The handcrafted beers at Intrinsic come with a big bonus: barbecue. Not that the brews themselves aren’t reason enough to go — the Garland brewery recently dropped Mission Mix Berlinerweise, a flavor brewed with Tang and released a limited collaborative brew with Scoop and Buns (a doughnut and ice cream shop) called Ube Baltic Porter. There are also tamer options, but why not go a little left of center? 

One can’t talk about stouts in DFW without talking about Lakewood. Temptress — the base beer and the multiple flavor variations it produces, including peanut butter and salted caramel — is the most popular stout in the region. It also has seasonal beers in virtually every style, with a taproom in Garland open seven days a week. In the newly added-on kitchen, guests can enjoy dishes including salads and wraps and hearty comfort foods such as barbecue brisket sandwiches with meat sourced from the nearby Intrinsic Smokehouse and flatbread pizzas.

On Rotation offers a selection of over 40 different rotating taps. A fan favorite is the Beyoncé-inspired I Woke Up Like This – a mimosa-flavored beer made with a heavy wheat base and bright, orange-forward hops infused with orange juice. This combination makes for a delectable brunch when paired with the signature gluten-free fried chicken.

Located in the heart of Dallas, Community Beer Co. offers a vast selection of IPAs, imperial stouts, and even a signature non-alcoholic beer called Nada. Plus, the brewery has live musical performances and tours weekly.

Peticolas offers several beers that will turn beerheads up to the next level in a former warehouse in the Design District. Their signature is the Imperial Red Ale, which has a 9% ABV. This red ale is a Dallas favorite and appears on the menu of several essential bars and restaurants. 

Over in Deep Ellum, Trinity Cider offers a large selection of fermented beverages. Some fan favorites include the CideBoob, a cider with touches of watermelon flavor, and the Mother Smucker, which tastes like peanut butter and jelly. For those who don’t drink, a non-alcoholic cider called the Apples Anonymous is constantly on rotation. 

Deep Ellum Brewing is a colorful space that attracts an eclectic crowd. This brewery offers a selection of Dallas classics, including its signature Dallas Blonde and Deep Ellum IPA. If beers aren’t your thing, they also have their signature Blind Lemon seltzer on tap and their Ellum Ranch Water. The brewery also offers tours, trivia nights, and performances for live local music acts.

Good food and cold beers inspired by the Latinx community await you at Four Corners brewery. Four Corners is a hub of culture with a taproom large enough for trivia and game nights and an outdoor space fit for art walks and markets. Some of the most popular beers include an IPA called El Chingon and a watermelon ale called Sandia Fresca.

Martin House is not your typical brewery. If you’re willing to make the trek to Fort Worth, you have to try some of their unconventional flavors. Notable flavors include the Chex Mix brew, the pizza brew, the buffalo wing brew, and, if you want to kick it up a notch, the sour pickle brew. 

While many local breweries pride themselves on being large venues, Bishop Cider is a more intimate space. Order some of its signature ciders, like the fan-favorite Apple Pineapple, grab a table with your friends, and bring a card game or board game.

Oak Cliff Brewing Company offers a variety of flavors, from sweet to sour to bold. Some signature brews include the Lee Hazy Oswald, an IPA with stone fruit and melon flavors; Tangerine Vanilla Paleta Weiss, made with fresh fruits; soft malts; and a home-grown souring, inspired by the paleterias of Oak Cliff. Plus, the brewing space is large enough to accommodate its rotating calendar of events that range from art galleries to flea markets.