Big Roadtrip; Where Should I stop?

Depending on your E/W path through Ohio, I-70 hits Dayton & Columbus, since I haven't been to either in a while, I'll let someone else fill in the details.

I-80/90 goes through Toledo and Cleveland. Maumee Bay in downtown Toledo is a good stop. It's in 19th century hotel, and has a really nice collection of beer memorabilia. Best beers are Amarillo Brillo IPA and Total Eclipse Stout. (both available in bottles)

Cleveland has many great spots to hit, so I won't give you a definitive list, just a couple of my favorites. Great Lakes is the granddaddy of Ohio brewpubs. It's west of the Cuyahoga from downtown Cleveland. It's another cool, historic brewpub. Legend says there are a couple bullet holes in the wall from an attempt on the life of Elliot Ness. Edmund Fitzgerald Porter is a long time favorite, but while they aren't the wildest brewer, almost everything they make is good. (bottles are easy to find all over Ohio and surrounding states) Fathead's in North Olmstead (still basically Cleveland) is a more suburban location. It's a stand alone brewpub with a large, family-friendly restaurant. The food servings are a monument to gluttony, but it's tasty. Head Hunter IPA, is a highly rated hoppy beer, and there recent Sunshine Daydream release is among the best session IPAs I've had. (bottles are more rare than Great Lakes, but increasingly less so) They have a large tap selection and also have quite a few guest handles.

Really, this just scratches the surface.

 

This story just ran last week. Here are several, worthy, stops when in Wisconsin.

http://host.madison.com/entertainme...cle_a64fa68e-1cc7-506b-9b52-816a4bac5122.html

 

If your coming through VA and travel through Roanoke, Try Jack Brown's Burger Joint. They typically stock over 100 bottled brews and some local taps. They never advertise the taps but it's usually outstanding. The local breweries around here are Roanoke Railhouse, Parkway, Devil's Backbone, Blue Mountain, Chaos Mountain, Sunken City, Flying mouse.

http://www.jackbrownsjoint.com/

 

Bend Oregon, it was amazing on the recent honeymoon and could be described as 'beervana'

 

Agreed; liked it so much we stopped there both going and coming on my last beer-cation.

 

What's your itinerary in Florida? Just Orlando? Not much in the way of good breweries in that city but Redlight Red Light is hands-down the best bar there, probably the best in the state, and generally considered one of the best in the region. Hell, it's even hosted Zwanze Day twice now.

 

Overall advice: hit the beer advocate "beerfly" aka local info for basically any metropolitan area in the country. Easy way to laser focus on the best. I have used this often for a new regions. For the states I have been to, Ill provide a single location that would be, IMO, the best overall value.

• Oregon: Portand, and basically anywhere. Belmont Station for killer selection and a host of taps.
• California: Russian River Brewing, hands down. All the taps will be great, and the pizzas are very good. Hit the Whole Foods up for an excellent in-store taproom.
• Texas: Never been, but I cannot imagine going to the Lonestar state without a visit to Jester King.
• Orlando: As fmcormi mentioned, Readlight Red Light is a great place. Pretty deep bottle list, worth the stop. Not a ton of food around however. Gnarly Barley is another great place, and has good food. Up-in-coming place.
• Indiana: Never been, but I will echo the Three Floyds recs. Might just stumble upon a limited release!
• Illinois: Going to break rank and say The Beer Temple. Whip smart shop owner only stocks the best beers available in the Chicago market, and a really nice guy. Tons of breweries around there too.
• Wisconsin: Never been, but New Glarus makes fantastic beer, and its only available in that state!!!
• Minnesota: Four Firkins, great craft beer shop in MN. Watch out, no alcohol sales on Sundays! Not sure if state law got changed yet...

 

Alabama's beer industry is exploding. Check out the brewers' guild website.

http://albeer.org/

 

If you want a great brewery flying under the radar, go to JAFB/Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. A little off the path, but that's what you asked for and the beer is great. Also hit Fat Head's(North olmsted or Middleburg Heights), Geat Lakes, Willoughby Brewing(Peanut Butter Cup Coffee Porter) and The Brew Kettle as your time allows.

 

There is no beer in Washington. Best if you just drive right past.

 

in portland, oregon: Hair of the Dog for well-priced pints and bottles of amazing, often 10% beers. up the road is Cascade Brewing for a ton of great sours

 

Wisconsin recs:

Madison is an awesome town in the spring/summer:
Karben4
Ale Asylum

New Glarus is nearby - obviously a must.

 

Find some Vortex II from Pisgah Brewing, bombers if you're passing through the Western part of NC to go along with what was mentioned above. Highland Brewing has a 20th anniversary Scotch Ale that is also worth a bomber or two, more widely distributed, I found it in Raleigh the other day.

 

While in Arizona check out Wilderness brewing. Great beers and the food at their brew pub is good too.

 

OP- If you're driving through WV, your best bet is to just contact me and come drink from my cellar, 99% of which I got outside of WV

 

Block 15 Corvallis, OR.

 

Tons of solid breweries in MT these 3 are my personal favorites at the moment.

Billings MT- Uberbrew and Carter's
Helena MT- Blackfoot River

 

Orlando = Cask and Larder Brewery/Restaurant(fantastic place for a special meal night)
http://www.caskandlarder.com/

Central Florida -
Tampa Area = Several breweries in the Tampa bay area that get mentioned here repeatedly in that regional forum
East Coast Cocoa Beach = Florida Beer Company new location

South Florida Ft Lauderdale area = Funky Buddha

 

Minneapolis/St. Paul:
Surly, Town Hall, Indeed, Steel Toe, Summit, and a bunch more, just tell us what you like.