While Greater Palm Springs is probably best known for golf and modernism, there’s a burgeoning craft beer scene that is emerging. Numerous craft breweries, brewpubs, and beer halls mean there are many ways to have fun tasting all the great flavors the region has to offer.
Rent a bus or a limo, take an Uber, Lyft or a taxi and enjoy a few of these in a small day trip, or appoint a designated driver and cruise these brews on your own.
Las Palmas Brewing | Palm Springs
While brewpubs have traditionally been low key places to grab a pint, the new Las Palmas Brewing is aiming to create a more upscale yet still casual vibe. Las Palmas is a microbrewery and natural wine bar, located in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood of Palm Springs.
It's the only brewery with onsite brewing facilities located in Palm Springs proper. Serving about half a dozen options on tap (including three of their own simple, clean, crisp-drinking beers), Las Palmas makes what it calls raw but really drinkable beer. Brewed in small batches in the fairly small space, the on-tap beers are constantly changing, and a rotating selection of food vendors supplies the eats. Enjoy Las Palmas' beer garden too!
Desert Beer Company | Palm Desert
Newly opened in Palm Desert, Desert Beer Company is making some ultra-creative brews. In addition to a long list of more traditional beers, Desert Beer is also touting its Graham Cracker Stout, a Chocolate Chip Stout and what it calls its ‘Merica American Lager, an easy-drinking beer designed to be light, crisp and refreshing. There are nearly twenty brews on offer, which you can taste by the pint or in a tasting flight.
La Quinta Brewing Co | La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs
With three locations (La Quinta, Palm Springs, and Palm Desert), La Quinta Brewing Co. is perhaps the best-known brewpub in the valley. The brewery opened its doors in 2013 and has quickly become a favorite of both locals and visitors.
The taprooms serve La Quinta’s full line up of beer as well as limited releases and on some days you’ll find special food offerings too.
Don’t miss sampling La Quinta’s Poolside Blonde, Heatwave Amber Ale, or the Desertfest Autumn Seasonal. The Koffi Porter is made with locally roasted Koffi coffee and is popular with locals. It makes a great souvenir to share with friends back home too.
Bubba’s Bones & Brews | Cathedral City
This lively spot in Cathedral City is best known for its barbecue. With pulled pork and brisket on the menu, the food is authentically southern (though the fusion of egg rolls and Mac n’ cheese is not to be missed!).
Bubba’s has over fifty beers on offer and eight of those are on tap including some special Bubba’s offerings which are brewed just for them by San Diego’s Mission Brewery. Bubba’s opened in October 2017 and is popular with locals for its robust happy hour menu.
Coachella Valley Brewing | Thousand Palms
With a huge lineup of beers, there’s bound to be a brew for every beer drinker to fall in love with at this Thousand Palms brewery.
Coachella Valley Brewing was also born in 2013 and has morphed from small purveyor to a popular spot known for quality locally-grown ingredients and expertly crafted beer.
Coachella Valley Brewing is a great stop because it focuses on farm-to-table brewing, and finds inspiration in the environment; using local citrus, herbs, honey, and spices. There are also tours of the brewery available for the brew-curious.
Grab some sampler sizes of the cleverly named Kolschella or try the I-10 Session IPA. Another can’t miss pint is the Dubbel Date Belgian-style Abbey Dubbel, made with dates grown locally.
Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewery | Rancho Mirage
This iconic resto-bar and brewery is one of Greater Palm Springs’ stalwarts when it comes to grabbing a cold one. With an expansive patio and moody interior, it’s a refreshing spot to beat the heat.
Babe’s has been brewing its own beer and serving up tasty food options since 2002 in its location along Highway 111 in The River.
Another huge draw for customers is the barbecue. Serving barbecue styles from every part of the U.S. and all over the globe, Babe’s has won Palm Springs Life's "Best of the Best" bar-b-que numerous times.
Sample Babe’s proprietary Blackfin Lager, Palm Springs IPA or try the Belgian Vanilla Blonde Ale if you’re looking for something with a sweeter edge.
There are plenty of other beer-focused hangouts across Greater Palm Springs. Many of them offer full restaurant menus and fresh food, making for a memorable night out or afternoon lunch.
Yardhouse | Rancho Mirage
Yardhouse knows their stuff. With a huge offering of beer options from around California and all over the world, you can also expect an array of seasonal brews, plus selections from what Yardhouse calls the Chalkboard Series; a rotating selection of draft beers offering some of the most unique and complex beers from local, domestic and imported brewers.
Eureka | Indian Wells
This vibrant American-Focused restaurant serves up fresh food and craft beer daily at its Indian Wells location. Expect a boisterous crowd, plenty of action on the TVs and a huge selection of beer on tap.
Whole Foods Taproom | Palm Desert
An unexpected choice for grabbing a quick brew, the Whole Foods Taproom is bright and sunny and has an unexpectedly great selection of craft beer. Load up on your organic groceries, then stop for a pint and a snack.
The Beer Garden at Big Rock | Indio
Tucked into the sprawling property at Big Rock Golf Course is the Beer Garden at Big Rock. A dazzlingly lush space with loads of greenery, flowers and outdoor string lights the Beer Garden’s picnic tables make you feel like you’re out in the park, and are indeed designed to create a sense of community. Draft and bottled beer, as well as some wines, are served from the garden’s “beer-tender.” The outdoor space also offers exclusive beers including traditional German drafts.
El Jefe | Palm Springs
This stalwart bar in the Saguaro Hotel has always been a favorite for its street tacos and margaritas, but there are several local beers on tap here in addition to Mexican and American favorites. It’s a good place to stop if you’re with a group, and some want local craft beer while others want something more traditional.
Desert Distilling | Palm Desert
Maybe beer isn’t your thing, and that’s okay. Desert Distilling is the spot for you. It’s the only distillery in Greater Palm Springs making vodka, gin and white rum. You can learn about the distillation process and small-batch craft spirits by taking a tour or sip their wares in the tasting room.
Started by two brothers with a background in home distilling, Desert Distilling is a great local option for learning about handcrafted spirits.
Stop in at one of these local haunts and sip or sample all that Greater Palm Springs has to offer.