There are more places to quaff a well-crafted brew in Marin than ever. Marin beer brands are
getting creative, and non-alcoholic beer is making its mark, too. What’s your California beer style?
The 2025 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is The Junction (pictured above). For the rest of the Marin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County brewery picks see below.
Our 2025 Dining category sponsor is Rodney Strong. View the rest of the Dining category here.
Because there are so many great ones, we’ve broken it down by region: Southern, Central and Northern Marin.
Southern
Mill Valley – Sausalito
Central
Corte Madera – Fairfax – San Anselmo – San Rafael
Northern
Novato
Southern Marin
The Junction
Mill Valley
This beer garden and bottle shop offers 30 rotating taps mostly from local breweries. Bring your kids and your dog to enjoy some sips paired with a pizza from Pizzahacker, located onsite
226 Shoreline Hwy, Sausalito, 415.888.3544
Central Marin
Creekside Pizza and Taproom
San Anselmo
Home to 40 tap handles of craft beers from over 25 top craft breweries, plus kombucha and cider on tap. From local favorites, seasonal offerings, rotating handles and specialty breweries, guests are invited to explore the ever-changing, wide range of products with a personalized flight of craft beers. Enjoy happy hour every day at 4 p.m. with $5 beers on tap and $5 wines by the glass. Creekside To Go always has a great selection of 4-pack cans for takeout, outdoor dining, and online ordering.
638 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.785.4450
Fairfax Brewing Company
Fairfax
Fairfax Brewing Company is a craft brewery and restaurant, offering a selection of house-made IPAs, lagers, and pub fare, including vegetarian options. The location features outdoor seating, bike parking, and a dog-friendly patio.
765 Center Blvd, Fairfax, 415.859.9551
Fieldwork Brewing
Corte Madera
The see-and-be-seen patio enlivens the outdoor eating scene at Corte Madera Town Center, one
of eight NorCal locations for this brewery. The draft list includes everything from Belgian
dubbel-style to lighter Czech-style lagers and hoppier double IPAs. The pizzas have a dedicated
following and roasted Brussels sprouts and a chopped kale salad round out the menu.
107 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, 415.891.8273
Monk’s Kettle
Terra Linda
Like the original in San Francisco, Christian Albertson’s restaurant in the shopping center kitty-corner from the Terra Linda Pool serves quaffable beers (like Pliny the Elder on tap), burgers, and pub grub to match the suds. The Mission Fried Chicken has an ardent following but there are plenty of veg-forward offerings, too. The mochi pancakes at brunch are not to be missed — try them with an Ettaler Heller Bock from Bayern, Germany.
655 Del Ganado Rd, San Rafael, 415.991.5103
Ounces Outdoors
San Rafael
Nestled in Terra Linda, this 100% outdoor craft beer and cider garden combines the best of local brews, tasty bites, corn hole capers, bocce battles and live music vibes. With crackling fire pits and a super dog-friendly policy, come for the brews, stay for the atmosphere. Or if you need a place for a group event or corporate outing? They can help with that, too.
5800 Northgate Dr, San Rafael, 877.747.0383
Pond Farm Brewing
San Rafael
The microbrewery in the West End from husband and wife team Trevor and Stephanie Martens has a rotating list of beers on tap from brewer Trevor, and a new food menu for enjoying in the beer garden or at the bar. Look for snacks like a pretzel loaded with cornichons, gruyere and salami, salads and mains like a sausage plate with mashed potatoes or a veggie sandwich.
1848 Fourth St, San Rafael, 415.524.8709
Way Station
Fairfax
Though probably better known for their ‘cue (the plant-based burger with avocado is great, too),
the former gas station and mechanics shop in the center of town boasts an extensive draft
program featuring not only pilsners, hazy IPAs and Kölsches from local breweries but wines
from California and around the world.
2001 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax, 415.300.3099
Northern Marin
Adobe Creek
Novato
Bring your own food and well-behaved dog to enjoy the hop-forward flavors at this Marin-based small-batch brewery. Adobe Creek started production in March of 2017 and has since opened two locations in Novato and Petaluma. Head brewer Jonathan Macdonald comes from a home brewing background and is always experimenting with tastes and styles. Look forward to trying something new and unique each time you visit.
67 Galli Dr Ste E, Novato, 415.506.4565
HopMonk Tavern
Novato
The tables shaded by umbrellas and live music pumping from the stage set a lively scene for this beer garden at Novato’s Vintage Oaks Shopping Center. While many come to savor a Pliny the Younger (when in season), the restaurant is known for its killer Reuben and fish and chips with Caribbean slaw.
224 Vintage Way, Novato, 415.892.6200
Indian Valley Brewing
Novato
Just off of Novato’s main drag, this nano brewery has an outdoor patio complete with umbrellas and picnic tables to savor everything from Grumpas, a Scotch style ale, to a dry stout named Genius. Taquiza Los Cunados serves up Mexican food every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and Amore Mio Pizza serves their signature pies on Thursdays during trivia. Look for pop-ups from Lone Mountain Barbecue, too.
1016 Railroad Ave, Novato, 415.301.4983
Miscellaneous Locations
Best Day Brewing
Though he does not have a beer garden with his non-alcoholic (NA) beers on tap, Tate Huffard of Sausalito’s Best Bay Brewing designed a set of brews in a can with an eye on NorCal’s outdoor-focused, up early to hike culture. In 2021, Huffard launched a non-alcoholic Kölsch and an IPA onto the market. Building on the success of these early adapters, Huffard’s hazy IPA followed in 2022. You can find his NA beer wherever beer is sold.
Dining Sponsor
Rodney Strong
Rodney Strong was an acknowledged visionary who understood the potential that Sonoma County’s soil and climate held for producing world-class wines and was one of the first to plant Pinot Noir in Russian River Valley and the first to produce a Chalk Hill appellation Chardonnay.
Rodney Strong | Healdsburg | 707.431.1533 | rodneystrong.com
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