USA Today has officially recognized Oregon’s vibrant beer culture, earning multiple accolades in its 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. This accolade highlighted several cities and establishments across the state for their exceptional contributions to the beer landscape.

Portland: A Top Beer City
Portland was ranked as the sixth best beer city in the U.S., praised for its remarkable array of over 80 breweries and numerous beer-related events. This includes festivities like Oregon Craft Beer Month, PDX Beer Week, and the Oregon Brewers Festival, which attract craft beer enthusiasts from all over.

Here are the top ten best beer cities according to USA Today:

1. Grand Rapids, Michigan
2. St. Louis, Missouri
3. San Diego, California
4. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
5. Columbus, Ohio
6. Portland, Oregon
7. Asheville, North Carolina
8. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
9. Charlotte, North Carolina
10. Denver, Colorado

Renowned Beer Bars
Among the best beer bars, Portland’s The Horse Brass Pub earned recognition, ranking sixth for its impressive selection of over 50 beers and a menu filled with traditional British fare. Belmont Station also shined, coming in seventh and boasting an extensive collection of over 1,400 beers in its Can & Bottle Shop.

The complete list of the top ten best beer bars includes:

1. O’Brien’s Pub (San Diego, California)
2. The Ohio Taproom (Columbus, Ohio)
3. Weathered Ground Brewery (Cool Ridge, West Virginia)
4. Hop City Beer & Wine (Birmingham, Alabama)
5. Tallgrass Tap House (Manhattan, Kansas)
6. Horse Brass Pub (Portland, Oregon)
7. Belmont Station (Portland, Oregon)
8. La Taberna Lúpulo (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
9. Side Project Brewing (Maplewood, Missouri)
10. Salud Beer Shop (Charlotte, North Carolina)

Emerging Breweries
Brujos Brewing, which opened in March 2024, made its mark by being named seventh among the best new breweries. This establishment has quickly gained popularity, offering a variety of innovative brews.

The top ten best new breweries list includes:

1. Frazier Creek Brewing & Distilling Co (Stuart, Florida)
2. RAK Brewing Co (Frederick, Maryland)
3. Hot Plate Brewing Co. (Pittsfield, Massachusetts)
4. Vine Street Brewing Co. (Kansas City, Missouri)
5. Caius Farm Brewery (Branford, Connecticut)
6. Crooked Culture Brewing (Cumming, Georgia)
7. Brujos Brewing (Portland, Oregon)
8. Carbon Copy (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
9. Anglesea Aleworks (Wildwood, New Jersey)
10. Keepsake Brewery (Gastonia, North Carolina)

Deschutes Brewery and Astoria’s Charm
Deschutes Brewery in Bend captured eighth place for its brewery tour, showcasing the brewing process alongside tastings. Meanwhile, the coastal town of Astoria was recognized as the second best small-town beer scene, celebrated for its inviting atmosphere and local breweries that contribute to the overall beer culture.

The complete list of the top ten best brewery tours includes:

1. Tröegs Independent Brewing (Hershey, Pennsylvania)
2. Spoetzl Brewery (Shiner, Texas)
3. SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia)
4. Anheuser-Busch Brewery Experiences (St. Louis, Missouri)
5. Burial Beer Co. Forestry Camp (Asheville, North Carolina)
6. Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. (Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin)
7. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Chico, California and Mills River, North Carolina)
8. Deschutes Brewery (Bend, Oregon)
9. Bell’s Brewery (Comstock, Michigan)
10. Allagash Brewing Company (Portland, Maine)

Additionally, the top ten best small-town beer scenes included Astoria in the second position for its charming local offerings. This recognition celebrates cities with populations under 30,000 that provide a welcoming atmosphere with festivals and breweries.

This wave of acknowledgment helps solidify Oregon’s reputation as a leading destination for craft beer lovers, showcasing its exceptional establishments and unique brewing culture.