Best beer gardens, beer festivals, and beer bars in the US

We can’t deny that Americans have fallen in love with craft beer. The nation is home to nearly 10,000 craft breweries (and that number continues to grow), as well as thousands of beer bars and brewpubs. Just the sheer variety of quality beer on the market today can be overwhelming.

So, we set out to find the best of the beer scene by asking beer experts to nominate their top picks across each of 10 categories. Then, our readers voted to determine the winners — and here’s who came out on top.

Click on each category below to see the full winners list:

Best Beer Bar: O’Brien’s Pub in San Diego, California

O’Brien’s Pub is a can’t-miss destination in San Diego — Photo courtesy of Tyson Blake

O’Brien’s Pub is one of San Diego’s oldest craft beer bars, as it was established in 1994, and one of the most respected, with 28 craft beers on tap. This pub specializes in Belgian beers, IPAs, and global rarities to ensure each beer enthusiast gets a unique pour, whether it’s their first O’Brien’s pint or their 100th.

Full list of winners: Best Beer Bar »

Best Beer City: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan wins Best Beer City for fifth consecutive year — Photo courtesy of IDEOLOGY Productions for Experience GR

Michigan’s second-largest city sports the state’s strongest beer scene, thanks largely to the presence of the world-renowned Founders Brewing Co. There are several other brewing operations around town, like Belgian-inspired Brewery Vivant.

Grand Rapids’ official “Beer City Ale Trail” includes a list of more than 80 breweries, and the local calendar is constantly filled with beer festivals, events, and promotions. Throw in exceptional beer stores like Siciliano’s Market, and it’s easy to see why Grand Rapids proudly stakes its claim as “Beer City USA.”

Full list of winners: Best Beer City »

Best Beer Club: Tavour

Select the beer you want in each shipment with Tavour — Photo courtesy of Tavour

Tavour is a Seattle-based beer app that lets you get fine crafts that you might not otherwise find from all over the country. Think hard-to-get pours like A Deal With the Devil, which is a barleywine from Anchorage Brewing, or Best Maid Sour Pickle beer from Martin House in North Texas.

With Tavour, the selection process is in your hands — you can tailor your subscription to your taste and choose the beers you want.

Full list of winners: Best Beer Club »

Best Beer Festival: Suwanee Beer Fest in Suwanee, Georgia

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than at Suwanee Beer Fest? — Photo courtesy of Big South Productions

This St. Patrick’s Day party in Georgia doubles as one of the state’s biggest and best craft beer festivals. Suwanee Beer Fest at Town Center Park features more than 400 craft beers from across the U.S., unlimited tastings, live music, games, food trucks, and a home brew contest.

Full list of winners: Best Beer Festival »

Best Beer Garden: Henmick Farm & Brewery in Delaware, Ohio

Enjoy the fresh air and scenery at Henmick Farm & Brewery — Photo courtesy of Henmick Farm and Brewery

Established on an 8-acre plot of family farmland that dates back to 1916, this brewery in Delaware, Ohio, welcomes guests of all ages. A renovated 1860s barn houses the taproom and brewing facilities, and the expansive outdoor garden features stone and grass patios equipped with fire pits, picnic tables, and plenty of open space. Guests are welcome to bring their own food, and the brewery partners with local food trucks.

Full list of winners: Best Beer Garden »

Best Beer Label: Don’t Answer The Phone – Xul Beer Company

This Xul Beer Company label warns “Don’t Answer The Phone,” but do answer the call to enjoy this brew — Photo courtesy of ANGRYBLUE

This bold label’s vibrant colors and intricate design, which features a panicked woman holding a knife in one hand and a phone in the other, highlight the unique character of Xul’s beers. Don’t Answer The Phone is a double dry-hopped double IPA that’s loaded with New Zealand hops. It’s a collaboration between Xul and Messorem Bracitorium, a Quebec microbrewery project.

Full list of winners: Best Beer Label »

Best Brewery Tour: Tröegs Independent Brewing in Hershey, Pennsylvania

Tröegs Independent Brewing wins Best Brewery Tour for fifth year in a row — Photo courtesy of Tröegs Independent Brewing

Visitors to Hershey, Pennsylvania, can enjoy a 1-hour guided production tour of Tröegs Independent Brewing. The experience includes a behind-the-scenes look at the mill room, hop cooler, brewhouse deck, fermentation cellars, and packaging lines. A welcome beer kicks off the exploration and three more samples are included.

Full list of winners: Best Brewery Tour »

Best Brewpub: Lua Brewing in Des Moines, Iowa

Kick back and relax at Lua Brewing — Photo courtesy of Lua Brewing

This microbrewery and restaurant is known for its innovative craft beers and a diverse menu, from smash burgers and fried pickles to house-harvested caviar and tofu bites. Guests can chill out at the taproom or on the dog-friendly patio.

Full list of winners: Best Brewpub »

Best New Brewery: Frazier Creek Brewing & Distilling Co in Stuart, Florida

Stop by Frazier Creek Brewing & Distilling Co, fresh on the scene in Stuart, Florida — Photo courtesy of Frazier Creek Brewing & Distilling Co.

Frazier Creek is Martin County’s first brewstillery, winery, and cidery set in a former grocery store and movie theater in historic downtown Stuart, Florida. Brewmaster Dan Rogers is the head of this team, which pours favorites like Turkish Coffee Porter, Gourdness Gracious pumpkin ale, and the flagship All Aboard IPA, a West Coast IPA bursting with grapefruit.

The brewery also hosts food truck nights, bingo evenings, and shuffleboard to keep you both entertained and quenched.

Full list of winners: Best New Brewery »

Best Small Town Beer Scene: Avondale Estates, Georgia

Charming Avondale Estates, Georgia, welcomes beer lovers — Photo courtesy of City of Avondale Estates

The charming town of Avondale Estates, Georgia, just east of Decatur, has a small downtown area packed with unique food and beverage offerings. For beer lovers, there’s Wild Heaven Beer, The Lost Druid Brewery, My Parents’ Basement, and Little Cottage Brewery.

Full list of winners: Best Small Town Beer Scene »

Congratulations to all these winners! Remember to visit 10best.usatoday.com daily to vote in more Readers’ Choice Awards.