Discover brew England
In New England, cups runneth over with craft beer and session ales. There is an entire ecosystem of award-winning breweries, brew pubs and local farms that exist solely for the purpose of pouring the perfect pint, so if you are looking for the ideal ale, chances are it is here!
From the better known watering holes of New England to the undiscovered gems, everyone is open and welcoming, as is the beauty of beer culture. Most states offer brewery tours, the ultimate beer lover field trip, or have official state beer trails where you will experience the high quality and creative diversity of fresh, hand-crafted, locally-brewed beer. Or why not just play it by beer and see where you end up? Here are some of the highlights to choose from ...
Connecticut
Find the perfect ale along Connecticut's Beer Trail! Whether you're looking for a relaxing Sunday afternoon with friends or a longer holiday with a significant other, take a few days to explore the Connecticut Beer Trail. More than a dozen local Connecticut breweries, brew pubs, beer bars and home brew shops enable visitors to experience the state's underrated beer culture. Old post offices and huge department stores have been converted, some decked out with unusual seating options such as barber chairs and theatre seats - while the homely Olde Burnside Brewery in East Hartford offers ales specially brewed along old Scottish methods. No two venues are the same - as is the case with the variety of offerings!
Maine
Maine Brew Bus - driving you to drink local!
Maine is bursting with 39 breweries and over 100 different brands of quality handcrafted beer. The Maine Brew Bus promotes local breweries by offering a unique and personal beer tour experience. The beer tours are all inclusive and provide transportation to and from Maine's award-winning breweries, taking in smaller, up-and-coming breweries, with site tours, beer trivia, pub snacks and of course the chance to sample the best brews! The Maine Brew Bus also offers private Maine Bus Tours which are perfect for hen or stag groups.
themainebrewbus.com/tours
Vermont
Vermont has more craft breweries per capita than any other US state! With so many to explore, take to two wheels on an all-inclusive trip that combines all the amazing elements of a traditional Vermont by Browse to Save mountmajor.com/vermont-bike-and-brewery.html cycling holiday whilst visiting over half the state's breweries. The Vermont Bike and Brewery Challenge is six jam-packed days of outstanding cycling, breathtaking scenery, farm-to-table meals and delicious brews. Or for more relaxed exploration of the state's beer culture, travel with Burlington Brew Tours and enjoy delights such as the Vermont Pub & Brewery which is the third oldest on the East Coast.
mountmajor.com/vermont-bike-and-brewery
burlingtonbrewtours.com
New Hampshire
The Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Merrimack offers a complimentary factory tour where visitors can experience first-hand how Budweiser is crafted, brewed and packaged, as well as a chance of a picture with the world famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses. But if you're looking for something really local there are plenty of delightful surprises - try the Woodstock Inn Brewery for top-notch craft ales in stunning surroundings.
budweisertours.com
woodstockinnbrewery.com
Rhode Island
No-one loves a beer as much a sailor - so it's no surprise that Rhode Island has 10 great breweries! The Newport Storm Brewery and Thomas Tew Distillery are open for tours and tastings of Newport Storm Beer AND Thomas Tew Single Barrel Rum, including views of production from their observation deck. Last year, they increased capacity allowing visitors to drop in, sample the year-round beers (seasonal or experimental varieties), take away a souvenir tasting glass - and gain insider knowledge of which Newport-brewed beers to look for on a visit to Newport's fine eateries!
newportstorm.com
Massachusetts
Barrington Brewery - Solar Brewed Beer in Great Barrington
Massachusetts has a 'publick house' tradition stretching back to 1634 - but the Barrington Brewery brings that tradition firmly into the 21st century as the first brewery on the east coast to use energy from a solar panel system in its brewing process and at its restaurant. Visitors can enjoy the Barn Brewed Beer and food made from scratch. The brewery even grows its own hops in season and features an outdoor Beer Garden.
barringtonbrewery.net
Each of the six states hosts an array of beer festivals, including dedicated Oktoberfest events against the backdrop of New England's vibrant Fall colours - for more information visit discovernewengland.org/new-england-activities/new-england-breweries.
For further information on New England, visit discovernewengland.co.uk.
