In a world dominated by mega brewers like Anheuser-Busch/InBev and MillerCoors, the idea of beer tourism may seem a bit laughable. But craft beer makers, who brew traditionally and produce less than 2 million barrels a year, are attracting a growing audience. There are almost 2000 breweries in the U.S. and most of them are craft brewers or brewpubs happy to open their doors to the public to share their love of beer.
A Large Brewery Tour
Coors Brewery Tour
The main Coors Brewery tour is located at their Golden Colorado plant. Coors Brewing produces more than 24 million barrels of beer each year. This 40-minute walking tour of the plant gives visitors a close-up look at the process, including malting, brewing and packaging. The tour ends with a short tasting session in the Coors hospitality room, where guests can sip limited servings of Coors products and a few of the company's craft-style brews, like the Belgian-style Blue Moon. For more information see the listing for
Coors Brewing Company in Golden, CO.
Anheuser Busch Brewery Tour
The Anheuser-Busch Brewery tour in St. Louis, Missouri will guide you through a blend of rich brewing heritage, state-of-the-art technology and extraordinary architecture. Visit the historic Budweiser Clydesdale Stable, Beechwood Lager Cellars, historic Brew House and Bevo Packaging Facility. If you are 21 years of age or older, sample Anheuser -usch's beers in the Hospitality Room. Choose from a variety of brews including our seasonal brands and new products. The St. Louis Tour Center also hosts a number of exciting events throughout the year. Also be sure to check out the
Anheuser-Busch Brewery Museum.
Miller Brewery Factory Tour
The Miller Brewing Company was established in 1855 and helped distinguish Milwaukee as the beer capital of the United States. Today, Miller is the world's third-largest brewery and produces such popular libations as Miller, Miller Lite, Miller Genuine Draft and Milwaukee's Best. To appreciate this hops heaven, start at the tour center for a 15-minute theater presentation, followed by stops at the brewery's commodious shipping and packaging area, brew house and historic cave museum. During the summer, half-hourly tours accommodate the crowds anxious to observe first-hand the intricate process of beer production. After the tour, sit down in the Bavarian-style Miller Inn or the seasonal outdoor beer garden and sample a hard-earned brew.
A Microbrewery Tour
Stone Brewing, Escondido, California
Stone Brewing is the southern California outfit responsible for beers like the Arrogant Bastard Ale and the Imperial Russian Stout. Surrounded by a boulder garden and native foliage, however, the 55,000-square-foot brewery is more bucolic than brash. After a 45-minute tour of the brewery, and a complimentary tasting, visitors can stop at the bistro to lunch on artisanal cheeses, almond-crusted tilapia and barbecue duck tacos.
Rogue Ales, Newport, Oregon
Rogue is one of many west coast breweries that benefits from its close proximity to the hops fields of the Northwest. The company's beers, which include Dead Guy Ale and Shakespeare Stout, are made without preservatives and additives. There are daily free tours of the brewery and the adjacent distillery. Afterward, tuck into a meal of steamed Chilean blue mussels and a Kobe burger at the Rogue brewpub.
Wynkoop Brewing Company, Denver, Colorado
Founded in 1988, Wynkoop was Denver's first brewpub. The free tours start with a complimentary beer and take between 20 and 45 minutes depending on the size of the group. In the pub, the brewery's signature Oktoberfest and Scottish ale can be paired with lunch and dinner menu items like a natural beef burger, a barbecue brisket sandwich and venison steak frites.
Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, N.Y.
The free tour of this former iron-works building turned matzo ball factory turned brewery is brief at about 30 minutes, but visitors can sit back with a Brooklyn Lager or Pennant Ale and trend spot. Located in Williamsburg, the brewery is a destination for hipsters looking to drink $4 pints while eating take out from a nearby Vietnamese sandwich shop or pizza place.
Mendocino Brewing Company, Ukiah, California
You might recognize this company's beers by the distinctive hawks on its labels: The flagship bottle is called the Red Tail Ale. Visitors to this small, remote brewery will particularly enjoy picking up the hops and watching the ingredients move by hand instead of by automated machine. The tour ends at a tasting area and afterward visitors can order lunch from a local restaurant and play a round of darts.
Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, Maryland
This no-nonsense brewery is about 50 miles from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Tours are free, and unlike at other breweries, visitors aren't restricted by Plexiglas or painted lines. The tour includes complimentary samples of beers like the In-Heat Wheat Hefeweizen and Tire Bite Golden Ale. Lucky visitors can indulge in free barbecue on days when the brewery staff feels like grilling.
Anchor Brewing Company, San Francisco, California
The first Anchor Steam beer was produced in 1896. The company now brews beers for varied palates, including a dark malt porter, a barley-wine style ale and a summer wheat beer. Free tours of the brewery, which is located near San Francisco's Embarcadero, must be reserved in advance. The two-hour tour ends with a complimentary tasting session.
Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, N.Y.
The Brewery Ommegang is a tribute to Belgian-style ales. Visitors to this former hop farm get a free tour of the brewery and a complimentary tasting of its five award-winning ales, including a traditional white ale and an amber ale. Tour-goers can enjoy a picnic lunch on the brewery grounds and later stop at the nearby baseball hall of fame.
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, Delaware
This brewery tries to make the long trip worth your while by offering not only a free tour and sampling, but also spring and summer weekend packages that include a morning dolphin kayak tour, gift certificate to the brewpub and two nights in the Brewmaster's Suite at a nearby hotel. The company is known for its India Pale Ales and also has an ale known as the Midas Touch Golden Elixir, which uses ingredients like barley, honey and white Muscat grapes.
Magic Hat Brewery, South Burlington, Vermont
This funky brewery trades in "elixirs" like a pale ale dubbed Lucky Kat and a hefeweizen called Circus Boy. Their brewery, or "artifactory," is undergoing renovations, but visitors to the improved building can expect it to double in size and feature a whole new sampling bar. Tours are free and include a complimentary tasting.