Whats the best brew pub area in the US?

Junkaboy · 06-11-2010, 01:32 PM

I would love to hear some opinions.

I am planning on visiting the US next month, and would like some recomendations on where to go.

My main interest is learning more about brew pubs and tap houses.

Thank you

SteveM · 06-11-2010, 01:39 PM

There are four or five cities in the US that are considered the best beer locations. Among these are Portland, Oregon and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (these two are usually listed one and two, though which is #1 and which is #2 is subject to discussion). I have connections to both, but I am a Philly guy.

Both have great but somewhat different beer cultures. There are large numbers of exceptional micr- and craft brewers in both areas. Portland certainly has more brew pubs, but there is no lack of them in Philadelphia. Philly maybe has a broader horizon for non-local beers. Belgians, especially, are very popular and readily available in Philly in pubs and tap houses all over the city.

Unfortunately, you just missed Philly Beer Week - and it was bigger and better than ever this year.

Junkaboy · 06-11-2010, 01:56 PM

Portland , OR seems like a very interesting option to me.

My main interest is in brew pubs, local beer kinda style.
Also, I have a friend who lives not far from there and would be a blast to pay him a visit.

Is there any place online where I could find out more about Portland's brewing scene?

Thanks for the help.

**jkarp** · 06-11-2010, 02:36 PM

Here's a map showing the most award winning states. Adjusted for population, Colorado and Oregon (in a distant second) are your heavy hitters.

Sorry Pennsylvania - even Missouri outranks you.

There's a reason we're called the Napa valley of beer here.

SteveM · 06-11-2010, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkarp

Here's a map showing the most award winning states. Adjusted for population, Colorado and Oregon (in a distant second) are your heavy hitters.

Sorry Pennsylvania - even Missouri outranks you.

There's a reason we're called the Napa valley of beer here.

Missouri? No it doesn't, Missouri is ninth on that map, while Pennsylvania is fifth.

Maxim Magazine pronounced Philly as the number one beer city in the US. What rational person could argue with that??

http://www.maxim.com/stuff/beer/86174/maxims-favorite-beer-burg-philadelphia.html

http://www.maxim.com/stuff/beer/93203/maxim-goes-to-philly-beer-week.html

Winning awards does not necessarily mean anything except that you entered - good to have them, but which awards are counted? East coast brewers, until the past decade or so, have been disinclined to go out to Denver to the GABF to enter beers. So West Coast brewers would naturally have an edge.

Besides which, Missouri would get credit for all those medals that AB won (things like "Light American Lager" and stuff like that).

As for Colorado, come on, if the one award that they are measuring by on your map is given out in Colorado, wouldn't you expect that local brewers (including Coors) would be entering in every possible category? It's not a good measure. Not that Maxim Magazine is, but at least it's national in scope.

Denver is among the top five, certainly.

**jkarp** · 06-11-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveM

Missouri? No it doesn't, Missouri is ninth on that map, while Pennsylvania is fifth.

Second list is by population. Missouri beat you fair and square.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveM

http://www.maxim.com/stuff/beer/86174/maxims-favorite-beer-burg-philadelphia.html

Maxim has articles?!?!? Huh. Never made it past the boobies, myself.

SteveM · 06-11-2010, 03:03 PM

Well, really, we should eliminate everything west of the Susquehanna - that;s a beer wasteland out there! : D

KyleWolf · 06-11-2010, 03:32 PM

While it may not be the best, I know Atlanta GA has some pretty amazing pub/bars/breweries.

**EricT** · 06-11-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkarp

Here's a map showing the most award winning states. Adjusted for population, Colorado and Oregon (in a distant second) are your heavy hitters.

Sorry Pennsylvania - even Missouri outranks you.

There's a reason we're called the Napa valley of beer here.

Looking at the map its pretty Obvious California is where ya need to be. Come on out

SteveM · 06-11-2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkarp

Second list is by population. Missouri beat you fair and square.

OK, you win - all those winning "Light American Lagers" put them over the top!