Many know that this state has some wonderful wine country, but if you are a beer lover, you may be very interested to know that we also have a lot of incredible breweries and micro-breweries as well. In fact, local craft brews have become insanely popular in Southern California and can be found throughout the state, from brewpubs to tasting rooms. Some of the highest-rated craft breweries in Southern California can be found outside of Los Angeles in Ventura County, and we have put together a tour of the best of the best in this area. Grab your designated driver and head off on a fun weekend adventure!

The trail begins on the western edge of Ventura County and covers just 64.5 miles, ending in the beach town of Carpinteria. With just over an hour and a half of driving time, you have plenty of time to enjoy each stop (add a few if you’d like!) and eat along the way. There are lots of places to stay the night around the mid-point if so you can spread the trip out as you please. Use this interactive map as a guide to customize your epic beer trip.

1. 14 Cannons

Check out the process as award-winning brews are created at 14 Cannons and settle into the tasting room to try them for yourself. If you start out fairly early, try the “Wake Up and Rage” breakfast stout or maybe and “Liquid Gold,” a vanilla coffee cream ale. Of course, there are many choices, from ales to lagers to IPAs to barrel-aged blends, and even a dessert ale called “Peanut Butter Cup.” If you are hungry, order a delicious pizza or garlic flatbread made by Rock and Roll Pizza.

2. Energen Brewing Company

Next up is Energen Brewing Company, where the focus is on lager-style brews, from traditional German to hoppy West Coast pilsners. The menu includes year-round beers, which includes a Black Lager, and a host of rotating brews like Baltic Maple and Oktoberfest, each inspired by the seasons and the flavors that go with them. Enjoy a tasting inside the taproom or in “The Alley,” a space shared by a winery, a restaurant where you can grab a Bavarian pretzel to go with your beer, a coffee house, and more.

3. Angry Ferret Brewing Company

Just down the road, you will find Angry Ferret Brewing Company, a small craft brewery that specializes in English and Irish brews with 12 ales and lagers on tap. Choose from a menu of beers with playful names like the “O’Bother” honey ale, the American IPA called “Angry,” the flavorful black oatmeal stout named “Catherine,” or “Wolfy,” with its banana flavor and aroma. Play a quick game of foosball before you leave!

4. Institution Ale Company

At Camarilo’s Institution Ale Company, sample light and refreshing ales like the “Tacky Tiki Party Beer,” the smooth and malty “Whispers to Screams,” or something hoppy such as “Jalapeño State St.” or the signature “Institution IPA.”

5. Casa Agree Specialty Ales

Casa Agree Specialty Ales is a unique brewery that has won awards for its mix-fermented sour ales which are made using fresh seasonal fruit purchased directly from farmers who grow them. Depending on the day, you may be able to pair your tasting with some mouthwatering food or snacks from one of the food trucks that come to the brewery.

6. Poseidon Brewing Co.

Located in a quiet business park in Ventura, Poseidon Brewing Co. is a nautical-themed taproom that is “One seriously popular watering hole.” This brewery prides itself on full-bodied ales crafted with a creative approach that results in unexpected depth. If you visit on the second Sunday of any month, you can enjoy a four-taster flight plus a pint or tulip glass of your favorite brew for just $14.

7. MadeWest Brewing Co.

You are in for a real treat when you visit MadeWest Brewing Co. located on the Ventura Pier (make sure you check the address as there is another MadeWest location in town.) Not only do the brews receive rave reviews, but the covered patio of the tasting room overlooks the gorgeous Ventura Beach. Sip on a selection of ales, lagers, and IPAs while enjoying a refreshing ocean breeze.

8. Island Brewing Company

The ocean views continue as you make your way to the last stop on our trail in Carpinteria, the family-run, award-winning Island Brewing Company. Their core beer list includes favorites that celebrate Southern California like the “Avocado Honey Ale,” the “Pacific Coast Hefeweizen,” and the “King Tide Double IPA.”

This brewery trail in Southern California is a weekend full of hops and fun. What are you waiting for? What are your favorite SoCal craft breweries? If you are looking for more road trip adventures, check out our best Southern California road trip ideas.