Raise a glass to beer travel. These days, with craft beer’s rise in popularity, it’s easy for even casual drinkers to explore local drafts and bottles wherever they are. But if you’re really into the world of brewing, set your sights on these top attractions, which celebrate beer, its history and the cult that surrounds the beverage.
Washington, District of Columbia In a city known for its monumental museums, history gets a little buzz at the Heurich House Museum, which is also called the Brewmaster’s Castle. The 19th-century mansion was once home to Christian Heurich, a German immigrant who became Washington’s most successful brewer. It now hosts beer-and history-focused tours, where you can explore the well-preserved home and sample a flight of beer. Want another taste of brewing history? Two more museums dedicated to the art of beermaking are on the horizon. The Brew Museum, which compares itself to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (but for suds), is slated to open in 2018 in Pittsburgh, and the Chicago Brewseum, is in early planning stages in the Windy City. [See: 3 Hot Southern Cities to Visit in 2017.] (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz)
AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz
Milwaukee This stately Gilded Age home is a testament to the power of brewing in American history. Built in 1892 by Frederick Pabst, one of America’s grandest beer barons, the house now serves as a museum. Tours mostly focus on art and architecture, but shed light on how Pabst embraced new advancements such as electric light bulbs and advertising to build what became, at the time, the world’s largest beer company. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Denver Part party, part competition, this festival in Denver is like the Oscars of the beer world. Nearly 800 breweries come here to showcase their beers — over 7,000 beers were entered into the competition last year. The best part: it’s open to the public, if you snag a ticket. If you can’t make it to Colorado, there are plenty of other beer festivals to check out, including the Oregon Brewers Festival, the Vermont Brewers Festival and the Brewgrass Festival in Asheville, North Carolina. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
AP Photo/David Zalubowski
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Dublin Ever wanted to learn to pour a perfect pint? The Guinness Academy at this shrine to Ireland’s most famous stout will teach you the six-step process. Located at Guinness’ St. James’s Gate Brewery, the Guinness Storehouse is a modern multilevel facility with interactive exhibits, gift shops, restaurants and multiple bars — including the glass-enclosed 360-degree top floor bar that offers sweeping city views. [See: 10 Top Hotels in Europe for Food and Wine Lovers.] (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Guinness)
Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Guinness
Brussels Travel back in time to this mecca for lambic fans, known for its gueuze and kriek-style brews. The only thing about the beermaking process that has changed since 1900 is the use of organic ingredients. Museum and brewery tours are self-guided, so you can spend as much time as you want exploring the Old World equipment and techniques. Plus, at the end of the tour, you’ll taste two of the beers. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert
Freising, Germany One of the world’s oldest continuously operating breweries, this former monastery has been crafting beer since 1040. Now owned by the state of Bavaria, Weihenstephan was one of the first to adhere to the 500- year- old German Beer Purity Law, which maintains strict quality control by restricting the drink’s ingredients to barley, hops, water and yeast. Today, the brewery is open for tours, some of which conclude with tastings of the signature wheat beers and lagers. (Photo by Miguel Villagran/Getty Images)
Photo by Miguel Villagran/Getty Images
Westvleteran, Belgium Ever heard of Westvleteran 12? In beer circles, this is the stuff of legend. This Trappist quad-style beer has been called the best beer in the world, yet it’s tough to get your hands on. Unlike other breweries-turned-visitor attractions, the Saint Sixtus Abbey in Belgium that produces the beer in small batches is not interested in going commercial. The monks here simply brew enough to support the monastery. But fret not: You can buy a small number of bottles on site, and you can taste the three brews in the adjacent cafe. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
AP Photo/Virginia Mayo
Munich You can’t make a beer bucket list without the granddaddy of all beer fests. This annual Munich festival draws huge crowds of tourists (about 6 million each year). Despite its mainstream status, it’s still a must-do for any suds fan. For more than two weeks, 14 tents serve specially designated Oktoberfest Beer in a carnival-like atmosphere, complete with folk music, rides and food. It’s best to start planning far in advance, as hotels and beer tents sell book up quickly. Just remember: Oktoberfest starts in September, not October. (Photo by Hannes Magerstaedt/Getty Images)
Photo by Hannes Magerstaedt/Getty Images
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10 Must-Sees for Every Beer-Loving Traveler originally appeared on usnews.com
