I wasn't sure of the best forum for this thread, but I'm starting it in DiningBuzz, since it seems like a companion to the long running beer fridge thread, and brewery restaurants are included here. Mods can move it if needed.
I've never taken a destination trip just to visit a brewery, but have made it to a few, both on vacation and business trips. This has included going on tours, stopping by taprooms, and eating at their brewpubs. And at some breweries, because of time constraints, I've only been able to visit their store.
From memory, here is my list, going back quite a few years:
Tours - in no particular order
- Coors, Boulder, CO - Took the free tour way back before it became self guided. Small samples at the end. After filling out a brief survey, was one of the few selected for a tasting and rating of possible future products.
- Herforder Brauerei, Hiddenhausen, Germany - Was taken by some German friends, I think there was a charge, but don't know what they paid. Samples after the tour were full 1/2 liter, limited to 10 per person. Hopefully nobody tried to test the limit. Wursts and bread were also provided.
- Avery Brewing, Boulder, CO - Free tour including samples. Have a designated driver as they have some high potency brews. This applies to most of the taprooms too.
- Budweiser, Busch Gardens, Tampa, FL - Long gone now.
- Magic Hat Brewing, South Burlington, VT - Free self guided tour with free samples afterward.
- Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, Ireland. Fairly expensive ~15 Euro, and you don't see the actual factory. Still impressive and informative, and worth it if you are in or near Dublin
Taprooms - most serve full pints and charge going rates, exceptions noted. Most also sell beer to go.
- New Belgium, Ft. Collins, CO. - FREE samples (not pints), including of course, Fat Tire
- O'Dell Brewery, Ft. Collins, CO. - reserved for a private party when I went, I wasn't able to try.
- Ft Collins Brewery, Ft. Collins, CO. - how can a town this size be blessed with three great microbreweries?
- Yakima Craft Brewing, Yakima, WA
- Port/Lost Abbey, San Marcos, CA - nominal price for flights of 4 non-pint samples.
- Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids, MI - Largest by far of the ones I have been to.
Brewpubs/Restaurants
- Tommyknocker Brewery, Idaho Springs, CO. - Great place to stop coming back to Denver from the ski resorts, try the green chili. Cold beer to go too.
- Stone Brewing, Escondido, CA - tried to get there twice when I was in the area, but alas, haven't actually been there yet, although one of my co-workers has.
- Ice Harbor Brewing, Kenniwick, WA
Brewery stores
- Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, MI
Since some of these are older experiences, so details and free vs. not free might have changed.
If I recall any more, I'll add them, let's hear yours.
To stay on the topic of real breweries, please stick with breweries that distribute, and not brewpubs that just brew for in-house consumption or branded bars.