Best Breweries in Tri‑Cities

The first brewpub in Tri-Cities, Atomic Ale was founded in 1997 by beer aficionado Aaron Burks. Set within a former drive-in restaurant, Atomic Ale is known for their wood-fired pizza, an intimate and inviting dining or drinking experience complete with table games, and, of course, their handcrafted ales. On tap, you can expect to find their signature brews — such as the Half-Life Hefeweizen, Orbital Haze IPA and Plutonium Porter — alongside seasonal selections developed either by Aaron or Atomic’s dedicated brewer. In addition to pizza, guests can enjoy a selection of homemade sandwiches, soups, salads and pub snacks (most with a fitting Atomic-themed name).

Visitors to Atomic Ale shouldn’t miss their sister Italian restaurant, Monterosso’s, which is located just across the street and operates out of a vintage 1947 Northern Pacific Pullman dining car.

Moonshot opened in 2019 and by 2021, it had already won the Tri-City Herald’s poll for top brewery experience. Whether you're a resident or just passing through, you’ll surely find something to love at this popular Tri-Cities brewery. Their tap features an ever-changing variety of small-batch brews, ranging from crisp lagers to hoppy IPAs along with sour and barrel-aged beers. Their flagship IPA and lager are super tasty and refreshing. Alternatives to beer are available, too, including wine, cider, and fizzy waters. One of the other reasons we love Moonshot is that it’s both kid and pet friendly.

In January 2023, Moonshot opened a second location at the entrance to Howard Amon Park in Richland. Pub at the Park offers the same incredible brews as the main brewery with the addition of an elevated menu inspired by classic pub fare. The menu features inventive twists on pub classics including the fried wonton Korean barbecue nachos and the ever popular kid-favorite, OG mac and cheese.

To honor the area’s military history, the BRBC name references an area that was used as a bombing range in Richland. BRBC’s straightforward brews combine the finest local ingredients with premium malts imported from Belgium and Germany. This is beer that’s meant to be enjoyed in the company of friends and family, not “scrutinized, over-analyzed or judged.” Try not to judge, but night after night at this packed brewery, the happy faces of customers will tell you that BRBC’s beers, pizzas and pub-style foods are lip-smackingly delicious.

White Bluffs prides itself on brewing “beer with character for people with taste.” We are not bluffing when we say that their IPAs are incredible, and their farmhouse ales and other selections (wheat, light, dark, rye, lager, classic, and more) get the job done, too. If you like, bring your own snacks or buy some from the food truck parked outside. Other beverages, including wine, ciders, and bottled soft drinks are also available.

Sage Brewing Company was established in 2019 on the recently lengthened Chapel Hill Boulevard in Pasco. It is housed in an impressive facility with large glass garage doors, stainless steel brewing barrels, and a huge concrete bar. The owners, Tyson and Ben, care deeply about the community and in return, their brewery is much loved by locals. It is a sweet place to hang out and chill with friends. Their beer list isn’t super long but every single brew is hand-crafted with care and attention. Don’t leave without sampling the Hefeweizen, Hydro Hef, a German wheat beer that hits all the right notes of banana and clove. If you’re hungry, head to the nearby food truck for some pub grub.

In 2021, Sage Brewing Company opened a second location in Kennewick. Located within the Hansen Park Plaza along Columbia Center Boulevard, this 21 and over taproom features a rotating selection of 10 to 12 beers brewed at their Pasco brewhouse with a large outdoor patio that accommodates up to 60 guests. The Sage team is hard at work building out a kitchen for the Kennewick location, but in the interim guests can order food from local restaurants or from an ever-changing lineup of food trucks revealed weekly on their social media.

Ice Harbor Brewery was founded in 1997, named after Ice Harbor Lock and Dam on the nearby Snake River. Their original Kennewick location (there is now a second on Clover Island) is relaxed and welcoming, has both indoor and outdoor service, and serves an impressive array of beers. Make sure to try the award-winning Harvest Pale Ale and Lighthouse Lager. Hungry? You’re in luck. A recent customer described Ice Harbor’s pub food as “freaking good.” We would tend to agree, except we think their fried pickles and burgers just might be “freaking great.”

Iconic Brewing might be a bit of a drive for those who don’t live in north Richland, but it’s well worth the trip. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by the sight of the cheery, fire-engine red brewery popping out of 2 acres of green landscape. And if you’re lucky, you’ll hear the sound of live music coming from their outdoor seating area, which also has several firepits. For sure, Iconic Brewing is a great place to unwind with your family or friends at the end of a busy week. All of their beers are made in house, and…well, we haven't had a bad beer there, ever. They also have an adjacent wine-tasting room, and all of their wines come from their local estate vineyard north of Pasco.

Non-beer drinkers will find that Tri-Cities’ is also home to a number of wineries, distilleries and cider-centric bars — such as TC Cider House — sure to please imbibers of any type. In fact, there are more than 200 wineries within a 50 mile radius of the Tri-Cities region, as well as two craft distilleries — Black Heron Spirits and Solar Spirits Distillery — that utilize local ingredients to create vodka, whiskey, gin and other spirits.