While we absolutely love Santa Barbara County wines, we know that some of you are more “beer people”. We’re looking at you, dude, who got dragged on our wine tour with your wife/girlfriend/main chick.

Well, the time has come for us to show the rest of our imbibers how awesome the beers are in Santa Barbara plus our neighboring beach towns of Goleta and Carpinteria! Whether you’re stuck in traffic going to/from L.A. or you simply want to explore more than just the food scene in sunny Santa Barbara, we put together this full list of all the craft breweries in the area complete with our staff picks!

SANTA BARBARA

Funk Zone & Downtown

Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.

These guys started in our Santa Ynez Valley area – Buellton, to be exact – and quickly expanded after opening their smash success of a tasting room in the Funk Zone. We’ve been featuring them on our Funk Zone Food Tour since day one and they’re always a hit! These guys brew some excellent beers from IPAs to German-style lagers and have swooped up more than one award in a number of competitions while simultaneously expanding to five taprooms from Arroyo Grande to Westlake Village.

Known for: Hurricane Deck DIPA & Hoppy Poppy IPA

Staff Picks: Fig Mtn Mosaic & Stagecoach Stout

Topa Topa Brewing Co.

Deep in the heart of our beloved Funk Zone neighborhood, and nestled inside the Waterline Building, sits this boho-vibed brewery that marks the entrance to a collective of other tasting and shopping experiences. Named after the mountain range that sits over our south coast neighboring cities, these guys keep their IPA and lager brews as simple as surf culture and the great outdoors itself.

Known for: Chief Peak IPA & Tux Nitro Milk Stout

Staff Picks: Weekender Session IPA