2025 Surf City USA® Foodie Awards Best Beer Winner: Riip Beer Co.
Passion and precision is poured into every pint at Riip Beer Co., a Sunset Beach spot known for its hop-forward brews. Founded in 2014 as a homebrewing operation, Riip Beer Co. has risen through the ranks to become a favorite both locally and nationwide. Its many accolades range from prestigious industry awards to fan-voted honors, including a new designation as the top brewery in Surf City USA®.
After delivering beer directly to customers out of a 1931 Helms Bakery delivery truck, the two brothers-in-law who steer the ship opened their brick-and-mortar tasting room in 2015. While Riip Beer Co. has since opened two sister pizzerias in Huntington Beach serving Detroit-style pies, the original location remains dedicated to brewing the best craft beers and seltzers around town.
Good Beer, Good Vibes
Stepping into Riip Beer Co.’s tasting room at the corner of Warner Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway is a sensory experience. The aromas of hops, malt, and yeast mingle with ocean breezes blowing in from across the street, while the room is filled with the buzz of chatter from patrons gathered round the distressed wood and metal bar. On the wall, rows of colorful skateboards proclaim what’s on tap for the day.
The old-school, neighborhood vibe makes the Riip Beer Co. tasting room a laid-back place to grab a cold one and try something new. A rotating selection of beers flow from 20 taps, so you’re almost guaranteed to find a different lineup from your last visit. There’s also plenty of parking, making it easy to pop in on your way to the beach, as well as a dog-friendly patio. While there’s no food prepared onsite, here’s some good news: Outside grub is allowed, and Riip’s pizza kitchen is conveniently located right next door.
The Best West Coast IPA in the U.S.
The Oregon Brewers Guild agrees with Surf City USA® — Riip Beer Co. can’t be beat. It’s the back-to-back winner of the guild’s West Coast IPA national throwdown, a competition focused on a singular style judged by three separate panels. Most recently, its Riip’n Greens IPA brought a “danky deliciousness” to beat out 180 other brews last year, while Danky Doodle Dandy took its category in 2023.
Last year also held several other milestone moments for Riip Beer Co. In April, the homegrown brewery received major acclaim with a gold-medal win at the World Beer Cup, where its Wannabe Wallaby swept the New Zealand IPA category. At the Great American Beer Festival competition in October, it received the titles of 2024 Brewery of the Year and Brewer of the Year, along with accolades for its Blackside Snap American black ale, Smells Like Purple Rain international-style pale ale, and Wannabe Wallaby IPA.
No promises that you’ll get to try one of these award-winning brews on your visit since the tap selection is constantly changing, but there’s always something eminently drinkable on the menu. Standouts for hop-heads include the fully loaded Super Cali, a 2016 Great American Beer Festival silver medalist and 2025 Japan Brewers Cup winner, and Chain Out, another West Coast IPA with a crisp finish. Though Riip loves a good hoppy beer, there’s plenty of other options to try, from the playful Tangible Passion Belgian witbier to the popular Jetty Water blonde ale made for soaking up the Surf City USA® sun.
