About ten years ago, I used to enjoy travelling to Oregon and Colorado and enjoying the various microbrews and brewpubs. Are they still the main places these days? I’m looking to do some more travel the next year or so and a few brews with an interesting city is always a good time.
I would say Portland, Denver, Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area are the big 4 areas, but the micro-brew culture has reached even small towns in the heartland, so there are great craft breweries in just about every state now, including several good ones right here in Utah…
I’m from Seattle, and I’ve traveled around Europe, and now live in the Bay Area. Without a doubt, if a good beer is what you’re after, go for Mac & Jack’s in Redmond, Washington. The African amber is served throughout the state, but from the brewery is always best. They have free tours on Sundays, 3pm I think.
I’ve also been to Fort Collins and was impressed.
If you can fit in in your schedule hit Denver at the GABF.
http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com great time to see test the micros in the country, and you will figure out where you have to go to after.
Seconded. The New Belgium Brewery alone was worth the trip.
They put tickets on sale pretty early. Does it sell out?
Ft. Collins is one of those towns north of Denver, right? I always go to Boulder when I’m in Denver and I think I’ve been by Ft. Collins once.
Portland is definitely still a microbrew hotspot. I’m going drinking there tomorrow, and I’ve been looking forward to it for a while.
Ft. Collins is about an hour and change north of Denver, and in addition to the New Belgium Brewery (known for it’s very popular Fat Tire Ale) it also has the Odell Brewing Company, which makes Odell’s 90 Schilling, which is hands-down the single tastiest micro-brew made in Colorado…
Is Full Sail still in Portland? Then it is still a capital.
It seems to be heresy, but I can’t stand Fat Tire. Revolting stuff. I’d rather drink Bud.
I have also never cared for Fat Tire, but it must be the most popular Colorado microbrew around, as everyone else seems to love the stuff.
As I said in an earlier post, Odell’s 90 Schilling Ale is truly excellent, and knowing how you feel about Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, (which has a similar flavor to 90 Schilling) I am betting that you would agree…
ETA—Full Sail is brewed in Hood River OR, about 60 miles upriver from Portland…
I have heard good things about the 90 Schilling. Seems like a road trip is in order someday soonish.
San Diego is making a run for the top spot, with great breweries like Alesmith (best in town IMHO), Stone, Green Flash, Ballast Point, and Pizza Port.
I don’t think the whole thing has ever been a sellout, but Saturday has sold out before. It you have connections and can get an invite to the Industry/media only Thursday night event it’s much nicer. There is huge-ass line on Friday and Saturday nights. So you want to get there early.
Hmm, looking it up, it seems things have changed since I last got snuck into the private night 10years ago. Thursday seems to be a normal day, with an extra cost section Saturday afternoon. I don’t know if that is the private event or if that is now on Wednesday or what.
But anyway they have expanded it as of the last couple years into a bigger hall, so I really doubt there could be a total sellout. Most people still buy tickets on walkup.
Ohh and New Belgium’s 1554 Black ale is awesome, but much less distributed than fat tire.
Stone Brewing is in San Diego like Full Sail is in Portland. 
eta: Stone as #2 on a list? Blasphemy!
I totally agree about Fat Tire. Horrid stuff. It is in EVERY bar here in Charlotte now. Their distributor must have some serious power.
Vermont has the most micro-breweries and brew-pubs per capita than any other state, though they are kinda spread out…but I’d say 80% of them are within an hour of Burlington.
Magic Hat
Otter Creek
Switchback
Vermont Pub and Brewery
The Alchemist
Zero Gravity Brewery
Rock Art
Three Needs
Add Avery Brewing, Breckenridge Brewing and Great Divide Brewing to the list of great breweries in the Boulder/Denver area.
New Belgium Brewery makes a raspberry ale that is excellent, at least for those of us who enjoy a fruit-infused brew from time to time…