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Best beer destinations in North America

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Portland (Oregon)
Quirky, green and endlessly creative
7.6
Portland brews inside more breweries than any other city in the country, earning it the nickname Beervana. BridgePort Brewing opened in 1984 as Oregon's oldest craft brewery. Visitors can hop between taprooms clustered in neighbourhoods across the city. Food carts often park right outside the busiest brewery doors.
Highlights:
  • 🍃 Discover the tranquility of the Portland Japanese Garden
  • 📚 Visit Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore
  • 🌹 Explore the International Rose Test Garden’s vibrant blooms
Colorado
Rocky mountains and red rocks
9.2
Colorado brews more craft beer per person than almost any other US state. Denver hosts the Great American Beer Festival, drawing thousands of brewers each autumn. Visitors can tour mountain towns where nearly every main street has its own brewery. Cold Rocky Mountain water feeds many of the state's best known lagers.
Highlights:
  • 🚗 Drive along the scenic Trail Ridge Road
  • 🎿 Ski the world-class slopes of Aspen or Vail
  • 🏞️ Hike through Rocky Mountain National Park’s alpine trails
Denver
Sunshine, Culture and Rocky Peaks
7.2
Denver hosts the Great American Beer Festival, the country's largest beer competition. Wynkoop Brewing opened downtown in 1988, among the earliest brewpubs in the state. Visitors can tour dozens of breweries within walking distance of Union Station. Coors' massive brewery sits just outside the city in nearby Golden.
Highlights:
  • 🍽️ Stroll along Larimer Square and enjoy local dining and shops
  • 🖼️ Visit the Denver Art Museum and see modern masterpieces
  • 🎶 Explore the Red Rocks Amphitheatre and catch a live concert
Asheville
Blue Ridge arts, brews and views
7.7
Asheville has won the title of Beer City USA in multiple national polls. New Belgium and Sierra Nevada both built their first East Coast breweries here. Visitors can walk a self guided ale trail linking dozens of taprooms downtown. The surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains supply much of the water used in local brews.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Admire art collections at Asheville Art Museum
  • 🌄 Drive the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway for mountain views
  • 🏰 Tour the magnificent Biltmore Estate and gardens
Fort Collins
Craft Beer, Trails and Mountain Views
7.0
New Belgium Brewing launched its Fat Tire ale from a basement in Fort Collins in 1991. The brewery grew into one of the largest craft producers in the country. Visitors can tour the plant by bicycle, following the company's own cycling culture. Anheuser-Busch also runs a major brewery on the edge of town.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Explore the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery exhibits
  • 🍺 Tour local craft breweries and savor unique flavors
  • 🥾 Hike the trails at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space
Bend
Mountain town that's got it all
8.0
Bend's Ale Trail links more than 20 breweries scattered across this small Oregon city. Deschutes Brewery got its start here before growing into a national craft brand. Visitors can collect a stamp at each stop along the trail. The nearby Cascade Mountains provide a scenic backdrop to most of the taprooms.
Highlights:
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard the slopes of Mount Bachelor
  • 🛶 Float down the Deschutes River on a sunny afternoon
  • 🌋 Hike the trails and lava fields at Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Santa Rosa (California)
Coastal charm meets vibrant arts scene
8.7
Russian River Brewing opened in Santa Rosa and later became famous for its Pliny the Elder IPA. Fans line up outside the taproom whenever a fresh batch releases. Visitors can pair a pint with wine country produce at nearby farm stands. Sonoma County's mix of vineyards and hop growers surrounds the brewery on all sides.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Hike to scenic overlooks in Point Reyes National Seashore
  • 🍷 Explore Sonoma County wine country vineyards
  • 🌊 Stroll along the Santa Rosa waterfront promenade
Wisconsin
Four seasons of Midwestern charm
7.6
Wisconsin once operated more breweries than any other US state before Prohibition shut most down. Leinenkugel's, founded in 1867, remains one of the oldest to survive the era. Visitors can tour century old breweries built from local limestone and brick. German immigrant traditions still shape many of the state's classic lager recipes.
Highlights:
  • 🧀 Sample fresh cheese curds at a local creamery
  • 🌊 Relax beside Lake Michigan at Milwaukee’s waterfront parks
  • 🏍️ Tour the Harley-Davidson Museum and learn motorcycle history
Montreal
A city of festivals, food and culture
8.6
Dieu du Ciel brewpub helped launch Montreal's modern craft beer scene from a small storefront. Quebec's brewers often lean towards Belgian styles more than the rest of Canada. Visitors can sample saisons and barrel aged ales across dozens of city taprooms. Many bars pair these beers with poutine or smoked meat sandwiches.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Visit the breathtaking Notre-Dame Basilica and its illuminated interior
  • 🌄 Admire panoramic city views from Mount Royal Park
  • 🏙️ Wander the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal
Milwaukee
Beer, bikes and Lake Michigan vibes
6.4
Milwaukee once housed the headquarters of Miller, Pabst and Schlitz within a few miles. Its brewing history earned the city the nickname Beer City for over a century. Visitors can tour the historic Miller Brewery, still operating on its original site. Beer gardens modelled on German tradition remain popular across the city's parks.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Visit the Milwaukee Art Museum and see its winged architecture
  • 🚶‍♀️ Stroll the scenic Milwaukee RiverWalk lined with public art
  • 🏍️ Tour the iconic Harley-Davidson Museum and its legendary motorcycles
St. Louis
Gateway to the West's Soul
7.3
Anheuser-Busch has brewed beer from its St. Louis headquarters since the 1860s. Its historic brewery complex still stables the company's famous Clydesdale horses. Visitors can tour the original brew house and its ornate 19th century architecture. Free samples cap off most guided tours through the property.
Highlights:
  • 🏗️ Explore the quirky City Museum built from reclaimed materials
  • 🖼️ Visit the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park
  • 🌆 Ride to the top of the Gateway Arch for city views
Michigan
Great Lakes State of Wonder
7.9
Bell's Brewery opened in Kalamazoo in 1985, helping pioneer Michigan's craft beer movement. The state now counts hundreds of breweries scattered across its two peninsulas. Visitors can follow beer trails through small towns bordering the Great Lakes. Cherry and hop farms nearby supply ingredients to several local brewers.
Highlights:
  • 🍁 Drive the scenic M-22 coastal highway in autumn
  • 🎶 Explore Detroit’s revitalized downtown and Motown Museum
  • 🏞️ Admire the Great Lakes views from Sleeping Bear Dunes
San Diego
California's perfect weather playground
7.5
Stone Brewing helped build San Diego's reputation as a hub for hop forward IPAs. Dozens of breweries later clustered around neighbourhoods like Miramar and North Park. Visitors can join guided tours hopping between multiple taprooms by van. Warm coastal weather keeps outdoor beer gardens busy most of the year.
Highlights:
  • 🦭 Relax at La Jolla Cove and watch sea lions bask
  • 🚢 Visit the historic USS Midway Museum on Navy Pier
  • 🦓 Explore the world-famous San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park
Mexico City
Vibrant Culture, History and Street Food
8.3
Mexico legalised home brewing in 2012, sparking a wave of craft breweries across the capital. Neighbourhoods like Roma and Condesa now host dozens of small taprooms and bottle shops. Visitors can sample local IPAs alongside traditional street food stalls. An annual craft beer festival draws brewers from across the country each year.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Visit Frida Kahlo’s Blue House in Coyoacán
  • 🏛️ Wander through the historic center and Zócalo Square
  • 🏯 Explore the ancient ruins of Teotihuacán’s pyramids
Quebec City
Old World Charm in North America
7.4
La Barberie, a worker owned brewing cooperative, has operated in Quebec City since the 1990s. Its beers favour Belgian and farmhouse styles over standard North American lagers. Visitors can relax on its shared outdoor terrace during warmer months. Nearby streets in the old walled city host several more independent breweries.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Walk along Terrasse Dufferin boardwalk with river views
  • 🏰 Admire Château Frontenac’s iconic castle-like architecture
  • 🚶‍♂️ Stroll through historic Old Quebec’s charming streets
Vermont
Green Mountains, Maple Syrup, Pure Charm
8.4
The Alchemist brewery in Vermont created Heady Topper, credited with popularising the hazy IPA style. Fans once drove hours just to find a can on store shelves. Visitors can now buy it directly at the brewery's own retail shop. Vermont counts more breweries per person than nearly any other US state.
Highlights:
  • 🎿 Ski the snowy slopes of Stowe Mountain Resort
  • 🍦 Tour the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory
  • 🍂 Admire fall foliage on Vermont’s scenic byways
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