Goa has quietly become a serious craft beer state. Between the beach shacks and the feni stalls, there’s now a whole scene of people brewing their own pilsners, ciders, and pale ales – and building entire evenings around them. I’m not much of a drinker myself, but I’ve spent enough hours at these places with friends to know which ones are worth your time. Here are three of my favourite breweries for craft beer in Goa right now.
P.S. As always, I only write about places I’ve actually been to. There are a few newer breweries on my radar that I haven’t visited yet, so consider this list a living document – more to come as I make my way around.
Beer o’Clock: Craft Beer in Goa
Lizard King Brewing Co. (Arpora)
Tucked away in Arpora, near Baga, Lizard King is a small, brew-on-site space that seats about 25 – and somehow manages to feel both intimate and like the coolest room in Goa at the same time. The whole place is built around rock ‘n’ roll: stainless-steel tanks gleaming behind the bar, rock posters on the walls, and a soundtrack that never apologises for itself.
I don’t drink, but I’ve been here more times than I can count, and it’s consistently rated among the best craft beer in Goa – brewmaster George Jacob keeps a solid core lineup going (Pilsner, Best Bitter, Irish Stout, Belgian Wit, Pale Ale, Apple and Mango Ciders) alongside an in-house special that keeps changing, so regulars always have something new to try.
The food, though, is what keeps me coming back. The beef chops and choris pizza are firm favourites, and the corn ribs are a guilt pleasure for days I don’t want to indulge in a full meal here – it’s the kind of order you make “just to try” and then regret not ordering two. The menu keeps evolving, so don’t get too attached to any one dish. One thing to note: no desserts here, so don’t come expecting a sweet ending to the night. On Sundays, they run a Sunday Roast – a small, limited menu that runs alongside the regular one, and it’s worth planning your visit around.
Live music happens every Sunday and Wednesday, and honestly, this is where the place comes alive. Owners George, Arun, and Hammer are almost always around for a chat, which gives the whole place a neighbourhood-pub feel despite how cool it looks. You’ll spot a lot of Brits here, and every single time I’ve visited (which probably runs into the 30s), I’ve run into familiar faces – it’s the kind of place where you start recognising regulars and slowly become one yourself.
One heads-up: the space is small with windows running down just one side, so it can get properly hot in the summer months, despite the a/c, since the cool air goes out the window. Go prepared, or time your visit for the evening instead of the afternoon.
2 Pints Brewing Taproom & Kitchen (Fontainhas)
The newest of the three on this list – 2 Pints has only been open a couple of months as I write this – and it’s already one of the loveliest spaces in Panjim. Set inside a beautifully restored Portuguese heritage home in Fontainhas, the vibe here is a world away from Lizard King’s rock ‘n’ roll energy: elegant, well done-up, and genuinely family-friendly. There’s a gorgeous wraparound balcony that looks out over the streets of Fontainhas, and it might just be reason enough to visit on its own.
The beers are solid – expect a rotating tap list that includes their crisp house Pilsner, a Bavarian-style Hefeweizen, and a hoppy West Coast IPA – but for me, the food is the real highlight here. The menu takes inspiration from Goa’s Portuguese roots and isn’t afraid to play with tradition: order the chicken cafreal and you won’t get the usual whole cut, you’ll get it shredded and piled onto bruschetta instead. It’s a small adaptation, but it tells you everything about how this menu has been put together. Don’t skip the pork amsol or the kazarache stew — both are excellent, and both lean into that Goan-Portuguese identity the space is clearly proud of.
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Save room for the Banana Cake. I don’t say this lightly, but it’s soul-satisfying in a way desserts rarely are.
2 Pints also hosts events like brunches to draw the weekend crowd, so keep an eye on their socials if you want to catch one. Given how new it is, I have a feeling this place is only going to get more popular from here.
Seven Rivers Brewing Co. (Candolim)
Located right as you enter the Taj Holiday Village property in Sinquerim, Seven Rivers brings a different energy altogether – polished and holiday-esque. I’ve only been for events here rather than a casual evening, but it’s worth a mention because the beer program is genuinely impressive: they’ve got a Tropical India Pale Ale, a tangy Kokum Gose, a Poi Lager brewed with Goan bread, a Belgian Wit, a Bohemian Pilsner, and a Munich Helles that regulars swear by. If you’re unsure where to start, ask for a tasting flight before committing to a full pint – it’s the smart way to figure out what you actually like. Seven Rivers, like Lizard King, also have a brewery setup on site, and they’re happy to give you a tour.
On the food side, expect dishes built to pair with the beers rather than steal the spotlight – crispy calamari, a spicy Chicken Picante, and crab cakes are all recommended. Given its resort setting, this is less of a rowdy brewery night out and more of a relaxed, well-appointed evening
Where do you go to grab a beer in Goa?
Three very different personalities, three very good reasons to drink (or in my case, eat) your way around Goa’s brewery scene. If you’ve got a favourite I’ve missed, let me know – I’m always looking for my next stop. Catch me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Beer not your thing? How about some dive bars in Goa and some South Goa bars that offer great views!
