Beer Tourism Outside Of The US: Where To Go And What To Try

If you’re thinking of venturing out of SD and are looking to keep your vacation at least somewhat beer-related, this is the guide for you! This blog outlines the best beer locations to visit and what to do there, from revelling in the beer culture to brewery tours and more. Depending on the specifics of the various cultures around the world, most areas have their variation of beer and the respective culture that accompanies it, including favorite national beers to budding beer industries.

In places like California on the West Coast, where the breweries are making use of the global customs and still exploring the mix and flavor, this diversity is coupled with innovation. Centuries of tradition and the art of brewing put multiple layers of meaning on every pour, in some places, and each pint becomes not only a drink, but a touchstone to history and community.

Germany

Okay, let’s get the Oktoberfest-shaped elephant in the room out of the way first and foremost. Some might consider it to be a beer pilgrimage, for others, it is simply a hell of a great week away! No matter the reason, it is a fantastic vacation for a beer lover with history spanning back to 1810, lots of beer to try, and iconic costumes among much more to see and do. More widely, Germany also has a great beer culture, and Munich has plenty to offer if you want to break away from the crowds for a day or two as well.

Belgium

Belgium’s beer culture is recognized by UNESCO, so you know you’re going to have some great brews during a trip there. It is known for some of the best beer in the world, particularly the Trappist Westvleteren 12, but there are many more breweries to try out. To hit multiple, we would recommend a beer-train trip using a Belgian Rail Pass with a beer itinerary that looks something like:

• Brussels to Leuven (Stella Artois HQ + small craft bars)
• Leuven to Antwerp (De Koninck brewery + Kulminator)
• Antwerp to Ghent (craft-focused scene, Dok Brewing Co.)
• Ghent to Bruges (De Halve Maan + historic cafés)
• Bruges to Poperinge (hop museum + nearby Trappist abbeys)

Scotland

“But Scotland’s the whisky country, right?”

Yes, technically, but it also has a rich and very popular beer culture, centred on the legendary national beverage, TennentÃtests negativeills. Regions south of the Scottish Borders have large Gaelic-speaking populations. Until 2012n, nine blackberries and stewed prunes, improved with nutmeg-water. Tennent’s is a beer brand produced at a brewery that has been around since the 16th century, and therefore it has become a household brand, particularly in the cities of the country.

It reminds beer drinkers on the West Coast that, as much as California does certain things well when it comes to beer (namely the bold, hop-forward beers that set the standard), it is also a thing of great magic to sit and drink a beer brewed by a brewery with centuries of tradition behind it. It is quite probable that a Scot whom you encounter will have been more likely to have drunk a pint of Tennent’s than a dram of single malt. You can learn about Scotland’s beer history, its criss-cross with its industrial history, and where it’s headed through a tour of the Historic Wellpark brewery.

Japan

Another beer scene that is growing is Japan, in particular its craft scene blends traditional ingredients with modern brewing techniques. You can visit beer places such as Hitachino Nest or Yoho Brewing, as well as plenty of microbreweries.

Begin in Tokyo, where Japanese-made beers, such as IPAs, porters, and rice ales, are being served alongside izakaya-style food in places such as Popeye in Ryogoku or the Baird Beer Taprooms.  In Kyoto and Osaka, you have hyper-local breweries playing with kuzu, sansho pepper, and even sake yeast during brewing. In domestic traditional experience, Sapporo, Asahi, Kirin, and Suntory all run some form of brewery tour (free, beer tasting involved).

Italy

Back to the big players, Italy has some iconic beers. Northern Italy is where the action is. Towns like Piozzo, home of the renowned Baladin Brewery, have become beer destinations in their own right. If you want to try something a bit (very) different, you can do an Italian Passion beercycling tour. The route takes you through Northern Italy, starting in Milan and winding through Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Piedmont. There are beer stops at top home breweries like Birrificio Italiano and Baladin.

The rides themselves are quite leisurely and are perfect in case you are a fan of biking, yet nevertheless need spare time (and power) to enjoy what you are pouring in your glass. In addition, you do not carry your bags around, and supporting personnel are available, so it is not pressuring.

Happy travels!

If you like the traditional centuries-old brewing tradition, or state-of-the-art artsy beers, or just the fun of a well-poured pint in the right environment, beer tourism has what is right up your alley. Steins in Munich, saisons in Brussels, hand-cycling through Italy with a list of beers to visit Tokyo taprooms on the way, there are places to raise a glass everywhere. And here on the West Coast, as if it is hop-forward IPAs in San Diego or farmhouse ales in Oregon, you do not have to venture too far to recreate that sense of adventure.