Visit Lodi

Lodi Craft Beer: Breweries, Taprooms, Food, Patios, and Live Music

Breweries, Taprooms, and Local Beer in Lodi, California

Lodi may have a reputation for wine, yet its craft beer offerings bring plenty of variety to the glass. In America’s Favorite Small Town, locally owned breweries, easygoing taprooms, and restaurants pour crisp lagers, seasonal ales, inventive IPAs, and more.

Several destinations sit within walking distance of Downtown Lodi, making it simple to plan an afternoon or evening filled with local beer, good food, and live entertainment.

A Starting Point for Lodi’s Craft Beer Scene

Choose an experience that fits your plans:

Tap selections, dining availability, and entertainment calendars change often. Confirm current details with each business before your visit.

Lodi Beer Company

For years, Lodi Beer Company has served as a Downtown Lodi staple, bringing together an operating brewery, full-service restaurant, and neighborhood meeting place.

The house-brewed selection includes a variety of lagers and ales. Food options range from burgers, sandwiches, salads, and steaks to its familiar baby back ribs. The inviting atmosphere suits a family meal, an easygoing date night, or an after-work meet-up.

Worth checking: Ask which house beers and seasonal releases are currently pouring. When School Street Brown is available, it offers an English-style ale marked by warm, toasty malt character.

A good fit for: Craft beer with brunch, lunch, or dinner

Idol Beer Works

IDOL Beer Works sits on Sacramento Street in Downtown Lodi, with small-batch beer, a generous outdoor patio, and a busy program of community gatherings.

Its taps rotate through styles that can include hop-forward IPAs, crisp lagers, sours, and seasonal specialties. Depending on the schedule, guests may also find food trucks, live music, and special events, making IDOL a natural place to meet friends and see another side of Lodi.

Worth checking: Seasonal beers and limited releases that may be available only briefly.

A good fit for: Patio seating, community events, and a changing range of beer styles

Five Window Beer Co.

Five Window Beer Co. combines craft beer with the welcoming character associated with Downtown Lodi. The family-owned brewery maintains a changing lineup that commonly features IPAs, lagers, ales, seltzers, and more experimental releases - along with cocktails.

The kitchen offers artisan pizzas, burgers, brunch, and other casual food. A pet-friendly patio, live entertainment, and recurring activities add to the appeal for groups, families, and anyone looking for more than a quick pint.

Worth checking: The rotating tap list and seasonal brews. Rusty Red Ale has been a local favorite when available.

A good fit for: Groups, food, live entertainment, and a comfortable patio

The Dancing Fox

The Dancing Fox Winery & Brewery brings together beer, wine, bread, and a historic Downtown Lodi location. At the family-owned restaurant, small-batch handcrafted beers range from rich stouts and crisp pilsners to hop-forward IPAs.

The bakery makes naturally fermented breads with yeast sourced from estate-grown wine grapes, linking Lodi’s wine heritage with its culinary traditions. Pair a beer with a wood-fired pizza, artisan sandwich, or house-made specialty, then enjoy the garden patio and the activity along School Street.

Worth checking: Seasonal house beers and fresh bakery bread.

A good fit for: Beer and wine drinkers, full meals, and a distinctive Lodi experience

Side Hustle Beer Co.

A short drive from Downtown Lodi, Side Hustle Brew Co. centers its offering on small-batch brewing, inventive flavors, and a relaxed community setting.

Rotating beers may move from hop-forward IPAs and lighter styles to experimental stouts. In the compact taproom, visitors can talk with the team, taste a flight, and explore something beyond their usual order. Food trucks often appear on weekends, although schedules vary.

Worth checking: Experimental and limited-release beers that show what the brewers are exploring at the time.

A good fit for: Small-batch beer, flights, and conversations with local brewers

Taprooms and Other Craft Beer Destinations

Some worthwhile beer stops do not operate their own brewhouse. Lodi-area taprooms and restaurants add local and regional craft beer, wine, and food to the overall selection.

Brix & Hops

On School Street, Brix and Hops operates as a Downtown Lodi taproom and bottle shop with rotating craft beer and a curated wine list.

Because guests can choose wine or beer, it works well for groups with varied preferences. Trivia, bingo, and live music regularly appear on the calendar, offering additional reasons to stay awhile in downtown Lodi.

A good fit for: Groups seeking both craft beer and wine

Woodbridge Uncorked

North of Lodi in Woodbridge, Woodbridge Uncorked occupies a historic brick building that houses a wine bar, tasting room, and rotating craft beer taps.

The selection highlights local boutique wines while also including regional beer. Live music, outdoor seating, and occasional tap takeovers contribute to a casual neighborhood feel, and the current offerings are always worth asking about.

A good fit for: Wine and beer variety, live music, and a laid-back Woodbridge setting

Planning a Downtown Lodi Beer Outing

A major advantage of exploring Lodi’s craft beer is the proximity of many destinations. Lodi Beer Company, IDOL Beer Works, Five Window Beer Co., The Dancing Fox, and Brix and Hops are located in or near the walkable downtown district.

Begin with lunch and a locally brewed beer, spend time browsing Downtown Lodi shops, and continue to another brewery or taproom before dinner. The Lodi events calendar can help you find live music, trivia, and other activities taking place during your stay.

Side Hustle Brew Co. and Woodbridge Uncorked are beyond the central downtown group, so include transportation planning if you want to visit them. For a multi-stop outing, consider a designated driver or rideshare service. Another option is to make the experience an overnight getaway at one of Lodi’s hotels and accommodations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lodi Breweries

Does Lodi, California, have breweries?

Yes. Several locally owned breweries in Lodi produce small-batch beer, including Lodi Beer Company, IDOL Beer Works, Five Window Beer Co., Side Hustle Brew Co., and The Dancing Fox Winery & Brewery. Taprooms and restaurants in the area also offer substantial selections of local and regional craft beer.

Can visitors walk between Lodi breweries?

A number of breweries and craft beer destinations are grouped in Downtown Lodi and are accessible on foot. Reaching Side Hustle Brew Co. and Woodbridge Uncorked from downtown requires a short drive.

Which Lodi breweries offer food?

Food is served on-site at Lodi Beer Company, Five Window Beer Co., and The Dancing Fox. IDOL Beer Works is connected to SQZ Burger, allowing visitors to buy food and bring it into the brewery. Beer cannot be taken into SQZ Burger. Side Hustle Brew Co. often has food trucks, though schedules vary. West Oak Nosh is a full-service restaurant with an extensive beer selection.

Are Lodi breweries suitable for families?

Several Lodi breweries welcome families, especially locations that also function as restaurants. Policies and event atmospheres differ, so contact each business directly when visiting with children.

Are dogs permitted at Lodi breweries?

Some breweries and taprooms welcome dogs in designated outdoor spaces. Rules may change and can be different during special events, so verify the policy with each location before bringing a pet.

Are reservations necessary at a Lodi brewery?

Many casual brewery and taproom visits do not require extensive planning. Advance arrangements may be needed for large groups, special events, tours, or weekend dining. Checking with the business beforehand is recommended.

Raise a Glass in Lodi

Wine remains an important part of Lodi’s story, and local beer now has its own place at the table. Small-batch breweries, sunny patios, live music, neighborhood taprooms, and restaurants that pair well with beer all offer ways to discover Lodi’s craft beverage scene.

Explore the complete Visit Lodi brewery and craft beer directory as you plan an afternoon or evening in America’s Favorite Small Town.

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Celebrate the Holidays in Downtown Lodi

A Local’s Guide to Exploring Downtown Lodi

Voted America's Favorite Small Town, Downtown Lodi combines historic charm, award-winning wine, excellent restaurants, distinctive shops, live music, and a walkable atmosphere.

Author

Natalie Morlino

Community Engagement & Communications Manager

Natalie is a natural storyteller who enjoys creating authentic connections with her community. An avid world traveler, she is always happy to pull up a barstool at a cozy restaurant, meet new people, and notice a Lodi wine on the menu. Since exchanging city life for wine country, she can be found shopping the farmers market, searching for antiques, or visiting a new winery in Lodi with her fiancé, son, and pug — glass of Zin in hand.

Related Places

The Dancing Fox Winery & Brewery

203 S School St,
Lodi, California 95240-3511
(209) 366-2634

United States

Woodbridge Uncorked

18911 Lower Sacramento Rd,
Woodbridge, California 95258-9270
(209) 333-8463

United States

Five Window Beer Co.

9 W Locust St,
Lodi, California 95240-2137
(209) 329-6420

United States

Brix and Hops

14 S School St,
Lodi, California 95240-2115
(209) 452-0070

United States

Idol Beer Works

100 S Sacramento St,
Lodi, California 95240-3526
(209) 224-5768

United States

Lodi Beer Company

105 S School St,
Lodi, California 95240-3509
(209) 368-9931

United States

Side Hustle Brew

2441 S Stockton St Ste 1,
Lodi, California 95240-882
(209) 625-1103

United States

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