We here at SunCity Paradise love beer, responsibly it can bring together people after a long day at work, or be a cooling refreshment on a warm summer day. We’ve compiled a list of 10 microbreweries that you should be sure to visit if you happen to live in the area.

1. Half Acre Beer Company — Chicago, Illinois
The Half Acre Beer Company started in 2008 with it’s Lincoln brewery. As of 2015 it has expanded to include a Balmoral brewery to help open it’s operations further and introduce more people to the sensation of Half Acre beer.

2. Finback Brewery — Ridgewood, New York
Flavor and complexity are the main tenants of this local brewery. Founded in 2011 Finback prides itself on surviving where many others would have given up. The daily struggle to keep afloat in Queens can be grueling and unforgiving but Finback brings a new found pride to New York beer.

3. Belford Brewing Company — Belford, New Jersey
I’m from Belford, I remember a few years ago this placing opening up just down the street from where I grew up. Stores never prospered here, it seemed as though this location was cursed to forever be a rotating pit of niche stores. One day it was a hot dog stand that wasn’t anything really special, but the next it was a brewery. Something was different though, I don’t know personally what it was, but this place strives where countless others had failed. It’s not like there’s a lack of places to buy alcohol in the area, a bar/liquor store is located right across the street. Years later and the Belford Brewing Company stands strong as a unique gem in suburbia actually recently acquiring the store next to it so that it may expand business.

4. New Belgium Brewing Company — Fort Collins, Colorado
Colorado is famous among beer connoisseurs as perfecting craft beers. New Belgium prides itself on it’s seasonal selections and complexity. Opened in 1991 it as surpassed the tests of time to become a classic must try.

5. Dogfish Head Brewery — Milton, Delaware
One of the fastest growing, and most popular, microbreweries in America, I’ve seen Dogfish Head in liquor stores all around. Starting 1995, it grew nearly 400% in three years from 2003-2006. featured in shows Beer Wars and Brew Masters Dogfish Head has become something all microbreweries strive for.

6. New England Brewing Company — Woodbridge, Connecticut
A small location that can easily become crowded speaks for itself, while not the biggest or most glamorous brewery on this list New England Brewing company prides itself on trying new things. Variate is the spice of life has never been more accurate, the only complaint is that there isn’t a bigger space available to sample their beers.

7. Great Lakes Brewing Company — Cleveland, Ohio
This brewing company is the pride of the Great Lakes, honoring the rich culture and history that comes with the area. The beers are named after and inspired by local historical events and figures. A beer named after the burning river or Eliot Ness, an American prohibition era agent, is to say the least something that will pique your interest.

8. Hill Farmstead Brewery — Greensboro Bend, Vermont
Rustic and classic are key when it comes to Hill Farmstead. A part of the charm that comes with a visit is a journey in itself just to get to the brewery. Seemingly in the middle of nowhere it takes well over an hour from any notable locations in Vermont just to arrive at your destination. Yet as you will find out you are met with a line that you will surely wait in after having made the initial pilgrimage. If you plan to visit expect to spend the entire day doing so.

9. Trillium Brewing — Canton, Massachusetts
Canton itself is a part of the Greater Boston area, and Trillium is our favorite in the region. Family run, Trillium reminds us of a simple time, where you could just take a step back, enjoy a breath of fresh air, and realize you’re home. Something every beer should try to accomplish Trillium surpasses in it’s almost magical way to ease us at the end of the day.

10. The Alchemist Brewery — Waterbury, Vermont
The Alchemist sets itself apart in that instead of trying to come out with new flavors for each season, or trying to get an IPA, a pale ale, and a lager out all at once they strive to perfect only one beer. Heady Topper is this one special beer that has been designed and perfected since 2003 to preserve the hops taste but exclude the bitterness that usually applies. Something truly marvelous to taste, you wont want to miss out on this “perfect” IPA.