1. 
   Anchor Brewing 
   Company: San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing Company offers a beer 
   experience that you just don’t see often these days. It’s made in a gorgeous 
   brewery modeled after traditional, historic brewhouses. Because of this, each 
   brew is "virtually handmade," a quality that beer lovers are sure to appreciate. 
   Their most famous beer is Anchor Steam, which has a uniquely rich flavor. Make a 
   reservation to tour their brewery 
   and see how beer is made in this brewery that embraces the brewhouses of 
   old.


2. Full Sail Brewing 
   Company: The "specialists in the liquid refreshment arts" at Full 
   Sail are "stoked to brew," and it shows through their beers. This employee owned 
   brewery in Oregon is home to award-winning beers like the Full Sail Amber, IPA, 
   LTD and Wassail, which all picked up a gold medal at this year’s World Beer 
   Championships. Even better, the brewery is located 
   (and open for tours) in Hood River Oregon, a gorgeous little surf town that’s a 
   favorite of windsurfers and skiiers alike.


3. Real Ale Brewing 
   Company: Located in the Texas Hill Country, Real Ale is a nice 
   place to stop by if you’re on a scenic drive. They use the nearby Blanco river 
   for brewing water, which Owner Brad Farbstein touts as "some of the best brewing 
   water for the styles of beer that we make." Their tours 
   and tasting hours are on Friday afternoons, making a stop by the brewery a 
   great way to kick off your weekend with a good quality beer.


4. Stone Brewing 
   Company: Stone brews "big character" beers, like their intensely 
   strong Arrogant Bastard Ale, which, by the way, you’re 
   not worthy to drink. The brewery has a restaurant and beer garden in which 
   you’re free to enjoy their tasty brews.


5. Saint Arnold: 
   Beer lovers, from connoisseurs to frat boys, love to visit Saint Arnold’s. Why? 
   Their tours are essentially a beer drinking free-for-all party. Held every 
   Saturday at 1, visitors are treated to a history of beer and the brewery, 
   followed by a celebration with free flowing taps and a fun ambiance. Spend one 
   of four tokens to fill a glass, whether it’s a small one provided with the tour, 
   or a large glass purchased from the brewery. Some of their best-loved brews 
   include the Brown Ale, which offers a slight hint of chocolate pudding, and the 
   Fancy Lawnmower, a beer that won the Kolsch gold medal at the Great American 
   Beer Festival this year.

1. Brewing: Big Sky "makes water fun" by pouring their hearts into 
   every beer. Their beer sells in thirteen states, most popularly in Montana. 
   Their brews include Moose Drool, Scape Goat, and Big Sky IPA.


2. Harpoon 
   Brewery: Harpoon is one of the largest craft breweries in New 
   England, due in large part to their great beer. Located in both Massachusetts 
   and Vermont, they’ve been a large part of the rebirth of microbrewing. They’re 
   best known for the Harpoon India Pale Ale, but their Munich Dark, hefeweizens, 
   and brown are not to be missed.


3. Great Divide Brewing 
   Company: Great Divide, based in downtown Denver, offers a number of 
   challenging beers. The most popular is the Denver Pale Ale, followed closely by 
   the Hibernation ale. So far, they’ve collected twelve awards from the Great 
   American Beer Festival. They have since ventured into "big beer" territory, 
   producing beers like the Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout and Hercules Double 
   IPA.

By Jessica Merritt
If you think Bud Light is the best beer in America, prepare to have your 
world rocked by these purveyors of high quality beer. In our collection of 
microbreweries, you’ll find people that truly love the craft of beer making. 
They place a high value on beer that offers flavor, complexity, and perhaps most 
importantly, a strong character and independent spirit. A visit to any of these 
breweries, from the ultra-micro to the larger craft brewers, is sure to please 
the accomplished beer drinker and newbie alike. 

1. Redstone 
   Meadery: The Redstone Meadery is unlike any of the other breweries 
   on this list, as they create something completely different. Redstone’s tiny 
   brewery puts out honey wine, or mead, an ancient 
   beverage enjoyed by drinkers from Vikings to Beowulf. Six of their meads won 
   medals at the International Mead Festival, including their 2002 Reserve and 
   Sunshine Nectar, which earned Gold. Just the meadery’s aroma is enough to turn 
   you on to their brews: a visit to their facility is sure to be sweet.


2. Avery Brewing: 
   Avery brews perhaps some of the hoppiest beers in Colorado. As "big beer" 
   lovers, this family owned brewery’s team of hopheads creates intensely flavored 
   brews that are favorites among beer afficionados. Just think of your favorite 
   brewery’s specialty ale: nearly every one of their beers is just as big and 
   robust. These beers are sure to please, as is a visit 
   to the brewery, where you can sample all of their creations and even try cask 
   ales that you can’t find anywhere else.


3. Flying Dog 
   Brewery: Flying Dog Brewery takes the cool prize. These brewers 
   used to be friends and neighbors with Hunter 
   S. Thompson, and use artist Ralph 
   Steadman for all of their labels. But their excellence doesn’t stop there. 
   They have some truly awesome beers, ranging from the Horn Dog barley wine to the 
   In Heat Wheat. If you tour the brewery, you’ll have a chance to drink a fresh 
   brew straight from the fermenter, and even check out the unique whiskey 
   distillery next door.


4. Left Hand 
   Brewing: Left Hand’s philosophy is all about balance: of fun 
   activities and of great beer. They work towards a perfect balance of malt and 
   hops, a process that’s evident in all of their beers. This year alone, they’ve 
   raked in 9 awards for their brews, including their intriguing Juju Ginger Ale, 
   which was awarded Best of the Rockies in the Spiced Beer category at the US Beer 
   Tasting Championships.


5. Dogfish Head: Dogfish 
   has some strong, special brews that hopheads are sure to love. They have a line 
   of time-hopped IPAs, ranging from 60 to 120 minutes. They also have a complex 
   Raison D’Etre, which was voted American Beer of the Year by Malt Advocate 
   Magazine in 2000, and the Midas Touch Golden Elixir, a beverage that showcases 
   ingredients that were found in drinking vessels in King Midas’ tomb. Check out 
   both their brewery 
   and brewpub if you’re in the Delaware area.

1. Independence: 
   Independence’s Rob Cartwright started out brewing beer with his mom at the 
   tender age of 14. Since then, he’s brewed beers for both personal consumption 
   and hand-crafted style. This Austin beer offers loads of flavor and easy 
   drinking. Independence beers include the seasonal Jasperilla Old Ale, Bootlegger 
   Brown Ale, and Freestyle Wheat Beer.


2. Bear Republic Brewing 
   Company: In the heart of wine country, Bear Republic offers an 
   award winning beer experience. Ingredients at Bear Republic are hand-selected, 
   and recipes are developed over several years. Their Racer 5, Red Rocket, and 
   Heritage ales have been recipients of gold, silver, and bronze medals. This 
   brewery was awarded the Great American Beer Festival’s Small Brewing Company of 
   the Year.