Huge Road Trip: Where should I stop?

[HawksBrewer]

While you're in Chicago, I hear Half Acre brewing has a pretty nice tasting room. Their pale ale is supposed to be pretty awesome too. Also, I've had a few bombers from Spiteful Brewing and they are definitely worth checking out. Binnys beverage depot has an awesome selection (you can mix and match), I'm sure you'll find a ton of good stuff.

Their new tasting room is nice and clean and they are starting to produce some better beers. I can't stand their standard pale "Daisy Cutter" but their IPA "Space" is really good.

 

[Groo]

I'm from CA too but picked up some beer from Left Hand, Odell's, Ska, a Brekenridge at a couple stores in AZ. I was lucky enough to find a the seasonal from Odell's and the Milk stout on nitro (in a bottle) from Left Hand.

 

[fair78]

Looks like you are going to pass through spearfish, SD. There is an awesome little 30 barrel brewery there called Crow Peak. The Pile O' Dirt Porter is amazing. Check it out if you have a chance.

 

[user 108580]

While you're in Chicago, I hear Half Acre brewing has a pretty nice tasting room. Their pale ale is supposed to be pretty awesome too. Also, I've had a few bombers from Spiteful Brewing and they are definitely worth checking out. Binnys beverage depot has an awesome selection (you can mix and match), I'm sure you'll find a ton of good stuff.

Thanks! Added to my list.

 

[user 108580]

All this beer talk is making my mouth water. July can't come soon enough.

 

[rjbank]

If you go to 3 Floyd's get there before they open. I went on a Sunday and there was at least 50 in line 20 min before they opened.

 

[user 108580]

If you go to 3 Floyd's get there before they open. I went on a Sunday and there was at least 50 in line 20 min before they opened.

Good to know. I'm not sure what day ill go but I'll be sure to get there a lil early.

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

If you can avoid 3F on a weekend you'll be better off. It's a line out the door pretty much all day. Most weekdays you can walk right in. I don't even bother going over there on weekends. You can get at least the main 4-5 of their beers at many other places around here.

 

[chiteface]

If you can avoid 3F on a weekend you'll be better off. It's a line out the door pretty much all day. Most weekdays you can walk right in. I don't even bother going over there on weekends. You can get at least the main 4-5 of their beers at many other places around here.

You cannot however get their burger, which is amazing.

 

[justhops]

Looks like you're headed through Sioux Falls, SD. I strongly recommend stopping at Monk's House of Ale. You can get a beer and some food with six packs or growlers to go. Just remember to tell everyone you're traveling with to not ask for a Bud Light! You won't get one there.

Here's his website: http://monkshouseofalerepute.com/#/home/4554066344

 

[user 108580]

Leaving Declo Idaho this afternoon and heading for Jackson Hole Wy. Anything I should look for besides Snake River Brewing? Probably going there tomorrow or tonight.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

Make sure to grab some Pakos IPA in Jackson Hole.

 

[user 108580]

Just hit up snake river and had a golden buck ale. It was delicious. Bought a pakos, and a stout for the road. The brewery was cool but the staff were kinda blah. Not very interactive.

Went down the street to Thai Me Up nano and restaurant. The beer and bar tenders were awesome! Highly recommend that place. No bottles, only on tap. Had a GABF gold medal DIPA called 2X4 and a nitro porter called Charlie Murphy. Fantastic stuff!

Follow my beercation on untappd at mrrshotshot

 

[IrocChris]

Great looking trip you have. Try to stop by Two Brothers while your in the Chicago area. Also, a lot of people have commented that you should swing by Wisconsin to pick up some New Glarus. Try your best. They brew some great beers and lambics. Every gas station and mini-mart near the border sells the full line. They won't sell in IL. Church street brewing company opened recently in the burbs and have a decoction setup to pump out some terrific German beers.

 

[user 108580]

Heading to grand tetons and Yellowstone for a few days. Probably Wont find much for beer. Then its off to Crown Point Indiana. I'll try and find a lot along the way.

 

[user 108580]

Just pulled into Cody, Wyoming. Saw geyser brewing co on the edge of town but its pretty far from our KOA. I'll see if I can find a liquor store nearby. Starting the 2 day trip to Crown Point, Indiana tomorrow.

 

[jmoney05]

Snake river as you said... My parents live there and it's an absolute must go every time I'm up there

 

[user 108580]

We stopped for gas and lo and behold, a liquor store right across the street! Picked up a Salmon Fly Honey Rye from Madison River Brewing Co. And an Avery Maharaja. I know Avery is Co but I can't get it in my area so I was excited!

 

[bergen69]

Can't remember if your going through Iowa or not...Coralville has a new brewery. Backpocket, lagers are ok but the bourbon barrel aged stout is great as is the IPA. You must stop at Johns grocery in Iowa City...ask for Doug. He may even show you the old beer cellar.

 

[user 108580]

Can't remember if your going through Iowa or not...Coralville has a new brewery. Backpocket, lagers are ok but the bourbon barrel aged stout is great as is the IPA. You must stop at Johns grocery in Iowa City...ask for Doug. He may even show you the old beer cellar.

That's a place I wanted to go but we won't have time to swing that far out of our path.

 

[user 108580]

Turns out well be headed through Iowa city tomorrow! Cant wait to hit up John's grocery.

 

[bergen69]

So did you get to meet Doug at John's...I guess you would still be there hearing all the stories!

 

[user 108580]

So did you get to meet Doug at John's...I guess you would still be there hearing all the stories!

No not yet. I thought Wed be there today but were stopping in Des Moines for the night. I'll be there tomorrow for sure.

 

[bergen69]

If your in des Moines el bait shop is a must!

 

[Indianhead_Brewer]

UPDATE!

Decided to update this thread since we have our official route selected. Wanted to get some late suggestions to see if I've missed anything. THE ROUTE CAN NOT CHANGE so your suggestions need to be for beers I will find in that area. And again, I'm not looking for breweries to stop at but am looking for suggestions of beer I should find/buy at liquor stores along the way. Here is the updated route:

[/URL]

We start in my home town (Petaluma) which is located by San Francisco. We then stop at Declo, ID to stay with some friends. Then a short stay in Jackson, WY before staying at Yellowstone for a few nights, then stopping to see Mt. Rushmore. Our next and longest stop is in Crown Point IN. Crown Point is very close to Munster and I'm gonna try and stop at Three Floyds. We then travel to Memphis, TN. I plan on stopping at Binny's Liquor in Champaign, IL to look for brews. I also want to try and stop at Johns Grocery before leaving the Crown Point/Chicago Area. We stay in Memphis for a few days before the long trek to the Grand Canyon. After that it's back home.

Here are items I already know I will be looking for:

New Glarus
Three Floyds
La Cumbre
Marble
Great Lakes
Founders
Ale Asylum
Pipeworks
Two Brothers
Schlafly
Nebraska Brewing

So, looking for more suggestions and must get brews if I can find them! Thanks for any and all help!

By the sound of your last couple of posts it looks like you ended up deviating from your last planned trip route and decided to dip down south down into Iowa and go straight into Illinois from there (I-80 route). Just like a few others have said New Glarus would have been a good pickup if you would have taken that more northerly route through Wisconsin.....I know how road trips with family go though....sometimes the plans change to the detriment of beer drinking. In the off chance that you veer off course and happen to end up in the borderlands of Wisconsin, New Glarus does have a spot on their website where you can search for places that carry their specific beers if you are trying to find some of the rarer/one off stuff that you can't always find everywhere. (http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/index.cfm/beers/BeerFinder). I highly recommend the Berliner Weiss which is a one off that came out in May/June but can still be found around. Also they just came out with their Wild Sour and a Strawberry/Rhubarb fruit beer which I have yet to try but is on order to find this weekend. Happy travels through the Midwest and watch out for the severe thunderstorms/tornadoes.

 

[user 108580]

By the sound of your last couple of posts it looks like you ended up deviating from your last planned trip route and decided to dip down south down into Iowa and go straight into Illinois from there (I-80 route). Just like a few others have said New Glarus would have been a good pickup if you would have taken that more northerly route through Wisconsin.....I know how road trips with family go though....sometimes the plans change to the detriment of beer drinking. In the off chance that you veer off course and happen to end up in the borderlands of Wisconsin, New Glarus does have a spot on their website where you can search for places that carry their specific beers if you are trying to find some of the rarer/one off stuff that you can't always find everywhere. (http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/index.cfm/beers/BeerFinder). I highly recommend the Berliner Weiss which is a one off that came out in May/June but can still be found around. Also they just came out with their Wild Sour and a Strawberry/Rhubarb fruit beer which I have yet to try but is on order to find this weekend. Happy travels through the Midwest and watch out for the severe thunderstorms/tornadoes.

Yeah we deviated a bit haha. I'm hitting up John's grocery tomorrow then binnys liquor in champaign Illinois next week.

I'm hoping to find new glarus at one of those stops. If not, I have a hook up for trading in Wisconsin through this forum.

It is hard to find beer on a trip like this though. I'm doin my best but I can't really stop at breweries. Were in an Rv so its home and parked when we arrive at the city. Can't really take it out and hunt for brews, ya kno?

Either way I've been pretty happy with how things are turning out. Hoping to get lots of founders this week. I've got quite a list and a lot of spending cash. I'll get some good brews no matter what. The Thai me up brewery in Jackson hole was a huge surprise. Great stuff.

 

[rdarr40]

If you are going through Champaign then go to Piccadilly Plaza on Neil Street also, Friar Tuck in Savoy (both of these beat Binny's). If you go through St. Louis or want to pick up local beers then I recommend Schlafly (St. Louis), and Two Brothers Brewing (Warrenville). If you want Champaign local beer then you have to drink from the tap. There is The Blind Pig Brewery, Destihl, and Triptych is the newest.

 

[bergen69]

Yeah we deviated a bit haha. I'm hitting up John's grocery tomorrow then binnys liquor in champaign Illinois next week.

I'm hoping to find new glarus at one of those stops. If not, I have a hook up for trading in Wisconsin through this forum.

It is hard to find beer on a trip like this though. I'm doin my best but I can't really stop at breweries. Were in an Rv so its home and parked when we arrive at the city. Can't really take it out and hunt for brews, ya kno?

Either way I've been pretty happy with how things are turning out. Hoping to get lots of founders this week. I've got quite a list and a lot of spending cash. I'll get some good brews no matter what. The Thai me up brewery in Jackson hole was a huge surprise. Great stuff.

A RV and Johns ought to be interesting...if you have time you should have lunch at the Hamburg Inn, about 2 blocks from Johns. Every President since Ford (maybe more) has campaigned/eaten there. A lot of history. Get the pie shake....it's a shake with a piece of pie in it...what more has to be said.

 

[user 108580]

Just stopped at John's. Didn't have time to talk to anyone but I got good beer. And yes, an Rv was tough but we managed.

Here's what I picked up:
A sixer of Founders Centennial IPA
A fourer of Founders Curmudgeon
A sixer of Lakefront Cream City PA
Singles of Founders Rubaeus, Double Trouble, All Day IPA, Dirty Bastard, Goose Island 25th ESB, Schlafly A IPA, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, and Bells Two Hearted, Expedition Stout, and Oberon Ale.

I'm pretty happy.

 

[user 108580]

Just stopped at Binnys in Champagne, Il. I wanted to stay forever! Here's what I picked up:

Great Lakes PA
New Holland Dragons Milk
Founders Rubaeus
Founders Devil Dancer
Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout
Two Brothers Cane and Ebel
Great Lakes Commodore Perry
Hoppin Frog BA Borris
Southern Tier Choklat Stout
New Holland Rye Hatter
Southern Tier Creme Brulee
Two Brothers Laughing Panda

Somehow I failed to get any Three Floyd's. CRAP! Oh well. Perhaps a trade is in the future....

Heading to Memphis as I type till Thur.