Included are the names of 2,000-plus establishments that serve considerably more than mainstream beer, culled from our database of 4,000-plus. About 1,000 of them are described briefly and more information is provided: a rating, the hours they are open, the sort of food they serve and smoking policy. (See below).

At the beginning of each state listing you'll also find a few quick hints about beers to look for and places you shouldn't miss.

Here's the introduction for Pennsylvania:

  Beers to look for: Yuengling & Son, Yards Brewing, Victory Brewing, Stoudt's Brewing, Penn Brewing.
  Essential stops: Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia, Northeast Tap Room in Reading, Victory Brewing in Downingrtown, Sharp Edge Beer Emporium in Pittsburgh and KClingers in Hanover.
  Just for fun: Straub Brewery in Saint Marys. Home of the Eternal Tap. You can pour yourself a free beer here, actually two. The brewery only asks that you quit after two and wash your glass when you are done.
   Best city for a pub crawl: Pittsburgh, tough call (over Philadelphia) but Bloomfield Bridge Tavern puts the Steel City over the top.

What an entry looks like
This is under the Austin, Texas, heading and has an icon that indicates it is a brewery. The 3 stars are its rating (out of four).

The Bitter End
311 Colorado, 512-478-2337

***	Lunch-late Mon-Fri, opens later weekends
Food: Bistro fare	Smoking: Separate sections

Assertive beers -- try the Austin Pale Ale -- mix well with an innovative menu. Well-executed wood-roasted fare. The downtown pub is in a renovated warehouse, and the B-Side Bar is a popular nightspot featuring live music. Fine spirits and wine selections.

More sample descriptions

King Louie's, St. Louis, Mo.
Once the hospitality room for the Stifel Brewery, now a tavern with 33 excellent taps, decorated with classic art beer posters. Coasters from the local microbrewery are shoved under the table legs to keep them from wobbling. Shaded beer garden.

Second Street Brewery, Santa Fe, N.M.
A Western take on an Irish or British pub, with photos and artwork on the walls, cozy indoor seating and a beer garden. Bitters and stouts are favorites here. Superior french fries. Picked by local media as a place where women can feel comfortable dining alone, and also kid friendly.

Jim's Tap, Brookings, S.D.
A dark tavern with imports and an occasional micro on tap. Noteworthy because once a year motorcyclists come from all over to ride their bikes in the back of the bar and out the front door. Also hosts a Medieval Festival in July, with a big feast in the beer garden. An area is roped for full-armor combat.

If you have questions about the book, then feel free to contact us.