Best Craft Beers In Sacramento For Your 4th Of July Backyard BBQ

Breweries are abound in Sacramento. With more than 54 craft tasting rooms actively bubbling and fermenting, the farm to fork capital continues to flourish into a northern California beer destination. Each brewery invites good vibes and serves flavorful beer made from hops cultivated throughout the region, from Dixon to Sloughhouse. As the summertime heat climbs into triple-digit temperatures, a visit to any of these local craft breweries will quench the thirst for a sharp double IPA, or a crisp pilsner. Another perk to Sacramento breweries is what's on tap is also available in 22-ounce bottles, or 64-ounce growlers or for at-home consumption. So, with the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, a visit to Ruhstaller, Jackrabbit or Device to pick up a few styles of homegrown brew will start any celebration off with more spark than any fireworks.

Device Brewing
8166 14th Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95826
(916) 737-2739
devicebrewing.com

Located in the warehouse district on 14th Avenue, Device Brewing opened in 2013 and is known for its family-friendly vibes, but its reputation grew steadily over the last three years because the beer speaks for itself. Two popular brews include the Anguish Double IPA, an 8.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) pint that packs that bitter, spicy punch India Pale Ales are recognized for. Another must-have on tap at Device is the Brits in Moscow Russian Imperial Stout. Brewed with 10 different grains, this stout doesn't skimp on the flavors of bitter and malt from the process and, even better, this particular beer ranks a 9.5 percent in alcohol by volume.

Ruhstaller 
630 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 447-1881
ruhstallerbeer.com

Named after Captain Frank Ruhstaller, a Swiss emigrant who started the largest brewery on the west coast in 1881, Ruhstaller's passion for craft beer is tasted in its variety of selections and also witnessed in the bounty of hop farms the brewery oversees from Dixon to Sloughhouse. Ruhstaller offers many seasonal and year-round beers, but it's the variety of IPAs that make this Sacramento craft brewery perfect for Fourth of July consumption. On a hot summer day, a cold and bitter IPA is the ideal beverage to cool down with, and Ruhstaller has a lot to choose from. The Dixon Cascade, the Orphan, the Utterback and the Kuchinski all vary in flavor, bitterness, smoothness and pack different notes of citrus, pine and more. But, in order to sip and choose the right IPA, a visit to the speakeasy-style Downtown brewery is the only way to taste what's palate pleasing in flavor. Hint: Ring the doorbell.

Jackrabbit Brewing 
1323 Terminal St. Broadway
West Sacramento, CA 95691
(916) 873-8659
www.jackrabbitbrewingcompany.com

Inspired by English, Belgian and German-style brews, the Jackrabbit Brewing company located in West Sacramento is one brewery to visit on Thursdays or Fridays before 5 p.m. to enjoy a couple $4 pints. When the heat is on the rise, one beer to keep in mind this summer is the Jackrabbit Saison. With each slightly tart and crisp sip, the saison is the perfect pint to drink when looking for a refreshing, light-tasting beer that isn't modest when it comes to alcohol content. This variety ranks six percent. Another viable candidate to serve to guests during the Fourth of July shenanigans has to go to Wet Hop Pub Ale made from cascade hops that were grown in Yuba City. This session-style beer is on the lighter compared to other Jackrabbit offerings when it comes to ABV, the Wet Hop Pub Ale ranks is 4.5 percent, which makes it an easy beer to sip while working the barbecue grill, but packs that satisfying malt punch that is desired.

Related: 3 Must-Have BBQ Recipes To Kick Off Summer

Oak Park Brewing Company 
3514 Broadway
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 660-2723
www.opbrewco.com

Located in the newly developed Triangle District in Oak Park, this brewery first began with two friends experimenting as homebrewers. Soon the co-founders, David Estis and Tom Karvonen, were entering contests from Napa Valley to the California State Fair, and winning awards for its Robust Porter and its Citra IPA. Armed with award-winning recipes, the Oak Park Brewing Company's beer menu also includes some flavorful varieties that can be purchased in 22-ounce bottles and brought to liven up any summertime celebration. A few OP brews to sample include the Lily White Wit Beer, brewed with flaked wheat, coriander, orange peel and more; also, try the Steamphunk Saison.

Track 7
3747 W. Pacific Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95820
(916) 520-4677
track7brewing.com

Track 7 beers like the Panic IPA and the Bee Line Blonde are found in stores and restaurants throughout the Sacramento area, but a trip to one of two Track 7 locations is the best part of the whole beer experience. A chance to see, sip and taste where local beer is crafted is possible at the Curtis Park neighborhood location and also found at the tap room in Natomas. Take home a 64-ounce growler of the year-round offering called Daylight Amber, a delicious full-bodied beer that is six percent ABV and smooth to the taste. An easy drink to bring to any party, firework show or backyard lazy day.

Related: Best Tapas In Sacramento

I'm Steph and I enjoy writing about every topic imaginable: hard-hitting news, fun profiles on eccentric artists, music features about the loudest band in town, food-related content that tickles the appetite, in-depth audio interviews with award-winning authors, and more. I'm an award-winning freelance journalist living in Sacramento, Calif. with my partner, David, and our one-year-old son, Elliot. Follow me on Twitter: @wordstospill; Instagram: @writeitgirl.