International Beer Day is coming up on August 1st. Many cities in the United States are known for their thriving craft beer scenes, so there are plenty of places where you can celebrate. Visit a local brewery or pub, attend a beer festival, go to a beer museum, or just enjoy drinking a beer or two with friends. Beer is a beverage that has certainly stood the test of time, and it’s worth celebrating.
Drink beers at a beer garden in Philly, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia has a rich brewing history and is home to some notable breweries. Philly Beer Week is one of the largest beer events in the city. You can find tons of beer bars and beer gardens there.
Not far from Philly, the Liberty Bell Beer Garden at Parx Casino is a good place to celebrate International Beer Day. It has a wide selection of beers, including a “Ring the Bell” American Lager and 24 rotating craft beers. Whether you choose to drink a lager, pale ale, or pilsener, you can raise your beer mug in a toast to the occasion. You may want to make a night of it and play some of the slot machines at Parx Casino, which also has a Pennsylvania online casino.
Visit a brewery in Denver, Colorado
Denver is famous for the Great American Beer Festival that takes place annually in October, but it’s a good city in which to visit a brewery at any time of the year. Historically, Denver played an important part in the craft beer movement in America. The city has one of the highest concentrations of breweries in the USA. International Beer Day may be just the occasion to visit a local brewery.
Bierstadt Lagerhaus is the place to go, especially if you enjoy traditional German beers. Cerebral Brewing is another great choice, with its diverse, experimental beer options. Two Michelin star restaurants you may want to try while you’re in Denver are Alma Fonda Fina and The Wolf’s Tailor.
Attend a beer tasting in San Diego, California
San Diego has over 150 breweries where you can sample a flight of small amounts of many types of beer. If you want to shake up your palate or you don’t have a favorite beer yet, this is a good way to celebrate International Beer Day.
Societe Brewing Company is a great brewery with many beers to taste and an onsite food truck if you get hungry. AleSmith is one of the oldest and most popular breweries. It’s famous for its Speedway Stout and its large taproom with many varieties of beer.
Visit a beer museum in Seattle, Washington
The Microbrewery Museum at Pike Brewing Company in Seattle has an extensive collection of beer memorabilia. The museum is located within the Pike Pub in downtown Seattle. The cans, bottles, labels, signs, and more span thousands of years of brewing history. The collection highlights the evolution of beer and its cultural significance.
Celebrate beer culture in Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh has a cool beer culture going on, although it didn’t ‘arrive’ on the scene like some other cities. It built steadily on the type of tavern culture you would find in older, working-class neighborhoods. Penn Breweries is one of the oldest microbreweries that has consistently offered high-quality German-style beers over the years.
The Sharp Edge is a beer bar with a national reputation for its selection. Fat Head’s Saloon has been around for more than 15 years, and among its 42 taps are beers made exclusively for the bar by brewers in Belgium.
Discover beer bars in Portland, Maine
In Portland, breweries have been making beer since the 1980s, and it’s a must-visit destination for beer lovers who want to experience its vibrant craft beer scene. There are still some of the old stalwart brewpubs, such as Gritty McDuff’s. However, if you want to discover the cultural significance of beer in Portland, it’s best done in one of the beer bars like the Great Lost Bear.
The bar has over 60 taps and weekly microbrewery events. The cozy, laid-back atmosphere makes it a favorite with locals and tourists. The Thirsty Pig is another great choice as it focuses on Maine craft breweries.