Be it a party, happy hour, or a sports event, nothing enhances the moment like a frothy, cool glass of beer! Although we enjoy these beverages during fun occasions, have you thought about having fun while learning about the production, flavors, and history of the companies who craft these brew concoctions? Look no further, because we at ecomadic are here to make your ale excursions easier. Grab a mug as we guide you to ten, environmentally friendly breweries around the world we recommend you visit. Similar to the article on wineries, we advocate for environmental and social responsibility. Please drink responsibly.
Alaskan Brewing Company (Alaska, USA)
Our first brewery stop is in the capital city of The Last Frontier. The first American craft brewery to have a CO2 recovery system, Alaskan Brewing Company and its sustainability practices brew up delicious beers, while maintaining the Alaskan, beer-making traditions of the Gold Rush era. Take a guided tasting tour (when available) or enter their spacious tasting room to try over twenty of their excellent beer flavors such as the German Kölsch, the woodsy-feeling Hypothermia, or the malty, glacier-mixed Icy Bay IPA. If you would like some delicious food to accompany your beer, head to the onsite, Wild Alaskan Food Truck, which provides an array of seafood and burgers to enjoy. To make your time in Alaska more special, book a visit to the brewery alongside a trip to watch the whales in Juneau during the summer months. Enjoy a cold one in the coldest state in America soon!
The Brooklyn Brewery (New York City, USA)
In a town that’s rooted in innovation and creativity, the Brooklyn Brewery keeps that same energy with its extraordinary line of beers! Step into the tasting room, and treat yourself to a collection of Brooklyn beers such as the sunny Summer Ale, the quirky Pulp Art Hazy IPA, and the tart and tropical Bel Air Sour. As you taste the various beers, learn about the pleasant pairings of food that goes with each respective beer, while listening to amazing tunes. Stop by the tasting room during events like Pride and Oktoberfest, or for a wild night of drag bingo! In the melting pot of America, try a melting pot of foamy flavors at Brooklyn Brewery!
New Belgium Brewing Company (USA)
Inspired by breweries in Belgium while pedaling through the country, Kim Jordan and Jeff Lebesch brought Belgium brew traditions to the states, and created New Belgium Brewing Company. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado and Asheville, North Carolina, both breweries have an assortment of beers waiting for you to drink! Douse your taste buds in flavors like the signature Fat Tire Amber, the citrus and seasonal Summer Bliss, or the explosive Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA. Be sure to pair these beverages off with the food truck meals that add an extra pop to your palate. Some of the food trucks can range from the creole soul food business Root Down (Asheville location), the artisan corn dog eatery Corndoggie, or the lip smacking macaroni and cheese truck Mac’n (both in the Fort Collins location). Currently in the Fort Collins location, there are events such as Bohemian Nights, Sunday Brunch, and Friday Live Music where you’ll hear live performances from some rocking underground artists. If you’ve never visited Belgium, come taste a bit of what it’s like at these New Belgium breweries!
Brewery Vivant (Michigan, USA)
Inspired by the European beer making traditions in small farmhouses in France, the Spauldings created Brewery Vivant to give Grand Rapids, Michigan a lively atmosphere to enjoy beer, while using local ingredients and ethical environmental practices. During your visit at the brewery, indulge in the various draft beers from the trappist monk specialty Patersbier, the tart Cherry Apricot, which uses local fruits, and Beach Patrol, which will make you feel like a cast member of Baywatch after one sip. Don’t just stay for the drinks! Brewery Vivant also serves a delightful lunch and dinner menu, with incredible entrées like the Vivant Burger, Monk Salad, and a vegan Key Lime Tart for dessert. Have a swig of le bon vivant and visit Brewery Vivant!
Franciscan Well Brewery (Cork, Ireland)
In the culinary capital of Ireland, what better way to wash down Irish cuisine than with some Irish brew? Step into one of Cork’s elite beer gardens known as the Brew Pub, where you’ll taste a variety of beers from the Franciscan Well Brewery. Indulge in the roasted, chocolatey aroma of the Shandon Stout, the radical dark fruits of the Rebel Red, or the German-styled wheat beer Friar Wesse. Pair your beer of choice with a supple slice of pizza by local pizza company, Pompei Pizza, and many other foods during your visit. Be sure to engage in the many events at the brewery, from the daily tour, Foot Stompin’Blues on Mondays, or Traditional Irish Storytelling on Thursdays. Enjoy a batch of Cork’s craft beers at Franciscan Well Brewery!
Hofbräu München (Munich, Germany)
In the town that originated Oktoberfest resides a brewery as regal as the Duke of Bavaria who founded it in 1589. As the first German brewery, Hofbräu München is conscious about reducing its carbon footprint, alongside only using natural and local ingredients in their beer. As you enter the brewery, choose to enjoy your drink at one of the many rooms in the establishment, each having its own characteristics. The largest room, the Schwemme, was once a room used for brewing the company’s beer, and now a room where a live band often plays music for visitors; the Biergarten is a garden-filled, open-air space for those who need a breather from the business of Munich. Wherever you choose to sit, you will still have an amazing experience guzzling delicious beers such as the malty, caramel Hofbräu Dunkel, the sparkly, sunny Hofbräu Sommerzwickl, or the fruity, effervescent Hofbräu Kristall Weisse. Depending on the time you visit, be sure to enjoy the Munich festivals such as Braukunst Live and the famous Oktoberfest, which they sponsor and supply tasty beers for the occasion. Imbibe in Bavarian culture and visit Hofbräu München for a royal time!
Brouwerij ‘t IJ (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
The city that created famous beers like Bavaria, Heineken and Grolsch has many marvelous breweries for beer enthusiasts to have excursions to during their vacation. This former Funenkade bath house turned brewery supplies delectable and organic quality dutch beers for all to enjoy! As you step into the brewery, or Amsterdam’s largest windmill adjacent to said brewery, enjoy an assortment of beers from the smooth, light-yellow Blondie, the tropical, thirst-quenching Biri, to the strong, grainy Columbus. Just a mere drive or bike ride from the main location is the brewery’s ’t Blauwe Theehuis (blue tea-house), where you can also enjoy the same beers, but also have an amazingly vivid view of Amsterdam’s Vonderland Park. No matter which site you enjoy this Dutch brewery’s drink, Brouwerij ‘t IJ’s beverages and atmosphere will elevate your Amsterdam adventure!
Beau’s Brewery (Ontario, Canada)
A family-and-friends-run business with a passion for craft beers is ready to serve you when you visit Vankleek Hill, Ontario. With its usage of green electricity, local, organic ingredients, and its certification of carbon zero and b-corp, there’s a reason Beau’s is considered Canada’s most sustainable beer! Aside from its consideration of the environment, the brewery ensures that all walks of life are welcomed through its safe-space policy. After all, the philosophy at Beau’s is to “be excellent to one another”. Their policy isn’t the only thing excellent about this brewery. You’ll surely discover that after drinking beers like the rural and toasty Country Vibes, the hoppy and pleasant Full Time IPA, or the light and therapeutic Good Time. Enjoy pairing the beers with light snacks, or savory southern BBQ. Have an excellent, eco-friendly experience at Beau’s Brewery.
Sapporo Beer Museum (Hokkaido, Japan)
Although it’s not a brewery, you will still guzzle glorious information and beer flavors during your visit! Tour the three-floor museum to learn about Japan’s first ever beer brand, Sapporo, brewed in the city of Sapporo. Learn about the roots of Japanese beer production during the Meiji period, the tools and resources used to create beer and the packaging back in World War II, and the ethical and sustainable practices of the Sapporo beer company. Also, there are many exhibits of various bottle models throughout the year, paintings and posters regarding Sapporo beer, and Japan’s beer industry, and also the instruments used to brew beer, all while sampling various beers from the company’s collection. After the museum tour, walk to the neighboring Sapporo beer garden. Once a sugar factory and malting plant, it’s now an establishment with halls of healthy, quality cuisine to consume with a glass of Sapporo beers, ranging from the Hokkaido exclusive Sapporo Classic, to the bold Sapporo Premium Black. Enjoy the foundation of Japanese beer making at this satisfying spot in Sapporo!
Anderson Valley Brewing Company (California, USA)
Our final brewery stop brings us back to the United States in Boonville California. Anderson Valley Brewing thrives in being a solar powered brewery, alongside being “environmentally friendly before it was trendy”. During your journey through the brewery, culinary garden, or taproom, revel in the many flavors the brewery offers. One swish of beers like the crystal copper Boont Amber Ale, the radiantly refreshing Cherry Gose, or the espresso aromatic Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout, your taste buds and spirit will tap into a place higher the highest peak of Anderson Valley. The many other amenities at the brewery, from the goat pen to the 18-hole disc golf course, will have you so enthralled, you’ll end up speaking Boontling (a language you’ll learn about during your visit). Like the many breweries on this list we provided, grab your mug and make rounds of memories at Anderson Valley Brewing Company!
ecomadic is a sustainable tourism brand that empowers travelers to make more conscious decisions. By curating a marketplace to easily find and identify responsible businesses to support, and providing educational publications through our online green travel magazine, ecomadic is committed to helping empower travelers make responsible choices throughout their journeys.
