New England is one of the top spots in the country to sip on a cold glass of handcrafted beer. Leave the driving to someone else so you can focus on tasting the IPAs, lagers, ales and stouts that hail from the area. Check out these five brewery tours that will sweep you away to New England’s best suds.
New England Brewery Tours
When it comes to beer in New England, a must-stop to get your hops on is the historic city of Boston. Home of brewing giants like Samuel Adams Brewery and Harpoon Brewery, the city has no shortage of brewmasters concocting the next big thing in beer. Experience it all — with a four-course lunch and beer pairings, to boot — on an organized excursion with New England Brewery Tours. Each day’s tours feature a unique itinerary with three brewery visits, with options including Sam Adams, Harpoon, Blue Hills Brewery, Mayflower Brewing Company and Jack’s Abbey Brewing. You’ll enjoy tastings of each brewery’s staples, as well as its latest brews. You’ll also learn a little something about pairing beers with different flavors during the gourmet lunch, provided by a local Boston restaurant. Daily tours start at $140.
The Rhode Island Brew Bus
A bright blue school bus is your beer chariot for the day when you ride with The Rhode Island Brew Bus, which beckons beer lovers to “hop on board” for a day spent exploring this small state’s booming brewery scene. The company partners with eight local breweries, including Rhode Island favorites like Foolproof Brewing Co. and Bucket Brewery, as well as local brew pubs, wineries and supply companies. Four tours are offered: The Border Jumper, which takes you to breweries in both Rhode Island and Connecticut; BEEReakfast of Champions, a late-morning tour of four Rhode Island breweries; Afternoon Delight, which features both beer and hard liquor; and Get the Pell Over Here!, a Sunday tour complete with beer, rum, wine and food. While you don’t get to drink on the actual bus, the tour guides will keep you entertained with plenty of games and giveaways, and you’ll get a pint glass to boot. Tours start at $67.
The Maine Brew Bus
Speaking of school buses turned party buses, take a seat on one of the bright green shuttles (affectionately known as Lenny and Mabel) of The Maine Brew Bus to experience some of the biggest names in craft beer. Maine is home to heavy craft beer hitters like Allagash Brewing Company, and the thriving local beer scene also means Maine has small-batch craft breweries aplenty. Priding itself on “driving you to drink local,” The Maine Brew Bus showcases breweries both big and small through nearly a dozen different tour offerings, but beer isn’t the only thing on the itinerary. Wineries, distilleries, pubs, sausage-makers and coffee roasters complement beer tastings and brewery tours, offering guests an all-encompassing taste of what Maine has to offer. Tours start at $45.
Granite State Growler Tours
The shuttle of New Hampshire’s Granite State Growler Tours is better known as “Greta the Growler Getta,” and you’d better believe she’s “on the roam for foam” throughout the Granite State. These intimate tours highlight New Hampshire craft breweries like Smuttynose Brewing Company and Blue Lobster Brewing Company, with stops at pubs, beer cafes and distilleries, too. Plus, you know a beer tour is serious about its brews when the staff will keep any growlers you buy along the way on ice until the end of the excursion. Tours are $60.
Burlington Brew Tours
Vermont’s top breweries and pubs are yours to explore when you ride with Burlington Brew Tours, which offers three ways to experience the local craft beer scene. For the basics in local brewing, the Classic Brew Tour will introduce you to the likes of Fiddlehead Brewing Company, Switchback Brewing Company, Magic Hat Brewing Company and The Vermont Pub and Brewery. For a night out on the town, Burlington Brew Tours’ Pub Crawl will round out two brewery visits with a stop at a restaurant and music venue serving international street food and an evening of pints and pool at a local taproom. If you really want to experience the breadth of Vermont’s flavors, then the Stowe Beer Tour is for you. Three of Vermont’s top craft breweries offer a look at the true art of brewing through 15 microbrew samplings, and a meal featuring local produce, natural meats, artisan cheese and expertly chosen beer pairings will have your tastebuds falling in love with Vermont before you can say “Cheers!” Tours start at $70. City Brew Tours also offers tours in Boston and will soon add Washington, D.C. to the list.
(Main image: squawkr)
