California is the most boozy state in the U.S. with the greatest number of craft breweries in operation in the nation. As the fifth most populous city in the state, Fresno is a key player in forwarding the state’s craft beer tourism, and nationally the craft brew scene is seeing an impressive revival from its pandemic-induced slump.
To help our city’s beer enthusiasts do their part, here are our top four breweries and brewpubs, each with its own distinct brews and personality.
1. Mad Duck Craft Brewing: A pub that goes the whole nine yards
Mad Duck Craft Brewing, located at Campus Pointe, is easily the most accessible choice on this list. Fortunately for students, the quality matches the convenience.
Mad Duck offers a fantastic drinking and dining experience with its good food and the casual, modern vibe of its restaurant. The atmosphere tends to be lively without being raucous, though that depends heavily on whether there’s a Fresno State game going on. It’s an ideal spot to visit after watching a movie at the nearby Maya Cinemas.
The service is top-notch for a brewpub, ensuring a swift escort to your table upon your arrival. It keeps things exciting with various specials each day of the week like “Mondays Don’t Suck” ($6 Mad Duck Pints, 50% off kids’ meals), “Wednesdays are a Smash” ($16.50 Smashburger & Mad Duck pint) and “Sunday Funday” ($6 Bloodies, $6 Mimosas). The full-fledged menu offers a range of options from burgers and fish and chips to salads.
On top of that, the house brews are on point. The hops in their tropical Citra pale ale give a sweet grapefruit taste, while their honey-infused Honey Pot Blonde goes down easily, joined by a subtle jolt of lemony zest. The Hopical Paradise is a popular dry-hopped American-style wheat beer — so popular, in fact, that it was sold out when I went to try it. Price varies according to size ($7.50 for a 16 oz. and $9 for a 22 oz.)
In addition to all of this, there are plenty of TVs, so guests never miss a game.
There’s not much more you could ask for from a brewery, really.
Location: ★★★★
Entertainment: ★★★★
Food: ★★★★
Beer: ★★★★
Value: ★★★★
2. Sequoia Brewing Company: Where rustic charm meets good beer
True to its name, the Sequoia Brewing Company restaurant captures the essence of the Sequoia National Forest with its lodge decor, including a mounted moose head and snowshoes. It exudes a rustic, relaxing vibe, evoking the image of a quietly nestled cabin in the Sequoias, despite being right in the heart of city nightlife. The Tower District location is at 777 E. Olive Ave, while its North Fresno location is at 1188 E. Champlain Drive #107.
It has an ample amount of beers on tap, live music, huge TVs adorning every wall and an impressive menu offering various starters, lunch and dinner options. The cocktails are a standout, poured well and delivered with impressive speed.
The IPA selection, especially the Pomegranate Ale, is delicious with a refreshing, easy-going quality, enhanced by the subtle sweetness and tartness of pomegranate.
The staff is attentive and personable, ensuring guests will have an overall great time.
Location: ★★★☆
Entertainment: ★★★★
Food: ★★★★
Beer: ★★★★
Value: ★★★★
3. Tioga Sequoia Beer Garden: An urban oasis in Fresno’s Brewery District
Tioga Sequoia Beer Garden, located at 745 Fulton St. in Downtown Fresno in the aptly named Brewery District, is an outdoor venue with a vibrant, urban atmosphere. It excels at bringing a unique variety of fresh, local craft beer that integrates unique flavors.
With over 25 draft beers to choose from, patrons have a plethora of options, and all of Tioga-Sequoia products are brewed locally in Fresno.
In its draft beer lineup, the Half Dome is its pride and joy and lives up to the hype. I also find the malty Sugar Pine Cocoa-Vanilla Porter delightful; it’s surprisingly light with a touch of sweetness, very low bitterness, and a strong vanilla aroma.
For food, Tioga Sequoia has a rotation of local food trucks parked in the beer garden on different days (my favorites are Tepp on Wheels and the Mad Duck mobile, but you can find out which trucks will be in the lot at their website).
The venue offers not just great drinks, but also entertainment like trivia nights, art shows and a good sound system with a live DJ. Special events are announced via their social media with weekly and monthly calendars posted. You can also take a photo of your pooch and post it on their “Beer Garden Buddies” wall.
It’s an excellent spot to relax on a hot Friday night. When it’s rainy? Not so much, unless it’s not packed inside, which it usually is.
Location: ★★★☆
Entertainment: ★★★★
Food: ★★☆☆
Beer: ★★★★
Value: ★★★☆
4. Summer Fox Brewing: Game room fun beyond the beer
Summer Fox Brewing, formerly known as Amalgamation, stands out as a unique taproom in the Northwest Fresno neighborhood that offers plenty of things to do outside of drinking craft beer. It’s located at 6585 North Santa Fe Ave.
The nearly 5,000 square-foot facility hosts live events, mixers and game nights such as bingo, trivia, dancing and karaoke. Unfortunately, it’s a little easy to miss if you’re not actively looking for it. They also have a second location in Clovis at 2700 Clovis Ave. Unit 104.
The taproom offers taps from in and around the Central Valley, including onsite brews like their Clovis Ave Blonde Ale (bready and crisp), Viva La Lager Loca (a malty corn lager) and Luna Rojas Red Ale (award-winning, with earthy toffee flavors and a clean finish).
The small menu includes appetizer options like nachos, sliders and pulled pork tacos. It’s not a restaurant and it shows, but it’s delicious for what it is.
The bar inside is small and compact, but the front room offers a Nintendo console with various retro favorites and board games, making it a unique and fun spot to play with friends. There is also an option for outdoor seating that allows for large group settings.
Location: ★★☆☆
Entertainment: ★★★★
Food: ★★★☆
Beer: ★★★★
Value: ★★★☆
5. Out of the Barrel: A conveniently located craft brewery offering a casual craft beer experience
While not a brewery per se, Out of the Barrel is a great spot to stop for a craft beer after shopping at Fig Garden Village. Most of the beer served here is sourced from independent craft breweries located in California, with an occasional out-of-state visitor. If you suffer from choice paralysis, opt for a 5 ounce pour or a flight board to explore the variety of options.
Out of the Barrel adjusted its alcohol license to make the location more family-friendly, and as a result, wine is not on the menu.
The space is the smallest on the list by a wide margin, but includes a patio perfect for casual chit-chat and people-watching. It’s a dog-friendly establishment and visitors can expect to find plenty of fellow patrons enjoying their beer with their furry friend outside.
Though the food selection is limited to snacks like flavored pretzels and beer nuts, patrons are welcome to bring outside food (Whole Foods and Jack’s Urban Eats are a stone’s throw away). It also has plenty of fridges stocked with around 50 different beers for on-site enjoyment or to take to-go.
There’s a single TV inside, so I wouldn’t recommend going there to catch a sports game unless you’re feeling lucky.
Location: ★★★★
Entertainment: ★★☆☆
Food: ★★☆☆
Beer: ★★★☆
Value: ★★★☆