Photo courtesy of iStock / ViewApart
These 10 American towns, each with a population less than 30,000, were voted by our readers as having the best beer scenes in the nation for their size. Here are the top 10 winners.
Photo courtesy of Taos Mesa Brewing
No. 10: Taos, New Mexico
The mountain town of Taos in Northern New Mexico has several places for a freshly brewed beer. Drive north of Taos to see the relatively new brewing facilities of Taos Mesa Brewing. The Burger Stand at Taos Ale House serves up top-rated food and experimental beers.
Other options include Blue Heron Brewing Company and Comanche Creek Brewing Company.
Photo courtesy of Visit Hood River
No. 9: Hood River, Oregon
Local libations are almost always close at hand in Hood River, whether you’re touring the facilities at Full Sail Brew Pub, sampling from the 32 taps at 64 oz. Taphouse, or sipping Belgian-inspired brews at pFriem Family Brewers. Other options in town and nearby include Double Mountain Brewery, Ferment Brewing Company, and Solera Brewery.
Photo courtesy of Boone Watauga County Tourism
No. 8: Boone, North Carolina
Boone is known as a base for adventure in North Carolina. After a day out hiking, paddling, skiing or biking, thirsty adventurers have plenty of places to grab a pint. Options include Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Beech Mountain Brewing Company, Blowing Rock Brewing Company and Ale House, Booneshine Brewing Company, Kettell Beerworks and Lost Province Brewing Company.
Photo courtesy of Traverse City Tourism
No. 7: Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City has become a hotbed of craft beer action in the already beer-centric state of Michigan. The town features a sizable collection of breweries, taprooms and brewpubs, including Jolly Pumpkin, Brewery Terra Firma, Earthen Ales and Right Brain Brewery.
Photo courtesy of iStock / tomorca
No. 6: Hammonton, New Jersey
Hammonton, the self-proclaimed blueberry capital of the world, is also an excellent destination for beer lovers. The small town is home to Vinyl Brewing Company, Three 3’s Brewing Company and Chimney Rustic Ales, as well as the extensive selection of taps at Rocco’s Town House.
Photo courtesy of Bad Sons Brewery
No. 5: Derby, Connecticut
Beer lovers have options for drinking a cold one in the town of Derby. Start with the huge taproom at Bad Sons Brewery, or grab a stool at The Hops Company beer bar. The Dew Drop Inn serves over a dozen beers. A new brew-centric restaurant, The Quail & Ale, is slated to open inside the historic Brewery Building soon.
Photo courtesy of Shore Craft Beer
No. 4: Berlin, Maryland
The town of Berlin, Maryland has a population of fewer than 5,000 people, yet it has a relatively big craft beer selection. Burley Oak Brewing Company crafts some of the best brews on the shore, while Pitt Stop Beer & Wine carries more than 850 different beers. The town is also home to a location of Fins Ale House & Raw Bar that serves craft beer on draft.
Photo courtesy of Brayden Rudert
No. 3: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Brewing has been booming in Portsmouth, with more than half a dozen breweries and brewpubs to choose from. Granite State Growler Tours offers guided bus tours of the Portsmouth and greater New Hampshire beer scene.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Alina Rosanova
No. 2: Maple Shade, New Jersey
Beer lovers in the small town of Maple Shade, New Jersey can enjoy house-made beer and American comfort fare at Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant, choose from a sizable tap and bottle list at Jay’s Elbow Room or grab a pint at Dr. Brewlittle’s Beer Company. P.J. Whelihan’s Pub + Restaurant typically has a selection of local brews on draft as well.
Photo courtesy of City of Avondale Estates
No. 1: Avondale Estates, Georgia
The charming town of Avondale Estates, just east of Decatur, has a small downtown area packed with unique food and beverage offerings. For beer lovers, there’s Wild Heaven Beer, The Lost Druid Brewery, The Beer Growler & Pint Haus and (soon) Little Cottage Brewery.
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The Experts
The ExpertsMike Arra
Dr. Mike Arra is the CBO (Chief Beer Officer) and… Read More
Dr. Mike Arra is the CBO (Chief Beer Officer) and logistics guru of Bon Beer Voyage, an award-winning beer tour company for Belgian and Craft Beer Enthusiasts. Bon Beer Voyage was created by Mike and his wife, Ruth Berman, as the beer lover’s casual but exclusive version of elite wine tours. They offer higher quality, small group, gourmet beer vacations (Beercations) in the US and abroad; providing their guests with one-of-kind experiences, sightseeing, great food, brewery insider visits and beer tastings. Mike also is the beer instructor for Bon Beer Voyage’s monthly beer tasting classes and serves as the beer guide for their Beercation beer hunting sessions.
Mike Arra
Dr. Mike Arra is the CBO (Chief Beer Officer) and logistics guru of Bon Beer Voyage, an award-winning beer tour company for Belgian and Craft Beer Enthusiasts. Bon Beer Voyage was created by Mike and his wife, Ruth Berman, as the beer lover’s casual but exclusive version of elite wine tours. They offer higher quality, small group, gourmet beer vacations (Beercations) in the US and abroad; providing their guests with one-of-kind experiences, sightseeing, great food, brewery insider visits and beer tastings. Mike also is the beer instructor for Bon Beer Voyage’s monthly beer tasting classes and serves as the beer guide for their Beercation beer hunting sessions.
Ruth Berman
Dr. Ruth Berman is the CEO and BBB (Brains Beyond… Read More
Dr. Ruth Berman is the CEO and BBB (Brains Beyond the Beer) of Bon Beer Voyage, an award-winning international beer-centric vacation company for Belgian and Craft Beer Enthusiasts. Bon Beer Voyage was created by Ruth and her husband, Mike Arra, as the beer lover’s casual but exclusive version of elite wine tours. They offer high-quality, small group, gourmet Beercations in the US and abroad; providing their guests with one-of-kind experiences, locally guided sightseeing, great food, brewery insider visits and VIP beer tastings. Ruth is also a Certified Tour Director, Licensed Tour Guide and Cicerone Program Certified Beer Server and has served as one of the beer experts for USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Beer awards since 2014. She is member of the Pink Boots Society, Brewer’s Association, Florida Brewer’s Guild, North American Guild of Beer Writers and World Food Travel Association.
Ruth Berman
Dr. Ruth Berman is the CEO and BBB (Brains Beyond the Beer) of Bon Beer Voyage, an award-winning international beer-centric vacation company for Belgian and Craft Beer Enthusiasts. Bon Beer Voyage was created by Ruth and her husband, Mike Arra, as the beer lover’s casual but exclusive version of elite wine tours. They offer high-quality, small group, gourmet Beercations in the US and abroad; providing their guests with one-of-kind experiences, locally guided sightseeing, great food, brewery insider visits and VIP beer tastings. Ruth is also a Certified Tour Director, Licensed Tour Guide and Cicerone Program Certified Beer Server and has served as one of the beer experts for USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Beer awards since 2014. She is member of the Pink Boots Society, Brewer’s Association, Florida Brewer’s Guild, North American Guild of Beer Writers and World Food Travel Association.
Latiesha Cook
Latiesha Cook is the Co-Founder, President and CEO… Read More
Latiesha Cook is the Co-Founder, President and CEO of Beer Kulture, a St. Petersburg, Florida based nonprofit focused on increasing diversity and inclusion in the craft beer industry. Born in the Bronx, New York, Latiesha is a wife, mother of four, Cicerone certified beer server, published author and entrepreneur. In her leadership role at Beer Kulture, she has guided the team in launching an array of initiatives designed to diversify craft beer, including Cicerone scholarships, internships, a job board and kollaboration beers with breweries around the world, as well as community projects to help local neighborhoods and causes throughout the country.
Latiesha Cook
Latiesha Cook is the Co-Founder, President and CEO of Beer Kulture, a St. Petersburg, Florida based nonprofit focused on increasing diversity and inclusion in the craft beer industry. Born in the Bronx, New York, Latiesha is a wife, mother of four, Cicerone certified beer server, published author and entrepreneur. In her leadership role at Beer Kulture, she has guided the team in launching an array of initiatives designed to diversify craft beer, including Cicerone scholarships, internships, a job board and kollaboration beers with breweries around the world, as well as community projects to help local neighborhoods and causes throughout the country.
Gary Monterosso
Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who… Read More
Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who has written for national and regional publications. He is the host of the popular radio show, What’s On Tap heard on 99.9 FM, 1240 AM in southern New Jersey, and online at snjtoday.com. He can be seen on the two-hour History Channel show called “The Epic History of Everyday Things.” He is the author of the book, Artisan Beers. Gary is currently teaching beer appreciation classes at Wilmington University.
In 2014, Gary was selected by Chilled Magazine to be a member of the “Chilled 100,” signifying him as one of the top 100 beverage personalities in the United States. He continues to be a fixture at regional beer events by hosting dinners and tasting seminars. He has qualified as a Certified Beer Server, a part of the Cicerone Certification Program, recognizing his knowledge of beer styles, culture, the brewing process and ingredients
Gary Monterosso
Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who has written for national and regional publications. He is the host of the popular radio show, What’s On Tap heard on 99.9 FM, 1240 AM in southern New Jersey, and online at snjtoday.com. He can be seen on the two-hour History Channel show called “The Epic History of Everyday Things.” He is the author of the book, Artisan Beers. Gary is currently teaching beer appreciation classes at Wilmington University.
In 2014, Gary was selected by Chilled Magazine to be a member of the “Chilled 100,” signifying him as one of the top 100 beverage personalities in the United States. He continues to be a fixture at regional beer events by hosting dinners and tasting seminars. He has qualified as a Certified Beer Server, a part of the Cicerone Certification Program, recognizing his knowledge of beer styles, culture, the brewing process and ingredients
Dennis Malcolm “Ale” Sharpton
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a… Read More
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, copywriter and creative director for numerous projects. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles, to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Thrillist.com, USA TODAY, Lifestyle Publishing, City Lifestyle, Atlanta Magazine and others.
Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments.
Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta, Georgia his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on Twitter (@alesharpton) and captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
Dennis Malcolm “Ale” Sharpton
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, copywriter and creative director for numerous projects. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles, to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Thrillist.com, USA TODAY, Lifestyle Publishing, City Lifestyle, Atlanta Magazine and others.
Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments.
Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta, Georgia his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on Twitter (@alesharpton) and captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
