Huge Road Trip: Where should I stop?

[user 108580]

So I'm headed on a pretty big Roadtrip in a few months for a family reunion. Wondering where I should stop or what I should try to find along the way?

Here's a picture of the route we're probably gonna take:



I can't stray off of the path too far. I don't really need to stop at the breweries themselves, just want to know what's good and what I should hunt for.

I'm mostly interested in cellarable beers.

Thanks!

 

[RobertRGeorge]

I can't stray off of the path too far.
Thanks!

Oh, see, I was going to say "In de Wildeman" in Amsterdam..

 

[RobertRGeorge]

But seriously, try to book a tour of the Anchor Brewery in San Francisco. I understand you have to book pretty far in advance. There's dozens of good brew pubs all over the Bay Area.

And I recall the Budweiser brewery in Fairfield is right next to Interstate 80 if I remember correctly.

 

[user 108580]

But seriously, try to book a tour of the Anchor Brewery in San Francisco. I understand you have to book pretty far in advance. There's dozens of good brew pubs all over the Bay Area.

And I recall the Budweiser brewery in Fairfield is right next to Interstate 80 if I remember correctly.

I probably should have clarified. I live in the bay area. The trip will be starting from there. I'm more interested in the other areas on the map as I want to focus on the beers that are not available in my area.

 

[Beerbeque]

Looks like you will be close to Russian River in Santa Rosa, Lagunitas in Petaluma, Bear Republic in Healdsburg, and do try to get in on a tour of Anchor but make reservations fdor that ASAP.

 

[brewhaw]

i love beer but you need to hunt ducks in arkansas or north mississippi.

 

[user 108580]

Looks like you will be close to Russian River in Santa Rosa, Lagunitas in Petaluma, Bear Republic in Healdsburg, and do try to get in on a tour of Anchor but make reservations fdor that ASAP.

I live in Petaluma.

 

[RobertRGeorge]

I probably should have clarified. I live in the bay area. The trip will be starting from there. I'm more interested in the other areas on the map as I want to focus on the beers that are not available in my area.

Hmm, that explains why the Bay Area is "F" on the Google points--or not. If you live in the Bay Area and haven't done the Anchor Brewery I contend that you should STILL make that your first stop.

Maybe on your way through Davis you could stop and try to get a look at the 1957 all-grain 5-gallon pilot system installed in the UCD brewing science laboratory. It cost $50k back then and it's a thing of beauty. If you're lucky you could shake the hand of Michael Lewis PhD, professor emeritus and a hell of a nice guy!

 

[RobertRGeorge]

Another thought: just for laffs you should try to buy a sixer of bottled beer and a bottle opener in the same Oklahoma store. Last time I was there it was illegal. It's not called the buckle of the Bible Belt for nothin'.

On the other hand, you CAN buy 190 proof Everclear in OK, and it makes a nice solvent for doing your own oak-chip tincture.

 

[Hex23]

Looks like your east most point is near Munster Indiana, home of Three Floyds. They have a nice brewpub and several very good beers.

 

[Nightshade]

On the other hand, you CAN buy 190 proof Everclear in OK, and it makes a nice solvent for doing your own oak-chip tincture.

Or he could drive north a few miles to Oregon and get everclear.

 

[Yooper]

Most of the route in Arkansas looks like "dry county hell". I'm not sure about Oklahoma. There isn't much in southern Illinois, but if you go to St. Louis there is Schafly Brewing and that's great.

We drive every year through southern Illinois and across Arkansas, and there are mostly dry areas surrounded by nuthin'.

I love to travel, but most of the states you're traveling through aren't known for beer or breweries. If you go a wee bit north, you can hit Minneapolis (awesome for beer), and Milwaukee, Madison (New Glarus), Wisconsin.

 

[usfmikeb]

With the exception of your home state, Chicago, and the small amount of time you're in Oregon, you are going on a trip thru beer hell. Not a lot to get in those areas. If you don't have to go to points D and E, I would recommend amending your path to go thru Colorado, where you've got a beer mecca.

 

[mtnagel]

Looks like your east most point is near Munster Indiana, home of Three Floyds. They have a nice brewpub and several very good beers.

Yes this. Can't recommend any others except for California beers.

 

[pwkblue]

You will find local microbrewery/pubs in almost every city in Idaho...looks like you have a stop there. wyoming is the same...lots of small local breweries...looks like a night in Jackson...2 choices there.. You will also do well in New Mexico.

Not many nationally known brewies on the route, but many smaller local choices...should be fun.

 

[user 108580]

Hmm, that explains why the Bay Area is "F" on the Google points--or not. If you live in the Bay Area and haven't done the Anchor Brewery I contend that you should STILL make that your first stop.

Maybe on your way through Davis you could stop and try to get a look at the 1957 all-grain 5-gallon pilot system installed in the UCD brewing science laboratory. It cost $50k back then and it's a thing of beauty. If you're lucky you could shake the hand of Michael Lewis PhD, professor emeritus and a hell of a nice guy!

Lol, sorry, there's an unseen A under that F. And F would be the end of the loop so that's where I'm finishing (home).

 

[user 108580]

Looks like your east most point is near Munster Indiana, home of Three Floyds. They have a nice brewpub and several very good beers.

I'll definitely be looking for some Three Floyd's.

 

[user 108580]

You will find local microbrewery/pubs in almost every city in Idaho...looks like you have a stop there. wyoming is the same...lots of small local breweries...looks like a night in Jackson...2 choices there.. You will also do well in New Mexico.

Not many nationally known brewies on the route, but many smaller local choices...should be fun.

Thanks. The stop in Wyoming is Yellowstone national park.

 

[user 108580]

Sounds like I'm sort of outta luck. Hmmm well see how lucky I get. Thanks for your responses

 

[ipaman00]

Two Brothers brewery in Warrenville, Revolution brewery, Piece Brewery & Pizzeria both in Chicago, All three GABF winners. Pick up some Pipeworks while in Chicago. Haymarket Pub & Brewery in Chicago. Haymarket, Piece do not sell bottles or cans just growlers at their pubs.

 

[ibbones]

Going through Albuquerque, NM you have to go to La Cumbre and have a few and then go to Marble Brewing and get a Red Ale. Knock your socks off it's sooo good.
We just went through there on our way to ride motorcycles in Utah last month. We came back that way just to go to Marble for another Red Ale.

 

[Braufessor]

Looks like you are on I-80 which will take you within a mile or so of these two breweries:
http://www.millstreambrewing.com/
Amana colonies/amish country - german inspired brewery. Some of the beers aren't great, but some are pretty good. I had an oatmeal stout of theirs recently that I really liked. Their Amber is usually good. Their brewery would be pretty cool I would think.

Also - http://www.backpocketbrewing.com/

Also right off I80 in coralville (iowacity). Relatively new facility. Was just there yesterday. Good dunkel. Also, primarily german inspired beers.

 

[GrogNerd]

get your kicks...

 

[JollyMon]

Not a beer stop but you should find a BBQ joint called Rendevous in Memphis. Excellent dry rub Memphis Q. Then you are right on Beale St for plenty of fun.

 

[Xpertskir]

I'll definitely be looking for some Three Floyd's.

You likely won't find it unless you go to the brewery or get lucky and IMO it's truly one of the best breweries bar none.
And i agree about the largely going to be in beer hell statement but...


Santa Fe brewing
Grand Teton over the pass from Jackson hole
Hit a Binnys in Chicago and look for founders and jolly pumpkin, specifically jolly pumpkin sours

The two detours I would suggest are

Minneapolis, I don't think it would add much time for surly
San Diego, although given its your home state I'm sure you make it that way a lot. I know you can get alpine(some available in la county) the Bay Area and I'm pretty sure that alesmith doesn't distribute that far north either.

 

[Xpertskir]

Try and find bourbon county stout in Chicago if that's your sort of beer

 

[user 108580]

You likely won't find it unless you go to the brewery or get lucky and IMO it's truly one of the best breweries bar none.
And i agree about the largely going to be in beer hell statement but...

Santa Fe brewing
Grand Teton over the pass from Jackson hole
Hit a Binnys in Chicago and look for founders and jolly pumpkin, specifically jolly pumpkin sours

The two detours I would suggest are

Minneapolis, I don't think it would add much time for surly
San Diego, although given its your home state I'm sure you make it that way a lot. I know you can get alpine(some available in la county) the Bay Area and I'm pretty sure that alesmith doesn't distribute that far north either.

Awesome! Unfortunately I'm not the one driving so making large detours is not really in my control, but my parents told me to make a list of the places I wanted to try and stop at.

Three Floyd's isn't too far from crown point Indiana which is where my family reunion is so I will definitely put that at the top of my list.

And really, to be perfectly honest, stopping at the breweries isn't too high of a priority. Really all I'm looking for is what beers I can find in these areas that if I see I NEED to buy. If I can find some liquor stores along the way to stop at I'm trying to develop a list of beer specifics that I should hunt for. Not necessarily the breweries themselves as I'll likely only be able to make it to about 3 of them depending on how much down time we have between traveling.

 

[RobertRGeorge]

I try to go into liquour stores, convenience stores or gas station stores wherever I happen to be and buy something primarily on the strength of the label art. I found Four Peaks Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale in Tempe AZ that way.

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

Shouldn't be too hard to find 3F in Crown Point or anywhere in the general area. I live in Munster. You can find at least the flagship beers in just about any grocery or liquor store around here. Some will also carry some of the specialty beers in bombers also. You can get growlers and bottles of most everything at the brewery itself also. The brewpub itself can get crowded and tough to get into depending on time and day. They've got a carryout side though.

 

[scottland]

Flagstaff, AZ. Drop by Beaver Street Brewery or Lumberyard brewing. They are owned by the same people, so you'll find the same beers at both locations. Beaver st. Has some some amazing wood fired pizzas though.