11 Essential Craft Breweries You Need to Try in Oakland, CA

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When you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, Oakland has a lot to offer. From scenic attractions, historical museums, and famous performances, this jazzy town is also home to several local craft breweries intertwined with the Bay Area’s culinary scene.

Owing to its rooted history of the famous “steam beer” and a homage to the city’s beer manufacturer pioneers, the new beer players are now making a mark in Oakland and grabbing a spotlight on America’s enormous craft beer industry.

Among the successful craft breweries in the city, we get the top 11 of the most reviewed and high-rated breweries for your next visit.

1. Drake’s Dealership Brewery

Some say Drake’s Dealership is the best brewery in Oakland, and it’s hard to argue when it topped the rank of best breweries according to beer enthusiasts. Drake’s Dealership is a full-service restaurant known for its wood-fired pizzas. In addition, they have a wide selection of 32 tasty beers on tap.

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Drake’s Dealership is a massive brick building located in downtown Oakland. The restaurant also boasts a sun-drenched and heated outdoor seating area, so you can dine al fresco in the wintertime. They’re a dog-friendly establishment that hosts banquets and other private events.

Crowd Favorite: Peached Whale Sour, 6.6% ABV. It has a sweet taste of peach with a subtle tartness.
Highly Recommended: Menacing Mallard IPA, 7%ABV.
Fun Fact: Drake’s Dealership is one of the pioneers in Oakland’s craft beer industry, with 33 years in existence. You can trace Drake’s Dealership roots back to 1989, formerly known as Lind Brewing Company.
Hop-py Note: Accepts reservation. A gluten-free brewery.

Hours: Open Mon – Thu: 12pm – 11pm，Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12am，Sun: 12pm – 11pm.

Address: 2325 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

Contact: (510) 568-2739 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

2. Ghost Town Brewery

The name may be scary (along with the coffins and cross symbols), but don’t freak out! Ghost Town’s unique and tasty eclectic selection of beers on tap will change your mind. Ghost Town’s name is inspired by Oakland’s history and the former two coffin factories in the neighborhood.

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Ghost Town is a family-friendly brewery with two West Oakland and Laurel taprooms. Although they have already increased their production, the West Oakland taproom is still a small space as they wanted to make their brewery low-key by serving as an extension of the neighborhood. They have small indoor seating and ample indoor bike parking. However, they offer outside dining and to-go orders in the newly open Laurel location.

Crowd Favorite: Inhume American IPA, 7% ABV.
Highly Recommended: Ossuary Porter, 6.66%.
Fun Fact: Ghost Town is a side project for the metal bandmates searching for a place for their rehearsal and eventually built a one-barrel brewhouse to pay the rent.
Hop-py Note: Ghost Town doesn’t serve foods, but outside foods are welcome, and food trucks are available on rotation.

Hours: Open Mon – Thur: 3pm – 7pm, Fri – Sun: 12pm – 7pm.

Address: 1960 Adeline St, Oakland, CA 94607

Contact: (510) 926-6728 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

3. Original Pattern Brewing Company

An award-winning independent brewery comprises wood and bricks that give it an industrial look. It has a spacious indoor seating area with colorful posh seats. It also has string lights and a sun-drenched outdoor patio with wooden decors contributing to its classy yet laid-back vibe. A family-friendly and dog-friendly establishment.

4. Temescal Brewing

Located at Telegraph Avenue and 49th Street, Temescal Brewing offers a spacious outdoor seating area with a beer garden. The brewery’s beers include a tasty hazy IPA, fruity sour, and lager and pilsner; all come with fun and energizing can and bottle labels. To keep things fresh and exciting, Temescal Brewing produces quality beers made with clean water and fresh ingredients. When you happen to pass by, be sure to stop by and experience the intangible fun and good vibe yourself!

Best Breweries in Oakland — Photo:Temescal Brewing

Crowd Favorite: Temescal Hazy IPA, 6.5% ABV. A tasty IPA with the right balance of oats and malted wheat.
Highly Recommended: Temescal Pils, 5% ABV.
What’s New: Temescal Brewing also available in restaurants, bars, bottle shops, and groceries in Oakland and San Francisco.
Hop-py Note: No foods in the taproom, but a daily food truck is available, and outside foods are welcome.

Hours: Open Mon: 12pm-5pm, Tue -Fri: 4pm-10pm, Sat: 12pm-10pm, Sun: 12pm-9pm.

Address: 4115 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

Contact: (510) 899-5628 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

5. Buck Wild Brewing and Taproom

Buck Wild Brewing and Taproom, California’s first gluten-free brewery, offers a wide selection of gluten-free beers, wines, and delicious foods. It has a modern industrial vibe taproom that can accommodate up to 100 people, perfect for hosting private events and weddings.

In partnership with Kitava kitchen, Buck Wild also provides delightful menus that are 100% gluten-free—with spacious outdoor seating available as well. The brewery/taproom also has a wide selection of merch for purchase!

Crowd Favorite: Hazy IPA Gluten-Free, 6.8% ABV. A gluten-free hazy IPA that has an orange flavor and citrus aroma.
Highly Recommended: Buck Wild Pale Ale, 6.6%ABV.
Fun Facts: Buck Wild Brewing started as a hobby and the desire to create a gluten-free beer for everyone.

Hours: Open Mon – Thur: 4pm-9pm，Fri：4pm-10pm，Sat：11am-10pm，Sun: 11-9pm.

Address: 401 Jackson St, Oakland, CA 94607

Contact: (510) 350-7938 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

6. Line 51 Brewery

The Line 51 brewery is a unique brewery in Oakland that pays tribute to its humble beginning by turning a beautifully restored 1972 AC Transit bus into a tap bar! With its unique idea and tasty craft beers, Line 51 is now one of Oakland’s local breweries worth visiting.

Beer enthusiasts and professionals alike love the beer selection, brewery experience, and food menu at Line 51. Beer nights are organized so they are not just fun but are a combination of a beer and food pairing experience that is built on a foundation of fun, a warm atmosphere, and camaraderie. They also have an open mic, live entertainment, and a lot more events lining up to make your beer night out a fun-filled experience.

Crowd Favorite: Red Death Red Ale, 7.5% ABV. Has a malty and sweet flavor with the right amount of bitterness for a winning sip!
Highly Recommended: DubNation IPA, 6.5% ABV.
Fun Fact: Line 51 owner, Leti Lovern, went viral on social media while carrying a keg of beer for delivery on AC Transit bus. This is Line 51 inspiration came from.

Hours: Open Wed – Fri 2pm – 10pm, Sat 11:30am – 10pm, Sun 11:30am – 8pm, Mon & Tues Closed.

Address: 303 Castro St, Oakland, CA 94607

Contact: (510)-985-4191 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

7. Novel Brewery Co.

Not just your primary neighborhood brewery, which has barrels and beer-related stuff displayed on the wall. This brewery used books, novels to be exact, lined up on the wall as its main attraction. Aside from exciting and tasty beer selections, they also have fun events like book swapping and trivia nights that will surely satisfy your nerdy minds (in a good way).

Novel Brewery taproom offers spacious indoor seating and a sunny outdoor patio with beautiful mural paintings, giving the brewery a fantastic, fun, and vibrant atmosphere.

Crowd Favorite: Dust Jacket IPA, 6.8% ABV. A delicious IPA with bursting pineapple and grapefruit flavors.
Highly Recommended: Ravity’s Grainbow IPA, 6.8% ABV. https://untappd.com/b/novel-brewing-company-ravity-s-grainbow/1674120
Hop-py Note: It’s a little crowded on weekends, so don’t forget to come early.

Hours: Open Tue – Fri: 3pm -10 pm, Sat: 12pm – 10 pm, Sun: 1pm – 8 pm, Mon Closed.

Address: 6510 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94608

Contact: (510) 922-9974 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

8. Federation Brewery Oakland

Home for award-winning craft beers, Federation brewery is an independent local brewery that provides a relaxing and chill vibe to the Jack London Square neighborhood.

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Federation brewery has indoor seating, two container vans for additional shelter in the beer garden, and an outdoor patio that is family-friendly and dog-friendly. They offer food and welcome outside foods.

Crowd Favorite: In the Weeds IPA, 6.3% ABV. A malty beer with a refreshing citrus aroma and the right bitterness.
Highly Recommended: Zero Charisma, 6.5% ABV.
What’s New: Federation now accepting group reservations. Check their website for more details.
Hop-py Note: Federation brewery does not accept a reservation. It is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Hours: Open Mon – Wed:12pm – 8pm, Thur: 12pm – 10pm, FRI & SAT: 12pm – 10pm, Sun: 12pm – 8pm.

Address: 420 3rd St a, Oakland, CA 94607

Contact: (510) 496-4228 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

9. Oakland United Beerworks

The former Linden Street Brewery, the pioneering brewery that opened in 2009, once again put Oakland on the beer map. Under its new name, Oakland United Brewery, and unique location, they strive to deliver the same quality and freshly crafted beers in Oakland and its neighboring cities.

Oakland United has a 65-seater, two-story taproom overseeing the brewery, an ideal place for hosting private events. They are dog-friendly as well as a family-friendly establishment. With 12 beers on taps, Oakland also offers live music, delicious foods from their kitchen, and snacks from a rotating food truck daily.

Crowd Favorite: New Oakland Glow Pilsner, 4.2% ABV. A perfect blend of hops and malt that gives it a refreshing, clean, and bitter finish.
Highly Recommended: Proper Hooligan Dark Mild, 4.1% ABV.
Fun Facts: Linden Street Brewery is the first production brewery in Oakland after Golden West Brewery stopped its operations in 1959. Making Linden Street Brewery the pioneering brewery again opens the door for craft brewing.
Hop-py Note: Magic The gathering night every Thursday!

Hours: Open Wed – Thur: 2pm – 9pm, Fri – Sat: Noon – 9pm, Sun: Noon – 8pm, Mon – Tue: Closed.

Address: 262 2nd St, Oakland, CA 94607

Contact: (510) 251-8898 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

10. Old Kan Beer and Co.

When you see the trademark “OKEY” hand sign, then you’re on Ok-Land. Old Kan Beer & Co. ensures that everything will be Ok, from their approachable beer to mouth-watering dishes, this brewery offers a welcoming and chill neighborhood vibe. Located at Linden Street, Old Kan Beer & Co. is a microbrewery and kitchen focusing on producing simple yet quality beers for the community to enjoy.

In addition to spacious indoor seating, this brewery also has a cozy outdoor deck that is kid-friendly as well as dog-friendly. Old Kan also offers live music and scheduled events for entertainment.

Crowd Favorite: Original Pale Ale, 5.5% ABV. A refreshing English Pale Ale that has the right amount of bitterness.
Highly Recommended: Dark, Dark Lager, 5.5% ABV.
Fun Facts: James Syhabout, the co-owner of Old Kan Beer is an award-winning chef and also the owner of Commis restaurant which has received 2 Michelin Stars!

Hours: Open Wed – Fri: 4pm – 10pm, Sat: 12pm – 10pm, Sun: 12pm – 6pm.

Address: 95 Linden St, Oakland, CA 94607

Contact: (510) 338-3965 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

11. Ale Industries

Oakland’s Ale Industries has survived the city’s beerpocalypse, though it has had to kick and scream to do so. When other local breweries have given up the ghost, this scrappy survivor continues to push forward into a future of uncertain beeriness.

Ale Industries supports communities and uses bioenergy brewing techniques. Its industrial building gives off an inviting warehouse atmosphere; it serves tasty beers on tap and collaborates with other brewers and artists.

Crowd Favorite: East Bay IPA, 7.75% ABV. A golden tasty caramel flavor with notes of citrus and pine.
Highly Recommended: The Golden State of Mind, 4,4% ABV.