Beer tourism: 25 places to travel for a pint in 2025
Palm City Brewing is located in an industrial park in Fort Myers, Florida.
A few days ago, January 28, was National Plan Your Vacation Day.
Which got me to thinking about travel planning. When I’m creating a trip itinerary, I always try to include three things:
The outdoors — an amazing view, a park, a hike, a paddle
Food — breakfast, brunch, pizza, sushi
Beer — the theme of this blog
Beer tourism has been the driving force behind several of our trips and an element of many, many more.
And, while I know the where of our very first beer tourism trip, I’m a little hazy on the when. Likely 2009, maybe 2008.
We were living in Southern California and starting to expand our beer palate beyond Corona (J-Wo) and Guiness (me). We were trying Scotch ales, pale ales and bourbon barrel-aged stouts. Then, we made a quantum leap straight to one of the most celebrated and coveted beers ever — we just didn’t know it at the time.
The beer was Pliny the Elder, a double West Coast IPA by Russian River Brewing. Our neighbor brought a bottle by and, truth be told, I didn’t care for it.
Pliny was like nothing I had ever tasted. Soooo bitter.
Before long, however, my meh changed to mmmmmmmmm, kicking off an obsession that led to knowing the local restock day, looking for it on tap and, eventually, taking yearly trips to the brewery.
The friend who introduced us to Pliny the Elder and Russian River Brewing also taught us this toast.
And thus, our beer tourism journey began. We’d drive about 8 hours north to Santa Rosa, order pizza and a flight at the brewery and grab growlers of Pliny to take to our campsite at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.
Back then, you could just walk into the brewery, even on a Saturday night, and get a table before too long. Today, it’s quite different.
The brewery is a major destination for beer enthusiasts from all over the world, so you can expect a crowd. Especially if you go for the annual release of Pliny the Younger, a triple West Coast IPA.
The Pliny the Younger release is an absolute madhouse that generates more than $6 million each year for the local economy. That’s according to sources like the Russian River Brewing blog and the North Bay Business Journal.
That’s the release of one beer once a year, so you can imagine the economic impact of beer tourism across the U.S. in a single year. It must be massive.
If you’re looking to jump into beer tourism, we recommend planning a trip around one of these 25 breweries in 2025.
They each have the two things required for a perfect beer tourism destination: Delicious brews and a locale with lots of other things to do.
Because, more than likely, you’re not traveling just to drink beer. But, if you are, we don’t judge. In fact, we’ve done it ourselves.
Beer tourism in the West
California breweries
Any IPA enthisiast should have a pint of Pliny the Elder at least once in their life.
1 Russian River Brewing Company
Santa Rosa CA
@russianriverbrewingofficial
Super Cool tidbit
Pliny the Elder, first brewed in 1999, is regarded by many as the OG West Coast IPA — and still one of the best.
What to order
Start with the massive beer flight that includes Pliny, Consecration sour and many other delights.
What else to do
Drive the Pacific Coast Highway.
Explore the town of Sebastopol.
Rekindle your love for Snoopy and Woodstock at the Charles M. Schulz Museum (@schulzmuseum).
Additional location
Windsor CA
2 Pizza Port Brewing Company
Carlsbad CA
@pizzaportbrewingco
Super Cool tidbit
Their brewpubs give beach vibes, and their pizza is the stuff of dreams.
What to order
Pier Bier Czech pilsner
What else to do
Visit South Carlsbad State Beach.
Walk the 4-mile Carlsbad Beach Boardwalk.
Enjoy the art murals in Carlsbad Village, the city’s downtown district (@carlsbadvillage).
Additional locations
Bressi Ranch, Imperial Beach, Ocean Beach, San Clemente and Solana Beach CA
Colorado breweries
3 New Terrain Brewing Company
Golden CO
@newterrainbrewingco
Super Cool tidbit
Their large outdoor beer garden has incredible views, firepits and, in the spring, summer and fall, live music.
What to order
Golden Haze IPA
What else to do
Hike in North Table Mountain Park.
Visit the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave (@buffalobillmuseumandgrave).
Explore Lookout Mountain Nature Center and Preserve.
4 WestFax Springs
Colorado Springs CO
@westfaxsprings
Super Cool tidbit
Enjoy a view of Pikes Peak from the covered rooftop deck.
What to order
Anything hazy and hoppy — beers rotate frequently
What else to do
Dig into breakfast at King’s Chef Diner (@kingschefdiner).
Fall in love with rocks (seriously!) at Garden of the Gods (@gardenofthegodsvisitorcenter).
Attempt the 2,744 steps of the Manitou Incline.
Additional location
Lakewood CO, the first location of WestFax Brewing (@westfaxbrewing)
Texas brewery
5 Zilker Brewing Company
Austin TX
@zilkerbeer
Super Cool tidbit
The on-site food truck, Spicy Boys Chicken, was named one of Austin’s best in 2023.
What to order
Heavenly Daze hazy IPA
What else to do
Kayak on Lady Bird Lake (@ladybirdlake).
Watch the bats ascend into the night from Congress Avenue Bridge (starting around sunset, late spring through early fall).
Eat your way through one of the many food truck parks, such as South First Food Court (@southfirst_foodcourt).
Beer tourism in the Northwest
20 below temps don’t stop locals from enjoying a pint in the beer garden at HooDoo Brewing in Fairbanks.
Alaska brewery
6 HooDoo Brewing Company
Fairbanks AK
@hoodoobrew
Super Cool tidbit
Drink like a local — outside when it’s -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
What to order
Czech Pilsner
What else to do
Soak at Chena Hotsprings Resort (@chenahotsprings).
Explore the University of Alaska Museum of the North (@alaskamuseum).
Stay up late for the northern lights (best in winter).
Montana brewery
7 Imagine Nation Brewing
Missoula MT
@imaginenationbrewingco
Super Cool tidbit
With strong community ties, the brewery hosts fundraising events, discussions about preserving public lands, live music and more.
What to order
Lupujus 7 hazy IPA
What else to do
Go tubing or whitewater rafting on the Clark Fork River.
Soak in a natural hot spring.
Stroll the riverfront trail, on both sides of the Clark Fork River.
Oregon breweries
8 Fort George Brewery
Astoria OR
@fortgeorgebeer
Super Cool tidbit
The brewery’s Festival of Dark Arts is an annual celebration of stouts.
What to order
3-Way IPA (seasonal)
Matryoshka barrel-aged stout
What else to do
Nosh at Bowpicker Fish and Chips, a walk-up chippy stand that operates from a boat on dry land.
Explore the Columbia River Maritime Museum and the riverfront (@columbiarivermaritimemuseum).
Enjoy one of the Pigeon Steps walkways, such as on 11th Street, between Irving and Jermone avenues.
Getting ready to nip into a flight of hazy IPAs at Great Notion’s Alberta location in Portland.
9 Great Notion Brewing — Alberta
Portland OR
@greatnotion
Super Cool tidbit
Artist Chad Eaton (@chad.w.eaton) creates incredible can and bottle art, plus other visuals, that reflect the brewery’s motto of Keep Beer Fun.
What to order
Any and all hazy IPAs - Ripe is a classic
What else to do
Hike at Multnomah Falls (@multnomahfalls).
Sugar crash at Voodoo Doughnut (@voodoodoughnut).
Explore Washington Park, including the rose and Japanese gardens (@portlandjapanesegarden).
Additional locations
Portland’s Slabtown neighborhood, Seattle’s Georgetown and Ballard neighborhoods and Berkley CA
Washington breweries
10 Bale Breaker Brewing Company
Yakima WA
@balebreaker
Super Cool tidbit
This scenic brewery is located on a fourth-generation hop farm in Yakima Valley, one of the premier hop-growing regions in the world.
What to order
Topcutter IPA
What else to do
Hike in Cowiche Canyon (@cowichecanyonconservancy).
Explore Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park.
Enjoy the Fresh Hop Ale Festival in fall (@freshhopalefest).
Additional location
Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood
11 Cloudburst Brewing — Shilshole Avenue
Seattle WA
@cloudburstbrew
Super Cool tidbit
Lucky for us beer drinkers, Anheuser-Busch bought Elysian Brewing in Seattle. The acquisition prompted Steve Luke to leave Elysian and start Cloudburst.
What to order
Any and all hazy IPAs — beers rotate frequently
What else to do
Visit Golden Gardens Park.
Stop by the Ballard Locks and fish ladder.
Explore the Ballard Farmers Market on Sundays (sfmamarkets).
Additional location
The brewery’s first location is in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood.
One of the great things about beer tourism is that many breweries, including Fremont Brewing in Seattle, are dog friendly.
12 Fremont Brewing — Urban Beer Garden
Seattle WA
@fremontbrewing
Super Cool tidbit
This brewery goes all in for fresh hop season in late summer / early fall, when beer is made from hops harvested as recently as 24 hours ago.
What to order
Lush IPA
Cowiche Canyon fresh hop ale (seasonal)
What else to do
Visit the Fremont Troll.
Check out the Fremont Drawbridge.
Kayak the Fremont Canal.
Additional location
Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood
13 Holy Mountain Brewing — Interbay
Seattle WA
@holymtnbrewing
Super Cool tidbit
The mysticism- and music-inspired artwork on their beer labels and merchandise is truly phenomenal.
What to order
Whatever’s fresh — beers rotate frequently
What else to do
Take in the city views from Kerry Park.
Explore Seattle Center - Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, etc (@seattlecenter).
Stop by Fuji Bakery for Japanese and French treats (@fujibakery).
Additional location
Seattle’s Phinney Ridge neighborhood
14 Single Hill Brewing
Yakima WA
@singlehillbrewing
Super Cool tidbit
Their Beer Grows Community program creates unique brews, with 10% of sales going to a designated nonprofit.
What to order
The latest from the Outcross series, featuring experimental hops.
What else to do
Enjoy the downtown farmers market, May – October (@downtownyakimafarmersmarket).
Explore the Yakima Arboretum (@yakimaareaarboretum).
Visit Umtanum Creek Falls.
15 Skookum Brewery
Arlington WA
@skookumbrewery
Super Cool tidbit
The owners started this brewery on their farm before moving to the current location in an industrial area.
What to order
Murder of Crows imperial stout
What else to do
See millions of springtime tulips in Skagit Valley (@skagitvalleytulipfestival).
Hike at Deception Pass State Park.
Explore the riverfront in the charming town of La Conner (@lovelaconner).
Beer tourism in the Midwest
Hop Butcher in Chicago makes some of our favorite hazy IPAs in the Midwest.
Illinois brewery
16 Hop Butcher for the World
Chicago IL
@hopbutcher
Super Cool tidbit
The brewery’s name is a riff on Carl Sandburg’s poem Chicago, in which he calls the city the “hog butcher for the world.”
What to order
Any and all hazy IPAs
What else to do
Explore Horner Park, along the Chicago River’s north branch.
Stroll the beach along Lake Michigan.
Over indulge at Pequod's Pizza (@pequodspizza).
Iowa brewery
17 Toppling Goliath Brewing Company
Decorah IA
@topplingbrews
Super Cool tidbit
The cheese curds at the brewpub are absolutely divine.
What to order
Pseudo Sue pale ale
What else to do
Hike at Pulpit Rock.
Get a sweet (or savory) bite at the Whippy Dip, open spring through fall.
Visit Dunnings Spring Park.
Michigan brewery
New Holland Brewing in charming downtown Holland, Michigan, serves food indoors and in the beer garden.
18 New Holland Brewing
Holland MI
@newhollandbrew
Super Cool tidbit
Their bourbon barrel-aged stout is made year-round, whereas at many breweries it’s a special / limited release.
What to order
Dragon’s Milk bourbon barrel-aged stout
What else to do
Visit Windmill Island Gardens.
Walk the Black Lake Boardwalk near Holland State Park.
Explore Tunnel Park.
Additional locations
Battle Creek and Grand Rapids MI
Missouri brewery
19 4 Hands Brewing Company
Saint Louis MO
@4handsbrewingco
Super Cool tidbit
Sales of their City Wide line of beers benefit local organizations, from housing services to parks.
What to order
City Wide pale ale
What else to do
Explore Gateway Arch National Park (@gatewayarchnps).
Meet the Clydesdales at Anheuser-Busch Brewery (@homeofbud).
Hike at Cliff Cave County Park.
Additional locations
Chesterfield and Kirkwood MO
Beer tourism in the Southeast
Ozark Beer Company is located in a highly walkable area of downtown Rogers.
Arkansas brewery
20 Ozark Beer Company
Rogers AR
@ozarkbeer
Super Cool tidbit
The brewery operates in a vintage 1880s building that was originally a flour mill, and it hosts community events, such as tree sappling giveaways.
What to order
Ozark IPA
What else to do
Enjoy a jolt at Onxy Coffee Lab (@onyxcoffeelab).
Explore the urban park across from Onyx, including the Railyard Loop Trail and splash area.
Visit Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (@crystalbridgesmuseum).
Florida breweries
21 Odd Colony Brewing Company
Pensacola FL
@oddcolonybrewing
Super Cool tidbit
The brewery embraces seasonality, changing its beer profiles and even its art wall to reflect the season.
What to order:
Whatever’s fresh - we always go for IPAs
What else to do
Hike at Big Lagoon State Park.
Explore the National Naval Aviation Museum (@navalaviationmuseum).
22 Palm City Brewing Company
Fort Myers FL
@palmcitybrewing
Super Cool tidbit
Owner Ryan Bowen was a high school basketball coach before launching Palm City Brewing.
What to order
Hazify IPA
What else to do
Walk through Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve.
Visit the winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford (@edisonfordfl).
Explore Sanibel Island.
Kentucky brewery
Mile Wide Brewing has two outdoor spaces, as well as a large taproom with a pinball room.
23 Mile Wide Brewing Company
Louisville KY
@milewidebeer
Super Cool tidbit
They have a pinball room and seriously delicious pizza and soft pretzels by Mac’s, located within the brewery.
What to order
Any and all hazy IPAs
What else to do
Wander through Waterfront Park.
Explore the Muhammad Ali Center (@alicenterlou).
Visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory (@slugger_museum).
North Carolina brewery
24 Wicked Weed Brewing
Asheville NC
@wickedweedbrewing
Super Cool tidbit
The brewery’s name references a quote attributed to King Henry VIII of England, who said hops are a “wicked and pernicious weed” that ruin the taste of beer.
What to order
Pernicious IPA
What else to do
Get up-close with Appalachian flora at Asheville Botanical Garden (@ashevillebotanicalgarden).
Hike in Pisgah National Forest.
Tour the Biltmore estate (@biltmoreestate).
Additional location
Candler NC
(Keep in mind some roads and areas around Asheville are still closed after Hurricane Helene.)
South Carolina brewery
25 Charles Towne Fermentory — The Garden
Charleston SC
@chsfermentory
Super Cool tidbit
The tree-lined beer garden feels like hanging out in a friend’s backyard.
What to order
Any and all hazy IPAs
What else to do
Explore Waterfront Park.
Walk Rainbow Row to take in the colorful historic homes.
Take a kayak or boat tour.
Additional locations
Avondale and James Island SC
We (clearly) love visiting craft breweries, and we picked out some of our favorites for this list. We hope it gives you a starting point for planning an amazing beer tourism trip. Or, perhaps some places to add to your travel bucket list.
Just remember, don’t drink and drive during your beer tourism trips — or ever.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram for more beer tourism and other road trip ideas as we explore more places and take Camper Van Beethoven to more states.
Prost!
Keep the good times going on Instagram
@supercooltrips
