If you’re a beer-lover, touring the U.S. is bound to be the taste adventure of your dreams. We looked at the best cities for beer geeks, and the following topped our list, not just because of the rich culture and history behind both craft breweries and big breweries in the area, but also because of the unique bars, beer tours, and beer options they provide.
Portland, Oregon
Photo via Flickr by almostsummersky
Home to more than 60 brewing establishments and host of more than a hundred beer festivals a year, Portland is bound to be one of any beer-lover’s favorite cities. The biggest outdoor beer party on the continent, the Oregon Brewers Festival that takes place here every July and brings more than 85,000 people from all over the world to the Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, several beer-tour companies offer bus tours, or you could hit a few breweries in an easy-afternoon bike tour. Craft beer fans will especially love it here. Research has shown that Portland leads the U.S. in craft beer sales.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is a great destination for a beer-cation, thanks to the mushrooming of breweries producing unique, award-winning beers. The beer scene in Nashville came to light in 1994 when Blackstone Brewing Co. opened to offer craft beer brewed on-site, and the concept took off. Numerous breweries in the area, such as the Jackalope Brewing Company, Fat Bottom Brewery, Black Abbey Brewing Company and more, have come up with a wide variety of creations that are bound to intrigue any beer-lover’s tongue. Make your trip convenient by booking an IHG hotel in close proximity to these spots so you don’t have to worry about sampling too much on brewery tours.
Austin, Texas
The craft beer scene in Austin is thriving, clearly seen with the numerous brewpubs and expanding home-breweries in the area. Beer gardens are in plenty, where you can attend tours and a great place to go for the freshest possible drink of your choice.
There are some unique breweries that you may want to check out, such as the Jester King Brewery, which is the only farmhouse brewery in Texas that allows natural yeast to ferment the beers. Even more interesting is the Black Star Co-Op, which takes a different approach by using its recycled grains to make dog biscuits and selling its beer in eco-conscious cans.
Boston, Massachusetts
When people think of Boston beer, the first thing that comes to mind is Samuel Adams, the historic brew produced by Boston Beer Co. But what many don’t know is that residents and visitors consume much more than this one beer. In fact, Boston consumes more beer per capita than any other city in the U.S. This guarantees a lively beer scene. The East Coast’s largest celebration of domestic microbrews, the American Craft Beer Fest, takes place in May. It features more than 600 different varieties from over 125 American brewers.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and prepare your taste buds and beer bellies for a trip of sensory delights.
