Best of Washington State - 2025
The Top 10 Washington Breweries to Brighten a Dark Winter
From hazy IPAs to crisp lagers, these breweries prove that gloomy Northwest nights pair best with world‑class beer.
It’s that time of year again. Sure, the holidays are here, but in Washington State it’s also dark and gloomy — which just means more time to stay inside and drink great beer. And let’s be honest: Washington produces some of the best beer in the world. We are, after all, the home of the hops.
So this holiday season I’m putting together my list of 10 favorite breweries. If your go‑to spot isn’t here, that’s okay — there are so many incredible breweries across the state, but I only have room for ten.
10: Sig Brewing — Tacoma, WA
https://untappd.com/SigBrewingCompany
Sig has everything you want in a brewery: delicious beers, wood‑fired pizzas, and yes, doll heads for tap handles. Since opening in 2020, they’ve been cranking out hazy IPAs, vibrant sours, and crisp lagers. Whenever I’m in Tacoma, Sig is a must‑stop, and I recommend it to everyone
9: Old Schoolhouse Brewery — Winthrop, WA
Getting to Winthrop is always a bit of a trek, but it’s one of the most beautiful drives in the state, no matter which side you’re coming from. Nestled in this little western‑style town, Old Schoolhouse is a true hidden gem. Their IPAs are consistently excellent, but don’t overlook the Hooligan Stout or Big Valley Brown Ale — both are standout dark beers. And if you visit in the fall, their fresh hop program is one of the best in the Pacific Northwest.
8: Chuckanut Brewery — Burlington, WA
https://www.chuckanutbrewery.com/
https://untappd.com/ChuckanutBrewery
Chuckanut hardly needs my endorsement. Anyone who loves beer in Washington knows their award‑winning lagers. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever had a Chuckanut beer that wasn’t excellent. Every pint is a gem, and this brewery deserves all the praise it gets.
7: Structures Brewing — Bellingham, WA
Structures has that “it” factor. The vibes are strong, and the beer is even stronger. Whether you’re at their original downtown spot or the newer waterfront location, you’re in for a great time. Their hazy IPAs are some of the best you’ll ever taste, the pilsners are endlessly drinkable, the stouts are bold, and the sours are creative and experimental. Trust me — if you haven’t been, go.
6: Vice Beer — Vancouver, WA
If you’re a child of the ’90s, Vice Beer might feel like home. From floppy disk coasters to VHS tapes playing in the back, the nostalgia is real. And the beer? Equally impressive. Their IPAs are sharp, the lagers are clean, and they’re constantly collaborating with other breweries. Add in a Mexican food truck out front, and you’ve got a recipe for success.
5: Lumberbeard Brewing — Spokane, WA
https://lumberbeardbrewing.com/
https://untappd.com/LumberbeardBrewing
Lumberbeard is all about fresh, hop‑forward beers. Their IPAs are among the best in Washington, and their fresh hop releases are legendary. Even if hops aren’t your thing, they offer plenty of variety with crisp lagers and fuller‑bodied options. Whenever I spot a Lumberbeard beer in Seattle, I grab it without hesitation.
4: Holy Mountain Brewing — Seattle, WA
https://holymountainbrewing.com/
https://untappd.com/HolyMountainBrewing
It’s hard to find a “best of Washington” list without Holy Mountain on it — and if you do, don’t trust it. Holy Mountain is arguably the state’s top brewery. They push boundaries with every release: flavor‑packed IPAs, fresh hop masterpieces, experimental saisons, oak‑aged gems, and a robust barrel program. The vibe is loud music, white walls, and killer swag. Everything they do is dialed in.
3: Cloudburst Brewing — Seattle, WA
https://untappd.com/CloudburstBrewing
Cloudburst is Cloudburst. Steve Luke is a master of IPAs, and his creations are consistently among the best in Washington. But don’t sleep on the non‑IPAs: Happy Little Clouds is a crushable pilsner, and Said Nobody is a rich, flavorful brown ale. Still, at the end of the day, Cloudburst is the IPA king, and everyone should experience it firsthand.
2: Ravenna Brewing — Seattle, WA
https://www.ravennabrewing.com/
https://untappd.com/RavennaBrewingCo
I might be a little biased here. I’ve been enjoying Ravenna’s beer since Tommy, the founder, was homebrewing at the University of Washington. Even back then, people knew he was destined for big things. Today, head brewer Audra Johansen has taken the reins and elevated Ravenna even further. Their lagers, hop‑forward beers, and seasonal releases are consistently excellent. Whenever I meet beer drinkers from out of state, I tell them to visit Ravenna — and they’re never disappointed.
1: Single Hill Brewing — Yakima, WA
https://singlehillbrewing.com/
https://untappd.com/SingleHillBrewing
It feels fitting that Washington’s best brewery sits in Yakima, the heart of hop country. Single Hill makes the freshest, most vibrant hop‑driven beers I’ve ever had, especially their fresh hop IPAs. But they’re not just about hops — their lagers are crisp, their barrel‑aged program produces outstanding dark beers, and their creativity keeps me coming back. I think about Single Hill often, like an ex I can’t quite quit — but in this case, it’s a brewery, and that’s a good thing. With their Yakima taproom (and now a Seattle location too), Single Hill is a must‑stop for any beer lover.