Beer-cation ideas needed

Long weekend trip across the country to San Diego? Sorry, I wouldn't want to chew two of my three days off in airports.

I'm not familiar with the drive from Portland to Waterbury, but if it is doable then that is what I would recommend as others have. They are two of my favorite locations in the northeast... although I wouldn't choose to visit them in December. Well, maybe Waterbury for skiing. August/September, now that's the ticket.

 

If you've got the dough, I'd seriously consider that Florida trip that someone mentioned. Get the hell out of the cold and snow for a bit on your anniversary.

 

I'm taking a group of Boston women on a brewery/taproom tour this weekend and hitting all the hot ones. However, we scheduled it for this weekend because we felt it would generally be quieter now that it's post-foliage. December in VT can be rather gray & dreary - sometimes not enough snow to go skiing even - but you will find that the typical lines and allotments for hard-to-score beer are way easier, if non-existent. What the weather may lack, the deals during "stick season" up here are significant, and for those business-owners who haven't left to take their break from the heavy tourist season, they are grateful for your business that time of year. By Christmas, however - everyone cranks right up again through ski season until mud season (April)...and repeat.

 

My wife and I were really bored for the weekend we were in San Diego. The beer in San Diego is good, but there's only so much time you can spend in a brewery [or beer you can drink at once], and the only other activities to do there seemed to be shopping, golf, or laying on a beach. If you like those, maybe you'd have more fun than us. I recommend saving yourself the plane ticket and stick to New England. If New England includes stops at certain VT breweries, the beer is better than San Diego too.
I was to do west coast + beer Portand, OR had a lot more to do than SD.

Or go all out and head to Europe, like Belgium, Germany, Ireland, etc.

Philly Beer Week gets a lot of beer-minded tourists into Philadelphia, but that's not until 5/30 to 6/8... http://www.phillybeerweek.org/

 

I'd recommend The Onion in Lake Barrington http://www.onionbrewery.com/ PM me if you need directions. I liked their beer quite a bit. They had a really nice pumpkin beer on tap last I went.

 

If my wife and I had the time and money we'd go to California, start with Sierra Nevada and then hit as many of the neighboring breweries.

PS: Florida is rubbish.

 

http://beeradvocate.com/events/calendar/2013/12

might help

 

I'd go with San Diego for December. The temperatures are mild, they have a lot of great breweries around the city, and there is a lot of things to do in San Diego in general. If you are like me, and your wife doesn't have the enthusiasm for craft beer as you, San Diego is a great option because both of you will enjoy the area.

 

I know it said weekend, and I know a California trip isn't exactly the easiest long weekend from the east coast, but you could probably fly in to Oakland for much cheaper than flying to San Diego. Hang out in the bay area for a few days.... Russian River, 21st amendment, anchor, and enough brew pubs and bars to supply you with options for a full year. sure its northern California and it is December, but I promise it isn't as bad as Vermont in December. Spring for taking Thursday and Friday off and just charge it!

 

Asheville, NC or San Diego, CA

 

This. You only live once. Memories for a lifetime.

 

If you never even went to Balboa Park or the Zoo, I kind of have to question just how hard you tried to find something to do in San Diego...

 

Line up the worst breweries that you can think of so that you don't spend much time drinking. You can then get onto something more important for this event.

 

This summer was in California, amazing food. Landed in La, Drove down to Ale Smith and Lost Abbey, Firestone, Bruery, Sante Adarius, then up to Russian river. The numeruous bottle shops scattered between. The weather was amazing. Amazing view and oysters/ seafood on the way down the 1. Highly recommended. The midwest has alot to offer as well but the weather and scenery will diminish once the winter hits. Hope you enjoy your trip!

 

If you are in or near Newport, RI, you should take a stop into Newport Storm. It is a quick self-guided tour, but they also have a distillery where you can sample 4 different rums (as well as beers) for right around $5. The glass is worth it in itself.

 

It is 7.49 after tax, just looked it up ... http://www.newportstorm.com/visit.php

 

Come to Pittsburgh. It'll really make you appreciate what you already have at home.

 

What???

Been there... nothing impressive, and the beer is unremarkable at best. Not a single offering has a rating of 90. Newport is a great place, but Newport Storm isn't worthwhile...

 

Iron City??? Where's the hometown pride?

 

Montreal. Dieu du Ciel is there, amongst others. And there are plenty of ways to keep warm on an anniversary trip.