30th Birthday - Brewery Trip

I live in North Carolina, and do love Asheville, but I'd vote for Portland....I'm heading there in July(Seattle to San Fran beer trip) and can't wait to get back!

 

At 30 your group could go north to Michigan, come back through Wisconsin ,and spend a few days in a Chicago hotel in the loop doing brewery tours .

 

If you haven't already been, I would suggest driving across the state to St Louis.

Budweiser(would still be a cool tour)
Schlafly
4 Hands
Perennial
Side Project
Urban Chestnut
Civil Life
Cathedral Square
and I'm sure I'm missing others...

 

I'd say this is about as accurate as these types of lists get. Echoes most of what's been said in here.

http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/best-beer-cities-in-america

 

Well nevermind then.

 

If Portland is your choice (and it is an excellent choice, you'll love Portland's beer culture), check out the Northwest forum because someone maintains a thread there of the current beer priorities that you'll want to factor into your planning.

 

You've gotta do a roadie, with a DD each day. First, drink at Boulevard, which is local. Smokestack Series only.

Then up and at 'em early the next morning and make the 6-hour and 6-minute (395 miles) trip to Decorah, IA. Hit Toppling Goliath - HARD. Drink Pseudo Sue until it comes out your ears, then stick a fork in yourself with a bomber of Sosus. Pick up a couple of cases of whatever bombers they're selling, then crawl to a hotel. Sleep.

Up and at 'em early the next morning and make the 2-hour and 44-minute (157 miles) trip to Minneapolis. Find a hotel. Hit Dangerous Man Brewing. Drink all the Chocolate Milk Stout and Peanut Butter Porter they have, then go to the Smack Shack (1029 Bar) and eat the best Lobster Mac 'n Cheese you've ever had. Sleep.

Get up late the next morning, go to Summit. Drink all their great stuff, and make sure you rave about Saga. Go to Nye's Polynaise room and eat kielbasa and sauerkraut until you burst. Stop before returning to the hotel to get lots of air freshener. Sleep.

Get up late the next morning, go to Surly. Drink ..... everything, eat there, then drink everything again. Buy Surly swag. Go to hotel. Sleep.

Get up early the next morning, hop on I-35 South, and drive until you hit KC, approximately 6-hours and 21-minutes (438.5 miles) later. Sleep and dream about all the great beer you enjoyed.

You're welcome.

 

If you can get to Bend, Oregon I think that would be #1 IMO...

My other favorite beer trips have been:
Wine country
Vermont
Boston/New Hampshire/Portland, ME
(I would have listed SD and KC but you specifically said no to those)

If you are looking for big cities I think SF, Portland, and Seattle are all good options.

If you end up picking any of the places I listed feel free to shoot me a note and I can give you my thoughts on good places to stop by or spots to avoid.

Happy Birthday!

 

yes. you. do.

 

Sounds like a trip of a lifetime, but also a 'life shortener.'

 

Bend IS a great recommendation too.

 

Belgium

 

A couple of mentions for the Denver area already, but Denver/Boulder/Ft. Collins area has an insane number of breweries. For just a couple of days, stay in Boulder and rent bikes. Easy way to hit quite a few quality spots.