Best Beer-cation cities

I'd add Minneapolis/St. Paul to that, as well. Both places that I haven't ever visited, but are HIGH on my "beer bucket list" of destinations.

 

I think if you are specifically talking about visiting in the summer...New England is hard to beat. Portland, ME is an awesome summer destination--on the water, moderate temps, tons of live music, lobster rolls, walkability, huge foodie town--but also has the densest brewery scene in New England. There's more than just New England IPAs, too (see Oxbow, Allagah).

NYC in the summer? Maybe if you want major swamp ass...

 

I get that. Red swingline on apricots is pretty tasty, and I am partial to laughing lab. There is enough cool stuff there to busy up a day or two, but I was born and raised in that town, so I just saw it as a place to gtfo of.

 

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to live there either (too many Christians and I've seen Dog the Bounty Hunter), but it's pretty cool as a side trip if you're already in Denver, as it's an easy enough trip.

 

Based on personal experience, I nominate:

1. San Diego
2. Portland, OR
3. Asheville, NC
4. New York City
5. Burlington, VT
6. Raleigh, NC
7. Flagstaff, AZ
8. Portland, ME
9. Toronto, ON
10. Chicago, IL

 

Fort Collins Colorado.

 

I don't get out of the midwest too much, but I've had some fine beercations anyway.

I think Des Moines, IA is outstanding. A nice safe, clean city; very walk & bike friendly. In season a wonderful farmer's market on Saturdays. Let me tell ya, lots of beer flowing in the early A.M. there. I won't list all the breweries, you'all know how to look them up. If you bicycle, this is the place for you. Many breweries right on the trails. Something special about Des Moines and the people of Des Moines. They know how to have fun.

Another one is Walmart. Just joking, but it's hard to talk about NW Arkansas without mentioning Bentonville which is a fine little town with the small town feel. Again, I love to bike. They have a 50 mile or so bike trail that runs from Bella Vista to Fayetteville (Hogs). Passes through Bentonville. You'll find many many breweries and nice eats along this trail.

Don't miss the Crystal Bridges Museum which is right off this trail. This is a world class museum, built by one of the Waltons (Alice Walton of Walmart). Admission is free and let me tell you they will watch you like a hawk in this place. If you walk over towards one of the paintings, you'll have someone right beside you watching. Keep in mind many of the paintings are north of $25,000,000. This is a billion dollar world class facility. They even moved a Frank Lloyd Wright home to the property. People come from all over the world to this museum; it is among the best.

Just trying to give folks some options of something to do "in the middle".

I don't like to suggest where the good beer is at. Kind of like reading a review of a movie with the plot before you watch it. I think you should just get out there and see for yourself. Live a little and take the good with the bad. Good thing, you won't find much bad in these areas.

 

I might be biased but Minneapolis/ Saint Paul is definitely worth it, especially in the summer. There are many solid breweries offering a good variety of styles and they are all so close.

 

Love the shout out to Flagstaff, I'd totally forgotten how much fun and good beers I had there. Wanderlust brewing is still one of the better breweries I've ever visited.
I also thought of another place that doesn't get a lot of love but has something to offer and that is Marquette, MI. About as far north as they come but an amazing place in the summer (year round if you're from some of the hardier states) that really knows how to party. A handful of good breweries and a great drinking culture.

 

There was been an explosion of new breweries in MKE in the past 18 months with at least 12 new ones opening during that period. Couple that with the existing ones and there are 20 strong and about 10 excellent craft beer bars. Only thing that stinks is not a good public transportation system. Only the bus our Uber. But there are several tours by both land and sea (river) that are enjoyable.

 

Come to the Jersey Shore. Kane and Carton are right there along with a handful of other brewers close by. Take an hour drive and go to Conclave and Troon two of the best breweries no one knows about. Take a drive North and you can stand out line for Magnify cans.

Add the beach, boardwalk etc. and you have a real nice beer cation.

OH yeah, and Taylor Ham.

 

It really depends on your transportation situation when you are there. Being there with friends who all want to drink each day vs being there with at least one sober driver each day makes a HUGE difference.

If you are in the first category, big cities with good public transportation options are ideal. Chicago has a good amount of breweries in the city, and Three Floyds isnt too far out of range to visit for lunch before hitting up the rest of the places in the city.

If you're in the second category, I think Burlington VT is the best option. There are a ton of good breweries within a 15 minute or so driving distance, a bunch of good breweries within walking distance, and a ton of good bars in the area with stuff from the rest of teh state on tap. Plus, Vermont is a beautiful state on its own and worth a visit even if you arent drinking.

 

I'd be interested to hear what has piqued your interest. Let us know what you decide.

 

I've seen a lot lists include Chicago and I agree with that but I think it should be expanded to include southwest Michigan. It is approximately 3 hours from Chicago to Grand Rapids, Michigan and Founders Brewery. Along the way (or on the way back) you can hit New Holland Brewery in Holland, Michigan, Bells Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan, 18th Street Brewery in Hammond, Indiana, and 3 Floyds in Munster, Indiana. And I'm sure I'm missing other good breweries along the way. Truly the Chicago/Indiana//Michigan area is as good as any other area for a beer-cation.

 

Visit without drinking . . . that's heresy.

 

Come to Grand Rapids (West Michigan) in the summer for a beer-cation. Obviously a ton of breweries that are very close by but the best part is being able to spend time on Lake Michigan and have great beer so close by.

 

Living here, I can confirm, it's heresy.

 

Nothing that hasn't (mostly) been said already, but chalk one more up for Portland, Oregon. And even though it's true, you can get pFriem, Logsdon, and Double Mountain in Portland, I'll absolutely second taking the 1 hour drive out to Hood River. The scenery alone is absolutely worth it! Stop by Multnomah Falls, a pit stop to Thunder Island Brewing in Cascade Locks, and off to Hood River. Of course, if you have time, take the trip to heaven... I mean Bend as well.

San Diego is definitely awesome, but can be completely overwhelming and frustrating.

Same with LA/Orange Counties , but well worth it. Especially Anaheim area for Orange County (Noble, The Bruery, Bottle Logic, Unsung, and newly added Green Cheek to name a few).

Cheers and good luck OP (if you're still here ).

 

Gotta give props to my home state and say Asheville. Perfect vacation in my opinion is stay at Grove Park Inn... do a few nights. Dedicate 1+ days to hikes in the surrounding area - Blue Ridge Parkway runs nearby. Uber downtown and hit the bars in the evening (Burial, Twinleaf, Green Man, Wicked Weed, etc.) Dedicate one day to the Grove Park Inn spa (it's worth it) and do dinner one night on the veranda overlooking the sunset. Probably my favorite NC vacation.