Thought Napa only knew how to make great wine? Think again. It turns out Napa’s forte extends to beer too. In fact, Napa is home to quite a few breweries serving up a mean pint of handcrafted ales. So if wine isn’t your thing, you’ve still got plenty of good-tasting reasons to visit Northern California’s wine country. Check out Neighborhoods.com’s picks for the breweries you’ll want to make time to visit.

Fieldwork Brewing

Courtesy of Fieldwork Brewing

Founded in Berkeley, Fieldwork has expanded to locations across the Bay Area, including one here in Napa. If you’re new here, you can create your own flight by picking six brews you want to try. It may not be easy to narrow down your choices as the brewery offers everything from sour beers to IPAs and even some strange-sounding concoctions, like a salted coconut oatmeal stout.

The atmosphere is lively and upbeat and you’ll meet everyone from fellow Bay Area beer-lovers to out-of-state beer enthusiasts. Sit outside in the outdoor seating area on a warm, sunny day (which is most days in Napa) or bring your beer inside when the temperature starts to drop. 

Tannery Bend Beerworks

Courtesy of Tannery Bend Beerworks

Tannery Bend Beerworks hasn’t been in business for long but it’s already a new favorite among locals. Whether you’re in the mood for a saison, an IPA, or a Belgian Dubbel made with mushroom caps (it’s called Capps), you’ll find what you’re looking for. Tannery has a quirky feel, with eclectic artwork hung on the walls and some upright barrels doubling as tables.

Pet owners will also be happy to know that dogs are totally welcome at this establishment, so you won’t have to feel guilty about leaving the pup at home on your next Friday night outing.

In the mood for food? Try the al pastor nachos or the Italian sausage sandwich.

St Clair Brown Winery & Brewery

Courtesy of St Clair Brown Winery & Brewery

Can’t decide between wine or beer? Or maybe you’re partial to wine but your spouse only drinks beer? You’re in luck because St Clair Brown has both for you.

Try a flight of red wines while munching on a cheese plate or a piece of dark chocolate almond bark, and then move on over to the beer options. The brew selection isn’t huge, with only a few brews on tap, but the quality is high, as many Yelp reviewers attest to. Their selection rotates but includes everything from pilsners to farmhouse saison to pale ales to oatmeal stout.

You can also take a stroll through the culinary garden, which also happens to be pet friendly. 

Trade Brewing

Courtesy of Trade Brewing

This relatively new player in the Napa brewery scene is already becoming a favorite among locals. Trade Brewing has a row of taps stands at the ready, offering pints of pale ales, brown ales, and IPAs. You can pick five to create your own flight.

Of course, as any beer drinker knows, you shouldn’t consume alcohol on an empty stomach, and Trade Brewing offers a selection of salads and sandwiches that help to keep your beer company. The exterior of the brewery looks almost like a cabin, thanks to its inviting porch setup and exposed wood, and the interior feels just as cozy.

Napa Smith Brewery

Courtesy of Napa Smith Brewing

Napa Smith Brewery has been a Bay Area fixture for years — and for good reason. Don Barkley, the original mind behind this brewing operation, is often considered one of the most experienced and skilled craft brewers in the country. He’s also regarded as one of the people who helped to spearhead the craft beer movement. Barkley has since been replaced as Brew Master by Stein Servick, but still remains heavily involved with the brewery.

While it’s not technically in Napa (it’s actually in Vallejo, about 16 miles south of Napa), the brewery has gained a lot of its inspiration from the surrounding wine country, so we felt it deserved a mention on this list. Stop by the taproom to sample 14 draft beers or take some to go.