Sacramento’s farm-to-fork reputation runs deeper than white-tablecloth restaurants. The city’s craft brewery scene has been quietly building something worth paying attention to — neighborhood taprooms that source locally, pair beer with real food, and give you a reason to stay for a second pint. Here are the spots that locals keep coming back to.
Urban Roots Brewing & Smokehouse
On V Street in the R Street Corridor, Urban Roots pairs house-brewed beer with a full BBQ smokehouse menu. It’s one of the few Sacramento taprooms where the food program rivals the beer — smoked meats, farm-sourced sides, and a rotating tap list that changes with what’s in season. The space is roomy, the service is relaxed, and the patio is a good call on cooler evenings. Because it’s open seven days a week with full kitchen hours, it’s also the most practical option if you’re trying to fit a brewery into an already-busy weekend.
- Address: 1322 V St, Sacramento, CA 95818
- Phone: (916) 706-3741
- Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am–9pm
Alaro Craft Brewery
Alaro sits on Capitol Avenue in Midtown and has collected more than 90 beer awards since opening — including a gold medal at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival for their Castillo IPA. What sets it apart from a standard taproom is the Spanish-influenced food program: tapas like Pulpo Gallego and Gambas al Ajillo alongside pub classics. The wine list leans toward Spanish selections, and a craft cocktail menu rounds things out for anyone who doesn’t drink beer. The location puts it a short walk from the Golden 1 Center and several Midtown theaters, making it a natural pre-show stop.
One thing to note: Alaro is closed on Sundays, which trips up a lot of visitors. Check hours before you go.
- Address: 2004 Capitol Ave, Sacramento, CA 95811
- Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri 11am–9:30pm, Sat 10:30am–9:30pm, Sun Closed
Bike Dog Brewing
Bike Dog operates two taprooms on opposite sides of the city, and both are worth knowing. The East Sacramento location, tucked behind Moonbelly Bakery on 66th Street, has the feel of a true neighborhood spot — regulars show up with their dogs on weekday afternoons and stay through dinner. The Broadway location in Land Park runs a covered, heated patio that makes it a solid choice when the weather turns. Both tap lists skew toward approachable IPAs and lighter lagers without taking themselves too seriously, which is part of the appeal.
East Sacramento:
- Address: 1210 66th Street, Sacramento, CA 95819
- Hours: Tue–Fri 3–9pm, Sat 12–9pm, Sun 12–7pm, Mon Closed
Broadway (Land Park):
- Address: 915 Broadway, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95818
- Hours: Tue–Fri 3–9pm, Sat 12–9pm, Sun 12–8pm
The Details at a Glance
- Urban Roots Brewing & Smokehouse — 1322 V St | Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am–9pm | (916) 706-3741
- Alaro Craft Brewery — 2004 Capitol Ave | Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri 11am–9:30pm, Sat 10:30am–9:30pm, Sun Closed
- Bike Dog Brewing – East Sac — 1210 66th St | Tue–Fri 3–9pm, Sat 12–9pm, Sun 12–7pm
- Bike Dog Brewing – Broadway — 915 Broadway, Ste 200 | Tue–Fri 3–9pm, Sat 12–9pm, Sun 12–8pm
Bottom Line
Sacramento’s brewery scene isn’t trying to be Portland or San Diego. What it has instead is a handful of taprooms with real food programs, good sourcing, and spaces that feel lived-in rather than designed. If you’re deciding where to start, Urban Roots is the most versatile — open seven days, full kitchen, and a little bit of everything on tap. Alaro is the right call when you want a destination meal with your beer. Bike Dog is the neighborhood spot, twice over.
For more on Sacramento’s food and drink scene, see our guide to Empress Tavern, the film-themed bar beneath the Crest Theatre, or our picks for the best brunch spots in the city. Planning a day trip? The Lodi wine country guide is a good next stop.
