The United States has a strong beer culture. It’s home to some of the largest brands in the world and dozens of thriving craft breweries. Make it a mission to visit these six destinations the next time you go on “beercation.”
- San Diego, California
San Diego may be perennially sunny, but beer savants know the city is far from dry. This SoCal metropolis is the Capital of Craft, which is a bold claim in a state with about 1,100 local craft brewers — the highest nationwide.
America’s Finest City’s craft beer scene excels in quality and quantity. It’s the birthplace of many award-winning brewers and has high concentrations of sought-after spots famed for experimental drinks.
The local brewers guild hosts countless events, attracting hordes of tourists with sophisticated palates. Bar-hop to revel in the city’s diverse selection your way. Many breweries offer tastings for enthusiasts, provide a peek behind the scenes and sell home brewing kits for passionate amateur beer makers.
- Burlington, Vermont
The Green Mountain State punches above its weight in the craft beer space. Vermont has the most breweries per capita in the land, translating to about 15 spots per 1,000 inhabitants.
Though the state is touristy, it’s nowhere near as densely populated as the other destinations beer aficionados frequent. Vermont is a relaxing place to indulge yourself in a couple of fine cold ones.
Burlington — the state’s beating heart — should be your first stop. This idyllic, walkable city gives you access to many excellent craft breweries within a short distance. Afterward, explore the Northeast Kingdom, Stowe, and the southern towns of Woodstock, Rutland, and Middlebury to find hidden gems and build your own beer trail.
- St. Louis, Missouri
You can’t go cross-country pint polishing without visiting the Rome of the West. Do it for the culture, as Anheuser-Busch — the brewer of Budweiser and St. Louis’s pride and joy — is a story of adaptability, innovation and resilience amid the Prohibition era.
Although you can chug the Mound City’s refreshing export anytime, anywhere, its flourishing local brewhouses will make your trip worthwhile. Its beer fest calendar is packed year-round. Craft beer connoisseurs flock to St. Louis multiple times yearly to sample mouthwatering creations from top and emerging brewers at iconic venues.
- Twin Cities, Minnesota
Minnesota is an eternal hoppy haven. Its beer production history goes back to 1850 — no wonder it’s home to three of the most prolific brewing companies nationwide. Fast forward to the 2020s, and the North Star State has hundreds of craft breweries and brewpubs.
Many operate in Minneapolis and St. Paul. However, you can’t fully appreciate the Land of 10,000 Brews if you restrict yourself to the region. Instead, use the Twin Cities as jumping-off points to uncover the state’s best-kept secrets.
If you head north, you’ll find hidden gems in Pine City, Baxter and Bemidji serving the discerning locals’ favorites. If you travel westward, the well-known watering holes in Annandale, New London and Willmar will impress you with their unique twists on craft beers. Go south to savor prominent spots in Saint Peter, Owatonna and Blue Earth.
- Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is arguably the youngest beer mecca in the U.S. Its craft beer scene has exploded over the past 10 years, evolving from homebrewed recipes showcased at social gatherings to nanobreweries to help shape the Queen City’s identity as a beer destination.
The city owes its burgeoning craft beer industry to the opening of the LYNX Blue Line. Numerous brewpubs are scattered around the train stops, rendering them convenient third places for the riding public.
More red dots appear on Charlotte’s brewery map every year, so there’s constantly something new to try. Increased competition pressures operations big and small to stand out. While most establishments lean on aesthetics to attract more foot traffic, they rarely lose sight of the goal — to ensure the brews take center stage.
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Fewer American locations love beer more than the Steel City. Pittsburgh’s brewing heritage is unassailable. Its beloved Iron City lager has been around since the 19th century, quenching the thirst of beer lovers longer than the admission of nearly a third of all U.S. states into the union.
Burgh’s brewery count won’t paralyze you by analysis. The local brewers guild shares trails to point you in the right direction and discover the city’s soul through its traditional brews. If you’re on the adventurous side, you can aimlessly walk its streets and drink at the first spot you find and likely avoid disappointment.
Pittsburgh’s brewer community is quite close-knit. Anyone in the taproom would gladly give you a list of other must-visit pubs in the area to continue your gastronomic journey.
Pack Your Bags and Beer Up
These six destinations speak to the soul of any beer lover. Prioritize them in your next “beercation” to discover classic and innovative brews nationwide.
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