As a craft beer lover, one of my favorite things to do when traveling – or, heck, even hanging out in town – is visiting local breweries. So what makes a great brewery? Well, you need to ask the experts. And who are the experts exactly? In my book, it’s WE THE PEOPLE – the beer-lovers of the world. So in conducting my research of “must visit” craft breweries across the United States, I reached out to the coolest beer experts that I know – my friends – and asked them for their favorite brewery experiences. Whether it’s the location (at the beach, on a lake, in the heart of the city, on a mountain or in the country) or the atmosphere (funky, urban, hippy, industrial or vibrant) or the beers (innovative, flavorful, traditional or hoppy), the key thing that I learned is, visiting a brewery is really more than just popping in to get a brew. It’s a total interactive, sensory, learning experience. If you have a “successful” brewery visit, you actually gain an understanding of the culture, hospitality, flavors, people, scenery and even history of the area. That’s pretty cool. It’s education through beer. I like it!
So here they are; 45 breweries/brewpubs that my beer-loving friends from around the country recommend, along with some key “tasting” notes. Next time you’re traveling, take a peek at the list and pop in to one of these happy places. There’s even a handy map that you can print out and take with you. Or, hey, maybe even hang it up and cross places off as you go. Goals, right? And as always, I love to hear your suggestions! What are your faves? I’ll add them to my “must visit” list. Cheers, my friends!
Arizona
Arizona Wilderness Brewing
Gilbert, AZ
Each beer tasted was phenomenal; awesome cabin-style atmosphere
Petal Haus Brewery 
Tempe, AZ
Solid beer; super location; massive fire pit; built to be a hangout for bike lovers; rad patio!
The Perch Brewery and Pub
Chandler, AZ
Delicious food; beautiful garden atmosphere with open air bar; courtyard with cages of tropical rescue birds
California
Coronado Brewing Co.
Coronado, CA
Postcard-perfect town and street; laid back local vibe; warm space; tasty beers
Lagunitas Brewing Company
Petaluma, CA
Amazing! One of the most unique breweries anywhere, very “Wonka” like; massive space
Mammoth Brewing Company
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Great things in Mammoth…snowboarding, camping, hiking and this brewery! Chill atmosphere, friendly staff, cold beer
Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
Capitola, CA
Perfect spot for beer enthusiasts; Phenomenal! Exceptional saison/farmhouse ales; cult following
Stone Brewing Co.
Escondido, CA
Incredible brewery experience, fabulous welcoming beer garden, beautiful indoor space, huge IPA selection
Colorado
Liquid Mechanics Brewing
Lafayette, CO
Wonderful atmosphere! Beautiful location! Quality beer, both regular and seasonal; friendly crew
Oskar Blues Brewery
Longmont, CO
Awesome warehouse-style tasting room with cool beer can decor; huge selection of beer anchored by flagship Dave’s Pale Ale
Upslope Brewing Company
Boulder, CO
Sleek and modern décor in gorgeous Boulder; great range of beers on the menu; love the lightweight cans for the environmentally-conscience
Delaware
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Milton, DE
Great beers, free brewery tour with free samples; fun place to hang out and play bocci and cornhole; cool atmosphere
Florida
Cigar City Brewing
Tampa, FL
Unique beer flavors in funky setting; seriously awesome beer tour
Ulele
Tampa, FL
A FAV in Tampa, big spot for locals; awesome location on the river; walls and floors are covered with artwork; fantastic food and several in-house brews
Illinois
Half Acre Beer Company
Chicago, IL
Fantastic beer; super friendly staff; love the tasting room, very cool decor
Revolution Brewing
Chicago, IL
Delicious, well-known beers; always packed; restaurant serves “famous” popcorn with bacon
Maine
Allagash Brewing Co.
Portland, ME
Tasting room has a great atmosphere; weekends are packed with locals and visitors, enjoying the gorgeous bar and cool keg tables; cornhole spot in the biergarten outside
Atlantic Brewing Company
Bar Harbor, ME
Great way to spend the afternoon in Bar Harbor; lots of outdoor seating; order from Mainely Meat and get an Atlantic Brewing Company beer…the BBQ is a must!
Marshall Wharf Brewing Co.
Belfast, ME
Off the beaten path; awesome place on the edge of the bay; bartenders were super nice; interesting and delicious beers (including one made with seaweed!)
Massachusetts
Buzzards Bay Brewing
Westport, MA
Good local brew in a farm setting; housed in a gigantic old barn amidst an active farm; nice sized tap room with darts and corn hole; outdoor events on weekends feature farmers markets and other local vendors, a food truck and often local shellfish
Michigan
Bell’s Brewery
Kalamazoo, MI
Indoor space is beautiful, with a huge beer menu sure to satisfy any taste; the food is creative and tasty; great live bands; very cool outdoor space
Minnesota
Castle Danger Brewery
Two Harbors, MN
Awesome beers; light, sunny taproom; fun games; friendly people
Dangerous Man Brewing Co.
Minneapolis, MN
Best beer in town! The microbrewery is always packed with hipster 20 – 30 somethings, drinking the brand’s famous peanut butter porter and chocolate milk stout (yes, the brews actually taste like peanut butter and chocolate milk)
Lake Monster Brewing
St. Paul, MN
Just opened a brand new taproom in St. Paul; the brick and metal, industrial building complements the Lake Monster brand and creates a gorgeous atmosphere for casual beer drinkers and connoisseurs alike
Surly Brewing Co.
Minneapolis, MN
Huge taproom open space, “comfortable industrial”; spacious outdoor beer garden with fireplaces; fantastic food and beers; great destination brewery
New York
Brooklyn Brewery
Brooklyn, NY
Chill brewery in huge warehouse with picnic tables; hipster crowd; fun location to bring friends; tasty beers
Captain Lawrence Brewing
Elmsford, NY
Cabin-like tap room; nice patio set up with food and games; really well-crafted beers
Iron Flamingo Brewery
Corning, NY
Best Mocha Porter and Black English Ale! Great tasting room atmosphere; laid back and friendly
Rooster Fish Brewing
Watkins Glen, NY
Spectacular, friendly outdoor beer garden; beers made from local ingredients (hops, malts, fresh Seneca Lake water)
North Carolina
Carolina Brewery
Chapel Hill, NC
Local spot to meet and hang out with friends and enjoy a beer; has a great pub feel; beers are outstanding
Outer Banks Brewing Station
Kill Devil Hills, NC
Who doesn’t love craft beer at the beach? Yummy food; featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives; enjoy a beer flight while hanging out in the spacious garden area listening to live music
Ohio
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Cleveland, OH
The food is always great, and you can’t go wrong with any of the beers; three floors of fun; lower level feels especially cozy with exposed stone
Oregon
Widmer Brothers Brewing
Portland, OR
Great place to hang with friends or have a relaxed date night; sensational collection of beers; good restaurant with recommended food and beer pairings
Pennsylvania
Barley Creek Brewing Company
Tannersville, PA
Cozy and welcoming after a day on the mountain; lodge-like atmosphere; beers are awesome, food is amazing; great laid back place to hang out
Troegs Brewing Company
Hershey, PA
Great industrial-style atmosphere in an enormous space; delicious food, always with new, fresh menu items; lots of good heavy beers
Victory Brewing Company
Downingtown, PA
Beer is phenomenal, amazing food; nice open space, cool vibe, very relaxed; always packed!
Rhode Island
Foolproof Brewing Company
Pawtucket, RI
Tours consist of the owner walking you through a “day in the life,” showing what he does on a daily basis; beer is delicious; learning about their experiential approach to naming the beers is very engaging
South Carolina
Freehouse Brewery
North Charleston, SC
Small, casual, friendly brewery with nice patio and a covered picnic area; perfect venue to sit back, relax, and enjoy some well-crafted beer
Texas
Jester King Brewery
Austin, TX
Farmhouse brewery in a unique country location; brew some cool “wild ales” with local ingredients
Vermont
Hill Farmstead Brewery
North Greensboro, VT
Serene country farmhouse brewery experience; offer several series of unique beers; lots of cool family history
Virginia
Blue Mountain Brewery
Afton, VA
Great beers and food (pizza…yum), sitting outside looking at gorgeous mountain views; kids running around playing cornhole with hops growing in the background. Best place on earth!
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Richmond, VA
Local favorite, hipsters, bands, unique events, bocci court; rustic warehouse type space; large outdoor hangout space with food trucks; known for “famous” Gingerbread Stoudt
Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery
Goochland, VA
Beer is excellent and innovative; can’t beat the secluded, country atmosphere; beautiful views
Queen City Brewing
Staunton, VA
Small town, fun vibe, cool people, yummy beer, lots of IPAs!
Washington
Georgetown Brewing Company
Seattle, WA
Free tastings of all the beers,” inexpensive deliciousness”; purchase by growler or keg only; fantastic space, must stop-in for beer enthusiasts
Thank you to my beer-loving friends that contributed to this list: Beth, Brian, David, Debby D., Debby W., Eric, Gayle, Gene, Jason, Jennifer, Jill, John, Jules, Katie, Keila, Kim, Kristyn, Laura, Laurie, Michalea, Pia, Rosalie, Stacia and Vaden. I owe you a beer!