There are now over 500 breweries in France. Here’s a (relatively) short list of some favorites:
Brasserie Outland (France – Bagnolet, eastern edge of Paris) – owner Jann spent time in California learning the trade and their beer shows it, their hoppy pale ales, west coast style IPA’s and recent collaborations are amazing! Available at Cave a Bulles, La Fine Mousse, Les Trois 8, Bierocratie, Moustache Blanche and A la Biere Comme a la Biere.
Les Brasseurs du Grand Paris (France – Levallois-Perret, western edge of Paris) – formerly My Beer Company, producing several good beers including IPA Citra Galactique and La Levallois, available at La Fine Mousse, Supercoin and several craft beer stores including Cave a Bulles, Bierocratie and A la Biere Comme a la Biere.
Brasserie de Goutte d’Or (France – Paris 18eme) – first new microbrewery in Paris opened in 2012, with several very good beers including spicy Chateau Rouge, light Myrrh, and hoppy Ernestine that are available in most craft beer stores in Paris, La Fine Mousse, Les Trois 8 and Supercoin. Free tours and tastings available Friday 5pm-7pm and Saturday 2pm-7pm. 28 rue de la Goutte d’Or 18e.
Brasserie Craig Allen (France – Picardie) – Craig Allen makes some extraordinary beer including Cuvee d’Oscar (a strong IPA), Agent Provocateur (a smooth and slightly hoppy pale ale) and Psychedelia (strong with citrus notes, reminiscent of Flying Dog’s Raging B) which you can find in nearly all craft beer stores and bars in Paris.
Crazy Hops (France – Claye-Souilly) – formerly brasserie de l’Ourcq, owner Jerome has been making great beer for years and keeps getting better, a master at experimentation with several new collaborations including Twist & Shout with Outland and a move to a larger facility in October 2014 has led to bigger and better beer from this local favorite. Available at all over including Les Trois 8 and A la Biere Comme a la Biere.
Deck and Donohue (France – Montreuil) – owner/brewers Thomas and Michael have some good experience making beer and a shiny new brewery opened in March 2014. Their Indigo IPA, Mission Pale Ale, Monk, Ricochet and Trouble #6 can already be found at Les Trois 8 and most craft beer stores. Brewery is open for tastings Saturday 10am-3pm. 71 rue de la Fraternite, Montreuil.
Brasserie Thiriez– (France – Nord-Pas-de-Calais) – several tasty beers including Rouge Flamande and their Biere de Noel, available at La Fine Mousse and Supercoin and several stores including Cave a Bulles. Brewery tour and tastings available by reservation.
Taccalmatto (Italy – Emilia Romagna) – brewer Bruno is making some of the best beer in Europe, 26 different beers at last count including favorites Zona Cesarini, Oceania and Russian Imperial Stout. Available at La Fine Mousse and Cave a Bulles.
Brouwerij de Molen (Netherlands) – brewing a very wide variety (20+) of beer in a dizzying array of styles including some nice cask-aged ones, available at La Fine Mousse and most craft beer stores in Paris. Created a special Jasmine IPA in October 2013 for Brewberry’s 3rd anniversary. Brewery has tasting room and restaurant open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday, tours on Saturday afternoons (reservations required).
Brasserie De Fleurac (France – Auvergne) – some nice IPAs and triples, available at La Fine Mousse, Supercoin and many craft beer stores such as Cave a Bulles, Bierocratie and People’s Drug Store. Made a very tasty beer for People’s Drug Store on the occasion of the October vendange in Montmartre. Brewery open for sales weekday mornings and afternoons, tours without reservations only in July and August.
Brasserie du Paradis (France – Lorraine) – great flavors, La Luna’Cious is a favorite. Often available at La Fine Mousse and Cave a Bulles. Brewery is open for tours, Wednesday-Saturday, 3pm-7pm.
Brasserie Correzienne (France – Correze) – nice range of beers, Dordorgne Valley and various Hop-hop-hop brews are favorites, available at many craft beer stores, La Fine Mousse and Supercoin. Brewery is open for tastings and purchases in the afternoon six days a week during the summer and three days a week during winter.
Brasserie La Franche (France – Franche-Comte) – quite a few very nice, often hoppy, beers available at Supercoin. Brewery is open for visits mornings and afternoons, daily in summer and three days a week in winter.
Brasserie Cantillon (Belgium) – very tasty and 100% organic Lambic, Geuze and Kriek. Available at La Fine Mousse, Les Trois 8 and several craft beer stores including Cave a Bulles, Bieres a Cultes and A la Biere Comme a la Biere. Brewery is a short walk from the Grand Place in Brussels and worth the trip, open for tours and tastings Monday through Saturday.
Brasserie de la Vallee de Chevreuse (France – Ile-de-France) – good beers including several flavorful Volcelest varieties and Rotten Skull (a fantastically strong IPA) available at La Fine Mousse, Supercoin and several craft beer stores including Cave a Bulles. Brewery is open for direct sales weekday evenings and group tours by appointment only, hour southwest of Paris.
Brasserie St-Rieul (France – Picardie) – several nice, Belgian-style beers including Silvernecte available at La Fine Mousse, Supercoin and Cave a Bulles. Brewery open Saturday afternoons for tours, tastings and sales, near Senlis about an hour north of Paris.
Brasserie St-Germain (France – Nord-Pas-de-Calais) – produces several nice beers under the name Page 24, available at La Fine Mousse and several craft beer stores including Cave a Bulles. Brewery open for tours and tasting Saturday mornings, reservations recommended.
Brasserie des Garrigues (France – Languedoc-Roussillon) – several good beers, available at La Fine Mousse, Supercoin, Le Trois 8 and several stores including Cave a Bulles, Brewberry and A la Biere Comme a la Biere. Brewery is open for visits every morning except Sunday and Thursday-Friday afternoon.