Beer Vacation ideas

As many have mentioned- San Diego. Period.
But it's a huge metropolis, so you'll need a DD. Might I suggest a Swedish schoolgirl nanny? With huge cans...

 

Or he has North Bend confused with Bend (or the joke was not a good one)?

Was in Bend for a while in June. Did the Ale Trail with some friends. The worst was good, Boneyard was excellent.

 

Yeah my girlfriend and I did the ale trail as well, and boneyard was hands down the highlight. We happened to be down there during the bend brewers fest so boneyard had a bunch of awesome rare one offs on tap.

 

While Munich and/or Bamberg might be awesome, they're NOT suitable for only a long weekend.

Personally, I'll toss in a recommendation for Tampa. Great beers, several top notch breweries, good stores, good weather, and good food, too.

 

Asheville has a good size Airport, may even have a direct flight from Chicago.

 

Bandon Dunes is extremely far from Bend (like a 4 or 5 hour drive), seems like you may like golf more than beer or maps. Hopefully you had a great time, I would love to get out there and play the Old Mcdonald Course.

 

San Diego or Vermont. Wood or waves, either way the beers are great!!

 

Heading to San Francisco in November need some good spots for beer / coffee ?

 

Confusing North Bend w/ Bend makes a little more sense. No way anyone could think poorly of the Bend Ale Trail. And the water comment just made no sense. I'm pretty sure Bend's water comes from the mountains.

For a city of only 75,000 people or so, there are tons of breweries and a very active, outdoorsy, mountain town sort of vibe. Bend has great hiking, camping, rock climbing, biking... mountains nearby in all directions. Comparable to Boulder, CO in my opinion. You really can't go wrong.

 

Downtown Inn

 

Agreed on Portland, Maine. It's a very compact town with tons of great beer and food, as well as beautiful scenery. It has more breweries than any other city in New England, which is impressive given its 1/10th the size of Boston.

As much as I love Waterbury, I'm pretty sure the reason it hadn't been mentioned yet is that there's no way the OP could fly there and walk everywhere, as requested.

 

You said you've done NY but what about Brooklyn? I'm a fan of weekends in Brooklyn. Brunch at the Beer Table, Brooklyn Brewery, lots of good bars, interesting food, hipsters, and 80s video games. Something for everyone.

 

Im going to seccond Minneapolis and put a shout out for Madison. My girlfriend and my self just spent a long weekend there and it was a blast. New glarus isnt too far out side the city, Tyranena, Ale Asylum, Capitol Brewing, Great Danes Brew pub. If your adventurous and have a car do Milwaukee, Madison, and The Twin Cities in one swoop and make a reservation at surly (you have to make it the day the open the tour one month before the tour or it fills up right away early in the morning)

 

Minneapolis great weather in October so many great bars and brew pubs great distro a great vacation

 

If you can wait until early November, that's when Beer Week is in San Diego. It's absolutely bonkers.

 

I'm there for work from time to time. would live to hear your recommendations.

 

You're right, flights are available to Asheville from Chicago. Shows what I know.

As to Bruisin' Ales on a bucket list? C'mon. It's a nice bottle shop, but hardly a must see place for everyone in the US.

 

It's ok at best. Bestway and City beverage blow it away IMO which is while I'm in Asheville I no longer go to Brusin Ales's. Yo go there to drink local, and local is everywhere, I can get 2H Ale in the grocery store.

 

Appalachian Vintner, if you want a beer store in Asheville.

 

I have not seen anyone mention Charleston, SC. You have 4 breweries (COAST, Westbrook, Holy City and Palmetto) within 20 minutes of each other and a ton of outstanding restaurants.