The Best Drinking Tours in America
By Brad Japhe
When touring a new city, there’s no better way to drink in the culture than by imbibing what the local bars, restaurants, distilleries, and breweries have to offer.
Brewvana Brewery Tours
Portland, OR
Portland, Oregon is considered by many to be America’s epicenter of craft beer, and the Brewvana Beer Bus offers proof. Taking its moniker from the city’s self-proclaimed nickname, Brewvana is an all-inclusive three-hour trip that visits both long-established breweries (Widmer Brothers) as well as newer kids on the block (StormBreaker Brewing). Customizable tours are also available; one group package lets you visit 2-5 breweries of your choice, so you can check out the fresh hop ale at Old Town Brewing, or the IPA at Breakside Brewing—both gold medal recipients at the recent Great American Beer Festival.
photo: Courtesy Brewvana Brewery
Mint Julep Tours
Louisville, KY
The grandaddy of the all-American drinking journey is undoubtedly Kentucky’s legendary Bourbon Trail, with more than a dozen distilleries scattered about an expansive swath of Bluegrass real estate. To explore the terrain properly, book an excursion through Mint Julep Tours. Buses depart from the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville, and visit big-name distilleries such as Maker’s Mark and Willet. A light lunch is part of a package that concludes with an afternoon at the Jim Beam American Stillhouse.
photo: Kristoffer Tripplaar/Alamy
Confederacy of Cruisers
New Orleans, LA
If ever there was a town defined by its watering holes, it’s New Orleans, and there are few better ways to take it all in than by bike. Tour company Confederacy of Cruisers provides cycles, helmets, a licensed tour guide, and even the drinks. You’ll admire the timeless elegance of Sazerac Bar while sipping on its eponymous tipple, then head to Napoleon House for its world-famous Pimm’s Cup. And yes, biking while drinking is 100 percent legal in ever-tolerant Louisiana—but ride responsibly.
photo: Courtesy Confederacy of Cruisers
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Denver Microbrew Tour
Denver, CO
Once regarded exclusively as Coors country, Colorado is now home to more than 200 craft breweries, with dozens of standouts in the heart of downtown Denver. This two-hour guided walking tour covers 1.5 miles at a leisurely pace, starting at River North Brewery, blocks away from the ballpark. You’ll stop at several other hotspots, including award-winning Great Divide, makers of the irresistible, chocolatey Yeti Imperial Stout. In addition to numerous samples and a tour-ending pint (the glass is yours to keep), you also get to quench your thirst for knowledge with an emphasis on the region’s brewing history as well as an in-depth analysis of popular beer styles.
photo: Courtesy Denver Microbrew Tour
Union Square Craft Cocktail Tour
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco’s vibrant cocktail scene is the focus of the Union Square Craft Cocktail Tour, an intimate gathering that’s capped at a dozen heads. Tourgoers drink at up to four different Union Square bars while enjoying tutorials from some of the city’s high-profile mixologists, including Duggan McDonnell, who owns the perennially popular SF bar Cantina (which is known for its Pisco Punch, a drink that was originally invented in the city).
photo: Courtesy Union Square Craft Cocktail Tour
Mixology Tour
Charleston, SC
Charleston is a scenic wonder best enjoyed during an evening stroll through its historic heart. Luckily, there’s a tour for that—and it includes drinks. The Mixology Tour visits three popular watering holes: At Burwell’s, for example, barkeep John Calo will whip up his colorful Blueberry Bramble before sending you off to nearby Social to indulge in their unique spiced rendition of a Moscow Mule.
photo: Courtesy Robert Harding Picture Library Ltd/Alamy
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Honky Tonk Pub Crawl
Nashville, TN
Far more than your standard booze tour, this is a two-hour immersion into the sonic history of Music City. Each of three bars visited will showcase performances from local bands, and you’re paired with a guide who can school you on Nashville’s music scene. There’s no better place for a lesson than Layla’s Bluegrass Inn, a dive that consistently ranks as one of the premiere places to see rockabilly and bluegrass bands nightly. It’s one of three spots to which you’ll enjoy free entry and drink discounts.
photo: Courtesy National Geographic Image Collection/Alamy
Pizza and Cocktails
Chicago, IL
Look past the cheesy (ha!) name of the tour bus that will ferry you from place to place on this tour—a ride aboard Dough Force One will take you to some of Chicago’s best pizza-and-drink spots. Savor the famous caramelized crust at Pequod’s before sampling the Old World, Neapolitan-influenced pies at Pizzeria Serio. You’ll have a choice of wine or craft beer at each of the four stops along the way. Oh, and did we mention that there’s karaoke on Dough Force One?
photo: Courtesy Pizzeria Serio
The New York Beer and Brewery Tour
New York, NY
Explore New York City’s burgeoning craft-beer scene on this four-hour tour, which launches at La Birreria, the Mediterranean-style beer garden atop the roof of Eataly. You’ll then board a bus to the Brooklyn Brewery in the heart of Williamsburg before heading to nearby Spuyten Duyvil, one of the city’s best destinations for craft beer. Finally, the night ends at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden in Astoria, Queens, where Czech beers and snacks are provided at the family-style picnic tables.
photo: Alberto Paredes/Alamy
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