Massachusetts is best known for its famous baked beans, the Boston Marathon, and, of course, Fenway Park. Some New Englanders would quite literally die for the Boston Red Sox, and that’s not an exaggeration. However, beyond the slightly fanatic sports fans, Massachusetts is also home to a massive craft beer scene. Some of these innovative city brews are even sold at Fenway as the perfect accompaniment to all the hotdogs your heart desires. Idle Hands Craft Ales is a local taproom that’s a must-see if your beercation leads you to the greater New England area. Their lineup of Belgium- and German-inspired craft beer is brewed right in Malden, Mass. We recommend trying the Gretel, a German Pilsner. It has a light, grassy character with a touch of spice in the finish. *Chef’s kiss.*
Portland hosts the country’s longest-standing craft beer festival. Every year, 70,000 fellow beer enthusiasts congregate to sip on some of the finest suds ever made. Around 80 craft beer companies set up shop along the Willamette River to sell their unique brewskies. Whether you’re into Belgians, blondes, saisons, sours, pales or pilsners, you’ll find them all at this “Beervana” dream destination.
If you visit Portland on a weekend when the Brewers Festival isn’t in town, fret not. The city has more breweries than any other city in the country, including local favorites like Breakside Brewery and the pioneer of the sour beer trend, Cascade Brewing. It’s a beer lover’s dream year-round.
Vermont Brewers Festival- Burlington, Vermont
Even though Vermont has a relatively small population, the state isn’t lacking in its breweries. Between all the local pubs and bars in Burlington and the annual Vermont Brewers Festival, it’s safe to say Vermonters are all set on the brewskies front. Many local brewers led the way in establishing a name in the craft industry for Vermont-grown brews. The annual Vermont Brewers Festival features tons of different styles, tastes, and flavors to choose from — so book your ticket and come drink a cold one (or two, or three).
San Diego Beer Week- San Diego, California
Good-ole sunny San Diego is known as the Capital of Craft Beer. (Disclaimer: This title is selfproclaimed, but also well-deserved.) In particular, this neck of the woods is famous for its assortment
of pale ales and IPAs.Beer is a huge part of the city’s culture, and that all comes to a head during the 10-day Beer Week.
This celebration typically features more than 150 independent craft breweries local to San Diego County. While the event is officially called Beer Week, it’s technically a week and a half of cold brews and IPAs with an alcohol content that’ll blow your mind. No promises on how your liver will be feeling after this one.
Founders Brewing Company- Grand Rapids, Michigan
If you thought the San Diego Beer Week was intense, just you wait. Grand Rapids was voted Beer City, USA, in national polls, paying tribute to the 80 or so breweries located in and around the downtown area, and the city lives up to this nickname. Every year, Grand Rapids hosts “Beer Month,” which starts in February and lasts until mid-March. Locals and travelers alike can take part in celebrating the many homegrown craft beers all month long. If you need a break from all the heavy lagers, try some hard cider. It’s made from apples grown in the Grand Rapids area and is quite delish. If you’re looking for a place to visit outside of Beer Month, Founders Brewery, in particular, offers a wide selection of year-round and seasonal beers. The brewery is located in an old truck depot and is modeled after a German beer hall. Plus, it’s owned by Mahou San Miguel, the famous Spanish brewing company, so it’s definitely worth a visit.
Novare Res Bier Cafe- Portland, Maine
Welcome to your Maine beercation — the only place where it’s socially acceptable to have a cold one with a clam chowda on the side. Or if you’re feeling really promiscuous, the whole damn lobstah! Don’t doubt the deliciousness of a pale ale and seafood combo.
Novare Res Bier Cafe is the perfect spot for this. The menu includes a handful of well-crafted biers from Deutschland. Plus, the European beechwood tables and bar tops will transport you to the Franconia region of southern Germany. We love an Oktoberfest vibe without the 10-hour flight!
Non-alcoholic Options
Nonbeer-drinkers, rejoice! Going to breweries doesn’t mean you’re stuck with funky-tasting tap water. Most breweries have a variety of non-alchoholic options to explore and enjoy! First off, we have non-alcoholic beer. This will give you an authentic brewery experience, minus the buzz. NA beers are becoming increasingly popular, meaning their offerings are expanding at many of these local spots. If you’re trying to avoid the fermented taste of beer altogether, many breweries take pride in brewing their own delicious root beer. Those who don’t brew their own often partner with local seltzer and soda makers, offering a variety of fun flavors to enjoy alongside your beer-drinking buds. Cheers!
Sixpoint Brewery -Brooklyn, New York
Coming in at second place to the newly championship-worthy Nets (thanks, KD), Sixpoint Brewery is an absolute must-see when visiting the big BX. This brewery basically has a cult following among locals. Their draft-only craft beers are chilled to perfection. Plus, all of their ales are available raw and unfiltered, embracing the unique flavors of the live culture microorganisms found in beer. Brooklyn as a borough has recently stepped out as an impressive player in the craft beer arena. It’s constantly challenging the status quo and developing inventive concoctions of uncommon brews. And you can bet that all the Brooklyn breweries have followed in the footsteps of the local hipster movement. The aesthetics and formulations of these craft beers are just as trendy as the local
Brooklynites drinking them.
Oktoberfest may be out of the question, but don’t let a plane ticket keep you from your well-deserved beercation. The States have many beer-focused events just waiting to be checked out! Whether you plan on driving cross country or visiting your local beer festival, there are many topnotch breweries for you to explore.
