east along Highway 14, where a handful of scenic breweries await in the Columbia River Gorge. Fun stops include Backwoods Brewing Company for hearty pizzas and quality suds or Everybody’s Brewing for sweeping views across the Columbia River in White Salmon.
Plan your beercation with help from the Brewcouver passport. Check in to local breweries and taprooms to collect points for prizes or simply enjoy passholder-exclusive discounts.
Also See: Columbia River Gorge Road Trip
Skagit Valley
With acres of fertile farmland, it’s no surprise a craft beer scene has taken root in the rich agricultural region south of Bellingham. In downtown Mount Vernon, District Brewing pairs house-brewed beers and hearty pizzas with views of the Skagit River. Nearby, family-owned Temperate Habits Brewing offers a rotating selection of beers next to local boutiques. For a dog-friendly spot, head to Farmstrong Brewing Co. to sip award-winning beers and enjoy live music.
On Fidalgo Island, Anacortes Brewery got its start in 1994 and is one of Washington’s longstanding craft breweries. German-inspired ales and lagers are among its specialties. In Burlington, Chuckanut Brewery pours German-style lagers at its production brewery and taproom. Just down the street, Garden Path Fermentation crafts beer, mead, wine, and cider using local ingredients, native yeast, and traditional fermentation techniques.
Plan a visit during the annual Skagit Farm to Pint Fest in La Conner, where local breweries team up with chefs and producers to offer beer and farm-fresh food pairings. Or explore at your own pace with the Skagit Farm to Pint Passport Tour.
Tacoma
Sitting on the shores of Puget Sound south of Seattle, Tacoma is known for its art scene, easy access to nature, and thriving craft breweries. Stop by 7 Seas Brewing in the former Heidelberg Brewery building for classic ales and lagers served in a spacious, kid-friendly taproom. Nearby, family-owned Sig Brewing Company pairs creative small-batch beers with wood-fired pizzas.
For an eclectic selection of rotating beers, from hop-forward IPAs to creative seasonal releases, head to Odd Otter Brewing Company. Settle into its casual taproom for a tasting flight, pub-style bites, and regular events ranging from trivia to live music.
Craving waterfront views? Head to Narrows Brewing, where you can sip craft beers overlooking the Narrows Marina and Puget Sound. The brewery serves everything from IPAs to sours to ciders here and at its Proctor taproom.
For even more local flavor, plan a visit during Tacoma Beer Week, when participating breweries host special releases, tastings, and other beer-focused events.
Walla Walla
Walla Walla in Southwest Washington is synonymous with wine, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll see why a growing craft beer scene makes it an underrated Washington State beer destination.
Burwood Brewing Company occupies a sun-kissed corner of the city’s Airport District and is beloved as much for its beer as its spacious patio. Sip refreshing brews alongside your four-legged friend while playing lawn games, lounging in Adirondack chairs, and noshing on pub fare. Nearby, Quirk Brewing serves a crowd-pleasing mix ranging from fruity sour ales and tart grisettes to barrel-aged stouts and hazy IPAs. An on-site food truck prepares some of the city’s best Mexican cuisine.
For sweeping views of the Blue Mountains and surrounding vineyards, head to Five Dollar Ranch Brewing. Housed in a converted hay barn, the brewery features indoor and outdoor seating and a rotating selection of craft beers.
Time your visit for Walla Walla BrewFest in February, when downtown businesses host breweries for an afternoon of tastings.
About the Author
Matt Wastradowski is a travel writer, guidebook author, and lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest. He has written about the great outdoors, craft beer, and history for Northwest Travel & Life, REI, AAA’s Via magazine, and other publications.