LA’s booming craft brewery scene is emerging as a leader in California

The modern-day U.S. craft beer movement began over 50 years ago. Since then, California has become a major player, and today has more than 900 independent breweries — the most in the country.

Within California these are organized into nine regional guilds, largely sorted by county. And one of the most important players is the 88-member strong Los Angeles County Brewers Guild.

For many years, the Sacramento Area Brewers Guild was seen as the leading guild in the state. But recently, it's been overtaken by the L.A. County Guild, which has won “Guild of the Year” at the prestigious Brewers Cup of California for the past two years.

Meanwhile, this year, at the April awards, many of its members took home medals for their beers — 13 gold, 10 silver and 16 bronze, ranging from stouts to IPAs to fruit beers.

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L.A.'s beers include stouts, IPAs and fruit beers

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Courtesy Brewjeria

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“L.A. is really coming into its own,” says Simon Brown, CEO and brewmaster at Claremont Craft Ales, who won gold in the Imperial/double IPA category. “It took a while to get going but now we're firing on all cylinders. Winning guild of the year two times in a row is cut and dry proof that we can stand up as a county, as a whole in the industry.”

Patrick Dunn, founder and brewer at Lincoln Beer Company in Burbank, won gold in the American-style amber/red ale category for Railsplitter — a beer he has been brewing since he opened his castle taproom in 2017.

Patrick Dunn, founder of Lincoln Beer company

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Courtesy Lincoln Beer

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“Los Angeles is cutting edge as far as beer,” Dunn said. “Population breeds competition and the more breweries that show up, the better we all make each other and it's really happening here.”

Homebrew clubs

The L.A. beer scene emerged in the last decade and has evolved into an independent beer community full of innovation and creativity, thanks to homebrew clubs, homebrewers-turned-brewmasters, and the expanding awareness of craft beer fans and newbies alike.

For Brewjeria Company, it was their first time winning at the Brewers Cup. The Pico Rivera brewery took home silver in the historical category for California — a category that encompasses 10 historical styles, which are not common anymore or no longer brewed.

The California common is a style that goes back to about 1895 and used to be called “steam beer.” The style has fragrant aromas with mild woodiness and notes of toasted caramel.

It's one of Brewjeria's original brewed beers.

“It was on our Grand Opening tap list, so we were really excited when it won,” said Agustin Ruelas, co-founder and president of Brewjeria and board secretary of the guild. “To get this award and to know that that many breweries won that many awards just for L.A. County alone — it reinvigorates everybody.”

Hard times

The independent brewing industry has seen a rise and fall over the past decade, marked by a combination of market oversaturation, changing consumer habits, economic challenges and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A recent report released by the Brewers Association, a national trade organization, announced the first dip in the number of breweries in the United States since 2005. In 2024, there were 9,612 craft breweries operating in the U.S., down from 9,747 the year prior.

For the guild it has meant doubling down on their efforts to bring breweries together for education and collaboration.

“The greatest resource that the guild has provided to its members is by far the camaraderie, networking and sense of community that we have,” Brown said.

Martin Quinones launched Cervecería Del Pueblo in 2020 during the pandemic. He said he leaned on the guild and his fellow brewers during the uncertain opening.

Winning gold in the Altbier category for his Antigua beer and silver in the fruit beer category for his Melosa beer feels amazing to him.

“I almost gave up, but I kept pushing and pushing," Quinones said. "People saw that and supported us — we were surrounded by good people — that made me continue and I’m glad we did."