In Search of the best cities for Craft Beer Lovers: Yeast, Malt and the ongoing Pursuit of Hoppiness

In an ongoing series here, we’re exploring America’s explosion of craft beer brands, craft beer festivals, microbreweries and beer pubs, perfect for the traveling beer lover. Today we’re highlighting the following five breweries, two are from cities that share the same name.

Portland, Oregon has several high-volume breweries, including a multitude of microbreweries and craft breweries. One of the most notable is Hopworks Urban Brewery and Hopworks BikeBar which are considered Portland’s first Eco-Brewpubs. Hopworks offer handcrafted organic beers and fresh, local ingredients, all served in sustainably-built and operated buildings. From composting to rain barrels, and from pervious pavers to hand dryers, they have made every effort to protect “our” future with a thoughtful alternative.  Hopworks is 100% renewably powered and “cradle to gate” carbon neutral.

http://hopworksbeer.com

Since 1988, Gritty McDuff's has been creating fine, handcrafted ales and traditional pub fare. From humble beginnings as a small brew pub in Portland Maine's Old Port they've grown to become the brew pub of choice for Mainers and folks "from far away". From the start, Gritty's was at the forefront of the brewing renaissance in the Maine. Founders Ed Stebbins and Richard Pfeffer had two simple goals in mind: to create a true, English-style pub serving fresh ales and great food, and to have fun doing it.

http://grittys.com

In June of 1994, Bristol Brewing Company settled comfortably in the lap of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs and began hand-brewing flavorful, one-of-a-kind ales for the people of Colorado. They say their mission was to make beer that called to mind three things: quality, purity, and sanity.

http://bristolbrewing.com

Boasting more breweries per capita than just about any other U.S. city, Asheville is home to more than a dozen craft breweries. Known for its famous stunning scenery, mountain music and famous attractions such as the Biltmore and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville has become the craft-brewing epicenter of the Southeast. With multiple locations, Asheville Brewery has been leading the way since 1995. This is most certainly a destination worth venturing.

http://ashevillebrewing.com

The Dark Horse Brewery is a microbrewery and tap room located in Marshall, Michigan. The Dark Horse brews a variety of beers and beer styles, including the Crooked Tree India Pale Ale, Amber Ale, Raspberry Ale, Sapient Trip Ale, Boffo Brown Beer, and Black Bier. Several seasonal and experimental brews are also produced. Dark Horse put out a significant amount of beer for their tank size but are still able to hand-fold and stock every six-pack produced. The brewery has won several medals at various brewing competitions.

http://www.darkhorsebrewery.com

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Whether you need a small amount of custom coasters to promote your pub or restaurant or a large number of promotional coasters for your major beer brand or festival, we can handle your coaster order in any quanity -- from just a few thousand into the millions.