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Need ideas for a "beer"cation in the US - Please help

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by BBultww, Aug 14, 2012.

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  1. BBultww

    BBultww Initiate (0) Aug 14, 2012

    Hello All -

    I'm a big beer, baseball, and football fan (among many other things).

    In October, I'm looking at taking a 5-day vacation anywhere in the US (literally) where I'll drink lots of craft beers, watch the baseball playoffs, and watch college/pro football. I'm especially to throw down some Oktoberfest and Pumpkin Ales. With that said, I'd like input on what city I should go to. After going to every MLB stadium, I've seen most of the big US cities. I think Seattle/Denver/Nashville have 3 of the best beer cities in terms of # of breweries/tap houses in close proximities to each other (and hotels). Nashville has the Beer Sellar (at least 60+ beer taps) and the Flying Saucer (120+ beer taps) within .5 miles of each other. Denver/Seattle of course are already well known/documented to us in the beer world. I know there are some other great cities too that I haven't mentioned, but perhaps you guys can chime in for me (i.e. NYC has the Ginger Man, Rattle & Hum, etc, but they don't necessarily show multiple games on at the same time)? I'm curious about looking further into San Diego, Cincinnati, and Chicago more. What other cities should I look into?

    Ultimately I'm looking for your ideas on the best US city with multiple tap houses, breweries (to drink at), and sports-waching TVs, while all in close proximity to each other.

    What are your thoughts? Where would you go in the US if you had my criteria? I know there are a ton of great cities with bars close to each other, but like I said, I'm looking for large craft beer selections, tvs to watch multiple games, and places with good vibes (hopefully juke boxes and pool tables).

    Thanks all! Cheers!
     
    #1 BBultww, Aug 14, 2012
  2. azorie

    azorie Pooh-Bah (2,471) Mar 18, 2006 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    Portland hands down. but Michigan area would be close 2nd. philly 3rd, asheville.
    kind of depends on if you Just want to drink or not?
     
    #2 azorie, Aug 14, 2012
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  3. BBultww

    BBultww Initiate (0) Aug 14, 2012

    Yeah you know, I was just out in Portland last Fall. Enjoyed going to several of the breweries downtown. I actually drove between Whistler British Columbia and Portland on a 9 day beer vacation, haha. It was an awesome trip. Portland has several breweries close-by. I drank at Henry's Tavern, which was pretty cool. Is there any other place within walking distance of Henry's that has more than 20 beers on tap?
     
    #3 BBultww, Aug 14, 2012
  4. alexipa

    alexipa Initiate (0) Oct 7, 2011 Colorado

    A blast can be had in Fort Collins if you want something a bit lower key that also fits your criteria, but you really can't beat Portland.
     
    #4 alexipa, Aug 14, 2012
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  5. m4ttj0nes

    m4ttj0nes Zealot (599) Feb 21, 2012 Oregon
    Trader

    Portland, Oregon.

    check out the northwest forum for a breakdown of all the stops to hit.
     
    #5 m4ttj0nes, Aug 14, 2012
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  6. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    If I had already been to every MLB stadium and most of the big cities and was looking to drink beer while watching multiple games on TV at the same time, I'd buy another TV or two, stock up the beer fridge and stay home. That way I could watch whatever I wanted, take naps and burp and fart to my heart's content. Of course, I'd have to send the wife on vacation, but that's only me.

    But on the serious side, you will need to find the city with the most sports bars. That way, you will be assured of multiple TVs. And by the way, Ginger Man in NYC doesn't even have one TV.
     
    #6 otispdriftwood, Aug 14, 2012
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  7. vkv822

    vkv822 Initiate (0) Nov 30, 2009 Oregon

    #7 vkv822, Aug 14, 2012
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  8. genuinedisciple

    genuinedisciple Initiate (0) Jan 10, 2010 Michigan

    I'd say:

    Chicago, West Michigan, Ann Arbor/Detroit. You've got sporting events you can attend in Chicago and Detroit, and TONS of amazing breweries/tap houses in all 3 of those places. About a 4 hour drive through all of it if you start in Chicago, but it's worth it.
     
    #8 genuinedisciple, Aug 14, 2012
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  9. BBultww

    BBultww Initiate (0) Aug 14, 2012

    #9 BBultww, Aug 14, 2012
  10. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,294) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'll throw in for Seattle. There's over 150 breweries in Washington and the great majority of which don't distribute. The I-5 corridor from Olympia to Bellingham is packed with brewpubs, breweries and bars. Finding a beer and a TV isn't an issue. Check the "Visiting Seattle" thread in the Northwest forum for more details.
     
    #10 BBThunderbolt, Aug 14, 2012
  11. DougOLis

    DougOLis Initiate (0) Aug 15, 2008 California

    Love Nashville but I would not put it on a list of cities to visit for a beercation.

    I think you've got 3 major options:
    1) Denver - Great American Beer Festival
    2) San Diego - doesn't sound like you've been and you owe it to yourself to visit some of the best breweries/bars in the country. Weather should be nice that time of year too
    3) Portland - everything is a lot closer and easier to get to than San Diego, though maybe not as many of quality. BTW, Yardhouse will do nothing to improve Portland; Portland's already got a ton of good places and a big chain like that is no improvement
     
    #11 DougOLis, Aug 14, 2012
  12. litheum94

    litheum94 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2008 California

    Bend. And forget about watching tv. Fill your growler and go for a hike.
     
    #12 litheum94, Aug 14, 2012
  13. RocketFrogDavid

    RocketFrogDavid Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2010 Virginia

    I was going to say San Diego for the weather, and the quantity of breweries. Set up camp in Encinitas for a couple of day, you are in easy striking distance to Stone, two Pizza Ports, Lost Abbey, Green Flash, Urge Gastropub has an amazing tap list and nice bar area for watching games. The weather is very nice and beaches right there. Then set up in Mission or Pacific beach, hitting Ballast Point, Mission Brewery, Karl Strauss, another Pizza Port, a Chargers game.

    Or perhaps Grand Rapids/SW Michigan area. Did a 3 day beercation there and needed 5.
     
    #13 RocketFrogDavid, Aug 14, 2012
  14. crossovert

    crossovert Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2009 Illinois

    San Diego. Or Grand Rapids and instead of the lame sports of baseball or football watch hockey.
     
    #14 crossovert, Aug 14, 2012
  15. Mississipping

    Mississipping Pundit (919) Mar 16, 2010 Minnesota

    I'd throw Asheville in the mix, too. I travel there a few times a year to do a beercation and there are about 10 breweries close to the downtown area, most within walking distance of each other, and all within a short bike ride. Really nice atmospheres and I think a majority of them had a TV.

    On the other hand, I just got back from a beercation in Wisconsin. While we traveled all over the state to visit a ton of breweries, we also hit Milwaukee and Chicago. Chicago has quite a bit to offer and most can be reached without driving (will have to take the rail). Most of the breweries had a TV as well, great atmospheres, and a great city for sports enthusiasts.

    I could go either way.
     
    #15 Mississipping, Aug 14, 2012
  16. coreyfmcdonald

    coreyfmcdonald Initiate (0) Nov 13, 2008 Georgia

    The best week long beer trip I ever made was a road trip from Portland to San Diego.
     
    #16 coreyfmcdonald, Aug 14, 2012
  17. tjensen3618

    tjensen3618 Savant (1,237) Mar 23, 2008 California

    Portland??? you guys have such a one track mind, he said he wanted baseball and football in addition to great beer.

    In San Francisco of course you have a great beer city. You could see the 49'ers or Raiders play, and the Giants may be playing some baseball in October as well.
     
    #17 tjensen3618, Aug 14, 2012
  18. BBultww

    BBultww Initiate (0) Aug 14, 2012

    Thanks guys. I don't necessarily need to go watch any sports in-person, rather I'm looking for great beer at establishments (breweries or tap houses) with TVs showing games.

    I've really enjoyed reading all of your feedback so far. I've been to most of the cities mentioned, except Asheville. I actually grew up in Grand Rapids/still go back a couple of times a year (feel very fortunate to have done so from a beer perspective, haha). And as previously mentioned, did a week long trip in Portland/Seattle last fall. I have been to San Diego, but didn't feel I spent enough time there on beer (rather it was for baseball and the beach). I'm going to look further into Asheville and San Diego more, while also looking into the idea of re-visiting some other cities mentioned on this thread.
     
    #18 BBultww, Aug 14, 2012
  19. tobelerone

    tobelerone Grand Pooh-Bah (4,208) Dec 1, 2010 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    San Diego or Philly!
     
    #19 tobelerone, Aug 14, 2012
  20. SittingOnAMtnTop

    SittingOnAMtnTop Initiate (0) Nov 3, 2009 North Carolina

    I would recommend Philly (great beer bars, restaurants and plenty of places to watch sports) or Asheville, NC (plenty of good vibes, might be lacking a bit on the sports though).
     
    #20 SittingOnAMtnTop, Aug 14, 2012
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