20 Beer Destinations Under a Million Residents
- by Anthony Collins
- 81
For beer lovers who love delis and craft beer, the West Coast is the place to go. There are over a thousand breweries in California, and San Diego is the Craft Beer Capital of the United States. The Craft Brewing Movement started in San Diego when Fritz Maytag took over the failing Anchor Steam Brewery and began introducing styles of beer to the world that had been lost for decades. It is now one of the most popular beer tourism destinations in the world.
While beer lovers are well aware of the breweries in major metropolitan areas, there are many smaller towns that offer great beer travel destinations. Our list features 20 beer towns under a million residents that have at least two breweries, and are appealing to beer enthusiasts. The cities are scattered across the United States, from east to west. If you were to drive to each one, you’d cover more than nine thousand miles across 33 states!
The small town of Bend, Oregon, is one of the most popular beer destinations in the United States. This mountain town is home to 22 breweries, more than any other city in the state. Taking the Bend Ale Trail on foot is a unique way to experience the breweries and soak up the mountain air. The city is also a great destination for mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing.
In the early fall, Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co. will open, offering a 30 barrel production brewery. The brewery will also feature a wood-fired pizza oven, a Polish smokehouse, and charcuterie production facilities. You’ll find plenty of beer to enjoy on the town’s many outdoor terraces.
A few of the other cities on the list have been named the best beer destinations in the country. The Tampa Bay area, for example, has a thriving craft beer scene. Portland, OR is another popular destination. The city is the epicenter of American brewing. The Tampa Bay area has its fair share of craft breweries, including a small town called Dunedin, FL.
One of the most famous beer festivals in the world is Oktoberfest. This three-day festival is described as a pilgrimage, a state fair, and even a medieval revival. It’s also the best place in the world to enjoy a cold brew. There are traditional beer halls, outdoor beer gardens, and hip and trendy beer bars to try.
Located just 145 miles northwest of New York City, Cooperstown is a small town with a historic district. The town has a number of great craft breweries, including Ommegang Brewing Company. Ommegang is an authentic Belgian farmstead brewery that specializes in dark ales and open-fermented saisons. Other great microbreweries include Council Rock Brewery and Red Shed Brewing Company.
Miami is famous for its cocktails, but there has recently been a craft beer revolution. Medellin is home to more than 30 craft breweries. Most are small one-person operations. Air Europa and JetBlue have flights to Medellin. Buenos Aires, Argentina is known for Malbec, and Palermo has a great craft beer scene.
For beer lovers who love delis and craft beer, the West Coast is the place to go. There are over a thousand breweries in California, and San Diego is the Craft Beer Capital of the United States. The Craft Brewing Movement started in San Diego when Fritz Maytag took over the failing Anchor Steam Brewery…
For beer lovers who love delis and craft beer, the West Coast is the place to go. There are over a thousand breweries in California, and San Diego is the Craft Beer Capital of the United States. The Craft Brewing Movement started in San Diego when Fritz Maytag took over the failing Anchor Steam Brewery…