May is patio season on the Peninsula, and few things suit a warm afternoon like a fresh pint at the source. This list gathers the breweries and brewpubs we return to, seeded by the award winners and the spots our review team has featured, then rounded out with the favorites readers bookmark.
At Outside Eats we start these picks from places we know are worth it and fill out the list with dependable favorites. A good taproom rotates through hazy IPAs, crisp lagers, and seasonal batches you will not find bottled, and many pair the beer with a relaxed, welcoming room, communal tables, and rotating food.
Breweries are an easy, low-key way to spend an afternoon, and our ten picks span enough of the Peninsula to find one near you. Browse the sections below by city, and open any restaurant for photos, hours, and directions. As the weather warms in May, a flight of fresh beer on a patio is time well spent.
The Best Breweries in San Carlos
The Best Breweries in Pacifica
The Best Breweries in Belmont
The Best Breweries in Half Moon Bay
The Best Breweries in Menlo Park
The Best Breweries in Redwood City
The Best Breweries in San Mateo
Looking for more? Browse all breweries on the Peninsula.
