Do you enjoy a good beer when traveling? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right spot! One of my favorite things to do is experience a brewery in a new country. You get a taste of their culture, get to chat with some locals, and of course try new beers. I always recommend getting a flight of beer when visiting a new brewery, this way you can try a variety! Check out some of my favorite breweries from around the world!
Europe
Iceland
Reykjavík
- Bryggjan Brugghús is a bistro and brewery that is located in Old Harbour and is the first bistro and microbrewery in Iceland. I recommend sitting outside or near a window so you can get views of the harbour while enjoying your drinks!
Norway
Bergen
- Bergenhus Bryggeri: This brewery sits right in the harbor overlooking the water. It is small and quaint with both indoor and outdoor seating. Their beer was also delicious (they had a lot of light and fruity beers, which I love!) This place was perfect to go to after dinner and to watch the sunset on a nice day.
Oslo
- Amundsen Bryggeri and Spiseri – this brewery has a variety of beer, food, live music, sports on TV, and a great patio during the summer. It is the perfect place to stop and grab some food and drinks while exploring Oslo!
Denmark
Copenhagen
- Carlsberg: I highly recommend a visit to Carlsberg. There is a free shuttle from the city to the brewery and back. The brewery is beautiful with its cobble stone roads, sculpture garden, and horse stable. You can do a self-guided tour or sign up for a guided tour. We did the self-guided tour and my favorite part was the World’s largest unopened bottle collection that they have. The total collection has 22, 606 bottles! Throughout the day Carlsberg offers different activities that you can join for free if you are there at the time, such as a horse and carriage ride. After we toured we went into their brew house to try some more of Carlsberg’s beer.
Sweden
Stockholm
- Frequency Beer Works – this brewery is fairly new (est. in 2017) and was formed by a group a friends who love music and beer. So go grab a drink, listen to some tunes, and chat up the friendly staff!
- Omnipollos hatt – do you like pairing your beer with some pizza? If you said yes, then you must stop here in Stockholm.
Czech Republic
Prague
- Novomestsky pivovar (New Town Brewery)
- Staromestsky pivovar U supa
- Lod Pivovar: This brewery was one of my favorite because it involved two of my favorite things. Drinking beer while being on a boat! Yup, the brewery is actually on a boat. They also serve delicious food!
Croatia
Split
England
London
- Camden Town Brewery – located right next to a tube stop, this is the perfect place to stop after commuting on the tube. They have great indoor and outdoor seating and you can take a brewery tour if you wish.
Scotland
Edinburgh
- Brew Dog – luckily this beer is also available in the United States so now I don’t have to travel all the way back to Scotland for this delicious beer! Once again I recommend getting a beer flight because they have a lot of yummy beers, plus the brewery has a laid back and chill vibe. This brewery even has its own hotels at certain locations throughout the world.
Ireland
Dublin
Guinness Storehouse – whether you like Guinness or not, visiting the storehouse won’t disappoint. Explore the different levels of the storehouse to learn the history of their well-known beer. You can even decide to learn how to pour the perfect Guinness (you receive a certificate, so it’s official). Once you reach the top you get to relax at their Gravity Bar which has 360 degree views of Dublin while enjoying a complimentary Guinness.
Germany
Munich
- Hofbräuhaus: When you think of Munich, you think of the original Hofbräuhaus! The atmosphere is amazing as there is music playing and large tables that you share with other people. Be sure to pair your beer with their delicious pretzels!
Switzerland
Bern
- Altes Tramdepot: This is a brewery right next to the Bear Pit (yes, you can watch real bears) and it has very decently priced drinks. We could bear-ly wait to get a beer!
Spain
Barcelona
- Docket BCN: This brewery is located on Carrer de la Mercè, which is basically a street full of bars. When you go to Docket BCN, get a flight of their San Miguel beers, they were delicious and refreshing on a hot day.
Netherlands
Amsterdam
- Go explore the original Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam. The Heineken Experience is very interactive as you learn about the beginnings of Heineken. Plus you get 2 free drinks that are ‘Dam good!
- Brouwerij ‘t IJ: this adorable brewery is right next to a beautiful windmill and has a large outdoor patio to enjoy your beer on!
Belgium
Ghent
- Dok Brewing Company – located in Hal 16 in Ghent, this microbrewery and taproom is a must visit. They have a wide variety (30 taps!) of Belgian and foreign beers. Go for a drink, take a brewery tour, and enjoy some BBQ with your beer.
Bruges
- Bourgogne des Flandres – this was one of my favorite breweries I have been too. Situated along the canal, I hight recommend finding a spot along the water to take in the views and watch the boats go by while enjoying some beer. The brewery has a very warm and homely vibe, I could have sat there for hours!
Canada
Vancouver
- Steamworks: Located in Gastown, this brew pub is the only steam generated brewery in Canada. Steamworks has a huge establishment with plenty of room.
- Off the Rail Brewing Co.
United States
Oregon
Pacific City
- Pelican Brewing – this brewery is located right on the coast. You can literally walk from the beach into the brewery! We did some sand boarding and then went in for some beer. It was the perfect day.
Portland
- Hopworks Urban Brewery: This brewery makes exceptional beer all while being sustainable to help protect the planet. They even do this fun activity where you ride a stationary bike for a certain amount of time which helps generate energy for the brewery and then you get a discount on beer! It’s a win-win!
Illinois
Chicago
There are SO MANY amazing breweries in Chicago that I couldn’t just pick one, so I’m going to just list my favorites for ya. My top breweries not only have good beer, but are also places with a fun atmosphere and vibe. With Chicago being my hometown, I could go on for days about all the good beer we have there!
- Maplewood
- Lagunitas
- Metropolition
- Half Acre
- Begyle
- Corridor Brewery and Provisions
- Revolution Brewing
- Empirical Brewery
- Twisted Hippo
- Old Irving Brewing Co.
- Burning Bush Brewery
Massachusetts
Boston
Just like Chicago, there were so many breweries to visit in Boston! So I’ve decided to list some of my go-to breweries that I would definitely visit again when I get the chance!
Michigan
Ann Arbor
Grand Haven
- Odd Side Ales – after a busy day at the beach or exploring Grand Haven, visiting Odd Side Ales is the perfect way to end the night. You get to relax, enjoy a drink, and play board games! They actually don’t have TVs so you get to spend quality time with the company you’re with.
Australia
Cairns
- Hemingway’s Brewery – this brewery has a huge facility along the water with great indoor and outdoor spaces. It is a great place to gather and relax with family or friends, especially after exploring the Great Barrier Reef!
Sydney
- The Squire’s Landing – this brewhouse is an amazing place to grab a drink, some grub, and take in some views! You can see the iconic opera house from one part of the brewhouse and the Sydney Harbor Bridge from the other!
Port Lincoln
- Beer Garden Brewing: the main reason people visit the small town of Port Lincoln is to go shark cage diving, but as an added bonus there is now a brewery in town! You can celebrate your day of seeing sharks by grabbing a beer before heading home.
Tasmania
Hobart
- Hobart Brewing Company
- Shambles Brewery
- Cascade Brewery– this is a must visit whether you like beer or not! Settled at the base of a mountain, Cascade has delicious food and gorgeous gardens to walk and explore. Their beer is a plus!
New Zealand
Auckland
- Shakespeare Brewery – This is New Zealand’s oldest microbrew pub which also happens to be a hotel and restaurant.
- Dr. Rudi’s Rooftop Brewing Co. – this brewery is a beautiful rooftop overlooking the harbor and I highly recommend making a stop here when in Auckland. Plus there are two free bowling lanes you can enjoy if you can snag one!
Queenstown
- SearchLight Brewery – I think the picture explains itself, but SearchLight is located outside the city where you can enjoy a beer peacefully while nestled in the mountainside. They also have food if you need something to munch on when drinking.
- Cargo Brewery – this was my favorite brewery that I visited in New Zealand. Cargo is settled in Gibbston Valley surrounded by wineries and the mountains as a back drop. The scenery itself is worth a visit. Another unique thing Cargo does is provides you the option to pair your beer with food! (they even have a vegetarian option). And let me tell you, the food is delicious!
- Altitude Brewery – any brewery in Queenstown you go to comes with a magnificent view. At Altitude you get huge mountains in the background and views of a lake as you enjoy your beer.
Central America
Costa Rica
Tamarindo
- Volcano Brewing Company – this awesome brewery is right along the coast and is right next to Witch’s Rock Surf Camp. So you can literally go surfing all day and walk out of the water straight for the brewery!
Mexico
Cabo
Baja Brewing Co. – this brewery is a must-do if you like beer. The views in and of itself are worth the visit. You overlook the ocean and the famous Cabo arch. Plus if you want to get a sampler you can pick up to 9 beers!
Feel free to reach out if you need beer recommendations when visiting some of these awesome breweries! Check out some of my other blogs that talk about some brewery tours we have taken. Prepare to drink up and have some fun! Cheers!
