In the Mountains and Plains
At the beginning of each of the state-by-state listings in the Beer Lovers Guide to the USA we include quick picks -- regional beers to look for, essential stops, places that are just plain fun and the best city for a pub crawl.
Sometimes readers agree, sometimes they don't. You should always feel free to send your email to beertravelers@beertravelers.com. We've also included a links to the RealBeer.com discussions boards about beer in particular states, so you may chat with a wider audience.
COLORADO
Regional beers to look for: Too many to list, so keeping to five we suggest New Belgium Brewing (don't stop with Fat Tire), Lefthand/Tabernash Brewing, Great Divide, Odell Brewing and Avery Brewing.
Essential stops: Wynkoop and Falling Rock in Denver, Phantom Canyon in Colorado Springs.
Just for fun: You can visit the original New Belgium brewhouse at Wolf Tongue Brewery in Nederland.
Best city for a pub crawl: Denver, start at Wynkoop and head for Coors Field.
- Discuss Colorado beer at RealBeer.com
KANSAS
Regional beers to look for: Pony Express Brewing, Boulevard Brewing.
Essential stops: Free State in Lawrence, Barley's Brewhouse (a multi-tap with locations on both sides of the stateline.
Best city for a pub crawl: Lawrence.
- Discuss Kansas beer at RealBeer.com
MONTANA
Regional beers to look for: Lang Creek Brewery, Spanish Peaks Brewing, Black Star Brewing.
Esssential stop: The Rhinoceros. Plastered above the 50 taps are posters from Missoula's annual "kegger." The charity event used to draw massive crowds and was guaranteed to have 100 kegs tapped all the time. "All Oly," a bartender explained, smiling.
Just for fun: Montana Bar in Miles City, when the cattle drive comes to town.
Best city for a pub crawl: Missoula.
- Discuss Montana beer at RealBeer.com
NEBRASKA
Regional beers to look for: Boulevard Brewing.
Essential stops: Crescent Moon Ale House in Omaha, Crane River Brewpub in Lincoln.
Fun stop: Ole's Big Game Lounge in Paxton. This is not really a beer spot, nor for the weak of heart. It opened the minute Prohibition ended and they began putting mounted game on the walls shortly thereafter. This place is not about being politically correct.
Best city for a pub crawl: Omaha.
- Discuss Nebraska beer at RealBeer.com
NORTH DAKOTA
Essential stop: The Walrus in Bismarck.
- Discuss North Dakota beer at RealBeer.com
SOUTH DAKOTA
Essential stop: Sioux Falls Brewing Co. in Sioux Falls.
Just for fun: Jim's Tap in Brookings. Even if you just want to watch the annual ride through (where motorcyclists actually ride right through the bar) they'll ask you to sign a waiver. Oh yeah, bring earplugs.
- Discuss South Dakota beer at RealBeer.com
UTAH
Regional beers to look for: Wasatch Brewing, Unita Brewing.
Essential stops: Red Rock Brewery in Salt Lake, Fiddler's Elbow in Sugarhouse.
Best city for a pub crawl: Salt Lake City.
- Discuss Utah beer at RealBeer.com
WYOMING
Regional beers to look for: Snake River beers from Jackson Hole, Otto Brothers Brewing.
Essential stop: Jackson Hole Pub & Brewery.
Just for fun: Humphrey's Bar & Grill in Gillette, any time but particularly when the rodeo is in town.
- Discuss Utah beer at RealBeer.com
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Quick picks
NORTHEAST
Connecticut, Maine, Massachussets, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.
MID-ATLANTIC
Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia.
MIDWEST
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin.
SOUTH
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, Tennessee.
MOUNTAINS-PLAINS
Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming.
SOUTHWEST
Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas.
WEST COAST
Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.
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