15 Breweries with Amazing Outdoor Spaces

New Realm Brewing (Atlanta, Georgia)

As a must-see member of Atlanta's vibrant brewery landscape, New Realm Brewing sits along the city's popular Eastside Beltline Trail. Along with the main taproom, restaurant and gift shop, New Realm features a range of impressive outdoor spaces where visitors can sip brewmaster Mitch Steele's legendary ales and lagers. Check out remarkable views of Atlanta's skyline and enjoy the urban vibes of New Realm's beer garden, multiple patio spaces and rocking rooftop bar that features live, local music four days a week. Pair one of the brewery's mouth-watering IPAs with what many call "the best burger on the Beltline." 

Brouwerij St. Bernardus Bar Bernard (Watou, Belgium)

Belgian beer lovers throughout the world are familiar with St. Bernardus beers, especially the St. Bernardus Abt 12. However, did you know that the brewery underwent major renovations that included the opening of a rooftop bar and terrace in 2018? Named ‘Bar Bernard’, the venue provides stunning 360° views of the surrounding Watou countryside, including extensive hop fields. The indoor portion of the bar features clear glass walls with gorgeous views. The outdoor terrace provides comfortable seating and space for about 180 people.

Sierra Nevada Mills River (Mills River, North Carolina)

Sierra Nevada Mills River embodies Sierra Nevada Brewing’s vision for creating the best possible experience for their customers with commitment to environmental responsibility. About 200 acres of beautiful rolling hills, majestic trees and numerous creeks comprise the estate. The brewery, restaurant and taproom showcase stunning architecture that incorporates sustainability designs. Take your beer outdoors and enjoy the expansive “Back Porch” and Beer Garden. The family-friendly outdoor grounds include separated seating areas, garden beds used for providing fresh vegetables to their restaurant and wooded areas with walking paths and creeks. An Amphitheater supports regular concert events.

Spezial-Keller (Bamberg, Germany)

Step back in time to a European medieval city to drink beer when you travel to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg, Germany. Tourists frequent the heart of town visiting breweries providing smoked beer (known as Rauchbier) as well as other styles. However, to enjoy a remarkable beer garden experience you must take about a 15-minute, uphill walk from the city center. Spezial-Keller is a beer cellar and restaurant owned by the Loehr family that serves Franconian cuisine and beers from Brauerei Spezial. The beer garden provides stunning views of the city skyline, the Imperial Cathedral and Michaelsberg Monastery. Be certain to try the amber-colored, smoky lager.

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens (Escondido and San Diego, California)

During the design process of Stone's flagship brewing facility in Escondido, California, Stone co-founder Greg Koch hatched a plan to create a "destination" brewery taproom, restaurant and beer garden like no other. Visitors to Stone World Bistro Escondido experience an expansive and attractive taproom with giant windows offering views of the brewery. Side doors lead to an open-air patio and one-acre beer garden decorated with massive boulders, lush plants and a short walking loop surrounding a tranquil water feature. Locally-sourced, small-farm organic meats and produce are served alongside 36 craft and specialty beers on draft. For comparison, check out Stone's beautiful World Bistro & Gardens San Diego location in Liberty Station that once served as an enormous U.S. Navy mess hall. Liberty Station's impressive outdoor areas include a bocce ball court, outdoor cinema space and relaxing gardens.

Vista Brewing (Driftwood, Texas)

While residing in Europe a few years ago, Vista Brewing's husband-and-wife founders Kent and Karen Killough developed a love for beautiful brewery destinations. Upon moving back to Texas, the couple decided to create a gorgeous and ecologically friendly craft brewery destination in the small town of Driftwood. Vista Brewing took shape as a 21-acre farm brewery situated near Austin in the Central Texas Wine Trail. The Killoughs labored to preserve the appeal of the green space surrounding the brewery, with construction planned around protecting most of the majestic trees on the property. Patrons can enjoy the tranquility of Vista's beer gardens, ranch views, bee farms, walking paths and an eatery while imbibing the brewery's mouth-watering ales and lagers.