America’s 5 Top Cities for a Brewery Tour

Where to go when you’re in the mood for a cold one

From IPAs to seasonal faves, America loves its beers! And right now, craft beers and microbrewers are all the rage. If you’re a beer aficionado, you could easily make a brewery tour the focus of your next vacay.

Not sure where to go for a beer tasting? Check out these beer cities…Any one of them offers multiple breweries to tempt your palate.

• Asheville, NC

  This charming mountain city has definitely earned its nickname: Beer City, USA. Despite being a fairly small town, Asheville certainly offers a number of top-notch breweries. So many, in fact, that it has more breweries per capita than any other U.S. city—over 28 breweries per 100,000 residents.

  Have a strong palate? Then make sure you visit Wicked Weed and its famous (or is it infamous?) “Funkatorium.” Yep, that’s right. A tasting room dedicated to sours and “funky” beers.

  Along with the breweries, Asheville also throws a number of major beer events throughout the year. The “Brewgrass” Festival is especially popular, combining bluegrass music with beer sampling.

• Cleveland, OH

  Cleveland was the country’s premier brewing city in the 1870s. And 150 years later, it looks like they’re trying to reclaim that title. The large breweries are expanding, but the microbrewers are big in town, too.

  If you want to eat while you drink (um, who doesn’t?), check out downtown hotspot Butcher and the Brewer. You’ll have your choice of artisan charcuterie to go with your brews.

  And for that authentic Cleveland feel, head over to Great Lakes Brewing Co., the first craft microbrewery in the state. They regularly name their brews after local legends.

• Denver, CO

  If your local MLB stadium is named after a beer (Coors Field), that’s gotta be a good sign, right? The Mile-High City is especially known for its craft beer scene, and there’s no shortage of local breweries. The city is such a fan of beer that one of its microbrewers (John Hickenlooper, founder of Wynkoop Brewing Co.) was elected mayor and then governor.

  Not sure when to visit? Once a year, Denver hosts the Great American Beer Festival. Beer aficionados have more than 2,200 brews to sample… but who’s counting?

  If your brewery tour is going to last several days, consider a day trip to nearby Fort Collins. Just an hour north of Dever, this cool college town is known for its IPAs and experimental suds.

• Portland, ME

  Most people think of the other Portland when they think of beer. But Portland, Maine, is one of the biggest beer cities in the Northeast. There are a couple of well-established major breweries and plenty of up-and-coming microbreweries and craft breweries. Something for everyone!

  If you’re visiting in autumn, stop in at Shipyard Brewing Co., the 4th-largest brewery in New England. Their Pumpkinhead Ale is a fall fave for locals and visitors alike.

  Then head over to Belgian-inspired Allagash. You guys, their brews are so tasty, even Belgians like it!

• Portland, OR

  While the other coast’s Portland is well-regarded by beer enthusiasts, there’s no denying that this Portland is the true “Beervana!” The city boasts over 85 craft breweries, microbreweries, and brewpubs just in the metro area, more than any other city in the world. No place better for a brewery tour!

  Even Portland’s bartenders get into the beer love, setting the pace with their beer-cocktail hybrids. Hey, don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it, right?

  While you’re in town, don’t miss Ex Novo, the city’s first nonprofit brewery—their goal is to donate 100% of their net profits to both local and global charities. Their slogan is “Drink beer, do good.” How can you guys say no, when they put it like that?

Ready for that first pint? Go straight from your plane flight to your beer flight—ship your luggage with LugLess. We’ll get your stuff to your hotel or Airbnb while you head straight to the brewery. No waiting at baggage claim or having to drop off your suitcases when there’s a cold one with your name on it!