Beer Tasting

Many a traveler has planned a trip simply to sample local tipples; the popularity of the Napa Valley wine trail is a testament to that. So how about blazing a brewery trail in one of the urban hubs leading the pack in American beer making?

These eight cities, known for their high concentrations of high-quality breweries, are perfect destinations for tasting beer, Napa-style. Channel your inner barfly and get ready for hops from brewery to brewery.

1. Denver, Colorado
"denver_wynkoop"
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Dubbed the Napa of Beer for the dozens of breweries roasting barley within a few miles of downtown, Colorado’s mile-high capital is a magnet for big names like Coors and craft brewers like Wynkoop Brewing Company. For the most beer for the least mileage, visit during the annual Great American Beer Festival, when breweries from all over the country take on the locals for prestigious awards.

2. Fort Collins, Colorado
New Belgium Brewing
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An hour north of Denver, Fort Collins deserves its own slot on a Colorado beer-tasting blitz. The best Fort Collins brewery tour takes off on two wheels; anchor stops in the exceptionally bike-friendly town include New Belgium Brewing, Odell Brewing Co., and Anheuser-Busch.

3. Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Smuttynose Brewing
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The list of breweries and brewpubs calling this walkable, waterfront city home includes Redhook; Smuttynose Brewing Co.; and the Portsmouth Brewery, New Hampshire’s first craft brewery. Plan your trip for March 1, 2010, to be among the fans at the Portsmouth Brewery’s annual morning tapping of the award-winning Kate the Great Russian Imperial Stout.

4. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Miller Brewing
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It isn’t always Miller Time in Milwaukee; there are plenty of other brews vying for visitors’ attention on the beer trail here, fitting for a city with such a long history of hops. Don’t miss making time for the varied brews from Lakefront Brewery, Sprecher Brewing Company, and Stonefly Brewing Company.

5. Portland, Oregon
BridgePort Brewing
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Portland’s one of the easiest places to jump on a beer-tasting route: the Oregon Brewers Guild will list and map one out for you. For even more individual attention, sign up for a walking tour or BrewBus tour of the city’s breweries; be sure to request stops at the BridgePort Brewing Company and the Widmer Brothers Brewery.

6. Seattle, Washington
Pike Brewing
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With more than 20 breweries serving the city and its surrounds, striking a beer path in Seattle isn’t exactly a tall order. You’ll want to order tall glasses of beer, however, at local favorites like the Elysian Brewing Company, the Pike Brewing Company, and the young Naked City Brewery & Taphouse.

7. San Diego, California
Karl Strauss Brewing
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If you can make it to San Diego, stat, you can enjoy this month’s San Diego Beer Week. If not, no worries: every week is prime time for a parade of pints in this beer town. Start things off at Firehouse Brewing Company with “great beer for a great cause,” try the artisan ales at AleSmith Brewing Company, and then head to local institution Karl Strauss.

8. Napa, California
Bear Republic Brewing
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The eighth pick for Napa-style beer-tasting has to be Napa itself. The valley of vines may be synonymous with wine, but this town and its close neighbors boast enough breweries to keep beer lovers satiated too. Top stops should include Downtown Joe’s and, nearby, the Bear Republic Brewing Company and the so-new-it-doesn’t-have-a-website Sonoma Springs Brewing Company.