The United States has seen a craft beer revolution in recent decades, with breweries popping up in every corner of the country. Many of these breweries give fascinating tours, allowing beer enthusiasts to have a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process and a chance to taste some of the finest craft beers America has to offer.
Here’s a list of 20 of the best U.S. breweries that provide exceptional on-site tours, combining education, entertainment, and, of course, great beer.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, California
Sierra Nevada offers a variety of tours, from the free general tour to the in-depth ‘Beer Geek’ tour. Visitors can explore the brewery’s sustainability efforts, including its solar array and rail spur, while sampling a wide range of Sierra Nevada’s iconic beers.
New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, Colorado
Known for its quirky culture and sustainable practices, New Belgium’s tours are as fun as they are informative. Guests can slide down a slide between floors, learn about the employee-owned business model, and taste a variety of beers, including the famous Fat Tire Amber Ale.
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Anchor Brewing Company, San Francisco, California
As America’s first craft brewery, Anchor offers a historic tour of its copper brewhouse and fermentation rooms. Visitors can learn about the brewery’s 125-year history and traditional brewing methods while sampling a range of Anchor’s classic and innovative beers.
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, Delaware
Dogfish Head’s tours showcase their off-centered approach to brewing, including their unique continuous hopping process. Guests can explore the brewing facility, visit the Steampunk Treehouse art installation, and sample a wide range of experimental beers.
Samuel Adams Brewery, Boston, Massachusetts
The Samuel Adams tour offers an in-depth look at the brewing process, from selecting ingredients to the final tasting. Visitors can smell the hops, taste the malts, and enjoy a variety of Samuel Adams beers, including some exclusive to the brewery tour.
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Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Oregon
Deschutes offers tours of both its production facility and its original brewpub. Guests can learn about the brewery’s commitment to sustainability, explore the barrel-aging room, and taste a range of Deschutes’ popular and experimental beers.
Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma, California
Known for its irreverent attitude and hoppy beers, Lagunitas offers a tour that’s as entertaining as it is educational. Visitors can enjoy the brewery’s laid-back atmosphere, learn about its rapid growth, and sample a variety of Lagunitas’ bold, flavorful beers.
Allagash Brewing Company, Portland, Maine
Specializing in Belgian-style beers, Allagash offers free tours that showcase their brewing process, including their cool ship for spontaneous fermentation. Visitors can learn about the brewery’s commitment to using local ingredients and taste a range of Allagash’s unique, Belgian-inspired beers.
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Stone Brewing, Escondido, California
Stone’s tours take visitors through their brewhouse, packaging hall, and beautiful gardens. Guests can learn about Stone’s bold approach to brewing, explore their farm to-table practices, and taste a variety of their aggressively hopped beers.
Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan
Founders offer tours of their state-of-the-art brewery, including their massive barrel aging program. Visitors can learn about the brewery’s history, explore their sustainability efforts, and sample a range of Founders’ popular and limited-release beers.
Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, New York
Located in the heart of Brooklyn, this brewery offers tours that blend brewing science with New York City history. Visitors can explore the brewhouse, learn about the brewery’s role in Brooklyn’s revitalization, and taste a variety of Brooklyn Brewery’s classic and experimental beers.
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Rogue Ales, Newport, Oregon
Rogue’s tours showcase their commitment to creating ales, lagers, spirits, and even their farm-grown ingredients. Guests can explore the brewery, distillery, and cooperage, learning about Rogue’s ‘Ground to Glass’ philosophy while tasting a range of their innovative beers.
Goose Island Beer Company, Chicago, Illinois
Goose Island’s tours offer a look into the brewery that helped kickstart Chicago’s craft beer scene. Visitors can explore the original Clybourn brewpub or the larger Fulton Street brewery, learning about Goose Island’s barrel-aging program and tasting a variety of their beers.
Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Paso Robles, California
Firestone Walker’s tours showcase their state-of-the-art brewing facility and unique oak barrel fermentation process. Guests can learn about the brewery’s commitment to traditional brewing techniques, explore their extensive barrel-aging program, and taste a range of award-winning beers.
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Yuengling Brewery, Pottsville, Pennsylvania
As America’s oldest brewery, Yuengling offers a tour steeped in history, including a trip through their hand-dug caves once used for fermentation. Visitors can explore the historic brewhouse, learn about six generations of family brewing, and taste Yuengling’s traditional lagers and ales.
Bell’s Brewery, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Bell’s offers tours of both their original downtown Kalamazoo brewery and their main production facility in nearby Comstock. Guests can learn about Bell’s history as a Michigan brewing pioneer, explore their sustainability efforts, and taste a range of their popular and seasonal beers.
Surly Brewing Co., Minneapolis, Minnesota
Surly’s tours take visitors through their massive ‘destination brewery,’ showcasing their high-tech brewing system and commitment to pushing beer boundaries. Visitors can explore the brewhouse, learn about Surly’s rapid growth and impact on Minnesota beer laws, and taste a variety of their bold, flavorful beers.
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Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Florida
Cigar City’s tours highlight their unique approach to brewing, including their use of Spanish cedar in aging some beers. Guests can explore the brewery’s Tampa roots, learn about their rapid expansion, and taste a range of beers that often incorporate local ingredients and flavors.
New Glarus Brewing Company, New Glarus, Wisconsin
New Glarus offers self-guided tours of its picturesque hilltop brewery, designed to resemble a Bavarian village. Visitors can explore the brewery at their own pace, learn about New Glarus’ commitment to serving only Wisconsin, and taste a variety of their popular beers, including the famous Spotted Cow.
Tree House Brewing Company, Charlton, Massachusetts
Tree House offers a unique ‘roll-through’ tour experience of their state-of-the-art brewery. Visitors can drive through different stations to learn about the brewing process, sustainability efforts, and Tree House’s cult following, all while picking up some of their highly sought-after beers.
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Taste the Passion in Every Drop
These brewery tours offer more than just a chance to taste great beer; they provide insights into the passion, creativity, and craftsmanship that define America’s craft beer scene. From historic breweries that have shaped the industry to innovative newcomers pushing its boundaries, these tours give something to every beer enthusiast.
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