Dream Trip - Where would you go?

[chazwicke]

If you could travel to any city, country, or area of the world to sample the beer where would you choose? Pacific NorthWest? Belgium? New England? California? Consider it a like a week long vacation where expense was no object. Would you travel for the beer only (as I often do)? Or would you include other activities such as sight seeing or camping? Where would you choose for your dream location? It would be a tough choice for me between parts of Germany, England or Belgium. I think England would have the edge because I am passionate about Real Ale. I love cask beers and don't often come across one that I don't like there. How about you?

[hopjack13]

ahh wouldn't it be nice.....what would i do with the children? maybe when they're older i can plan something like that. but for now i would have to say belgium! i have a thing for trappist beers! i would try to visit as many of the monasteries as i could!
i live in california so i get weekend mini pubcrawls in from time to time....guess thet'll have to do for now.

[steveh]

At this point I think I'd have a toss-up between the Czech republic and Belgium. I've been to all of my beer Meccas in Germany (Bavaria), Ireland, and England (as well as the Pacific Northwest), but I understand the birthplace of Pils is supposed to be wonderful. And even though I'm not a huge Belgian Beer fan, there are so many different styles to try it would be a fun trip.

I try to take in the cultures of the places I visit, beside the beer. Science museums in Munich, Cathedrals in London, Trinity College and St. Stephen's Green in Dublin - aside from all of the history that just seems to surround you in these fine cities.

S.

[threecb]

This is tough, since there's so many places I haven't been to! I've never been to Europe, but my wife's been to England and Italy twice each. So I'd have to say Germany would top the list, so we could both experience it together for the first time. Cultural and historic sites are always a must on any trip we take.

When I first read the thread (have been pondering my answer for a couple hours), I thought Pac Northwest. I've been to a bunch of places throughout the country and this is one region we'll definitely get to within 3-5 years, so that's why Europe is the "dream" destination at this point...

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by steveh
At this point I think I'd have a toss-up between the Czech republic and Belgium.
S.

Steveh

I've been to the Czech Republic (although then it was still Czechoslavakia). I visited Prague which is tremendously beautiful. Also made stops in Pilsn at the brewery that brews Pisner Urquell. No tour that day but we did get inside the gates at least. Also the Gambrinus brewery is there. And we trekked to Cseke Budiviuch (I know I spelled it wrong). We made a special trip here to see where BUDVAR was brewed. We had beers at the bar there and I recall there was a wedding going on inside the brewery and we drank with some of the wedding party. That trip was a long time ago. Just days after the Berlin wall came down.
Staropramen was another good Czech beer that we drank there. I know it has been exported to the States since too.

I have been to England , Scotland and Wales but never Ireland. I am thinking of having our board of directors meeting there next June. I'll hit the pubs while the other 3 golf. Before we go, I'm certain I will need your advice on good beer places and sites woth seeing.

[wortchillergoal]

I would have to make it a trip through several stops. I would have to go to England and visit Richard, I would hope, and enjoy the cask beers. While I was in the neighborhood, I would have to visit Belguim. To top it off and make it a spiritual trip, I would finish visting the brewing monasteries of Germany.

[threecb]

nice tri-fecta, wort!

I thought about that England/Belgium thing too. With a week, that'd be a nice combo.

[Theakston]

As I'm originally from England I get to go there quite often to visit friends and family. Usually up North where the beer is best and the whippets are fast as lightning.

Although a great deal of the time is spent in the pubs this is not the primary reason for travelling. If it was I'd probably have to go for Belgium, but my mum would never forgive me.

:mad:

[Wilson]

My pick would have to be Germany at this point. I have done Ireland/Wales/England in college, which first got me into drinking good beer. I went to Oktoberfest when I was 8, but now its time to go back for real. I would definetely do cultural stuff during the day and then let the fun begin, "Freulien!! Noch ein mal bier bitte!"

[skahtboi]

My "real beer" trip I have done before, and will do again. The UK definitely. England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. I enjoy the ales and the pubs. I envy Richard's daily access to these!

[hops99]

I agree with Wortchillergoal; if given a week, I'd break it up among a few places - probably three days in Belgium, two in Bavaria, and a day or two in Great Britain.

[Stahlsturm]

Originally posted by Wilson
My pick would have to be Germany at this point. I have done Ireland/Wales/England in college, which first got me into drinking good beer. I went to Oktoberfest when I was 8, but now its time to go back for real. I would definetely do cultural stuff during the day and then let the fun begin, "Freulien!! Noch ein mal bier bitte!"

If you want to experience real bavarian beer the Oktoberfest is about the last place I´d suggest to go. There are many very nice places but you need to look closer. The Oktoberfest has been nothing but a tourist trap, a bavarian version of disneyland if you will.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Stahlsturm
If you want to experience real bavarian beer the Oktoberfest is about the last place I´d suggest to go. There are many very nice places but you need to look closer. The Oktoberfest has been nothing but a tourist trap, a bavarian version of disneyland if you will.

While I agree with you for the most part, I think Oktoberfest is worth at least one day's visit for any beer fan - just to say you've been there, done that. Noch frei, ja?

S.

Of course, there's always the Volkfest in Stuttgart - but I'm trying to keep this quiet here in the States...

[b3s]

the obvious answer to me is la grande, or, but that has nothing to do with beer ;)

i'd go to either belgium on a trappist brewery tour or eire (ireland) on a pub and distillery tour.

[Stahlsturm]

Originally posted by steveh
While I agree with you for the most part, I think Oktoberfest is worth at least one day's visit for any beer fan - just to say you've been there, done that. Noch frei, ja?

S.

Of course, there's always the Volkfest in Stuttgart - but I'm trying to keep this quiet here in the States...

I guess my point is that I really don´t like these huge festivities. Around here you´ll find a small beer fest with 2 or 3 local breweries present on every weekend from early May to mid October and even after that there´s stuff like the Kneitinger Bockbieranstich. You just can´t escape the beer when you´re living here, hehehe. But to really experience Bayern, find the small places. Trust me.

[chazwicke]

Have you been to Bamberg? My favorite brewing region in Germany. Although, I've enjoyed the beer everywhere I've been on my trips to Germany. I have never been in Northern Germany nor Berlin where My wife's family is from. I've been up the Moselle and down the Rhine. and all over Franconia and Bavaria.

[Stahlsturm]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Have you been to Bamberg? My favorite brewing region in Germany. Although, I've enjoyed the beer everywhere I've been on my trips to Germany. I have never been in Northern Germany nor Berlin where My wife's family is from. I've been up the Moselle and down the Rhine. and all over Franconia and Bavaria.

Bamberg is about 70 minutes driving to the north from where I live. You need to experience eastern Bavaria. I´ve had people as guests who begged for asylum when it was time for them to go home, hehe.

[fretlessman71]

OK... gotta be original here... Since nobody here has mentioned it, I'll go ahead and say Northern California. There's Anchor, Sierra Nevada, North Coast, Mendocino, Butte Creek, Oggi's, I mean, come ON.... and this is from someone who doesn't live there, so there have to be many, many more places just as good that I haven't heard about! Maybe we'll get SOS and Jinja to give us a guided tour (then again, I probably can't drink that much! ;) ). Besides, I always wanted to see what my old house in Fremont looked like these days - it's been almost 30 years...

[Acataleptic]

Well you could include:

21st Amendment
Park Chalet
Magnolia's
Speakeasy
Toronado
Triple Rock
Lagunitas
Eel River
Mad River
Russian River
Anderson Valley
Lost Coast
Moylan's
Third St. Aleworks
Ukiah Brewing
Pacific Coast

All these are easily reached by Highway 1 and 101. Except the two in the East Bay which are easy BART rides out of SF.

I for one can't wait to get up to the North of England again and walk the Yorkshire Dales! Of course, we have been talking about Belgium too! A roll of the dice may have to decide. Or tastebuds!

Drink local, Drink Independent!

Listening to: Herbie Hancock 1969 Fat Albert Rotunda

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by Acataleptic
Well you could include:

21st Amendment
Park Chalet
Magnolia's
Speakeasy
Toronado
Triple Rock
Lagunitas
Eel River
Mad River
Russian River
Anderson Valley
Lost Coast
Moylan's
Third St. Aleworks
Ukiah Brewing
Pacific Coast

All these are easily reached by Highway 1 and 101. Except the two in the East Bay which are easy BART rides out of SF.

I for one can't wait to get up to the North of England again and walk the Yorkshire Dales! Of course, we have been talking about Belgium too! A roll of the dice may have to decide. Or tastebuds!

Drink local, Drink Independent!

Listening to: Herbie Hancock 1969 Fat Albert Rotunda
And there you have it. I'll start walking now so I can make it there by Christmas! Don't think I'll be travelling abroad anytime soon, and besides, there's so much good beer in this country that I really ought to explore before I hop the pond in search of fermented nirvana. Good gravy, I won't be able to eat for a week before I go!

[chazwicke]

Fret, Hop the pond! you will be amazed. Beer here is good and even excellent but there great beer is the norm. Might I suggest starting in the UK :D

[fretlessman71]

Sure, just as soon as I get back from the ca$ino after hitting the QuarterMania Jackpot! ;)

[hopjack13]

hey you guys are fogetting stoddards on your norcal beer trip!:mad:

[fretlessman71]

Hey... If and WHEN this actually happens, Stodbrew will not be forgotten about at all. He's become too much a central figure of this board to be left out of the cold. I'm sure there are still more to be had; I wonder if I could set a NoCal record for most breweries/brewpubs hit in a given amount of time. (I hereby apologize to my wife in advance.... :p )

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
He's become too much a central figure of this board to be left out of the cold.

of the cold? or left out in the cold? :p

[chazwicke]

Last time I was in NoCal. I manages to hit 24. several of them are closed now.

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by Acataleptic
Well you could include:

21st Amendment
Park Chalet
Magnolia's
Speakeasy
Toronado
Triple Rock
Lagunitas
Eel River
Mad River
Russian River
Anderson Valley
Lost Coast
Moylan's
Third St. Aleworks
Ukiah Brewing
Pacific Coast

All these are easily reached by Highway 1 and 101. Except the two in the East Bay which are easy BART rides out of SF.



Bear Republic is off 101, isn't it?

[Stodbrew]

Thanks, Hopjack! And Fret, too! And when this happens, and I do foresee this happening, you guys will have a home away from home at the brewery. Hopjack can come up from SoCal, Fret from CO, and anyone else who wants to join. Then the roadtrip can begin! And there are no shortages of places to go! And I'm looking forward to it!

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
Bear Republic is off 101, isn't it?


yep, Bear Republic is just a quick hop, if you will, off of 101.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by hopjack13
of the cold? or left out in the cold? I'm a pretty cold guy... I wouldn't want him to miss out. ;)

[Acataleptic]

Sorry Stodbrew, my bad! :(

I didn't mean to leave you off the list. Doh! I'm so used to heading North for beer trips I just don't think of what's available down the peninsula. But I have been talking about another CalTrain Beer Tour down your way in the next couple months. I've only been to Stoddard's once, but will rectify that real soon.

My apologies,

Drink local, even if it means heading down the peninsula!

Listening to: Derrick Morgan 1959-1969 Blazing Fire Ska & Reggae Hits

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by Acataleptic
Sorry Stodbrew, my bad!

I didn't mean to leave you off the list. Doh! I'm so used to heading North for beer trips I just don't think of what's available down the peninsula. But I have been talking about another CalTrain Beer Tour down your way in the next couple months. I've only been to Stoddard's once, but will rectify that real soon.

My apologies,

Drink local, even if it means heading down the peninsula!

Listening to: Derrick Morgan 1959-1969 Blazing Fire Ska & Reggae Hits



No worries! You can atone by just heading on down for some pints! :D

[Acataleptic]

That can and will be arranged real soon!

Listening to: The Ramones 1977 Rocket To Russia