The craft beer scene in any city says a lot about a place. There are brews with names referencing local landmarks, and sips to match as they’re infused with the flavors of the region.   In The Palm Beaches, Florida, that means each crack of a can and each head-topped pint is made for enjoying while soaking up beautiful weather, sunshine and the prevailing cheerful attitude.   There are nearly 20 craft breweries in and around The Palm Beaches. Think of the four highlighted below like a sample flight before diving into a full glass. Cheers!   Due South Brewing Co.

To get the most from Due South Brewing Co., you have to step into the space ready for an adventure. It’s likely the same attitude brewers/owners Mike and Jodi Halker started with in 2011 when they shared their concoctions with friends on their back porch. Back then, the Halkers’ home brewing was more of a hobby—today, it’s a 27,000-square-foot warehouse.   With more than 20 beers available, this brewery’s taps range from award-winning favorites to brews with unexpected flavor combos. Take, for example, the Mexican Standoff, a cocoa porter with vanilla, cinnamon and—ready?—chile peppers. It’s a riff on Mexican hot chocolate, which has a bit of kick that simultaneously warms you and wakes you up. This version is an icy cold spice that’s unforgettable.   The IPA series nods to Florida’s hurricane season—boldly, deliciously. Take a sip of the Category 3 IPA, which simultaneously blends a deep maltiness with classic bitter IPA flavors. There are notes of fruit and citrus, because: Florida. The Category 5 IPA takes those flavors up with a strong hop taste, and a higher ABV. The awards the Category 5 IPA have taken home, including second runner-up to Best in Show at the 2014 Best Florida Beer Championships, say one thing: this brew lives up to the hoppy hype. Pro tip from locals: don’t miss the Caramel Cream Ale. Two years of perfectionistic tinkering went into the creation of this masterpiece, and the results are sweet! And creamy, and malty, and caramel-y with a vanilla bean finish.   Tequesta Brewing Company

South Florida’s first microbrewery takes its name from its location—Tequesta is one of the 39 cities in The Palm Beaches. Tequesta Brewing Company is organically certified and pumps out more than 40 specialty beers a year.   Make yourself comfortable—electric blue lighting reflecting off of the huge steel silos at Tequesta Brewing Company gives this place an urban, cool vibe. Particularly thanks to the industrial wooden bar that’s steampunk-esque. It’s the sort of spot that encourages intimate conversations and, “Want one more?” because you don’t want to leave.   There are about 10 beers on tap at a time at Tequesta Brewing Company, ranging from sour to stout. And, from East Coast to West Coast. Pledge your allegiance. Sip on the Tupac’s Alive, a West Coast pale ale made with El Dorado hops (think: summer fruit flavors). Or, say cheers with the Notorious B.I.G., an East Coast IPA that blends tangerine, citrus, and a touch of pine for a juicy flavor. If you don’t know, now you know.   Twisted Trunk Brewing

Sister brewery to Tequesta, you’ll notice some familial tendencies between Tequesta Brewing Company and Twisted Trunk Brewing.   The lighting here? Neon green instead of blue. The environment? Industrial, as well. Handsome chocolate-colored, worn-in leather couches (great place to watch the game) mix with exposed brick floors and metal bar stools—just like your most stylish friend’s living room.   The beers have a personality of their own, though. The Loxahatchee Lager’s name nods to a local city, Loxahatchee, Florida, and more broadly, the more than 30 Natural Areas in The Palm Beaches, as the source of many of its ingredients. Enjoy its fresh wildflower honey, hibiscus, lavender, lemongrass and orange peel notes following the Atlantic Ocean swim.   There’s a whammy of eight hop types in the Speltacular, as well as German Spelt and flaked wheat. And the Watermelon Saison is ideal for the type of day that happens, well, every day in The Palm Beaches—its blush color is Instagram-worthy and its taste is simply refreshing.   The Brewhouse Gallery | Art + Music + Craft Beer

At The Brewhouse Gallery, the walls are as important as the taps. More than 18 local artists get to display artwork that’s ever-changing on a three-month, commission-free rotation thanks to owner AJ Brockman, an artist himself. In addition, live music, poetry readings, and painting classes keep the creativity flowing. No doubt boosted by the nearly 40 beers on tap from as near as Tequesta Brewing Company and as far as Freising, Germany. The Brewhouse Gallery is the sort of spot that inspires the right brain.   Embrace the mellow—lounge on cozy couches beneath twinkly lights hung inside from the ceiling. Mural-covered walls and big wooden bar tables with picnic seating encourage conversation while giant versions of Jenga and Connect Four invite to play.   The unpretentious vibe here does come with some rules—12, in fact. Remember, at The Brewhouse Gallery, the Wi-Fi is free, “but we should really try talking to each other” and “Craft beer is the nectar of the gods, respect that.” Easy enough!   Although The Brewhouse Gallery isn’t a brewery itself, taps here are all craft. A recent tap list included a basil IPA, a barrel-aged imperial scotch ale, a sour oak-aged Belgian-style lambic with cherries, and a regular ol’ brown ale.   Check the website’s digital menu to see how much beer is left in a keg you’re interested in—green means you can take your time heading over. Red means you’d better hustle! Orange and yellow, you’re mellow, but get there.   Can’t decide among one of the dozens of beers on tap? Ask the bartender for a mystery beer, a brew within a brown paper bag to pair flavor, fate and fun.   Feeling thirsty In The Palm Beaches, the only thing better than sips at local breweries is how each pint is enhanced by the before, during and after.  

Imbibe on an IPA before exploring the artsy areas of Northwood Village, and Downtown Lake Worth. Chat with a local about the sights from the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum over a lager. Get inspired by a pilsner after getting inspired at the Palm Beach Photographic Centre or Boca Raton Museum of Art.   The craft beer scene in any city may say a lot about a place. What story will you tell?   Discover more craft in the food and drink scene of The Palm Beaches.