15 of the Top Brewery Tours to Take in the US
Widmer Brothers Brewing — Portland, OR
At latest count there were nearly 60 breweries in Portland — 84 if you take into account the entire Portland Metro Area — making it clear why Portlanders and many outsiders refer to the city as “Beervana.” Locals tend to take their beer seriously, with brewers pioneering the craft beer movement using only the freshest ingredients. Many of the city’s breweries have become world-famous, like Widmer Brothers, which has the capacity to produce nearly 500,000 barrels of beer every year.
Opened in 1984, it’s one of the country’s original craft breweries and offers free public tours. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the “House That Hefe Built,” a 250-barrel brewhouse, as well as a tour through the 10-barrel Innovation Brewhouse and the chance to taste some of the company’s new beers. You’ll even get a one-time, small batch brew made exclusively for tour members.
The tour cost is $5 and includes a take-home tasting glass and 12-ounce can from its Members Only beer series. The tour schedule is as follows:
- Fridays: 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- Saturdays: Noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- Sundays: 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Stone Brewing — Escondido (San Diego County), CA
Located just north of downtown San Diego in Escondido, Stone Brewing is one of the top breweries in Southern California. Their recently expanded tour route will take you into the heart of the facility and its packaging hall for an inside look at craft beer culture and the brewing process. The tour concludes with a selection of special-release and core beers that are served in a souvenir glass that is included in the $3 tour price.
The experience all begins in a spectacular zen garden, filled with plants and ponds, that has been referred to as the “gold standard” for the country’s beer gardens.
Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the following times:
- Monday through Friday: Noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
- Weekends: Every hour from noon until 6 p.m.
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Deschutes Brewery — Bend, OR
Located on the east side of Oregon’s breathtaking Cascade Mountains, Bend has been giving Portland a run for its money. Opened in 1988, Deschutes Brewery is Bend’s most well-known brewery, with classic offerings created to pair with the area’s active lifestyle like the Obsidian Stout and Black Butte, one of the best-selling porters in the country.
Visitors can enjoy a private or public brewery tour, with four tours offered daily from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the hour. You’ll get to learn about the brewery’s history and culture as well as get a good glimpse at production. As the tours are quite popular and often fill up in advance, it’s best to book ahead. For $5 per person, you’ll also get a 12-ounce can of Deschutes beer.
