Each year, a list is released naming the best beer cities in the US. And while it’s great that the lucky winner gets to ride the marketing wave that comes with the moniker, let’s focus on the glorious fact there are enough towns with dozens of breweries to even build a list.
There’s an argument to be made that beer towns are the perfect weekend destination.
Why?
Because craft beer isn’t just about getting drunk–the industry is the rose-tinted meeting point between art, food, and capitalism, fostering a uniquely hip environment that comes hand-in-hand with other vibrant scenes. Where there is beer, there is culture and creativity.
Or you can just go for the beer, of course.
We’ve thrown together a list of some of the best beer cities in the US and an affordable hotel option in each–leaving you enough pennies to grab a flight or three.
Cheers!
BrewDog DogHouse
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Price: $99+
Vibe: All-out beer-immersions
The rundown: Columbus has been in the beer business for a while, and business is booming. With almost forty breweries plying their wares within the city limits, it’s become one of the best beer cities in the US. You’re more than spoilt for choice here in the Buckeye state.
And where else better to stay than inside a brewery? Scottish craft beer powerhouses BrewDog opened the DogHouse with one intention–to immerse its customers in beer. Aside from the sickeningly cool decor, guests can opt for in-shower beer fridges, in-room tapped kegs of their favorite brew, and other beery extras to keep the good times flowing. Just don’t have too much before you head on the tour.
Hotel Ballast, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Location: Wilmington, NC
Price: $125+
Vibe: Crack a cold one at the beach
The rundown: Wilmington’s one of the smaller beer scenes on this list, but after living there for five years, I know how much scope this town has for its craft scene. With more than twenty outstanding breweries and even more taprooms condensed into its downtown area, the beach city is built for a craft beer crawl. It might be underrated, but it’s one of the best beer cities in the US.
The variation is immense, too. From Beach Volleyball Center Bill’s Backyard Brewing to the Blackbeard-themed Edward Teach Brewing, the character is exploding from its vibrant scene. The Hotel Ballast puts visitors at the center of the action, and affords some pretty epic views of the riverside, too. Plus, you could redeem some Hilton Honors points and stay for free.
AutoCamp Asheville
Location: Asheville, NC
Price: $240+
Vibe: IPA-ppalachians
The rundown: On the other side of North Carolina is a drastically different city–Asheville. This long-time craft beer Meccah is one of the fastest growing destinations in the country, replicating its popularity in the roaring twenties. A hundred years later, it’s drawing beer lovers and hippes instead of New York socialites, but it might just be better for it. Many consider it one of the best beer cities in the US.
Asheville has more breweries per capita than anywhere else in the country, with almost fifty breweries fighting for space in its compact city-limits. While the majority are small independent outfits, big names like Sierra Nevada have opened mega-breweries in the area, too offering one of the most diverse beer experiences out there. For a unique stay, try AutoCamp Asheville, the Airstream brand’s newest venture.
Amway Grand Plaza
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Price: $240+
Vibe: Opulence on tap
The rundown: Grand Rapids has been a craft beer powerhouse for decades, and a figure in American brewing for over a century. Today, there’s even a Grand Rapids beer passport to track how many of the city’s beers you’ve tasted. Don’t count on managing that in a weeekend, though, as there are more breweries per square mile than almost anywhere on the planet.
The Amway Grand Plaza places you at the center of the action (read: stumbling distance). It’s a stunning hotel, oozing old-time luxury at an affordable price. It’s recently been acquired by Hilton, so your Hilton honors points will grab you a night for free here.
The Hoxton
Location: Portland, Oregon
Price: $82+
Vibe: Always Hoppening Hipster Hot Spot
The rundown: Now we come to the two Portlands.
Starting on the West Coast, Portland isn’t just one of the best beer cities in the US– it’s viewed as one of the pioneering hubs of the craft beer renaissance worldwide. Its older breweries are some of the most important in the industry and its newer ones continue to trailblaze with their creativity and flair–matching the rest of the city’s hipster reputation.
The Hoxton perfectly embodies the new Portland: hip, well-designed, and wondrously functional. Its location is perfect for city exploration and its price point remains defiantly low despite the feeling of a higher-end hotel. Plus, you’ll need somewhere comfortable after making a dent in the city’s 83 breweries.
Canopy by Hilton
Location: Portland, Maine
Price: $179+
Vibe: Luxury with a brew
The rundown: On the East coast, Maine is punching well above its weight-class. The little state is home to over a hundred breweries, with more than a quarter of them calling Portland home. While the city isn’t as historically significant to the industry as its transcontinental shared-name city, its modern scene is one of the most revered in the country.
The Canopy by Hilton is an excellent choice for any visitor to Portland. With views of the water, and within walking distance of the city’s main points of interest, you could do far worse. Better still, the luxury hotel is bookable with Hilton Honors points, saving you even more money.
by travelers, for travelers.
