Craft breweries are sprouting left and right—which is great news for beer drinkers across America. Not only does this mean it’s easier to find great craft beers in your backyard, but it’s a great excuse to find new bars and new beers. Wherever you go, you’re bound to stumble into fresh and creative brews.
Cleveland, OH
Called the ancestral seat of beer in America by some, Cleveland has recently been mixing it up with craft beers. There’s a yearly festival in October dedicated to discovering and enjoying local craft beer creations. Explore Cleveland’s craft scene at Platform, Nano, and Market Garden.
Asheville, NC
Many of Asheville’s great breweries are in walking distance from one another, so ditch the car or designated driver and explore on foot. Some notable stops are Wicked Weed, Burial Beer, and Twin Leaf.
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
New breweries have been popping up in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in recent years, with great options to choose from. Try Fulton Brewery, Dangerous Man Brewing, and The Happy Gnome (for beer and a bite to eat).
Grand Rapids, MI
While Grand Rapids is newer to the craft beer game, the fierce local pride makes this a great town for breweries—it was nominated BeerCity USA 2012 and 2013. Some of the breweries that earned BeerCity its fame are Founder’s Brewing Co., Hopcat, and Brewery Vivant.
San Diego, CA
Beer buffs and beach bums alike can enjoy quality craft beer in San Diego, where hoppy, West Coast IPAs are king. From establishments like Stone Brewing Co. to the newer White Labs tasting room, it’s the perfect city to soak up some sun and suds.
New York, NY
Home to 20 craft breweries–15 of which were started in the past two years–the Big Apple knows how to brew good beer. Before, it was hard to find craft beer outside bars and restaurants but if there’s anything NYC does well, it’s giving people what they want. If you’re near the Upper East Side, check out custom draft system at The Jeffrey. For local brews and the Bronx experience, try The Bronx Beer Hall. The Caribbean-infused Battery Harris is your stop in Brooklyn.
What’s your favorite beer destination?
Photo