If there’s ever a time in California where you might feel especially ready for a beer, it’s after a day exploring the dramatic desert parklands around Palm Springs. The beer scene here isn’t quite as hot as the climate (yet), but fortunately, a handful of artisanal breweries will invite you in for a cold one.
In Cathedral City, Luchador Brewing offers 15 rotating taps and an in-house food truck serving up Tijuana-style street food and small plates. In Thousand Palms, the Coachella Valley Brewing Co. has been brewing pours like the 17 percent ABV Black Widow bourbon barrel–aged stout and CDMX Mexican-style lager since 2013, making them one of the first desert breweries. The sustainably-minded CVB (as it’s known to the locals) is also proud of its high-efficiency brew system, which uses less water and creates less waste than conventional systems. Spent grain left over at the end of the brewing cycle is used in livestock feed by local agricultural businesses.
Just down the road in the community of Palm Desert, visit the friendly taproom at La Quinta Brewing Company to try a bourbon barrel—aged Koffi Porter. You can also sample their beers at their nearby Palm Springs Taproom and at their Old Town Taproom in La Quinta. Also in Palm Desert you’ll find (appropriately) Desert Beer Company, where the light rice lager Brewjitsu will make short work of your thirst. And in the High Desert town of Hesperia, order a Dusty Hustle Pilsner or an El Sapo Dorado Mexican Lager at the cheekily named Consbeeracy Brewing.
A bit secluded from all of those beer destinations, just outside the wilds of Mt. Jacinto State Park in Idyllwild, is Idyllwild Brewpub. The spacious outdoor patio here is perfect for downing Box Canyon Bohemian Pilsner along with a plate of cheese curds or one of their excellent burgers (recommended: the Angry Mule).