March 4, 2026, 12:12 p.m. ET
The USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards has named Dewey Beer Co.’s Dewey Beach brewpub the second-best brewpub in the country.
This is Dewey Beer Co.’s third year on the list. Last year, the brewpub placed fourth, and in 2024, it placed first.
«It’s pretty amazing to be considered a Top 5 (brewpub) three years in a row,» Brandon Smith said. He, Scot Kaufman and Mike Reilly own Dewey Beer Co. «I think we’re definitely building a legacy here in a small state and getting nationwide attention.»
Dewey Beer Co. celebrated its 10-year anniversary last year. The brewpub, on Coastal Highway in Dewey Beach, opened in 2015, while a brewery and taproom opened in Harbeson in 2021.
The company also owns Pizza Machine at the Harbeson facility, with a second location to open in the Safeway shopping center in Rehoboth Beach mid-spring, Smith said.
The USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards highlight the very best in travel, food + drink, and lifestyle. After industry experts nominate their favorites across a wide range of categories, editors vet the nominations and select a final set of nominees to present to the voting public for a period of four weeks.
Here’s the full list of best brewpubs.
- Lua Brewing (Des Moines, Iowa)
- Dewey Beer Co. (Dewey Beach, Delaware)
- Strangebird Brewery (Rochester, New York)
- Free State Brewing Company (Lawrence, Kansas)
- Devil’s Club Brewing Company (Juneau, Alaska)
- Otherlands Beer (Bellingham, Washington)
- Perennial on Lockwood (Webster Groves, Missouri)
- Lakefront Brewery (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
- Brewery Pub & Kitchen at Schilling Beer Co. (Littleton, New Hampshire)
- Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery (Chicago, Illinois)
Reach Shannon Marvel McNaught at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Facebook.