San Jose on Tap

Over the past three decades, San Jose has become a hub for local craft breweries, where you can explore everything from IPA’s and barrel-aged stouts to experimental sours, and even non-alcoholic fermented beverages.

Whether you’re a seasoned beer expert or just looking for a fun place to have a frosty, ice cold beer after work, San Jose’s breweries are full of great atmospheres and even better tasting beverages.

We’ve listed out all the best spots to grab a cold one!

Gordon Biersch

 

San Jose’s craft brew industry all began with this historic establishment. Gordon Biersch opened its first location in Silicon Valley in 1988, putting out German-style lagers and ales that were created by co-owner Dan Gordon. Not only did Gordon brew tasty beverages, but he is also credited as the creator of garlic fries. He came up with the recipe while he was a student at the University of Munich in Germany and they’ve become a hit at Bay Area sporting events ever since. 

Today, Gordon Biersch doesn’t have a designated brewery location, but they are still operating out of San Jose, where they host night markets and large-scale events. 
 

Teske’s Germania

 

For those who are seeking a German-beer-hall experience in the Bay Area. Teske’s Germania’s beer selection is focused on a wide array of imported German brews. On tap, you’ll find wheat beers and dark ales from brewers like Paulaner, Bitburger and Weihenstephaner.

Whether you’re seated in their lively beer garden or indoors sipping from a liter stein, the atmosphere makes it feel like you’re across the pond in Germany for a few hours. 

Hapa’s Brewing Company & Hapa’s Creekside

 

A San Jose-founded craft brewery, Hapa’s operates out of two locations in San Jose. The original Hapa’s location is on Lincoln Avenue near the Willow Glen neighborhood. Located in a repurposed industrial warehouse, this location features a rotating lineup of food trucks every week and a family-friendly (kids and dogs!) atmosphere that is great for watching games or getting together with big parties. For the non-beer drinkers, there is also nearby Chromatic Coffee and CH11 Cellars Cider House within the same building. 

The newer Creekside location recently opened off The Alameda, near SAP Center, home to the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. With an outdoor beer garden setting, this relaxing brewery is complete with lawn games and is a perfect pregame or pre-concert pit stop if you’re going to a Sharks game or an event. 
 

San Jose Brew Bike

 

If you’re looking for a more unique experience, the San Jose Brew Bike is a 15-passenger, pedal-powered party cycle that rolls through downtown, stopping at a variety of breweries and bars. It is perfect for birthdays, team outings, or just a fun night out with loved ones. Passengers pedal (or ride along) with a tour guide/driver who steers and helps coordinate bar crawl stops. 

Floodcraft Brewing

 

Have a beer at Whole Foods. Located in the historic Alameda neighborhood and just a block away from the SAP Center, this unique brewery offers a rooftop taproom situated above a Whole Foods Market. With rotating taps, guests can enjoy a diverse selection of craft beers, sours, and ciders, all while taking in the surrounding atmosphere of the city. 

The rooftop brewery has picnic-style seating and the choice of bringing your own food or ordering from their limited menu. 

 

Fox Tale Fermentation Project

 

Located in the heart of downtown San Jose, this small-batch brewery is known for its inventive approach to craft beer and plant-based cuisine. They create unique beers using locally sourced and foraged ingredients—like mushrooms, herbs, and fruits—alongside house-made kombucha and fermented dishes. The end product is a creative, community-driven space where residents and visitors alike can enjoy a refreshing beverage crafted out of amazing ingredients. 
 

Clandestine Brewing

 

Clandestine Brewing was founded by a group of passionate homebrewers who have turned their beer creations into a welcoming spot near downtown San Jose. The brewery offers a rotating selection of 12 beers on tap, including styles like hazy IPA’s, Belgian blondes, and lagers. The taproom has a relaxing atmosphere and is a great place to unwind after a game, a workout, or work. Not only is there a great beer selection, but Clandestine is also just blocks away from the G Spot Happy Taste Buds Food Truck Village, which offers a wide selection of delicious Latin-American food from around the globe. 

Narrative Fermentations

 

Located just a few minutes away from Tech CU Arena, San Jose Municipal Stadium, and San Jose State University’s athletic stadiums, this local craft brewery is a great pregame spot if you’re attending a San Jose Giants, San Jose State, or San Jose Barracuda game. With diverse beer offerings and a rotating, seasonal selection of beers, including classics like pilsners and hazy IPAs, as well as experimental brews such as a "Crustless Peanut Butter & Jelly Sour", the brewery fosters a community-oriented, dog and kid-friendly warehouse atmosphere with occasional live music.

DTSJ Brewing Company

 

Featuring lively music and frequent DJ’s, DTSJ Brewing is a neighborhood brewery offering a wide selection of craft beers made with California-sourced ingredients. With frequent food trucks, music, and events, the DTSJ taproom is open to friends, families, and pets.