The craft beer scene is booming across the country, with thousands of microbreweries and breweries. What better way to sample some of these breweries’ products than a craft beer road trip? Check out these road trip ideas for you and your craft beer enthusiast friends!
Portland, Maine to Charlton, Massachusetts
New England is home to some of the best beer in America, with everything from hazy IPAs to light organic lagers. To experience some of the region’s best brews, take a New England brewery road trip starting at Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, Maine. Allagash is known for its full spectrum of Belgian brewing, from classic brews to unique creations.
Make your way through southern Maine and New Hampshire, stopping in Portsmouth. Start at Earth Eagle Brewings for housemade gruit ales and other unique creations in a cozy atmosphere. Be sure to add Portsmouth Brewery to your itinerary as well. It’s one of the oldest brewpubs in New England, with several brews on tap and great food pairings!
As you head down New England’s east coast, be sure to stop in Boston, Massachusetts for some incredible taprooms, including Trillium Brewing Company, Samuel Adams and Harpoon. Finish your craft beer road trip through New England in Charlton, Massachusetts at Tree House Brewing Company.
Bemidji, Minnesota to St. Louis, Missouri
For the ultimate Midwest brewery road trip with your crew, travel through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri. Start at Bemidji Brewing, where there’s always at least a dozen brews on tap to choose from, as well as craft sodas. Travel south to the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, where you’ll find dozens of noteworthy breweries, like Dangerous Man and Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery.
As you continue to head south, be sure to stop in Madison, Wisconsin to try some cozy small-batch microbreweries. Next Door Brewing and One Barrel Brewing both offer great craft beer and a tasty food menu. Iowa’s east border is home to plenty of impressive craft breweries, including Catfish Charlie’s Brew Pub, Galena Brewing Company and Bent River Brewing.
Travel south on the west side of the Mississippi River, where you’ll find plenty of smaller breweries on your way to St. Louis, a brewery mecca. Finish your trip in downtown St. Louis, where you’ll find a wide variety of brews and taprooms. Be sure to try 4 Hands Brewing for a good mix of standards and seasonals.
Chico, California to Half Moon Bay, California
California is overflowing with trendsetting craft breweries. Take a Northern California brewery road trip to discover some of the delicious craft beer the state has to offer. Start in Chico at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, one of America’s first modern microbreweries, where you can choose from over 20 draft beers and try seasonal farm-to-table dishes from their menu.
Next, hit Fort Bragg to try North Coast Brewing Company’s hoppy IPAs and iconic Russian Imperial Stout, along with other unique brews at smaller craft breweries. On your way to San Francisco, make a pit stop in Santa Rosa to visit Russian River Brewing Company, with a variety of clean beers and sour barrel-aged beers, as well as a beautiful outdoor beer garden.
Head south along the west coast to San Francisco, where you’ll find a large cluster of microbreweries, including 21st Amendment Brewery, Cellarmaker Brewing Company and Black Hammer Brewing. End your craft beer excursion at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, just south of San Francisco, for award-winning beer and food!
