Summer will be here before we know it, and that means one thing: it’s time to start planning road trips. Maybe you finally want to visit the Grand Canyon, Acadia National Park, or take a drive down Route 66. Or perhaps you want to take a trip to visit some of the best beer cities the US has to offer. Lucky for you (and your family), depending on where you go, you can visit some of the best beer areas while also seeing some of the most incredible sites the US has to offer.
As a beer writer, I’ve taken countless beer-themed road trips. And while the destination is usually a renowned brewery, these journeys are often accompanied by a tourist attraction as well. This brings us to one important question: what are the best beer cities to visit this spring and summer?
The best US beer cities to visit this spring and summer
Picking the right beer cities to visit can seem daunting. With more than 9,000 breweries currently operating in the US, there are countless metropolitan areas (large and small) worth visiting. Selecting the perfect choice for your summer car trip (or flight) was no easy task.
How I pick the best beer cities
There are certain criteria that must be met to make it on my list of best beer cities. First, the city should be large enough to have at least a dozen (or more) well-known breweries worth visiting. On top of that, it should also have recreational, restaurant, and tourist attractions worth visiting. Lastly, I look for beer cities with a history of beer. Not just a trendy, new hotbed. A city that has been crafting beer for decades and has the award-winning beer and breweries to prove it. Below you’ll find a list of the beer cities true hop fans will want to travel to this spring and summer. Keep scrolling to see them in all their sudsy, frothy, hoppy glory.
Denver, Colorado
Not only is Denver an outdoor fan’s dream destination, but it’s also home to around 100 breweries. The city that hosts the Great American Beer Festival each fall is filled with breweries, brewpubs, beer restaurants, and sports venues (that serve beer). After attending a Rockies game, stop by Cerebral Brewing for an award-winning IPA, epic lager, or barrel-aged stout. Other great choices include Bierstadt Lagerhaus, New Image Brewing, Primitive Beer, Wynkoop Brewing, or Our Mutual Friend Brewing. You can even spend a few days mountain biking between breweries to burn off some excess calories.
Portland, Maine
When it comes to the Portland beer hierarchy, even though it’s smaller, we believe Maine has its Oregon cousin beat. Not only does the city feature over 20 unique breweries, but you can also visit the city’s Old Port neighborhood, check out some breathtaking lighthouses, and eat your weight in lobster rolls. Oh yeah, did we mention the beer? Try some juicy, hazy IPAs at Bissell Brothers or visit Shipyard Brewing, Rising Tide Brewing Company, Allagash Brewing, and more. Plus, what could be better than coastal Maine in the summer? Grab your favorite Stephen King novel and pack your bag. Don’t forget to leave room to bring beer home with you, though.
San Diego, California
If you’re an IPA fan, especially piney, citrus, aggressively bitter IPAs, you’re going to want to visit the heart of the West Coast
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is about an hour’s drive from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (the most visited National Park each year). It’s a great city to visit if you love hiking and exploring nature. It’s also a great choice for fans of frothy, refreshing beer. While not a huge city, it boasts more than 30 breweries within its city limits. This includes some of the biggest names in US brewing, including Burial Beer Co, Highland Brewing Company, Green Man Brewery, and the popular Wicked Weed Brewing. A summer trip to North Carolina and stops at a few breweries sounds pretty good to us.
Chicago, Illinois
The home of Ferris Bueller should already be on your road trip list this summer, before you even think of the beer destinations. Visit Millennium Park, take a stroll on Navy Pier, and definitely have at least one deep-dish pizza. Also, visit some of the 160 breweries in the city, including Dovetail Brewery, Half Acre Beer Company, Forbidden Root, Revolution Brewing, Off Color Brewing, Pilot Project, and countless beer bars and brewpubs. You don’t have to be Abe Froman, “the sausage king of Chicago,” to enjoy these IPAs, pilsners, and sour ales.
