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7 Craft Breweries That Are Worth a Visit
Though most restaurants may not have sommeliers for beer working the dining floor just yet, the increasing collection of American and Canadian craft breweries create an exciting collection of artisanal, local and limited edition brews which are swiftly elevating humble beer from a common drink to something that is savored. Beer lovers everywhere will not be disappointed by the best breweries to visit, where they can sample many different styles and flavors of beer from the traditional to the weird and unusual.
Samuel Adams, Boston
Founded in 1984, Samuel Adams is the grandfather of craft breweries and has grown to national prominence whilst still retaining its roots of independence. From Monday to Saturday each week, hour-long tours of the brewery are available every forty-five minutes and the popular tour covers not only the brewing process but also provides visitors with interesting information and history regarding its founder, Sam Adams. Guests are also welcome to sample the brewery’s thirty different samples of locally-brewed beer.
Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales, Milton, Del.
This small Milton brewery is held in high esteem by beer enthusiasts, with limited release batches such as the Fall brew of Punkin Ale selling out rather quickly. Dogfish Head forgoes the traditional method of brewing barley and hops for brewing, instead using more unusual ingredients such as licorice root, maple syrup and chicory. Some of the most interesting brews to come out of this brewery are ancient recipes, created with the help of a molecular archaeologist. Tours of the Dogfish Head brewery are available on reservation, where visitors can learn a lot about the process of fermentation as well as sample the home brewed products.
Niagara Brewing Company, Niagara Falls Ontario
The Niagara Brewing Company is a recently opened brewery which combines fine beer with the stunning surroundings of the Ontario side of the Niagara Falls which is easily reached by crossing the bridge at the US side. Sitting on the former site of the Foxhead Inn, the Niagara Brewing Company aims to create beers that proudly represent the heritage of both Canada and North America. The brewery offers a range of beers to suit all tastes, and visitors to the Falls can enjoy a cold one with friends whilst sitting outside with the stupendous falls in the background.
Brooklyn Brewery, New York City
Visitors to New York shouldn’t miss out on a visit to the Brooklyn Brewery. A former matzo ball factory, this brewery creates a range of beers in the hip neighborhood of Williamsburg. During weeknights, visitors can book on to a small tour of the brewery by reservation only, which includes a guided tasting of the brewery’s four best beers. At the weekend, the popular Tasting Room hangout is open to visitors where they can enjoy sampling the beers, order pizza and join no-reservation tours.
Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Oregon.
Oregon is the center of craft brew enthusiasts, so it’s no surprise to find this popular brewery nestled in the picturesque Oregon town of Bend. Well-renowned for its bold and experimental brews such as The Abyss dark stout, Deschutes Brewery also produces some of the industry’s most beloved batches such as Black Butte Porter. Daily tours of the brewery are available and open to all ages, where guests can learn about the details of creating craft beers and enjoy samples of the brewery’s wares. Afterwards, guests can purchase bottles at the gift shop or sample the beer on tap at the nearby pub.
Rouge Ales Brewery, Newport, Oregon
Another popular Oregon brewery is the Rogue Ales Brewery, located in Newport. Founded in 1988, Rogue is constantly working to increase its vast collection of different craft ales, all of which come with useful food pairing labels included to ensure that you pick the best choice of beer to accompany your meal. The Brewer’s On the Bay pub inside the Rogue Ales Brewery is the best place to go if you’re looking to see where and how it all happens, with regular tours of the brewery available. Before and after taking part in a tour, guests are welcome to sample one of the forty different brews available on tap.
Live Oak Brewing Company, Austin, Texas
If you are interested in the Old World method of Central European brewing, the Live Oak Brewing Company located in Austin is a must-visit. The popular brewery is home to well-loved batches such as Liberation Ale and Big Bark Amber Lager, and offers twice-monthly tours where visitors can learn about the details of the way they brew and sample the different batches.
