east coast brewery tour

35 Best Breweries On The East Coast

Touring excellent breweries and noshing on pretzels at beer gardens are some of adult life's great pleasures. So is just kicking back at home with a 6-pack and a friend, for that matter. If you live on the East Coast and are looking for a fun day trip — or even just a delicious brew to sip while watching the game — you are fortunate to have a lot to choose from! Turns out that plenty of small craft breweries and big-name brands alike produce top-notch and award-winning beer. Be they IPAs , stouts, or lagers, brewmasters spend their lives trying to concoct the best flavors, all for your discerning palate. 

There's plenty of geographic variety, too: breweries on both rural farmsteads and in metropolitan regions have much to explore. From Maine to Florida, the East Coast states have something amazing to offer. Try seasonal mashes and flagship brews from any of these fine brewing companies, and perhaps even plan your next great road trip around these beloved watering holes!

Dogfish Head - Milton, Delaware

Dogfish Head claims to create "off-centered ales for off-centered people." The industrial sculpture "Steampunk Treehouse," found at their Milton location, serves as a 40-foot-tall testament to their weird creed.

But the brewery in Milton isn't Dogfish Head's only institution. The Dogfish Inn near Lewes Beach, about 20 minutes east of the Milton brewery, is the perfect place for beer-lovers to stay while they explore the area. Justs south of the inn is Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats on Rehoboth Beach — the brewery's original small-batch brewing location back in 1995. Here, Dogfish Head fans can munch on pub food like crab corn chowder, seafood tacos, and wood-fired pizza. Of course, they wash it down with any of the brand's ales, pilsners, and IPAs.

Not in a beer mood? Head on over to their seafood and cocktail restaurant, Chesapeake & Maine , and enjoy spirits made by Dogfish Head Distilling Co. Whatever you want, it's all the life's work of Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione, who was deemed the Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional at the 2017 James Beard Awards .

Flying Dog Brewery - Frederick, Maryland

Flying Dog actually began as a brewpub in Woody Creek, Colorado, in 1990. Located just outside Aspen, it played host to many travelers, including gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson.

Thompson recommended Flying Dog use Ralph Steadman, the illustrator that created the messy, slightly crazed, and instantly recognizable drawings for "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," for the brewery's beer labels. Steadman's weird, ink-splattered caricatures can now be found on every Flying Dog bottle, including a dog chomping on a half-dolphin, half-mermaid type creature on the label for Flying Dog's Chesapeake Wheat Ale.

The brewery also took "Good people drink good beer," a quote from Thompson's most popular book, as the company slogan. BUt Flying Dog is more than just good marketing. The beer brand has won multiple awards, such as "Midsize Brewery of the Year" from the Great American Beer Festival in 2009 (via The Frederick News-Post ). The Maryland brewery did have a tasting room, but closed it when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. They have since decided to not reopen it, so you'll just have to buy it or find it on tap somewhere.

Sapwood Cellars - Columbia, Maryland

While many people like the bitterness of a strong IPA, there are plenty who don't. Sapwood Cellars aims to make all of its brews easy to drink without sacrificing flavor. From barrel-aged stouts to fruity pale ales, Sapwood brewmasters strive for a balanced taste and a pleasant aroma.

While the Maryland brewery doesn't offer formal tours, tasting room visitors can ask to be shown around if the staff aren't too busy. The tasting room also accepts reservations and even books private events! There, you can try a diverse array of beer flavors such as maple-blueberry, coffee , thyme honey, and more.

It doesn't have a kitchen, but the brewery often hosts local food trucks. Keep tabs on its  Facebook page to find out what's going to pull up to the brewery next! Food truck announcements tend to be made day-of, so contact the brewery ahead of time with questions.

Brewery Ommegang - Cooperstown, New York

Beer lovers can find Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, New York, about halfway between Syracuse and Albany. The sprawling 140-acre farmstead offers scenic valley views, a café, and an amphitheater for concerts and beer festivals.

But let's get to the important part: the beer. Ommegang's brews have won awards from the likes of the European Beer Star (via Brewbound ) and the World Beer Cup , with the latter naming Ommegang the world's best midsize brewery in 2016. The brand's calling card is, of course, their Belgian-style ales, many of which are made in the "kriek" (Belgian cherry beer) tradition. 

The New York brewery also offers other types of beer, including New England-style IPAs and limited edition stouts. In 2013, the company partnered with HBO to create a "Game of Thrones" line. The collaboration paired special craft brews with characters from the show, such as "Mother of Dragons" (a porter-kriek blend) and "King in the North" (a barrel-aged imperial stout).

Harpoon - Boston, Massachusetts

Harpoon has two brewery locations: the original in Boston and a second in Windsor, Vermont. The Harpoon Beer Hall in Boston's Seaport District offers daily tours and tastings (both in-person and virtual) and is also available for private events. Farther north,  Vermont brewery's "outdoor" seating consists of heated huts that can hold between six and 12 people. 

Harpoon's year-round beer lineup includes IPAs, pilsners , and stouts, with their signature brew being the Harpoon IPA. Seasonal beers include the Winter Warmer spiced ale, which they claim was the first seasonal craft beer ever released in New England in 1988. Limited edition brews tend to show off the brewery's New England roots, like their Boston Bruins collaboration pilsners. The Allston X-Mas IPA likewise celebrates an unofficial Boston holiday when the hordes of college students residing in the Allston neighborhood move out and leave their unwanted furniture for the taking.

Allagash Brewing Company - Portland, Maine

Allagash Brewing Company has won a dizzying amount of awards for its Belgian-style beers, including medals from the World Beer Cup, the Great American Beer Festival, and the European Beer Star. Additionally, both founder Rob Tod and brewmaster Jason Perkins have won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional and the Brewer's Association Russell Scherer Award for Innovation in Craft Brewing, respectively. So yes, Allagash makes great beer.

The brewers' love for Belgium (Allagash employees are taken on a tour of the country's breweries when they hit their 5-year mark) is only matched by their love for Maine. The brewery dedicates its time and resources to  local charities  and its commitment to sustainability and the environment with recycling programs, clean water projects, and solar energy.

​​Those who want to visit the Allagash Brewing Company's tasting room can do so Thursday through Sunday. While there, you can sample beer straight from the Allagash tap and scarf down a lobster roll from local food trucks.

The Alchemist - Stowe, Vermont

The Alchemist  began as a brewpub in Waterbury, Vermont, in 2003. Several years later, it opened as a small brewery there and then launched a second facility in nearby Stowe. Today, the Stowe location offers daily guided tours, as well as limited edition beers. While The Alchemist occasionally ships its products to other states, the brewing company is primarily focused on selling its fresh, unfiltered IPAs to fellow Vermonters.

Like Allagash, The Alchemist is a certified B corporation , meaning it centers its business around positive social and environmental change. Most of the operation's energy comes from solar power, for instance. It also operates the Alchemist Foundation , which provides scholarships to local high school students who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to advance their education. The Alchemist brewing company also supports the arts by commissioning local and international artists for installations, as well as merchandise and label designs.

Victory Brewing - Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Victory Brewing is a Pennsylvania beer company through and through, with four out of its five locations situated in the state. What was a Pepperidge Farm factory in Downingtown became the beer company's flagship facility in 1996. Victory has been dominating the local beer scene ever since.

The brewery abides by the motto "Brew forward," which hints at the brand's passion for innovation and furthering their community. Victory has crafted multiple award-winning beers, including Golden Monkey, Prima Pils, Storm King, and HopDevil . But it hasn't kept that success to itself. The brewing company's Brotherly Love Community Fund works to support local nonprofits, including the Back on My Feet organization, which helps secure housing and employment for homeless people.

Victory Brewing prides itself on establishing great partnerships as much as great beer. It's actually part of umbrella company Artisanal Brewing Ventures, which includes New York-based breweries Sixpoint Brewery and Southern Tier Brewing Company .

Maine Beer Company - Freeport, Maine

Maine Beer Company 's guiding principle is its motto, "Do what's right." This philosophy not only leads to excellent IPAs and ales, but helping the planet through concrete action. The brewery is a member of  1% for the Planet , which means that 1% of the company's gross sales are donated (in money or merchandise) to environmental nonprofits. So when you visit the brewery in Freeport, be happy knowing that part of every dollar is going to help our planet!

The brewery's spacious tasting room offers beers on tap and by the bottle, like the Black Barn Scottish ale and Mean Old Tom stout. There is also plenty of tasty food to pair with your favorite brew. Sit down and enjoy gourmet pizza featuring toppings like Buffalo cauliflower, lamb and tzatziki sauce, and pork with broccoli rabe. You can also find snacks such as pretzels and charcuterie boards.

​​Other Half Brewing Company - Brooklyn, New York

Other Half Brewing Company has a total of six locations: four in New York, one in Philadelphia, and another in Washington, D.C. Its flagship breweries are in Brooklyn, with the rest taking up residence in other metropolitan hubs. The one exception is its farmhouse brewery in upstate New York. Other Half mainly produces IPAs , as well as a budding line of hard seltzers, though beer lovers of all types can find the occasional stout or pilsner at any of its taprooms.

Beer enthusiasts can also  reserve private tours events at Other Half's original Taproom in Brooklyn. Walk-in tours are available Sunday through Thursday, and those who can't make it in person can reserve virtual tastings. Four selections will be sent to attendees prior to the virtual event, as individual state laws allow. If you live in the Northeast, there are plenty of ways for you to find your Other Half!

Hill Farmstead Brewery - Greensboro Bend, Vermont

Hill Farmstead Brewery has a centuries-old family history  – the Hill family helped build the town of Greensboro, Vermont, which includes a tavern founded in 1809. That tavern would prove to be the inspiration for the current Hill Farmstead Brewery, voted the best brewery in the world multiple times by RateBeer .

The rural farmhouse brewery produces an astounding variety of beers , from IPAs to bourbon barrel-aged porters. Founder and brewer Shaun Hill has worked with his team to create several unique lines, including Ancestral, Philosophical (Hill holds a degree in the subject), Single Hop, Singular, Grassroots Brewing, and various collaboration beers. Ancestral beers are named after members of the Hill family, while Philosophical beers are named after notables such as Thoreau, Nietzsche, and Heidegger.

Similarly, Hill Farmstead approaches the art of brewing beer according to what they call their seven pillars philosophy : awareness, belonging & trust, collaboration, deliberateness, inquiry, stewardship, and transparency. The company intends to put as much thought and care into community and sustainability as it does its many intriguing brews.

Fidens Brewing Company - Albany, New York

The word "fidens" is Latin for bold, confident, or courageous, and it's the creed the brewers of Fidens Brewing Company live by. It is that boldness that took a personal passion for beer and turned it into a DIY business with a learn-as-you-go approach. Fidens officially launched in 2019, and in a few brief years has already established a cult following.

Fidens Brewing Company primarily makes hoppy IPAs , but also ventures into the world of stouts from time to time. Wondering where to start? Its Necessary Means for a Necessary Means IPA took home a medal from the NYS Craft Beer Competition in 2020, so that should be a solid first choice.

Those who live in the area or happen to be driving by can buy beer straight from the brewery Wednesday through Saturday. Note that supplies are only available to go and sell on a first-come, first-served basis.

J. Wakefield Brewing - Miami, Florida

This funky Miami brewery imbues a love of pop culture into its taproom with wall-to-wall "Star Wars" murals and comic book art. Its 15 beer taps feature a number of their handcrafted sour ales , as well as a few IPAs, pilsners, and German wheat beers.

When visiting the taproom, guests can enjoy savory bites from local food trucks. J. Wakefield also has partnerships with several food companies in the area, which allows it to offer snacks like Bolivian-style empanadas and gourmet popcorn. Both the beer and the food go hand in hand to make J. Wakefield a top destination for beer enthusiasts.

All that work seems to be paying off for J. Wakefield. USA Today named the brewery's beer festival, Wakefest, one of the top 10 beer festivals in 2019. That same year, VinePair deemed the brewery one of the 10 best in America.

Trillium Brewing - Boston, Massachusetts

This New England-based beer company has several Boston locations in addition to its original Fort Point brewery, as well as one in Canton, Massachusetts, and a budding farmhouse in North Stonington, Connecticut. Visitors can drink and dine at each of its taprooms while experiencing each one's individual charms. Rose Kennedy Greenway, for instance, is a seasonal, open-air beer garden — the first in Boston's long history.

Trillium Brewing brings a variety of selections to the New England beer scene, including pale ales, stouts, oak barrel-aged blends, and even a line of hard seltzer called Soak . But its big goal is to eventually use its Connecticut farm to produce fresh fruit for the brewing process. With a focus on sustainable farming and local agriculture, Trillium will bring even more flavorful brews to the table. When that day comes, the farmhouse brewery will be open for all to visit.

Hudson Valley Brewery - Beacon, New York

Hudson Valley Brewery describes itself and its beer lineup as "somewhere between the rural and the urban, the traditional and the modern, the rustic and the industrial." One look at its product list proves exactly that. Each of their brews — IPAs, hard seltzers, lagers , sours — are inspiring, flavorful twists on traditional recipes.

At Hudson Valley Brewery, customers will find beer made with all types of fresh produce, such as blueberries, raspberries, rhubarb , and more. In 2020, VinePair named Hudson Valley Incandenza Sour IPA one of the best beers of the year. Its delicious hints of lemon and blueberry landed it in the 16th spot out of a total of 50 beers. 

The brewery's taproom is open Thursday through Sunday on a first-come, first-served basis. Wood-fired pizza by Groundlings Pizza is also available Friday through Sunday. Additionally, people living in select states can get Hudson Valley beer delivered by ordering online.

Tree House Brewing Company - Charlton, Massachusetts

What started in a small barn in Brimfield, Massachusetts, has evolved into a brewery with multiple locations across New England. Tree House Brewing Company's primary brewery can be found in Charlton, Massachusetts, which is also home to its coffee roastery and distillery.

Tree House mainly crafts IPAs and stouts, the latter of which is made with the brand's own coffee . Why does a brewery have its own roastery in the first place? By their own account, the workers at the brewery couldn't make it through each day without coffee. Since the beverage was such a big part of their work culture, they decided to blend their own roasts, such as the Aurora Blend and Paragon Espresso Blend.

Additionally, the Tree House Distillery  produces a wide array of spirits. Cocktails mixed with these liquors are currently only available at the Charlton location, though the Deerfield brewery is the only one that serves pizza.

The Veil Brewing Co. - Richmond, Virginia

The Veil Brewing Co. is a beer company focused on producing strong-tasting selections, such as hoppy ales and barrel-aged beers with higher alcohol contents. The Veil operates in four different locations — three in Richmond and one in Norfolk, Virginia — each possessing its own unique vibes.

Scott's Addition in Richmond is the brewing company's original spot, featuring industrial design and different food trucks each day. The Railroad District taproom in Norfolk is similarly sleek, and boasts a full menu curated by the chef at nearby restaurant Codex . The modern, black-on-black Forest Hill taproom also features its own special menu designed by Y Tu Mamá 's Mexican kitchen. 

Perhaps the most intriguing of all is the rustic Funkhaüst Café . This spot is known for its European flair and somewhat eccentric brews, such as Triple-Stuffed Hornswoggler (a chocolate milk stout loaded with crushed chocolate cookies) and Culminate Blackberry & Concord Grape (a spontaneously fermented ale blended with Virginia grapes and blackberries).

Aslin Beer Co. - Herndon, Virginia

While other craft breweries may focus on one or two types of beer, Virginia-based  Aslin Beer Co. aims to provide customers with brews of all kinds. Beer lovers across the spectrum can find lagers, pilsners, IPAs, sours, and more at both the Herndon and Alexandria locations. (In the future, Aslin will also be opening facilities in Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.) The original Herndon location recently got a makeover, so visitors can now enjoy the brand new building and rooftop bar. 

About 30 miles southeast of Herndon is Aslin's Alexandria facility, which also houses Aslin Kitchen. Tuesday through Sunday, beer enthusiasts visiting there can savor pizza, salads, hamburgers, and more while indulging in their drink of choice. What's more, Eater  reports that Aslin has even added coffee to its lineup. More information about those roasts can be found on the new Aslin Coffee website.

Cigar City Brewing - Tampa, Florida

Cigar City Brewing is a Florida beer company that draws inspiration from its surroundings — especially the Cuban community in and around Tampa. Its name, ingredients, and taproom menu are all infused with Latin American culture. From citrusy IPAs to spiced chocolate stouts , Cigar City's beers are meant to reflect the story of Florida and its people.

The Tampa brewery has won multiple awards from the Great American Beer Festival, the Best Florida Beer Competition, and the U.S. Beer Tasting Championships. Resident Floridians and tourists alike can find out just what makes these beers so tasty when they visit any of Cigar City's three locations .

Those who go to the original facility on Spruce Street can take brewery tours, drink exclusive beers on tap, and order food from the in-house kitchen. What's more, parched travelers looking for a satisfying brew can breathe a sigh of relief when they stumble across the Cigar City brewpub inside the Tampa International Airport.

Westbrook Brewing - Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

This South Carolina brewery is a Jack of all trades. Here, customers will find everything from American IPAs to Belgian-style wheat beers to fruity, sour mashes. Westbrook Brewing is particularly adept at taking traditional recipes and giving them delightful flavor infusions, such as key lime pie, raspberry, habanero pepper, lemongrass , and more. Each sip of Westbrook beer is exciting and imaginative.

The brewery's tasting room is open Tuesday through Saturday and maintains a weekly food truck calendar so guests can plan ahead. Previous food offerings have included Pizza da Michelino  Neapolitan pizza and Smash City Burgers . Visitors can purchase beer cans, bottles, and crowlers. They can even bring in their own growlers for refills. South Carolina residents should also be aware that Westbrook Brewing does make beer donations to local nonprofits, as well as charitable events whose full proceeds go towards a local cause.

Kane Brewing Company - Ocean, New Jersey

The Jersey Shore is known for many things — boardwalks, zeppoles, reality TV — but what people may not know is that it's also home to the award-winning Kane Brewing Company . Located in Ocean, New Jersey, Kane produces all types of beer, including stouts, porters, IPAs, hard seltzers, and Belgian-style ales.

The brewery's Night to End All Dawns imperial stout has taken home several medals, including gold in the Wood & Barrel-Aged Strong Stout category of the 2014 (via Men's Journal ) and 2020 (via Street Insider ) Great American Beer Festival, and gold in the same category of the 2016 World Beer Cup .

The brewery is open every day of the week for beer and retail sales, while visitors have access to Kane's indoor tasting room on weekends. New Jersey residents, as well as those who live in other select states, can also order beer cans, bottles, and even kegs online.

Tired Hands Brewing Company - Ardmore, Pennsylvania

Tired Hands Brewing Company mainly produces IPAs inspired by French, Belgian, and American beer traditions, and has  won several awards . Philadelphia Magazine named Tired Hands the best brewpub in 2014, and founding brewer Jean Broillet IV was a semifinalist for the James Beard Awards Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Producer category in 2016 (via Philly Voice ).

Tired Hands also has a record of donating to nonprofits such as The Humane League and Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia. The brewery has even crafted  charity beers with the intent to donate some of the proceeds. A portion of the profits from TransMissions triple IPA sales, for instance, went to Trans Lifeline to support trans people.

However, despite all these good deeds, there's been controversy regarding ired Hands' brewery management. Broillet stepped down from his role at the company after allegations of sexism, racism, and a toxic work environment surfaced, per Philly Voice .

Brooklyn Brewery - Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn Brewery is one of the most well-known and popular beer companies on the East Coast. Over the years, the brewery's iconic brick building has become a veritable institution in New York. Brewmaster Garrett Oliver was the first beer professional ever to receive the James Beard Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional award in 2014 (via Brewbound ), and the brewery's flagship Brooklyn Lager took home the gold at the 2018 World Beer Cup (via American Craft Beer ).

The brewing company's other selections include sour ales, IPAs, pilsners, and hard seltzers. One of their cornerstone beers is The Stonewall Inn IPA , honoring a partnership with the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, which supports LGBTQ+ people all over the world.

Sample Brooklyn Brewery's range of beers by visiting its spacious tasting room any day of the week (hours vary). Free hourly tours are available on Sundays, but private Small Batch Tours can also be booked during the week for a more in-depth experience.

Jack's Abby Craft Lagers - Framingham, Massachusetts

Those who wish to taste almost every lager imaginable should head to Jack's Abby, just outside Boston, where the brewers are quite obsessed with this type of beer. That passion has led Jack's Abby to win countless awards from the likes of the European Beer Star, the United States Beer Tasting Competition, the Great International Beer Festival, and more.

Lager lovers can visit Jack Abby's outdoor beer garden and indoor beer hall Wednesday through Sunday, where they will also find a full menu of German-inspired fare. (Schnitzel, anyone?) Tours set off at specific times every Wednesday and Sunday, so be sure to plan ahead and make a reservation.

For more experimental and barrel-aged brews, visitors will want to head to the taproom next door, Springdale . That facility has won awards in its own right, including gold at the International Beer Cup Japan.

Evil Twin Brewing - Queens, New York

Evil Twin isn't just a cool name for a brewery. Founder Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergso actually has a twin named Mikkel Borg Bjergso who runs his own beer company (via  New York Times ). Evil Twin Brewing NYC has two locations: one in Brooklyn and another in Queens . Both taprooms feature a variety of beers, including ​​oak-aged lagers, IPAs, sours, stouts, and more. Flavors range greatly, from wildflower and honey to stroopwafel and salted caramel.

As far as food goes, the Ridgewood, Queens, facility hosts a Claudia's Cafe pop-up Thursday through Sunday, which offers Guatemalan bites to hungry beer enthusiasts. The Brooklyn location is unique because it sells coffee and freshly-baked pastries. Those who don't have time to sit inside (a.k.a. most New Yorkers) can grab their morning coffee to go.

Collaboration beers with other breweries are also a big part of Evil Twin's identity. The company has crafted beer in partnership with other breweries on this list, such as Cigar City's Columella ale.

NoDa Brewing Company - Charlotte, North Carolina

This North Carolina brewery consistently produces award-winning beers that have earned prizes from prestigious competitions such as the Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup, and the U.S. Open Beer Championship. In addition to beer, the company also makes its own brand of hard seltzer,  Brizo .

NoDa has three locations around Charlotte: North End, The OG, and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. While The OG is reserved for producing small batch and wild fermentation beers, guests can head to the main brewery at North End to experience the taproom and beer garden. Visitors can take free tours of the brewery Friday through Sunday.

In acknowledgment of the fact that beer has calories, the NoDa Brewing Company also holds its own fitness events , including yoga and a weekly running group. The price of a yoga class gets participants a free beer, so you can rationalize that it all evens out.

Atlanta Brewing Co. - Atlanta, Georgia

Since its founding by a former Guinness executive in 1993, Atlanta Brewing Company has become a favorite brewery in the Southeast. Its first signature beer was the Red Brick ale, and they identified with it so much that it  changed its name to Red Brick Brewing Company for a while.

Some inventive brews are exclusive to its taproom , such as the Bikini Bottom pineapple sour ale and Bohemian Raspberry stout. When visiting the brewery in Atlanta, guests can sample any of the 20 beers on tap. While food trucks pull up from time to time, patrons can also order delivery from local restaurants.

Atlanta Brewing aims to be as sustainable and environmentally conscious as possible. The brewery has even partnered with the Georgia Aquarium — the biggest aquarium in the United States — to create aquatic-themed limited-edition releases. Previous brews such as the Whale Shark IPA and the Octopus brown ale helped raise money for conservation and research.

Highland Brewing Company - Asheville, North Carolina

Highland Brewing Co. made local history by being the first brewery to open in Asheville since Prohibition . More recently, founder Oscar Wong received the Brewers Association Recognition Award in 2020 for his pioneering work in the North Carolina beer scene.

Highland's taproom carries everything from American IPAs and porters to German-style pilsners (via Untappd ). But it's not just the beer that people come to see when they visit. The location boasts a vast meadow full of recreational activities, including walking trails, volleyball courts, and live music. Highland's private event spaces have also attracted a lot of positive attention over the years, with their Event Center and Barrel Room winning several Wedding Wire People's Choice awards. The brewing company also has a smaller taproom in downtown Asheville inside the S&W Market.

In an effort to maintain sustainability, the main brewery was made from a lot of repurposed materials. Broken kegs have been reused to make light poles, and shipping containers have been transformed into offices and bar space. The beer company also uses solar panels for energy.

Two Roads Brewing Company - Stratford, Connecticut

With an award-winning brewmaster at the helm (per Brewers Publication ), Two Roads Brewing Company has been captivating the attention of craft beer enthusiasts since its founding in 2012. The brewery is known for adventurous beers, like its fruit-forward IPAs and sour ales, as well as easy-to-drink lagers. Its second facility, Area Two Experimental Brewing, is essentially the brand's laboratory.

Both the main facility and Area Two have public taprooms, each with a distinctive beer list. Food trucks pull up to the main brewery almost daily, so guests can satisfy their hunger with bites from the likes of Urban Taqo, Wing It On, and more.

Two Roads has partnered with the University of Connecticut to bring locals a special TwoConn ale. Alumni, professors, and age-appropriate students can even find the beer at UConn sporting venues. Connecticut residents can find the collaborative brew on tap at Two Roads taprooms and at bars and restaurants across the state.

Union Craft Brewing - Baltimore, Maryland

This Baltimore brewery gets its name from the belief that beer is all about unity: that is, the union of proper ingredients and the union of people. On tap at Union Hall and Beer Garden is a collection of lagers, pilsners, IPAs, and other ales, including the brewery's very first Duckpin pale ale. The company has also been awarded medals for its German-style beers at the Great American Beer Festival (via DC Beer , Washington City Paper ).

Of course, another union worth talking about is that of beer and food. Thankfully, Union's taproom is also home to Well Crafted Kitchen , which provides guests with an array of snacks, pizzas , brats, and more. Those wishing to take a tour of the brewery can do so on Saturdays for $10 per person. That small fee not only gets you the tour but also a pint or flight of Union beer.

Whalers Brewing Company - South Kingstown, Rhode Island

Just west of Narragansett is Whalers Brewing Company, a brewery that has won numerous awards from the New York International Beer Competition, World Beer Championships, and other prestigious competitions. Head to Whalers to get a taste of its IPAs, ales, hard seltzer, and other flagship and seasonal releases. Its taproom is a playground for adults, featuring cornhole, giant Jenga, and pool tables.

The brewery doesn't make its own food, but it sometimes has food trucks offering everything from sandwiches to empanadas. On days when food trucks aren't available, Whalers encourages guests to order delivery directly to the brewery from a number of local spots, such as Chinese food from Jayd Bun or Mediterranean-inspired food from Gansett Wraps .

Whalers also hosts many different  events , including live music, paint night, and even an indoor cycling class. Reward yourself with a beer from the brewery after!

Oxbow Brewing Company - Newcastle, Maine

Oxbow Brewing Company is a truly enchanting farmhouse brewery in rural Maine. The company name was inspired by the many winding bends of the local rivers, which fit with brewers' philosophy of taking the long path — not the easy path — to brewing fine beers. The original Newcastle location and its rustic taproom are surrounded by walking trails, a scenic pond, and a fruit farm which is used to cultivate fresh ingredients for some of Oxbow's beers. The company's farmhouse ales take cues from European traditions, and are crafted with soft spring water from an onsite artesian well.

Oxbow also has two other locations. The Portland facility, known as Oxbow Blending & Bottling, is the home of the brand's sours and aged beers. The Portland taproom has a much more urban vibe, with rotating art galleries on display. The third location is the Oxbow Beer Garden in Oxford. Like the Newcastle brewery, this taproom is located on a beautiful patch of farmland. Here, patrons will find wood-fired pizzas, specialty crafted sodas, and more to satisfy their cravings.

Voodoo Brewing Co. - Meadville, Pennsylvania

The Rachocki brothers, who own Voodoo Brewing Co., just about emptied their bank accounts to build this brewing business. Now, they have an award-winning brewery franchise that has grown exponentially since its founding in Meadville, Pennsylvania, in 2005. Voodoo has taken its mission to craft bold and inventive beers outside of its home state, opening locations in Ohio, Indiana, and eventually a new tap room in Nevada.

Still, their original Meadville taproom remains open, and people can order from a full pub menu offering appetizers, seafood, pizza, salads, and sandwiches. (Penn State faculty and of-age students can also count themselves lucky, as they have their own Voodoo taproom just off campus.)

There is something for everyone on the Voodoo beer list, from Belgian-style ales to American porters to West Coast-style IPAs. The brand is instantly recognizable by its labeling, which features strange, brightly colored cartoons.

Tröegs Independent Brewing - Hershey, Pennsylvania

A self-described "wayward home for the perpetually curious," Tröegs Independent Brewing follows the Trogner brothers' ideas wherever they may lead. That's usually someplace good, seeing as how the brewery's  Troegenator double bock beer has won multiple awards from all sorts of international competitions. Other selections include chocolate stouts, citrusy pale ales, and German-style wheat beers, to name just a few.

Located down the road from the world-famous Hersheypark, Tröegs Brewery offers guided tours (which USA Today named one of the best in America), an extensive tap list, and a rather eye-popping food menu that offers everything from rosemary popcorn to duck confit . The brewery also hosts an annual Art of Tröegs contest, which sees fans submitting beer-themed artwork. The winner's piece is transformed into a beer label, while the artist also receives a cash prize and other fun brewery perks. 

Lawson's Finest Liquids - Waitsfield, Vermont

For a brewery that began in 2006  in a hand-built barn, Lawson's Finest Liquids has seen tremendous success. From the most humble beginnings, it's become not only a pillar for its community but a multi-award-winning business. Its brews have repeatedly medaled at the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival. It's also produced IPAs that have twice been named National IPA Champion (via Burlington Free Press ).

When Lawson's Finest Liquids opened its much larger Waitsfield location in 2018, it was finally able to establish an indoor taproom and outdoor beer garden. The brewery also offers appetizers and small plates such as nachos , pretzels, and locally-made artisan cheeses. Going up to Vermont for the weekend? Lawson's original brewhouse is now an Airbnb !

The enduring success of this independent Vermont brewery, they say , is a commitment to excellence, authenticity, fun, community, and innovation. To carry out this vision, Lawson's Finest established the Social Impact Program, which has raised over $1 million in the last several years for local organizations.

Hop Head Tours

Beer & Brewery Tours

Hop Head Brewery Tours

Do you want to see what’s brewing out there.

Hop Head Beer Tours creates road trips where you can sit back, relax and we’ll bring you to the craft beer and the east coast brewers that are making it… like a wine tour, but with craft beer!

We offer brewery, winery and distillery bus tours open to the public every week. Our small group bus tours will provide a fun, educational and safe way to visit multiple breweries, distilleries and wineries. Local tour pricing includes transportation on our 14 passenger bus, tours, samplings and/or drinks at every stop. We also provide bottled water and snacks on the bus. Not only will you learn about brewing, distilling and/or winemaking, you’ll get to hear about some local and general beer history in the US.

Join us as we explore the exciting craft beer movement, meet the owners, managers and staff who make it all happen every day, news and reviews, pub, restaurant, brewery and supplier profiles, entertainment, events and festivals.

What to Expect

In the tradition of the Grand Tasting, each attendee will be given a commemorative sampling glass and have the opportunity to try unlimited samples of approximately 100 craft beers from all over the Midwest and the country. Food will be available for purchase for all attendees and there will be a selection of retail vendors on-site. VIP attendees will have the first hour to themselves to sample these great brews.

All Attendees must show valid photo I.D at the door to be admitted. You must be 21 or older to attend this event. No Exceptions! No children, strollers, or pets are permitted. Proper identification is the responsibility of the attendee. Failure to present proper, valid photo identification (driver’s license or passport) will result in denial of entry with no refund offered.

Below is a list of our upcoming Public Tours. Don’t see a tour on the date you want to visit some breweries? Call today for our On-Demand Brewery Bus Tours. With a group as small as four, we can schedule a tour for you.

You will have the opportunity to try multiple amazing craft beers from each of our amazing stops during the tour, as well as get a VIP behind the scenes look at what it takes for these Local Craft Breweries to keep producing their delicious beverages to the masses!

What Our Tours Include

• Tour starts at noon on Saturdays .
• 2-3 samples at each tour stop are included.
• Souvenir Pint Glass
• VIP tour access of each brewery’s Brew System.
• We will spend about an hour at each location, 30mins for the tour/tasting and 30 minutes to explore the taproom.

We strongly recommend arranging a designated driver, or a taxi/uber, for the conclusion of the tour .

We just got back from Austin and of course, checked out Austin brewery tours . These guys do it right.

Behind the Scenes Look

Brewery Tours will bring you behind the scenes and show you our local breweries! We are currently touring major Breweries and we are expanding our tours regularly. Like us on Facebook for updates on all our new tour stops and events.

Private Brewery Tours

Have a large group, don’t want to spend the day with strangers, or want a more exclusive experience? Then a private tour is for you! Our private tours are great for Cooperate Events, Team Building, reunions, quality time with friends, or kick back and let us start off your Bachelor or Bachelorette parties right!

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USA TODAY 10Best

Go behind the stills on the 10 best brewery tours in the country

Best Brewery Tour (2024) March 8, 2024

The only thing better than sipping a pint of your favorite brew is getting a behind-the-scenes look at where it's made. To determine which breweries offer the best tour experiences, we asked a panel of beer experts to nominate their top brewery tours across the country. Then, our readers voted for their favorites. Here are the 10 best brewery tours in the United States.

No. 10: Samuel Adams - Boston, Massachusetts

Samuel Adams has long been a giant in the Boston beer scene, and visitors are invited to learn more about the history of the company and its famous Boston lager during 45-minute tours of the brewery. Other themed tours focus on cheese pairings and research and development.

No. 9: Stone Brewing - Escondido, California and Richmond, Virginia

San Diego's king of craft beer offers public tours of its Escondido, California, and Richmond, Virginia, production facilities. Beer experts lead visitors through the brewing facility and packaging hall while offering insight into the science of brewing and craft beer culture. Tours end with a tasting and include a souvenir glass.

No. 8: New Belgium Brewing Company - Fort Collins, Colorado & Asheville, North Carolina

Visitors to the New Belgium facilities in both Fort Collins and Asheville are in for a treat. Tours that last 90 minutes include beer sampling as well as stories of the brewery's history and a look at the facilities. After the tour, guests are invited to enjoy beers in the tasting room or grab a bite to eat from a rotating list of visiting food trucks. Free 45-minute Tour Teasers are also available, which include a tour of the Brewhouse and one beer sample.

No. 7: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. - Chico, California and Mills River, North Carolina

Sierra Nevada beer fans have the opportunity to tour brewing facilities in either North Carolina or California. During each 45- to 60-minute interactive tour, visitors trace the process from grain to bottle. Smell whole-cone hops, sample sugary wort, and finish with a guided tasting of Sierra Nevada beers. Beer Geek, Beyond the Pale, and other tours go further in depth.

No. 6: Bell's Brewery - Comstock, Michigan

Bell’s Brewery, one of the oldest craft breweries east of Colorado, started out with a 15-gallon soup pot in 1985. Today, visitors can tour the facilities at both the Comstock and Kalamazoo locations to learn more about the processes of brewing, fermentation, and packaging. Tours include complimentary samples.

No. 5: Spoetzl Brewery - Shiner, Texas

Spoetzl Brewery, the pride of Shiner, Texas, dates back to the early 1900s. Those who take the 45-minute brewery tour will be introduced to the history of Spoetzl, learn about the impact its success has had on the town of Shiner, and have the opportunity to witness the brewing process up close. Tour packages start at $25 per person over 21 years old and include complimentary pours of Shiner beer. 

No. 4: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery - Milton, Delaware

The first-come, first-served $5 tours of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery offer a laid-back journey through the working brewhouse for a chance to watch the magic happen. For beer lovers, Off-Centered tours go into the brewhouse, rackhouse, and R&D system, with stops for tastings along the way.

No. 3: Burial Beer Co. Forestry Camp - Asheville, North Carolina

Burial Beer Co. gives its tour-takers the chance to bring along a guest for free, if they're the designated driver. Of course, they won't get the free samples that everyone else does, but they will get the lowdown on the Asheville brewing scene and the history of Burial during this 1-hour experience. 

No. 2: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. - Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

Visitors to this Chippewa Falls brewery have a few options for tours. The hour-long Legacy Tour covers the 150-plus-year history of Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., with a stroll through the modern facilities and a visit to the Leinie Lodge. Or spend 90 minutes on a tour with the master brewer, 30 minutes exploring the Leinie Lodge Pilot Brewery, or 90 minutes learning about the history of the brewery and Chippewa Falls.

No. 1: Tröegs Independent Brewing - Hershey, Pennsylvania

Visitors to Hershey can enjoy a 1-hour guided production tour at Tröegs Independent Brewing. The experience includes a behind-the-scenes look at the mill room, hop cooler, brewhouse deck, fermentation cellars, and packaging lines. A welcome beer kicks off the exploration and three more samples are included.

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Dennis malcolm "ale" sharpton.

Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a...   Read More

Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger ( AleSharpton.com ), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday , Thrillist.com , Craft Beer & Brewing , CraftBeer.com , Theinfatuation.com , ButterATL.com , James Beard Foundation , Atlanta Magazine , and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes , Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting , and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether , which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys.  Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram ( @realalesharpton ).

Gary Monterosso

Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who...   Read More

Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who has written for national and regional publications. He is a regular guest on “You Oughta Know,” on WHYY-TV, a PBS station based in Philadelphia. Gary also hosts one-minute beverage updates on several southern NJ radio stations. From 2010-2017, he was seen on the History Channel show called “The Epic History of Everyday Things.” He is the author of the book, “Artisan Beers.” After a 41-year career as a NJ- based educator, Gary now teaches beer appreciation classes at Wilmington University. Gary has appeared on many television programs discussing craft beers and has guested on BBC radio offering an American perspective on the beverage. In late 2014, he lent his expertise to CBS News New York, by offering fall beer recommendations. One of the highlights of his career was a three-year stint on the Sirius Satellite Radio network, talking about the latest happenings in the beer world. In 2014, Gary was selected by Chilled Magazine to be a member of the “Chilled 100,” signifying him as one of the top 100 beverage personalities in the United States. He continues to be a fixture at regional beer events by hosting dinners and tasting seminars. He has qualified as a Certified Beer Server, a part of the Cicerone Certification Program, recognizing his knowledge of beer styles, culture, the brewing process and ingredients.

Jackie Dodd Mallory

Jackie Dodd-Mallory is a beer and food writer and...   Read More

Jackie Dodd-Mallory is a beer and food writer and photographer based in Seattle. She is the author of three best-selling cooking with beer cookbooks and the owner of  craftbeerphotography.com  you can find her on social media @TheBeeroness.

Dr. Mike Arra is the CBO (Chief Beer Officer) and...   Read More

Dr. Mike Arra is the CBO (Chief Beer Officer) and logistics guru of Bon Beer Voyage , an award-winning beer tour company for Belgian and Craft Beer Enthusiasts. Bon Beer Voyage was created by Mike and his wife, Ruth Berman, as the beer geek’s answer to wine snob tours- without the snob part.  They offer higher quality, small group, gourmet beer vacations (Beercations) both in the US and abroad; providing their guests with one-of-kind-experiences, sightseeing, great food, brewery insider visits and beer tastings. Mike is the head beer instructor for Bon Beer Voyage’s virtual and in-person beer tasting classes, sharing tastings and pairings with beer lovers from all over the world. Designer of the coveted Beercation app brewery and bar maps that are shared with Bon Beer Voyage’s Beercation guests,  he also serves as the beer guide for their Beercation beer hunting sessions. 

10Best Editors

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,...   Read More

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

Best Non-Alcoholic Wine

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Browse the best.

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Back to readers' choice.

• Baltimore , Bar Crawl , Boston , Philadelphia
• January 2, 2020

Best East Coast Beer Cities You Need To Explore

Love beer? Live on the East Coast? Here are the best beer cities on the east coast that you need to visit.

We have the perfect coastal pub crawl built for you – from North to South. All you need is some time, a couple tanks of gas, and an adventurous spirit. These are the must-visit cities on the East Coast for every beer lover looking to make a thirsty pilgrimage down I-95.

Portland, ME

Believe it or not, Portland has the highest breweries per capita in the United States – and some of the best restaurants to pair those beers with. Portland is no joke. With 17 (and counting) breweries pumping out some of the best brews in the world, Portland is a city on the rise. Nestled on the water, it’s a perfect place to spend the weekend hopping from pub to bar sampling some of the best microbrews in the country. Within a 5 mile radius you can visit Bissell Brothers (hazy New England IPA at its finest), Lone Pine (try their Oh-J double IPA), and Rising Tide (great session beer). Expect all three spots to be busy all day, every day.  But, wait in line you must.

In addition to these smaller breweries, don’t forget to visit the classics; Shipyard , Allagash , and – for those Trader Joe’s fans – Peak Organic brewing companies.  And, that’s just a taste of what Portland has to offer.  After your brew tour, settle in downtown at Gritty McDuff’s – they make their own beer, too – and their food is the perfect way to end a beer drinker’s dream day. Portland is a perfect start to your East Coast beer city tour!

No beer lovers pilgrimage is complete without a visit to the home of the original pilgrims!  You have all heard of Sam Adams and Harpoon – both solid breweries with very accessible beers. Let’s skip those for the moment – you can buy those almost anywhere and anytime.  Instead, it’s time to introduce you to some of the best breweries in and just outside of the Commonwealth. Check out of Nightshift’s three Boston-area locations (they are expanding to Philly very soon!). With rotating seasonals and year-round classics, Nightshift is one of the fastest growing microbrews in New England.

Where else do you absolutely need to visit?  How about Somerville’s Aeronaut Brewing Company’s “Hop, Hop and Away” and “A Year with Dr. Nandu” are IPA’s that are must-tries.  Check out Castle Island Brewing Company and sample their gold-medal winning Czech-style pilsner, Bohemian Shine. Not done yet? Stop by Trillium’s Taproom near Fenway Park. Famous for their IPAs, we actually recommend their sour beer and revolutionary pastry stouts.  Boston has never tasted so good! Drink up the beer – and if you’re in the mood – drink in the history !

Philadelphia, PA

Birthplace of the original lager and America’s oldest Brewery ( Yuengling ), Philadelphia is the crescent of liberty and a great beer city! Freedom never tasted so good! If you want to go back in time, you can visit the City Tavern in the Old City neighborhood. It’s a little touristy (with waitstaff in awkward period garb), but you can drink like the Founding Fathers and taste the ales and suds that they drank at this very pub 200+ years ago. Get ready to party like it’s 1773!

Looking for something more modern? Build your personal beer tour around 2nd Story Brewing , Yards Brewing Company (easy to get on tap, but worth seeing where the magic is made), and – if you don’t mind venturing outside the city limits – Tired Hands is well worth the drive! If you’re looking for a great spot to eat and sample these beers (and more), take your people to National Mechanics and stroll around Old City.  Looking to see all the sites AND drink some beer, check out Brews & Clues – a cool, trivia, bar crawl history tour that will have you tasting all the good beers and seeing all the Philly sites in Old town.

Baltimore, MD

You don’t need to drive far down I-95 for your next hidden gem. Baltimore isn’t often considered a mecca for beer drinkers, but don’t sleep on the Charm City. If you haven’t have a Natural Bohemian (Natty Boh!) yet – we highly recommend you grab some of this very drinkable regional beer as it’s hard to get anywhere outside of Maryland. We typically brick our trunk full of this beer whenever we visit – they are the brewery that invented the 6-pack. You can find it on draft just about everywhere, but we recommend grabbing some food at Nacho Mama’s before you head out on your brew tour!

Ready to drink? Here are the places that you absolutely must visit while in town!  First, check out DuClaw Brewing . They love to have fun with ingredients and offer some experimental options that will NOT disappoint.  Try the Sweet Baby Jesus (chocolate peanut butter porter) or anything in the Sour Me series. Our personal fave – the Dad Bod Double IPA.  Still thirsty? Next, be sure to grab beers from Heavy Seas, Full Tilt , and Union Craft (the Duckpin IPA is unreal!).

Pro tip – head to the Pratt Street Ale House in the shadow of Camden Yards and enjoy some brews from the local Oliver Brewing Company who specialize in English-style ales.  Looking for something that the locals love? Grab a Natty Boh draft (in a plastic cup) at Pickles Pub before you leave!

Feeling adventurous? Brews & Clues can show you the sites and tastes of Baltimore!

OK.  So, you may need to fly to your final city, but you can’t miss Tampa. Forget Busch Gardens and Disney – it’s time for Mom and Dad to have a drinking vacation, and Tampa is amazing place to try some of the best beers in the US. Tampa Bay has 20 legit quality breweries!  If your looking to sample a little bit of everything, then take yourself immediately to Ybor City . Start with a classy dinner at the Columbia – the country’s oldest continuously operated family restaurant – then drink your way down the street.

Looking for a quieter adventure? Check out Cigar City Brewing and sample their award-winning Jai Alai Ale – one of the hottest new beers around! Just around the corner, grab a pint at the aptly named Tampa Bay Brewing Company .  Across the bridge, Big Storm Brewing has a collection of award winning beers including their Helicity Pilsner and Belgian Single. The weather is perfect and so is the beer.  Enjoy.

We hope you enjoyed your East Coast beer drinking tour!

Want to explore a bit of everything? Try out Brews & Clues! We turn your phone into the city’s best tour guide. It’s a one of a kind experience that’s part pub crawl, trivia game, and history tour.  

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Brews & Clues believes that the world is better when you share it with friends.

PLAN YOUR USA CRAFT BEER BREWERY ROAD TRIP

If you’re looking for some of the best craft beer brewery road trips in the United States, look no further! With cool breweries from Boston to Ashville , North Carolina to Cleveland , and more, there’s certainly several you can include on your next brewery road trip.

Brewery Road Trip with the Best American Breweries

Table of Contents

East Coast Breweries

Trillium Brewing Company – Boston, Massachusetts

Our brewery road trip now takes us back to New England. Boston tends to have been “the first” for a lot of things in the U.S. and craft beer in Boston is no exception. Back in 1984, Sam Adams became one of the first craft beer breweries in the U.S., and the city has been producing tastier and more innovative brews ever since. That’s where Trillium comes in…

Located down a little alley on the edge of Southie, an unassuming sign adorned with a flower marks the entrance to Trillium Brewing Company. Its “taproom” is barely large enough for a dozen patrons to stand in. But a trip to Trillium isn’t about the atmosphere; it’s about having a pint of truly amazing beer.

In 2016, Trillium was rated the world’s third-best brewery. Let that sink in; this little three-year-old upstart in Southie beat out all those European breweries with hundreds of years of history and hard-to-pronounce names.

Not only that, three of Trillium’s IPAs – Congress Street, Summer Street, and Melcher Street – have been ranked as among the best beers in the world. Hopheads love them for the upfront bitterness, usually only present in West Coast brews, combined with bursts of citrus flavor.

In addition to their location in Southie, Trillium also operates a taproom in Canton and a summer beer garden on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and they’re in the process of building a much larger taproom just around the corner from their current location.

You can stay at the Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall after you have had your fill of Trillium’s world-class beer.

Ryan Victor blogs at Passions and Places .

Dirt Farm Brewing – Bluemont, Virginia

Our brewery road trip now takes us to the Mother of States. Dirt Farm Brewing in Bluemont, Virginia is somewhere where you can truly enjoy a brew with a view! The family-run brewery is set on a hill in Northern Virginia, with a stunning mountain vista. It’s based in Loudoun County, which is becoming a popular craft beer and winery destination; however, I must say, out of all the breweries I’ve tried in the area so far, Dirt Farm is the best all-around experience!

They grow their own hops and experiment with local produce in their beers.  The results are some absolutely delicious craft beers. It’s well and truly a farm to table brewery or, in their words, “plow to pint”! Alongside the beers, they serve delicious flatbreads and pretzel bites. Oh, and their merchandise is pretty cool, too, if you’re a country gal or guy!

If you visit, make sure you try the “Stout of Control” stout and one of their homegrown beers, which are chosen based on the best harvest crops that year. The family that runs Dirt Farm Brewing also runs a winery down the road (Bluemont Vineyard) and a Pick Your Own farm (Great Country Farms) across the way, so there’s definitely something for everyone in the area!

Kelly Mongan blogs at A Pair of Passports .

Lickinghole Creek Farm Brewery – Richmond, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia has become an East Coast craft beer mecca — and is the next stop on our brewery road trip. Full stop. That said, while urban craft beer breweries have taken over many corners of this historic city, what’s still rare in the Richmond area are farm breweries, like Lickinghole Creek Farm Brewery, located about 45 minutes from downtown Richmond in nearby Goochland County. If you make the drive out to their location, and journey down the long gravel road to the brewery, you’ll find yourself passing their hops, pumpkin, and other ingredient fields before you roll up to their warehouse. This sets the mood to truly appreciate their beers, made with as many fresh, local ingredients as possible.

Their tasting room is largely situated outside on a large patio and seating extends to an open field adjacent to the warehouse with plentiful picnic tables and corn hole boards, plus an area for kids to play. Whether you’re here for a wedding, their famous sunflower field, one of their festivals-slash-beer releases, or just to enjoy a nice night outside with your dog and kiddos, there’s a little something chill for everyone. Brews to try include the Enlightened Despot, Magic Beaver, Three Chopt Tripel, and many of their riffs on these core beers as well as their huge selection of seasonal varieties.

Luke and Meagan blog at Two Restless Homebodies .

Fullsteam Brewery – Durham, North Carolina

Head down south for the next stop on our brewery road trip. Located in Downtown Durham, Fullsteam is a big part of the community in the city and is recognized throughout North Carolina for its contributions. The owner, Sean Lilly Wilson, was behind the famed Pop the Cap movement which successfully led to the raising of alcohol limits and relatively freeing up brewers to make stronger beers.

Aside from his strong activism against limits, Wilson is also passionate about sourcing ingredients from local, organic farmers. Step inside the taproom and you’ll learn that “Plow to Pint” is more than just a sign or t-shirt. It’s the Fullsteam way.

They do brew new beers pretty regularly according to seasons, but their mainstays always seem to grow better after each sip or glass. My personal favorite is Rocket Science, a 7% American IPA that goes well with pretty much any meal. For starters, though, I think you should also grab a flight that’s served on a board shaped like North Carolina. That’ll give you a nice feel for five of their top-notch beers before moving on to Rocket Science or something else.

Carl Hedinger blogs at NC Tripping .

Sierra Nevada Brewery – Asheville, North Carolina

Our brewery road trip once again takes us down south. Sierra Nevada Brewery is one of the largest craft beer breweries in the United States, so it’s only fitting that they have a massive production facility to go along with their success! Their 185-acre campus in Asheville, North Carolina houses a massive 400-seat restaurant, outdoor dining terrace and beer garden, outdoor amphitheater, and an impressive and expansive brewhouse.

They offer a variety of tasting and tour options, but tours fill up quickly and reservations must be made online in advance. Of course, you always have the options to just grab a pint of their signature IPA or any one of 22 other options on draft and enjoy the stunning scenery of the western North Carolina mountains. I’m a big fan of their Kellerweis, which is one of the only American Hefeweizens made using the traditional Bavarian style of open fermentation. It was a refreshing addition to the live music that accompanied the warm summer air during our visit!

When you’ve had your fill, you can relax in your room at the Double Tree by Hilton Downtown near the River Arts District. Or try a more rustic stay at the Deer Run Cabin . And don’t forget to visit the Biltmore Estate in Asheville.

Sam and Toccara blog at Forget Someday .

Cerveceria La Tropical – Miami, Florida

In 1888, Cerveceria La Tropical was established in Havana , Cuba on the banks of the Almendares River. The brewery (“cerveceria” means brewery in Spanish) grew dramatically and by 1958 it supplied over 60% of all the beer produced in Cuba .

La Tropical was a must-visit destination with gardens, restaurants, dancing and, of course, beer. The future was bright. In 1959 the Cuban Revolution expropriated the brewery and the owners emigrated to Miami.

Over the next decades original family descendants fought to secure rights to the La Tropical brand and in 2021 La Tropical opened in Miami in the trendy Wynwood Arts District.

Cerveceria La Tropical offers a wide range of beers including the original from pre-revolutionary Cuba. How cool is THAT? Other selections include “Nativo Key” a refreshing IPA, and the high-octane double IPA appropriately named “Gasolina.”

The beautiful, tropical themed, full-service restaurant serves tapas to main courses, all with a nod to the brewery’s Cuban roots; black bean hummus, lager steamed mussels and citrus braised pork, just to mention a few delectable dishes. One mind-blowing take on a Cuban classic is a Cuban sandwich transformed into an empanada.

The desserts are, as they say, to die for. The individual dessert selections include some Cuban classics like coconut flan and flavored banana fritters, but the sampler, consisting of 4 small dessert selections is the star; think passion fruit and dark chocolate!

Set in Wynwood, one of Miami’s most interesting and artsy neighborhoods , La Tropical is a brewery destination with history and amazing food and drink. The décor is airy, artistically designed and tropical-themed with a stage for live music events.  A must stop on any U.S. brewery road trip and one of the best things to do in Miami.

Where to stay in Miami

Tampa Bay Brewing Company

Tampa Bay Brewing Company’s tag line is Beer is your friend. OK.  I’ll drink to that.

This Brewery/restaurant is in the iconic Centro Ybor, in the center of Tampa’s Ybor City. Here is a welcoming, cozy, neighborhood-type establishment with quality bar food and an excellent selection of beers.

The menu is varied: starters, pizza, burgers and satisfying entrees. But, really, it’s all about the beer. They brew lots of hop-centric IPAs and other premium craft beers on a constantly rotating basis so you can always have a new beer every time you visit.  Some of the beer names are…creative, Old Elephant Foot and Reef Donkey.    

TBBC is one of the areas oldest breweries. They have been family owned since 1995 and opened a branch in 2014 in Westchase.  They have live music on Fridays and an outdoor patio.

If you visit the Tampa area, you have to visit Ybor City, especially Centro Ybor. While there, don’t miss a stop at the Tampa Bay Brewing Company.       

Mid West Brewery Road Trip

Ellicottville Brewing Company – Ellicottville New York

So maybe it not EXACTLY in the Midwest, but it is closer to Ohio and  western Pennsylvania than it is to the east coast and is a better fit for the Mid West Brewery Road Trip.

Just a few miles north of Allegheny State Park ,  Ellicottville is a small village in western New York known for its ski slopes and called the Aspen of the East. Founded in 1820, the town has artsy shops and some really good dining options serving classic Americana fare; think bison burgers, ribs  and mac and cheese.  It is also home to one of the top breweries in the area, The Ellicottville Brewing Company or EBC.

EBC has wide and interesting collections of brews from lagers and ales to porters and stouts and everything in between.  The season selections are fun to try as are the popular releases with quirky names like Pumpkinville Latte Nitro Ale and Pineapple Upside Down Shake IPA.

A walk through the bar, indoor restaurant and brewery brings you to the outdoor German Beer Garden where you can create your perfect evening dining, tasting the beer samples and deciding which one is your favorite.

Talek blogs at Travels with Talek

4 By 4 Brewing Company – Springfield, Missouri

4 By 4 Brewing Company is hands-down my favorite brewery — and my favorite stop on our craft beer breweries road trip. This laid-back brewery is the perfect place to just grab a beer and spend time with your friends, family, or strike up a conversation with the bartender – it’s likely you’ll be talking to one owners. They’re always brewing up something special and unique, but my personal favorite is their Java the Kolsch. This coffee kolsch is incredibly flavorful, but light enough you’ll need at least one more. In addition to their exceptional brews, they have a wall of games, free popcorn and a Beer-it-4ward-Wall. Any patron can buy a beer for someone, then they put their name on the board. Normally it’s $5 for a beer, but if they will take a picture and tag the person and 4 By 4 Brewing to any social media, it will only be $4 at the time. How cool is that?

Paige Wunder blogs at For the Love of Wanderlust .

Badger State Brewery – Green Bay, Wisconsin

Our brewery road trip now heads north. If there’s anything the people of Green Bay, Wisconsin love more than the Green Bay Packers, it’s beer. A few years ago, a Green Bay local decided to take his love for craft brew and create what today is known as Badger State Brewery. Badger State offers an extensive list of creative, Wisconsin themed beers like “On Wisconsin Red Ale” and “Buzzy Badger Coffee Ale”, along with 24 local Wisconsin beers on tap.

But the beer at Badger State is just the icing on the cake. With a beer garden, taproom, and Barrel Haus event hall, Badger State is a venue for multiple events throughout the year. You can find larger, seasonal events like “Firkins in Fall” to smaller, mid-week activities like “Oysters and Beer Pairings” and “Yoga and Beer.” Pay a visit to Badger State Brewery and you get a taste of Wisconsin in every sense: community, fun, and really, really good tasting beer.

Great Lakes Brewing Company – Cleveland, Ohio

The next stop on our brewery road trip is one of the best craft beer breweries in the U.S., located in Cleveland, Ohio . Great Lakes Brewery in Cleveland not only serves up tasty craft brews, but each of the cleverly named beers and logo designs have a connection to the history in either Cleveland or the Great Lakes. You can find the beer in stores all across the country but actually going to the brewery in Cleveland is an experience of its own.

One of their brews is named after Eliot Ness, a famous prohibition officer who took down Al Capone in Chicago and later came to Cleveland. The actual bar in the Great Lakes Brewery has a real bullet hole in the wall by none other than Eliot Ness himself, a bartender will point it out during your visit.

Dining here is also a treat, all the food is farm to table, sourced from farms within 10 miles away. Great Lakes Brewery prides itself on its low waste solutions by sending all their restaurant scraps to compost. Ohio’s first microbrew is seriously cool inside and out.

Scott Herder and Megan Indoe blog at Bobo and Chichi .

Pacific Coast Brewery Road Trip

Pike Brewing – Seattle, Washington

Head to the Pacific Northwest to the next stop on our brewery road trip. The third microbrewery in Seattle, Pike Place Brewery, was founded by a beer-loving couple, Charles and Rose Ann Finkel in 1989. The name was inspired by the famous market in historic downtown Seattle which is also the location of this successful brewery. Today it is known as simply Pike Brewing but there is nothing simple about this iconic establishment. Over the years the Pike has grown to a 30-barrel brewhouse brewing 12,500 barrels of craft beer annually.

You can experience Pike Brewing through a brewery tour, the large, family-friendly Pike Pub, and the newest addition, the Tankard and Tun Restaurant. They even have a Microbrewery Museum where you can explore the history of beer and browse an impressive collection of beer art and memorabilia all with a pint in hand. Be sure to try some of the year-round favorites like Pike Space Needle IPA and Pike Kilt Lifter Scotch-style Ale. Depending on the time of year you can also get a taste of delicious seasonals like Pike Auld Acquaintance Holiday Ale and Pike Seafair Summer Ale.

Sarah Hughes blogs at Discover the Pacific Northwest

Top Rung Brewery – Lacey, Washington

Our brewery road trip starts at Top Rung Brewery in Lacey, Washington started as a dream for two firefighters. Friends and coworkers, they wanted an escape from their busy jobs and started brewing beers at home. Their love for beer finally turned into a real brewery in 2014. Top Rung is a 10 barrel craft beer brewery with a tasting room.

The owners both still work as firefighters and also work at the brewery. Top Rung partners with local food vendors and food carts and they also allow guests to bring food in. Top Rung has finally brought great craft beer to the South Sound area.

Tarah and Tip blog at FitTwoTravel .

Deschutes Brewery – Bend, Oregon

Founded in 1988, and the third stop on our brewery road trip, Deschutes Brewery (pronounced “duh – shoots”) makes some of my favorite craft beer in the United States. They grew from what was once just a brew pub in Bend, Oregon, into the 8th largest brewery in the U.S., with a brewery in Bend, a brew pub in Portland, and a new location on the East Coast in Virginia.

In Oregon, everyone knows Deschutes, and it’s quickly becoming available throughout the U.S. They brew 8 year-round beers, plus a handful of special reserves and seasonals, like my favorite Jubelale, which is a bold, complex winter ale.

A special feature of Deschutes is the way they name their beers after local landmarks, like Black Butte Porter. Deschutes itself is named after a river, a county and a National Park in Oregon. Black Butte (pronounced beaut) is a popular hiking spot in the national park. If you like whisky, Deschutes now makes a Black Butte whisky from this popular beer.

We typically visit the brew pub, so we can sit down for a beer and food pairing. Both locations have a Pacific Northwest feel and enjoyable atmosphere. They are always completely packed, as a testament to their popularity. At the Bend tasting room, they offer regular tours throughout the week. In an industry that often ends up being owned by conglomerates and big business, Deschutes stands firm as a 100% family- and employee-owned company.

Laura Lynch blogs at Savored Sips .

Russian River Brewing Company – Santa Rosa, California

Our brewery road trip now takes us to Wine Country! Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, California is one of the most important craft beer breweries in the history of craft beer. The brewery was opened in 1997 by Vinnie Cilurzo, who was the brewer who first created the now-ubiquitous double IPA. Russian River is now famous for both their strong IPAs as well as their Belgian-style & barrel-aged beers. The famous Pliny the Elder is a double IPA that has always been rated as one of best beers in the world. It will always be a classic, no matter what new beers are released elsewhere.

The city of Santa Rosa hosts the annual release of Pliny the Younger, Russian River’s triple IPA. For two weeks each February, beer fans from all over the world line up for a chance to try the rare beer. If waiting in a line like that isn’t of interest to you, Russian River still has great beer & food all year long. Most importantly, Russian River is a pillar of the community in Santa Rosa. Following the tragic fires in the area, Russian River organized a fundraiser called “Sonoma Pride” that generated over $1 million to help the local community.

The Ultimate Island Brewery Road Trip

Kona Brewing Company – Hawaii

The next stop on our brewery road trip is in Hawaii. Kona Brewing Company was started in spring 1994 by a father and son team, followed by a pub in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island. Kona’s year-round beers include Big Wave Golden Ale, Longboard Island Lager and Fire Rock Pale Ale. All three are very popular on the islands of Hawaii. Additionally, Kona Brewing Company has three rotating seasonal brews in their Aloha Series including Koko Brown, Wailua Wheat and Pipeline Porter.

Kona Brewing Company distributes its beers in 36 states and 10 different countries, which is an amazing, given the fact that they brew on Big Island. Design of the bottles is especially young and modern. Also, a tour of the brewery in Kailua-Kona is good fun. It takes about one hour and can be topped by a meal in their own pub. A nice additional fact is that Kona Brewing Company supports some community events on the islands, including surf and events and more.

Clemens blogs at Travellers Arch

Want to know more about the perfect brewery road trip and to learn about craft beer breweries? Can’t get enough of it? Want to cook with it, read about it, learn about its history? Try these books.

If this list of craft beer breweries in the U.S. appeals to you, you might like these posts (especially if you’re also a fan of good wine and food!):

11 Outstanding Wine Regions of the Americas

World’s Best Street Food in Amazing Cities

26 Authentic Ethnic Restaurants in New York City A to Z

Famous Places to Eat in New York City Without Going Broke

Which is your favorite craft beer brewery road trip? We’d like to know.

BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful,  money-saving links  to book your trip:

• Research and  book your flight  with  Skyscanner . I have found them to be the best because they list all airlines including the budget ones. You are always sure of having researched all options.
• For  car rental around the world, Discover Cars has flexible pickup and drop-off options, I recommend   Discover Cars .
• Book your accommodation  with  Booking.com . I find they have a wide selection and a nice, user-friendly, transparent website.
• Protect your trip  and, more importantly, protect yourself with travel insurance. I use  Travelinsurance.com  and have been very happy with them.
• Looking for a  small group tour  to unforgettable destinations with top professionals?  Intrepid Trave l is your choice.
• For more  general tours  to any destination or attraction,  book with   Viator . Check them out.
• Need a visa?   Get your visa  for all countries with   Passport Visa Exp ress.
• Looking for a cool walking tour to explore a city? My favorite walking tours are offered by Take Walks.
• Food and drink tours are the best way to enjoy a city. And Devour Tours are my favorite.
• Looking for a good VPN to protect your security, privacy and freedom online while traveling? Nordvpn is your best option.
• The best and most economical way to stay connected while traveling is with an Airalo eSIM.

I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.

Talek Nantes

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The 14 Best Brewery Tours in the United States

words: Nick Hines

photo: Sweetwater Brewing Co.

It’s hard to beat getting a beer right from the source. The flavors are simply more intense from beers kegged and canned days or even hours before consumption. Being at the source also has another added benefit: brewery tours.

Not every brewery offers brewery tours. For the ones that do, the behind-the-scenes view can be an unbeatable experience in beer appreciation (not to mention all the free samples). From California to New York, here are the best breweries to visit for a look at how the best craft beers are made.

Boulevard Brewing Co. in Kansas City, Missouri

Boulevard has three levels of tours : free public tours, the smokestack tour and tasting, and the private tour. The hour-long free tour gives you a behind-the-scenes look at one of Missouri’s best breweries, as well as a bit of history. Shell out some money for a tour, and you can get a two-hour guided tasting and food pairing (the smokestack), or a personalized tour with two full pints (the private tour).

Maui Brewing Co. in Kihei, Hawaii

Not everyone gets a chance to make it out to the Hawaiian islands. But if you do, you should visit Maui Brewing Co. Daily 45-minute tours lead people through the brewery, the cellar, and the packaging line for $15. Then there’s a tasting of Maui Brewing’s flagship beers at the end, a full beer of your choice, and a free souvenir glass.

Tröegs in Hershey, Pennsylvania

Like doing things at your own pace? Tröegs is the brewery tour for you. The self-guided tour path through the brewery lets people wander through the fermentation/filtration hall, the quality lab, packaging lines, and the barrel-aging room. Best of all, it’s free. For something a little more, there’s a $5 guided tour that includes a few samples and a souvenir glass.

Sweetwater in Atlanta, Georgia

Sweetwater Brewing knows how to party. Every half hour from Wednesday to Sunday there are  $12 tours  that include a souvenir pint glass and six 6-ounce samples. Walking through someone’s place of employment couldn’t be more fun.

Stone Brewing Company in Escondido, California

Stone has tours at all three of their breweries (Escondido, Richmond, Virginia, and Berlin, Germany). The tour of Stone’s home state of California is the one you don’t want to miss. For $3, you can get a souvenir tasting glass and four 4-ounce samples of beer. One of those samples is a special release beer.

Sierra Nevada in Chico, California

Sierra Nevada’s brewery in Chico has every level of tour you could imagine. There’s the self-guided tour to explore at your leisure, the educational tasting tour that only takes 30 minutes, an engineering tour, a three-hour beer geek tour, a sustainability tour, and the standard brewhouse tour.

Anchor Brewing in San Francisco

America’s first and oldest craft brewery only offers two tours a day , and only on weekdays. But don’t mistake the scarcity for quality. The tour lasts an hour and a half and includes a brief story of Anchor’s long history, a walk through of the brewery’s three floors, and a tasting session.

Allagash Brewing in Portland, Maine

Allagash offers a free tour that includes four 3-ounce pours of beer. And while it’s hard to beat free beer, the Grand Cru Tour is something to behold. It’s three hours long, and guests get in-depth knowledge about the brewing process — blending and brewing, quality control, and tasting beers straight from the barrel.

Abita in Abita Springs, Louisiana

Louisiana’s top craft brewery offers $5, 30-minute tours that include 4-ounce pours. There’s also free self-guided tours where visitors get to look over the brewery tanks. Whichever one you choose, you know there’s going to be delicious Abita beer waiting for you at the end.

Bell’s Brewing in Kalamazoo, Michigan

The original Bell’s brewery in Kalamazoo is historic. It’s also right next to the General Store — the beer garden at the Eccentric Café. After the tour through the brewery, relax and pick up a pint from the more than 40 different beer options on tap.

Samuel Adams in Boston, Massachusetts

Samuel Adams Boston Lager helped kickstart the craft beer movement. Today, Boston Beer Company is one of the biggest in the country. The first-come, first-serve tours give you an inside glimpse into how that all happened. There’s also the Morning Mash-in Tour, where you can go in early and taste exclusive experimental beers.

Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, Delaware

Dogfish Head’s free, hour-long tour shows visitors how the beer is made and gives some history of the people behind 60 Minute IPA. Also, you get four healthy samples. If you go on the more involved Grain to Glass tour, you’ll also learn about the Dogfish Head distillery, where vodka and rum are made.

Brooklyn Brewery in Brooklyn, New York

Making it into the Brooklyn Brewery tour in the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn can be a challenge, but it’s a challenge with a worthy reward. The Small Batch Tour gives visitors a chance to see what it takes to be one of the largest craft brewers in the United States.

New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado

The 100 percent employee-owned New Belgium Brewery offers free 90-minute tours . Samples are included, but look ahead on your schedule if you’d like to get a look inside because the tours fill up quickly.

Published: March 29, 2017

• The 14 Best Brewery Tours in the United States | VinePair
• https://vinepair.com/articles/14-best-brewery-tours/
• wbs_cat Beer, wbs_brand Abita, wbs_brand Allagash Brewing Company, wbs_brand Anchor Brewing Company, wbs_brand Bell\'s Brewery, wbs_brand Boulevard Brewing, wbs_brand Brooklyn Brewery, wbs_brand Dogfish Head Brewery, wbs_brand Maui Brewing, wbs_brand New Belgium Brewing, wbs_brand Samuel Adams, wbs_brand Sierra Nevada Brewing, wbs_brand Stone Brewing, wbs_brand SweetWater Brewing Company, wbs_brand Tröegs, beer, craft beer, Travel
• Dive Into Summer With Riva de la Rosa White Wines | VinePair
• https://vinepair.com/articles/dive-in-to-summer-with-riva-de-la-rosa-white-wines/
• Laura Linder
• wbs_cat Wine, wbs_type frascati, wbs_type Gavi, wbs_type Sauvignon Blanc, wbs_type Verdicchio, wbs_brand Riva de la Rosa, chilled white wine, food pairings, frascati, italian wine, Italy, Riva de la Rosa, sauvignon blanc, verdicchio

The Best East Coast Breweries To Visit This Summer

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There's no better time to indulge in ice cold beer than the summer months. Beers are great to take to the beach, drink at barbecues, casually by the pool or just chilling with your friends. The only thing that's better than drinking the frothy beverage is actually experiencing the process of making it. By visiting breweries, you gain insight, knowledge and appreciation for some of your favorite brews. Tours are also a great activity to do with a group of friends and doubles as a fun summer date idea as well. We've rounded up the best breweries on the East Coast to visit now.

[Photo via @yorkshiregreywc1 , @brooklynbrewery ]

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The Best Breweries To Visit Across The US

If you're a fan of craft beers and refreshing brews, these are the best breweries to visit across the United States that absolutely need to be on your bucket list pronto. Whether you're situated on the East Coast, the West Coast, or anywhere in between, there are so many awesome breweries to check out, each with its own special qualities, tastes, and stories you'll fall in love with. And, of course, there will be excellent beer.

So pick out one or more of your favorite destinations, grab your buds, and head out for a cold brew. We here at Tasting Table did all of the research for you, and you will be more than pleased with any one of the locales we have listed. Whether you choose one of the breweries close to home or one in a state that you've never been to before, you are surely in for a real treat.

Pelican Brewing Company in Pacific City, Oregon

If you love good beer, the beach, and beautiful sunsets, you will absolutely fall in love with Pelican Brewing Company , situated steps away from the surf in Pacific City, Oregon. As a matter of fact, Pelican Brewing was "born at the beach," according to the brewery . Featured as a bucket list brewery you should "at least visit once" by Cool Material , this spot that's filled with good vibes and sips will not disappoint.

Imagine tasting some of Pelican Brewing's Kreamsicle IPA — which highlights flavors of vanilla and tangerine, in addition to Eldorado and Lotus hops — or ordering some Updrift to enjoy while watching the sunset with your favorite person. And it's sure to be great-tasting, too. Pelican won a silver medal for their Updrift IPA at the Great American Beer Festival , going up against some of the top brewers across the globe in 2020. So, you know it's a must-try.

You can also join Pelican Brewing Company's Mug Club , where you'll receive a handcrafted mug that you can bring to each and every visit to a Pelican Brewing location. In addition to Pacific City, the brewery also has locations in Cannon Beach and Tillamook.

Bad Martha in Edgartown, Massachusetts

Real talk: If you've never been to Martha's Vineyard, visiting Bad Martha  in Edgartown is one pretty awesome reason to plan a vacay as soon as possible. Not only is the beer at Bat Martha thirst-quenching and delicious, but Martha's Vineyard is breathtakingly picturesque. The brewery itself is surrounded by flowers, plantings, and beautiful grasses, further amping up the stunning visuals of the area. As a matter of fact, the brewery is part of an actual nursery. 

While you're at Bad Martha, there are outdoor games to be played, live music to be listened to on weekends, and an amazing menu that'll make your mouth water. If you're hungry, you can order charcuterie , cheese platters, crudités, and other goodies. Order up a flight of beer to taste, and pick up some growlers to enjoy on your own the next day.

Bad Martha claims they believe in three things: great beer, getting bad, and doing good. Makes perfect sense, right? In addition to earning tons of five-star Yelp reviews for being awesome, Bad Martha Farmer's Brewery was featured in a list of 35 top breweries in the United States by  USA Today . So, take an island vacation to visit Martha. Word on the street is she's the coolest.

Brooklyn Brewery in Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn Brewery , located in the one and only Brooklyn, New York, opened its doors in the Williamsburg section of the borough  in 1996 . At that time, it was an affordable area for artists to live, and the trendy brewery is known to have revamped the neighborhood (via VinePair ). Brewmaster Garrett Oliver is always brewing something awesome and he and his team are super creative with the brews. You can check out their fun tasting room for a tour or simply grab a beer with friends and relax. Another fun fact about Brooklyn Brewery has to do with its iconic label that's low-key bursting with New York and American pride. According to VinePair, the artist behind the label is Milton Glaser, who also happens to be the designer of the ultra-famous "I [Heart] New York" logo (via Museum of the City of New York ). 

Once you're there, be sure to check out Brooklyn Brewery's year-round brews, like its Brooklyn Lager, Bel Air Sour, Stonewall Inn IPA, or Pulp Art Hazy IPA. Or, sip Brooklyn Brewery's seasonal brews, which often include its Brooklyn Summer Ale, Brooklyn Oktoberfest, Post Road Pumpkin Ale, or Brooklyn Winter Lager. Brooklyn Beer also offers limited selections, such as Brooklyn Black Ops, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Black Is Beautiful, and Brooklyn To Tokyo Yuzu Sour.

New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, Colorado

If you're going to be in the Fort Collins, Colorado area, you'll definitely want to make a brewery stop at New Belgium Brewing . There always seems to be something fun going on at New Belgium, like getting your brunch on at their Sunday brunch series or jamming out to the venue's Friday night music series. Be sure to grab something to pair with your brew from the food trucks that serve up delicious eats just outside the brewery. Examples include Corndoggies (aka an artisan corndog food truck), Mac'n (a mac and cheese food truck), Fat Tomato (a taco, nachos, Cubanos , and burritos food truck), and Rollin' Stone (a pizza truck). 

Of course, you have to check out what's on tap at New Belgium where the great brews are always flowing. Their Summer Bliss is a tropical wheat ale made with lemon and mango, while the Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA is packed with bright tropical aromas and has a refreshing citrus flavor. If this isn't enough to convince you about how much you'll love this brewery, friendly leashed pups are welcome to join in on the brewery fun on the patio and inside the taproom. New Belgium is one of the "25 Most Important American Beers Of All Time," according to VinePair , while their Sour IPA won a 2020 bronze award at the Great American Beer Festival . 

Jester King Brewery in Austin, Texas

Jester King Brewery , located in the picturesque hills of Austin, Texas, has some really cool brews, like their 10 Year Anniversary Dry-Hopped Farmhouse Ale with Oats and Triticale, and their New Clear Fishin'. They're serving up seriously delectable menu items such as smoked chicken, homemade pizzas, and Bavarian pretzels. Or how about grabbing some sweet strawberry peanut butter and jelly cookies to pair with your sips? 

One of the best features of this brewery is its nature trail. You can buy your favorite brew and then enjoy all of the natural grandeur that surrounds the brewery. Jester King's nature trail is open every day from eight until dark. The next best thing about Jester King is how much they value their community. Every month, they pick a local nonprofit and volunteer for the cause, like helping to sort food at a local food bank. Frankly, we love everything about this brewery, and you will, too.

The Good Society in Seattle, Washington

Voted 2020 small brewpub of the year at the Great American Beer Festival (via The Seattle Times ), The Good Society is a small brewery located in West Seattle, Washington. They believe "together is better," and so they clearly believe in their community and enjoy doing good things for it. In fact, with every pint that they sell, they donate part of the purchase to a local nonprofit organization. 

They have a really epic beer and cider tap list, too, where you can order their Hausbier, a refreshing and crisp German ale. You could also go for their Dark Days Oat Stout with notes of roasted malt, dried fruit, and chocolate. While you're sippin' and soaking up the good times, you can share a brewer's board of tasty snacks with your best mates, complete with rosemary crisps, salami, cheeses, and olives. Or why not a white basil pizza with goat cheese, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil?

If you need any more convincing to check out The Good Society in person, the brewery was included in USA Today 10Best 's list of best new breweries of 2021.

The Alchemist in Stowe, Vermont

The family-operated  The Alchemist  brewery is located in the charming New England ski town of Stowe, Vermont. It is the perfect treat to visit as you're in town on a snowy weekend or enjoying a summer getaway. If you're an Alchemist fan, you've likely tasted their flagship IPA Heady Topper. If you haven't tried it yet, you absolutely must give it a go, along with their Focal Banger, its unfiltered and refreshing IPA. This brewery is also well known for its fun labels. The Heady Topper artwork, for example, was created by musical artist Dan Blakeslee (via Burlington Free Press ). The brewery also features original artwork throughout its taproom.

Not only is The Alchemist popular for its awesome brews, but the brewery was also the recipient of the Spirit of ADA award for being "an inspiration and role model to all Vermont employers," according to Rose Lucenti, chairperson of the Vermont Governor's Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities (via NECN ). The Alchemist was given kudos for creatively working with employees who have physical or intellectual disabilities to help them perform their job. It just makes us love this brewery even more.

Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, Delaware

Dogfish Head Brewery  is a pretty big deal. In fact, it's the 12th biggest brewery in the U.S. (via VinePair ). Starting out in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Dogfish Head also has a campus, distillery, tasting room, and kitchen to check out in Milton, Delaware, while the tasting room is open a full seven days a week. You can find Dogfish Head in all 50 states of the U.S., too. As a matter of fact, on their website, you should check out their interactive "Fish Finder," where you can enter your fave brew, spirit, or cocktail, and they will let you know where you can find one within a certain number of miles. Now, how convenient is that?

This brand's brews have earned a ton of widespread love, which will certainly entice you even more to visit the next time you're in town. Dogfish Head's 75 Minute IPA was dubbed as one of the  " 21 beers to drink in 2021" by MassLive.com , their SeaQuench Ale Session Sour Beer was named as one of the best sour beers to drink by The Spruce Eats , and the brewery's 120 Minute IPA was listed as one of the  " best triple IPAs recommended by brewers" via  VinePair . That's nothing to sneeze at.

Lost Coast Brewery in Eureka, California

On the West Coast in Eureka, California, you can and absolutely should seek to find Lost Coast Brewery . This award-winning brewery was started by a former Avon representative, Barbara Groom , who traded in her makeup samples for making beer. In six years' time, she turned her love of brewing beer into a business that has become so popular, it became too big for its first two locations (via Brewbound ). Their Eureka, California location is now serving up refreshing brews, and it's an awesome spot to kick back and relax while you're sipping.

Their website claims that "home is where the beer is brewed," and you will definitely feel right at home checking out Lost Coast Brewery. They even have nonalcoholic Lost Coast Root Beer on tap for anyone who's underage, in addition to root beer floats and ice cream in an array of delicious flavors. From their Madagascar vanilla oak-aged bourbon imperial stout to their hazy IPA, this brewery stop is full of fun for everyone.

Two Roads Brewing in Stratford, Connecticut

There's so much to love about this hip brewery. And if you're a Robert Frost fan, you'll love this story. "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference," wrote Frost somewhere around 1916, and that's where the name for the  Two Roads  brewery came from (via VinePair ).

Besides the great beer, Two Roads Brewing in Stratford, Connecticut holds some pretty awesome events, including an Ok2berfest every fall, where each ticket holder receives a celebratory beer stein. As if this event couldn't get any sweeter, they give you your first brew for free. Get ready to post with an inflatable pretzel and your stein and say próst!

This brewery was given a thumbs up from plenty of TripAdvisor  reviews as well as being voted one of the best breweries in Connecticut by  Bison Brew . They also received the honor of joining the best of Connecticut's breweries, as granted by newstimes . In addition to an extensive line of brews, you can check out their food truck schedule or go right across the street to PizzaCo to grab an amazingly cheesy, "garage fired" pie. And if you're feeling like brewery hopping, check out their  Area Two Experimental Brewing  project for their sour beers, conveniently situated right next door.

Lazy Magnolia in Kiln, Mississippi

If you love "great beer, great music, and all things Southern," well, then you're totally going to love Lazy Magnolia . This brewery is the oldest packaging brewery in Mississippi and the very first to exist after Prohibition came about in the state in 1907. Lazy Magnolia has quite a lot of fun going on, including trivia nights, wings and karaoke, live music, and even a Saturday brunch event dubbed "Eggs & Kegs." 

When you're there, be sure to visit the brewery's Back Porch, their taproom. It's surrounded by gorgeous magnolia trees, of course, which is how Lazy Magnolia got its name. Kick back and order yourself a bratwurst served on a pretzel bun alongside chips and a pickle. Of course, we can't forget about the beer! Be sure to check out the brewery's Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale, which pairs well with chocolate, burgers, or steak, or a Cream Stout, which Magnolia recommends pairing with oysters or BBQ.

This brewery has received a plethora of rave reviews on TripAdvisor. As one reviewer wrote , "This is a great place to sample some of the best craft brews in Mississippi, grab a sausage and cheese plate, find some great conversation and walk away feeling like family. And you can bring your dog!"

US Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting Guide

Table of contents.

Looking for the ultimate sake tasting experience? Scheduling a brewery tour or visiting a tasting room near you may be easier than you think.

A growing number of U.S. sake breweries are popping up and making sake that rivals famous brands from Japan. This post will explore some of the elite, small “kura” that offer tours. You’ll also discover a bunch more that offer casual dining and drinking experiences.

Let’s start by exploring what sake pros already know: sake brewery tours are so much fun!

Visiting a sake brewery

Sake breweries are where the magic happens. Visiting one should be near the top of any sake enthusiast’s to do list. Tours are both educational and entertaining. Once you’ve experienced a kura from the inside, you’re likely to want to visit more. They’re all different, and you’ll always learn something new. (Although, it wouldn’t hurt to brief yourself on the basics of sake before you go.)

Historically, this hasn’t been hard to do. Many breweries big and small offer tours to both professionals and enthusiasts. But now, unfortunately, sake brewery tours are another victim of the pandemic. Visiting Japan has become challenging at best, with in-person tours and events often cancelled.

Luckily, there are still options. For one, you no longer have to travel to Japan to visit a quality sake brewery. The number of craft sake breweries in the U.S. are increasing rapidly. And they’re popping up all over the country, with some of these tiny kura offering tours.

Many of the safety issues plaguing the brewery industry in Japan are relevant in the U.S. But I’m optimistic that things will eventually get better. With that said, there are a few COVID considerations to be mindful of when visiting a sake brewery.

Safety, flexibility and brewery tours

Most of the craft sake breweries in the U.S. are tiny, and they will often have few, if any, staff. So it can be difficult or impossible for some companies to offer tours.

The ebb and flow nature of the pandemic has made it hard for breweries to schedule tours and events. Even breweries that normally offer tours may temporarily discontinue them during periods of heightened safety risk. So be patient and considerate of these facts when planning a visit.

You’ll also want to bring masks and maintain a safe distance when possible. Some states or establishments may also require proof of vaccination.

With all that in mind, let’s look at some of the top U.S. breweries offering tours.

Best sake breweries with tours

There are a number of excellent craft brewers that don’t offer public tours (like Arizona Sake and Den Sake Brewery ), and that’s OK. There are also quite a few promising new kura that have more experimental styles. I don’t include these mostly because I haven’t tried them yet, so the criteria I chose are generally small kura that focus mostly on traditional brewing.

So let’s start with the most famous American craft sake brewery.

Brooklyn Kura

Brooklyn Kura is easily the best known craft sake brewery in the States. Brian Polen and Brandon Doughan started it in 2018 in Industry City of Sunset Park.

Certainly, their location was smart. Over 20 million people live in the New York City metro area and three times that many tourists visit annually.

But their success comes down to quality. Brooklyn Kura produces delicious, traditional styles of sake. The sake I’ve tasted from there holds its own against similar styles from Japan.

If you want to tour Brooklyn Kura, you’ll have to first be a Kura Kin member, and then contact them to make an appointment. But you don’t have to be a member to enjoy their sake! Simply swing by for a tasting at their sleek taproom. They’re typically open Friday through Sunday. Check out their website for hours of operation.

Finally, Tippsy carries Brooklyn Kura sake , as well. So you don’t have to travel to New York to try one of America’s best sake brands.

North American Sake Brewery

North American Sake Brewery , or NAS, is another East Coast craft kura worth checking out. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, they’re a short road trip away from Washington D.C., Baltimore, Richmond, and Norfolk. NAS was founded in 2016 by Jeremy Goldstein and Andrew Centofante.

Like Brooklyn Kura, North American Sake Brewery brews a number of traditional sake grades and styles. They also regularly produce limited-edition sake that are seasonal and playful.

Private brewery tours can be scheduled by emailing [email protected]. And after your tour is finished, you’ll want to check out their tasting room, which has an impressive food menu, all of the brewery’s fresh sake and a solid beer list. Their patio is also dog-friendly!

Tahoma Fuji

On the West Coast, there is a relatively high density of sake breweries. Among them, Seattle’s Tahoma Fuji Sake Brewing Company is my favorite. The name is a combination of Mount Fuji and Tahoma which is an original name for Mount Rainier.

Andy Neyens, the brewery’s “toji” and founder, built his microbrewery in his backyard in the Ballard neighborhood. He honed his sake brewing skills at the Fumigiku Brewing Company and Masuda Brewing Company in Toyama, Japan. It’s probably no surprise, then, that the sake from Tahoma Fuji tastes like it came from Japan—super fresh!

While many large and mid-sized sake breweries are essentially factories, Tahoma Fuji feels like a church. It’s small and unassuming from the outside but beautiful and airy inside. It has vaulted ceilings, lots of cedar, and shafts of light shining onto the stainless steel equipment. The passion for sake brewing is obvious the moment you step into this space. Andy does almost every brewery task himself, including tours. So try to plan well in advance. Check out Tahoma Fuji’s website to schedule a visit or reach out to Andy on Instagram or Facebook .

There is no tasting room or food at the brewery, but Ballard is loaded with excellent restaurants.

Sequoia Sake

Moving south, California is the heart of America’s sake brewing industry. There are a handful of breweries, big and small, high quality water and lots of rice production. Sequoia Sake of San Francisco is easily one of the most exciting craft kura in the Golden State.

Sequoia Sake was founded by Jake Myrick, Noriko Kamei and Warren Pfahl in 2015. But the brewery had a more humble origin. Jack and Noriko were unable to find their favorite style of sake, “nama genshu”. At the time, this unpasteurized and bold type of sake was rarely exported. So they set out to make their own.

Fast forward to today, and Sequoia is establishing itself as one of America’s premier craft kura. The brewery and couple were even featured on The Migrant Kitchen .

There are several ways to visit the Sequoia Sake Brewery. First, every Saturday there is a public tasting. Club members can schedule a free tour during this tasting as part of the club package. Another way to tour the brewery is through a paid private tour . These can be scheduled any day other than during the Saturday public tasting. Finally, Sequoia also offers virtual tastings and tours .

Other breweries with tasting rooms

Just want to hang out next to a brewery and taste their sake? There are a lot of American sake breweries that offer tasting rooms—and many of these have food!

If you’re in the Portland, Oregon, area, check out the tasting room at SakéOne in Forest Grove. You can try the sake they brew on-site and the brands they import from Japan.

Back in California, the famous Gekkeikan brewery of Fushimi, Kyoto , set up shop in Folsom. Their tasting room and reception area is beautiful and worth the trip if you’re in Sacramento. Currently they’re not offering tours due to COVID restrictions, but keep an eye on their homepage for updates.

Takara Sake USA Inc., maker of Shochikubai, is another large Japanese brewery that opened a second location in California. Their Berkeley brewery’s tasting room is also closed due to COVID. However, they offer one of the most competitive virtual tastings available. Tippsy also carries Takara Sake’s Shirakabegura lineup , including the famous sparkling sake Mio.

Islander Sake of Honolulu, Hawaii, is an exciting, small kura founded in 2018. They offer “kaiseki” cuisine and sake tastings.

Up north, Moto-i of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was the first sake brew pub outside of Japan. This is a great place to try a huge variety of Japanese cuisine and freshly-brewed sake.

Down south, Texas Sake of Austin is an innovative brewery with a taproom where you can sample their unique brews. A food truck outside has your food needs covered.

Finally, Ben’s American Sake of Asheville, North Carolina, is a great place to sample a variety of traditional and infused sake. Their beer and sake garden also offers tons of craft beer options and Asian fusion cuisine.

Brad is a Japanese food and beverage blogger and a huge fan of sake. He has over 12 years of experience working in Japanese restaurants. Along the way, Brad became a Certified Sommelier and acquired professional certifications in sake, shochu, beer and Western spirits. In 2014 he was a semi-finalist at the fourth World Kikisake-shi Competition in Tokyo. When he’s not blogging, you’ll probably find him fly fishing. Visit The Japanese Bar .

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The official home of the World-Renowned Budweiser Clydesdales is an ornate brick and stained-glass stable built in 1885 on our historic 100-acre brewery complex. At Anheuser-Busch, we value our storied history. And with a legacy that transcends beer, we especially take pride in our Budweiser Clydesdales. Now, you can get up-close and person with one of our Gentle Giants when you join us for a Clydesdale VIP Experience.

Warm Springs Ranch

Warm Springs Ranch is the official breeding facility of the Budweiser Clydesdales. Resting on 300-plus acres of rolling hills in the heart of Missouri, our state-of-the-art establishment will take your breath away.

Built in 2008, the property features a mare/stallion and foaling barn, veterinary lab, and 10 pastures: each with a customized walk-in shelter. Warm Springs Ranch is home to more than 70 Clydesdales ranging from foals to stallions.

Book a tour to see the Budweiser Clydesdales up close and personal!

From the Prohibition era to Super Bowl commercials, there is perhaps nothing more iconic in Budweiser’s storied history than its team of Clydesdale horses. More than just a mascot, the Clydesdales have been an integral part of Anheuser-Busch for more than 80 years.

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• Beercation Destination

5 Epic Craft Beer Road Trips

That stretch of time from late spring into autumn is the best time to pack up the car and hit the road to explore the vast and beautiful place that is the good ol’ US of A. This year, skip the traditional asphalt crawl and turn your travels into ultimate craft beer road trips.

There are a ton of great places in America to find independent beer, so where do you start? We mapped out five routes that connect some of the liveliest beer communities in the country. The trips aren’t meant to be done in a day. Instead, sit back and soak in the scenery that makes each of these beer road trips so memorable.

Let’s break out the map, hit the road (responsibly, of course!) and fill this season with great independent beer.

( BEER TRAVEL: Milwaukee Beercation | Reno Beercation | San Diego Beercation )

Road Trip: San Diego to Santa Rosa

If you’re simply flying in and out of this craft beer destination, you’re doing it wrong. Instead, pack up the car and cruise the wildflower-lined Pacific Coast Highway up to the breweries tucked into the lush, green vineyards of wine country. Carve out at least a week for this one. There are so many exceptional breweries to visit and sunsets to see, you’ll want to take your time.

Must Visit Breweries

There are so many along this route, it’d be hard to make stops at them all. But be sure not to miss out on a trip to Green Flash Brewing Co.’s lively tasting room in the Mira Mesa neighborhood. And kill two birds with one stone with a stop at the Port Brewing Co. & Lost Abbey Brewing Joint Tasting Room that features 40+ taps from both breweries. A stop at Stone Brewing Co.’s gorgeous Escondido headquarters and restaurant is a must, because — Stone — and bucket lists.

And don’t forget about the up-and-coming breweries. Before leaving San Diego, be sure to visit Societe Brewing Company . This young brewery is refreshingly true to themselves, and they make some darn tasty barrel-aged beers. And make the most of limited time in the city by heading straight to Ocean Beach where you’ll find a mouth-watering Peanut Butter Milk Stout at Belching Beaver Brewery , three giant tasters for $3 at Culture Brewing Company’s tasting room, and a killer rooftop view of the Ocean Beach pier at the Ocean Beach Brewery .

As you make your way north through Los Angeles, veer off the beaten path and head to The Bruery for all of the delicious barrel-aged brews. And a trip up the West Coast wouldn’t be complete without stops at Firestone Walker Brewing Co. and Russian River Brewing Co. Geek out at the mini empire Firestone Walker has created in Paso Robles and load up your car full of Pliny at Russian River .

Road Trip ProTip

To safely explore San Diego’s craft beer scene, book a ride on the Brew Hop Tour — a five-hour custom guided Connoisseur Tour that make stops at three to four breweries, includes beer samples, brewery tours, and luxury transportation with a driver for $169 per person.

(MORE: Bed & Brew: 20 U.S. Breweries with Beer Hotels )

Road Trip: Portland to Bend

Start with a beer and a burger at Oregon’s oldest craft brewery, the Bridgeport Brewery and Brewpub. Thoughtful beer and food pairings and a top-notch happy hour is what you’ll find at Burnside Brewing Company. At The Commons Brewery , enjoy classic European styles and some of the best mac ’n cheese in town.

For a truly unique Portland experience, pull up a stool at Old Town Pizza & Brewing , the city’s well-known haunted brewpub located just around the corner from the start of many of the city’s ghost tours. Taste your way through Breakside Brewery’s vast draft lineup that includes fresh pours of rotating offerings from the brewery’s 100+ unique recipes at their recently opened Portland location.

When you arrive in Bend, make your first stop the Crux Fermentation Project . This family-friendly joint has an excellent outdoor patio with delicious food trucks, but people are flocking to this place for the clean, flavorful, interesting beers coming out of the brewery.

A stop in Bend wouldn’t be complete without checking out Deschutes Brewery’s beautiful production facility. This beloved Oregon brewery also serves up free samples and a huge selection of bottles of specialty brews. If hopped-up big beers are your style, you’ll find them at Boneyard Brewing , a tiny hidden gem in downtown Bend. And don’t miss out on the chance to visit Worthy Brewing’s newly opened Hopservatory — the first observatory operating inside of a brewery.

For a beer-themed place to rest your head in Bend, book a room at the Bunk + Brew Historic Lucas House , a unique lodging option within walking distance of the majority of the breweries in Bend. They even have a cold beer waiting for you when you check in.

Road Trip: Denver to Albuquerque

Great Divide Brewing Company recently opened The Great Divide Barrel Room in the heart of Denver’s growing RiNo district, and the shiny, new facility is filled with mouth-watering barrel-aged brews. Also in RiNO, you can embrace traditional German lagers at the Bierstadt Lagerhaus , and post up for a wood-fired pizza, live music and a refreshing Red IPA at Blackshirt Brewing Co. Fan of sours? Visit Crooked Stave Artisan Ales’ location at The Source. And for excellent views of Denver’s skyline from one of the most inviting outdoor patios in town, pull up a chair at Denver Beer Co.

Break up your road trip with a visit to Bristol Brewing Company ’s historic school house-turned-brewery in Colorado Springs. Directly en route to Albuquerque, the delicious Nut Brown Ale at Santa Fe Brewing Co. is worth a pit stop. For award-winning pub fare and handcrafted beers in Albuquerque, be sure to visit Boxing Bear Brewing Co. —the 2016 Great American Beer Festival Mid-Size Brewpub of the Year winner. Grab a handcrafted beer at Red Door Brewing Company’s lively downtown taproom. And don’t forget to schedule stops at ABQ’s popular longtime breweries, Marble Brewery , La Cumbre Brewing Co.  and Nexus Brewery .

Only an hour out from ABQ resides Santa Fe’s acclaimed contemporary art installation, Meow Wolf . There you will find works from 100 artists across several disciplines including painting, architecture, sculpture, video production, audio engineering, writing and more.

( READ: 7 Offbeat Places to Drink Craft Beer )

Road Trip: Nashville to Asheville

Nashville’s beer scene has grown leaps and bounds in the last decade, and is now home to a large selection of excellent breweries worthy of seeking out during your travels. For a delicious meal and a pint, head to Tennessee Brew Works , located just outside of Nashville’s vibrant downtown area. For a visit to one of the most happening taprooms in the city, make your way to Jackalope Brewing Company . Marvel at the amount of clean and flavorful brews made in Czann’s Brewing Company’s small brewery and cozy taproom. For an excellent brewery tour (with complimentary tasters!) and the scoop on Nashville’s craft beer history, head to Yazoo Brewing Co.

While traversing the southern heat on your way to Asheville, be sure spend a day exploring Chattanooga. Stops at Big Frog Brewing Co. , Big River Grille & Brewing Works and the Chattanooga Brewing Co. are a must.

Once you arrive in Asheville, head to the Asheville Brewing Company where you can catch a movie and grab beer and pizza, too. Post up on the outdoor patio at Burial Beer Company for refreshing Honey Saison. Try a Gaelic Ale, a Daycation IPA or a Black Mocha Stout at Highland Brewing Co. , and don’t miss out on the funky goodness at longtime Asheville watering hole — Green Man Brewery (Green Man’s new building is stunningly gorgeous, with a great view – particularly in the fall.) And if you’re looking for more great views, make the 15 minutes drive from downtown to Pisgah Brewing , a brewery that doubles as a music venue, attracting up-and-coming acts and big names alike.

Perfectly positioned along your route is Blackberry Farms in Walland, Tennessee. Book a night in one of the farm’s charming cottages and finally taste what all of the buzz is about at this boutique brewery.

Road Trip: New York City to Burlington, VT

To truly begin an epic road trip in NYC, head to Brooklyn Brewery . This legendary brewery offers Small Batch Tours for an all-access guided tasting of four Brooklyn Brewery beers. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the brewery’s “Before You Visit” instructions to stay-up-to-date on the tasting room’s limited hours throughout the week, and guidelines for touring this popular NYC craft brewery.

Continue exploring Brooklyn with a stop at the Keg & Lantern Brewing Co. where you’ll find a long list of a variety of ales and lagers on draft, and a visit to Other Half Brewing Company —a hop-forward brewery revered for creative and exciting beers and brewery collaborations. Pull up one of the many bar stools at Threes Brewing for a classic German lager or a traditional Belgian farmhouse ale before traveling back over the bridge to the Chelsea Craft Brewing Company —the oldest brewery in Manhattan.

(READ: New England Brewery Brews Beer with Fire and Hot Rocks )

As you make your way out of the city to the beautiful state of Vermont, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t plan a visit to The Alchemist — one of the biggest cult breweries in the country. Pick up cans of Heady Topper IPA and taste for yourself why this beer is always at the top of best beers lists. Tradition and a focus on local ingredients is what you’ll find at the Burlington Beer Company . Enjoy a Q-shaped pretzel, cool atmosphere, and tasty beers and Queen City Brewery , and sunshine and unfiltered ales and lagers on the patio at The Tap Room at Switchback Brewing Company . And don’t miss out on a trip to Hill Farmstead Brewery , one of the most buzzed about breweries in the country. This community-driven place is offering up weekly specialty bottle releases that you’ll definitely want to plan your visit around.

The state of New York’s brewery count has exploded over recent years. One way to discover some real gems of the Empire State on your road trip is to lean heavily the brewers guild’s state beer trail.

Tyra Sutak is a freelance writer sharing stories about her favorite things: travel, food, music, craft beer and entertainment. Based out of Boulder, Colo., Tyra gathers inspiration by exploring the world by foot, bike, train, car, plane, greyhound bus, and any other form of travel that will lead to a new adventure. Whether it's climbing 14er's under a blue ColoRADo sky, sailing on a boat in Costa Rica, living out childhood dreams on Wrigley Field, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the everyday adventures that can be found at home, the open road calls—and Tyra's bag is always packed.

CraftBeer.com is fully dedicated to small and independent U.S. breweries. We are published by the Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade group dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s small and independent craft brewers. Stories and opinions shared on CraftBeer.com do not imply endorsement by or positions taken by the Brewers Association or its members.

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If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Stone Company Store – Richmond by calling 804.489.5902 or email [email protected] .

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The Tap Room Experience

Join us for a pint in the official home of Moosehead Breweries. With 10 rotating taps there is always something new to try. Every brew has a story. We can’t wait for you to discover ours.

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Moosehead canadian lager.

Our flagship lager – A Canadian classic since 1979

Moosehead Light

Moosehead Light captures the very spirit of the East – strong, resilient, and unyielding. As many East Coasters affectionately call it, “Moose Light,” is a 4% ABV light lager that’s known for its crisp, refreshing taste.

Radler Grapefruit

The ultimate summer quencher you know and love.

East Coast IPA

Moosehead’s Small Batch series of beers is brewed for Moosehead’s biggest fans and the flagship of this series is East Coast IPA. East Coast IPA is brewed with a blend of hops that deliver a balance of tropical citrus. Flavour & Aroma: Citrus, Melon, Tropical.

Ten Penny Ale

Moosehead Small Batch

A classic amber ale brewed in the fashion of one of our oldest recipes. Only available at the Taproom.

Small Batch Red Ale

Back from the archives, Scratch #22 is a traditional Red Ale with beautiful colour and a full flavoured malt profile.

Clancy’s Amber Ale

A classic recipe back for a limited time, only in the Taproom

Small Batch Session IPA V2.0

A moderate bitterness IPA with a lower ABV. Perfect for summer evenings on the patio.

Sabro Black Tea Amber Ale

Made with real tea and smooth Sabro hops this beer is balanced and flavourful.

Helles Bock

Sweet malt flavours & a toasty aroma make this German style pale lager an authentic craft brew.

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• East County Brewery Loop

10 Stop Brew Hop in East San Diego County

East county craft beer itinerary.

Try this eastern loop that takes you through El Cajon, Alpine, Julian, Ramona, La Mesa and Santee. If you want to do the full loop, you'll need the entire day, but you could also break it into just the northern breweries (Ramona and Julian) or just the southern breweries (Santee, Alpine, La Mesa and El Cajon). You might also want to consider booking a brewery tour that will chauffeur you around while you enjoy a few samples at each stop.

Full- or Half-Day Itineraries in East County

Since the mid 1990s, San Diego County has seen exponential growth in the number of its breweries. A great deal of that recent growth has come in regions—both north and south—that are near the coast or within 15-20 miles of the coast. Some savvy brewers have looked at the geography of that growth and realize there's great opportunity in heading east. For one thing, the playing field is far less crowded right now.

Getting to  East County  from anywhere in the county is not hard once you're on the Interstate 8. Once there, you'll find that most folks in east county are distinctly non "surfer dudes." These towns tend to show off another side of California, one that celebrates agriculture, the Old West, and the true-blue American pioneer mentality of fierce independence...plus a love of good beer.

East County Northern Breweries: Ramona to Julian

First stop: chuckalek independent brewers.

From downtown or the south, you'll head north and east along Route 67 into the town of Ramona. Here, on Main Street, you'll find a small tasting room nestled between a meat market and other mini mall storefronts. As Ramona's only brewery, ChuckAlek has planted the first flag in town and has distinguished itself as a true brewing pioneer. Many of ChuckAlek's beers are both ambitious and unusual. Brewer/owner Grant Fraley is fond of doing his take on "old" styles such as his altbier and brown porter, along with some truly unique brews, like his La Cappellana ale, which is made with the 100% brettanomyces yeast.

Second Stop: Nickel Beer Co.

From Ramona, head east on Route 78, which will take you into the scenic old mining mountain town of Julian. On the eastern outskirts of Main Street, you'll find Nickel Beer Co. A small wooden cabin-style building houses a rustic but charming tasting room where brewer/owner Tom Nickel offers up his hand-crafted beers. Tom has long been a player in the San Diego craft beer scene, and his beer knowledge runs deep. In Julian, he mostly brews what he likes to drink, which tends to be hoppy pale ales and IPAs along with some stouts and malty beers. He'll also play around with a few fun ingredients and flavor combinations, most notable of which is his Apple Pie Ale, a beer that smells of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice and pays homage to Julian's world famous apple pies.

Third Stop: Alpine Beer Company

Heading back down south to San Diego on Route 79 and west on Interstate 8, you could incorporate a stop in Alpine before you go back west. See the Eighth Stop in the SOUTHERN BREWERIES list, for Alpine Beer Company. 

East County Southern Breweries: Santee, Alpine, La Mesa and El Cajon

Fourth stop: bns brewing and distilling co..

From Julian, take Route 79 south to Interstate 8 west, then north on State Route 67 to the town of Santee, which is now home to four breweries. The first brewery you'll encounter is BNS, which opened its doors in June 2013. A nice outdoor patio leads into the main tasting room, which is adorned with various items of Americana from the Old West. It's a large, well-appointed space, with a separate area that offers home brewing supplies. Head brewer Dan Jensen brews a relatively small collection of "core" beers, and also offers various special releases and seasonal brews. Lovers of lighter styles will be especially content with the Saloon Girl Saison and the Gunfighter Golden.

Fifth Stop: Groundswell Brewing Company

Only a few minutes from BNS, you'll find Groundswell Brewing on Prospect Street. This brewery recently expanded from its tiny space in Grantville, where it was brewing on a 3-barrel system. In their new location, Groundswell will ramp up to about 10,000 barrels per year, and will expand its lineup to include many more offerings and taps. Along with their new space came a large, nicely designed tasting room, a big bar, and a nice lineup of core and seasonal beers from which to choose. Among their standouts are Undulation White IPA, Mango Tart (Berliner Weiss), and Piloncillo Brown. Two of their specialty beers, Oathbreaker and Pogue Mahone are super interesting and unique beers that, if available, should not be missed.

Sixth Stop: Finest Made Ales

Just down the road from Groundswell—literally a few thousand feet—is Finest Made Ales. This is the cozy, welcoming space that originally housed Santee’s first brewery, Manzanita Brewing Company (which is now closed). Owner and brewer Rey Knight is an experienced brewer with a solid talent for making well-rounded, balanced, and flavorful beers. His lineup usually includes about 10 beers on tap, which range from light and hoppy to dark and malty (which is Rey's wheelhouse). A fun selection of homemade sodas is also available for those under-21 visitors.

Seventh Stop: Burning Beard Brewing Company

From Santee, head south on State Route 67 to El Cajon. In 2016, two homebrewing buddies with similar taste in heavy metal music decided to open a pro brewery together, and the result was Burning Beard Brewing Company. From the very beginning, this brewery has been focused on creativity matched with exceptional technique and attention to flavor. Almost immediately upon opening their doors, Burning Beard became one of the hottest tap handles at San Diego’s craft beer bars, and they gained a large and loyal following that continues to grow today. All of BBBC’s beers are good, but standouts include Hopmata IPA, Dankness Visible IPA, Banksy ESB, and Holy the Void Coffee Stout.

Eighth Stop: Alpine Beer Company

Heading east on Interstate 8 lands you smack in the middle of Alpine. It's a charming little town, unassuming, quiet, and happy to stay that way. On the main drag, you'll find Alpine Beer Company, which is also simple and unassuming—except for its beers, which are some of the best in San Diego. Founder Pat McIlhenney, who has been brewing at this location since 2002, gained quite a cult following, especially from hop-heads who adore Alpine's many hoppy brews. There's plenty for non-hop-lovers to choose from, but—if you're a “hopster”—don't miss the Nelson Rye IPA, Duet IPA, or Pure Hoppiness IPA.

The smell of mouthwatering barbecue emanates from the Alpine Beer Company Pub just a few doors down from the brewery. If you are landing here around lunchtime, stop in for an amazing selection of plates that will pair perfectly with a freshly poured Alpine beer. Just ask your server for recommendations.

Ninth Stop: Bolt Brewery

Tracing its roots to a makeshift tasting room in a Quonset hut in North County San Diego, the original Bolt Brewery came and went in the late ‘80s. Back again as the first brewery to open in La Mesa thanks to a change in local brewing ordinances, Bolt is a short drive to the west of El Cajon. Helmed by Clint Stromberg, who is a veteran brewer and was part of the original Bolt operation, there’s an emphasis on full-flavored, hoppy session beers, along with ales and lagers. The charming outdoor tasting area can be somewhat tricky to find amongst the industrial businesses that are its neighbors, but once you exit Interstate 8 travelling west, stay to the right on Center Street and you will be rewarded with a laid-back and very local craft brew experience.

If you can’t make it out to East County, head to Little Italy to try beers at Bolt’s second location.

Tenth Stop: Helix Brewing Co.

Once you find a parking spot at Bolt, you might consider leaving the car and walking to Helix Brewing Co. for your next stop. Cameron Ball opened Helix Brewing Co. with an emphasis on local, growing up in La Mesa’s iconic Mt. Helix area. A civil engineer by trade and passionate home brewer, the leap to a commercial brewery and tasting room gives Ball the opportunity to create a friendly community gathering place and ply his considerable brewing skills to the craft. If you find Helix brews especially “drinkable” and a bit on the lighter side, that’s all part of Ball’s plan to create lower-alcohol content beers: even Helix’s Active IPA only rates a 4% ABV, which is imminently sessionable.

> Read why San Diego is the #1 Craft Beer destination and book a guided tour  today!

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Brewery & Taproom

Visit our spectacular Brewery and Taproom, located in a historic textile factory built in 1903 – just steps away from the SONO train station and a few minutes from the SONO Collection Mall. For decades, this building housed the Park-Kit Safety Equipment Company, which manufactured First Aid kits.

Our brewery and Tasting Room is available for private parties and events. We offer creative  packages where guests can do private tastings, take a behind the scenes Brewery tour and we’ll work with you to make your special occasion memorable.

We are offering free tours every Saturday at 2 pm. The tour takes about 30 minutes and we adhere to all CDC guidelines. Visitors are invited to sign up and make a reservation in advance. 

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