Planning my first beer trip, suggestions please?

Here are some more for your list:
Draai Laag - if you like Belgian style ales. Limited availability though
AleSmith - gotta know where to find it in the city, but you like IPAs, and theirs are world class.
Coronado - IPAs are available in the 'Burgh
Stillwater
Russian River - Damnation only at the moment
Terrapin
Lost Abbey
Elysian
Rivertowne - they are canning now

Suggestions on the breweries listed: any beer style they make that you are interested in, I'd buy. Baltika is Ba-boring. Sapporo too.

 

Founders & Bell's are incredible. Great experiences will be had at those breweries. While in Michigan, try Jolly Pumpkin & New Holland.a little South hit up 3 Floyds, not too far outside Chicago. Worth the drive, hit up New Glarus in Wisconsin & Surly in Minneapolis.

 

Are Russian River & Lost Abbey beers available in that area?

 

:-)

 

In addition, regarding available IPAs:

Fat Head's Head Hunter - top rated IPA, must find/get for you
Evolution Lot No. 3
Twisted Pine
Maine Beer Company - you like hops, so they're for you
Great Lakes Brewing
East End Big Hop

I can't think of anything else besides those at the moment.

 

IMO damnation is over rated, and severely over priced. Russian River is an amazing brewery but that doesn't mean everything they touch turns to gold. I'd skip paying $5+ for a 12oz of this.

But thats just like, my opinion man

 

Bummer that you're taking a beer trip and aren't going to San Diego, Oregon or Colorado.

Most of those breweries aren't actually located where you'll be, but looking over the list, if you are just planning on trying their beers out, you should be pretty set.

I'd drop the Hofbrau, Franziskaner, Lindemans, Sapporo, and Czechver, and presusmably everything off of the last half of your list besides Delirium though (Hacker-Pschorr is dank, but its common. If you don't have access then give it a try).

Where the hell do you live that you don't have access to any of your wants?

 

Ah I see. Well in that case, I would recommend getting anything that you don't have access to that sounds appealing.

To be honest, besides Sapporo, all of the breweries I told you to avoid I've liked their stuff. If you're just taking a road trip to grab a bunch of tasty brews, then just grab away. The entire point of the sport is to try all sorts of stuff and find out what you like

 

You should have gone to denver...

 

Sapporo, hofbrau, fanziskaner and lindemans are all available in WV. I'd definitely go for some Founders and Stone, you can't go wrong with any of their beers.

 

While in PGH, you really should try to make it to some of the area's drinking establishments. I recommend Hofbrauhaus, Church Brew Works, and East End. If you are short on time, skip those, go to Fat Head's, enjoy.

 

Bell's, Founders and New Holland make great beers, so choose anything you find from them. The notables that you should easily find and get are Two Hearted IPA, Porter, and Kalamazoo Stout from Bell's, Founders Porter (but everything from Founders is notable), and New Holland's Dragon's Milk (if you like bourbon-barrel beers). New Holland's Pilgrim's Dole (wheatwine) is also on store shelves now, and it's a great beer.

 

I visited Troegs last year. I missed out on a tour, but it was still a real good time. Great atmosphere, it makes you want to sit down, relax, and drink all afternoon.

 

Yeah, we call this a 'beer run.'

 

You should go to the Fathead's bar and have the Headhunter IPA.

There is a Hofbraeuhaus in Pittsburgh if you want to go.

 

You need to hit Full Pint and the Export, PA Rivertowne canning facility. Full Pint has a ton of beers that are high quality and Rivertowne is a serious contender. Also Penn Brewery. All good and super local quality!

 

Lost Abbey is readily available in central PA. I know a place in York that has a shelf full of Lost Abbey stuff (of course it's not Cable Car or Duck Duck Gooze; I imagine that sold out rather quickly. Probably have to get there right when it comes in)

As for Russian River... nowhere that I've noticed.

 

If you're just looking for single bottles/six packs to try, you need to check out which places can sell as such in PA. Some strange laws there. Not sure of the route you would take to Pittsburgh and back but you may want to consider a detour to Vintage Estates in Boardman, Ohio, about an hour or so from Pittsburgh. Great selection. You can sample while you shop and flatbreads are available to nosh. Also, try to check out Bocktown.