Do you seek out brewery tours, tap rooms, stores, and brewpubs when you travel?
Jun 10, 2012, 6:16 pm
#31
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 19
I love to do this when I travel. Over the past few years I've taken tours at the following locations.
Anheuser-Busch - St. Louis, MO
Jack Daniels - Lynchburg, TN
Jim Beam - Claremont, KY
Maker's Mark - Loretto, KY
Heaven Hill - Bardstown, KY
One of these years I would like to hit all of the distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. And finally - a piece of advice - bring along a designated driver if you are hitting multiple locations in the same day. Most of them (except for Jack Daniels) offer two free tastings at the end of their tours.
Anheuser-Busch - St. Louis, MO
Jack Daniels - Lynchburg, TN
Jim Beam - Claremont, KY
Maker's Mark - Loretto, KY
Heaven Hill - Bardstown, KY
One of these years I would like to hit all of the distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. And finally - a piece of advice - bring along a designated driver if you are hitting multiple locations in the same day. Most of them (except for Jack Daniels) offer two free tastings at the end of their tours.
Jun 11, 2012, 2:53 am
#32
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: 127.0.0.1
Posts: 947
Well, the name pretty much says it all. It runs the first weekend in September (Fri-Sun), takes over the center of town, has three stages (I think), over a dozen breweries selling their beer, lots of delicious Bohemian food, and crafts. There were also a surprising number of mead makers there.
I know it is borderline blasphemy to say it but I enjoy Czech beer more than German beer.
I know it is borderline blasphemy to say it but I enjoy Czech beer more than German beer.
Jun 11, 2012, 5:40 am
#33
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,045
Well, the name pretty much says it all. It runs the first weekend in September (Fri-Sun), takes over the center of town, has three stages (I think), over a dozen breweries selling their beer, lots of delicious Bohemian food, and crafts. There were also a surprising number of mead makers there.
I know it is borderline blasphemy to say it but I enjoy Czech beer more than German beer.
I know it is borderline blasphemy to say it but I enjoy Czech beer more than German beer.
Jun 11, 2012, 6:27 am
#36
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Not in DFW
Posts: 2,007
Jun 11, 2012, 8:41 am
#39
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Maryland
Programs: AS, UA, BA, Hyatt, Amtrak, AF
Posts: 67
What a great selection! I'll add Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, DE to the list. Free tours (sign up online in advance) and free samples. They have brewpubs in Rehoboth, DE, Gaithersburg MD, and Falls Church, VA.
www.dogfish.com
www.dogfish.com
Jun 12, 2012, 5:07 am
#40
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: 127.0.0.1
Posts: 947
The Dogfish head Brewery is pretty nice. I got a personal tour a few years ago.
Yes:
You would love it. For around 40€, you get a 20 minute beer bath (you sit and chill out in a stainless steel tub full of warm water, beer, and some herbs and they bring you a beer), a 20 minute wrap (they wrap you up in a sheet and you chill out in a dimly lit room and enjoy another beer), and a 50 minute massage. Also on the site are two restaurants, one of which is in a cave that has been in use since the 1400s. The food is delicious Bohemian fare.
Yes:
You would love it. For around 40€, you get a 20 minute beer bath (you sit and chill out in a stainless steel tub full of warm water, beer, and some herbs and they bring you a beer), a 20 minute wrap (they wrap you up in a sheet and you chill out in a dimly lit room and enjoy another beer), and a 50 minute massage. Also on the site are two restaurants, one of which is in a cave that has been in use since the 1400s. The food is delicious Bohemian fare.
Jun 12, 2012, 6:21 am
#41
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,045
You would love it. For around 40€, you get a 20 minute beer bath (you sit and chill out in a stainless steel tub full of warm water, beer, and some herbs and they bring you a beer), a 20 minute wrap (they wrap you up in a sheet and you chill out in a dimly lit room and enjoy another beer), and a 50 minute massage. Also on the site are two restaurants, one of which is in a cave that has been in use since the 1400s. The food is delicious Bohemian fare.
Jun 12, 2012, 8:30 am
#42
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Orlando, FL, US
Programs: DL-Dirt Medallion;US-Cast Iron Preferred; HH-Gold; Avis First
Posts: 3,617
For around 40€, you get a 20 minute beer bath (you sit and chill out in a stainless steel tub full of warm water, beer, and some herbs and they bring you a beer), a 20 minute wrap (they wrap you up in a sheet and you chill out in a dimly lit room and enjoy another beer), and a 50 minute massage. Also on the site are two restaurants, one of which is in a cave that has been in use since the 1400s. The food is delicious Bohemian fare.
Jun 12, 2012, 8:35 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
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
Taprooms - most serve full pints and charge going rates, exceptions noted. Most also sell beer to go.
Brewpubs/Restaurants
Brewery stores
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.
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.
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.
Jun 14, 2012, 5:33 am
#44
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: TKU
Programs: some
Posts: 164
Tours - in no particular order
- 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.
By the way: Given halfway decent behavior, they are happy to waive that limit
Jun 14, 2012, 9:03 pm
#45
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 196