Posted on 04/05/2017 12:26:18 PM PDT by nickcarraway
With temperatures finally beginning to warm up, it’s safe to say that spring is finally here, and we can’t wait to be outside. There’s nothing better than packing up the winter jackets, trading sweaters in for tank tops, and feeling the vitamin D seep into your pores once again. As April turns to May, we’re celebrating spring with our favorite way to enjoy the outdoors: by hiking, of course! And as anyone who’s ever been on a hike knows, after a long trek, there’s nothing more rewarding than an ice cold pint of beer. We’ve compiled a list of 11e gorgeous hikes across the country, ideally situated near breweries, for all of your outdoor hiking and patio sipping needs. Satisfaction and refreshment have never tasted so good.
WASHINGTON – SADDLE ROCK TRAIL
When in Washington, head to Wenatchee for a gorgeous hike and brew. Saddle Rock trail is just two miles away from the downtown area and is perfect for those who are, well, more in it for the beer. The steep hike is a short mile in each direction. Head back down for an ice-cold pint at Badger Mountain Brewing and lunch at Country Boy’s BBQ to round out the afternoon.
VIRGINIA – APPALACHIAN TRAIL
Take it to the king of hiking trails with the one and only Appalachian Trail. We’re looking to Virginia for this neck of the hike, mainly because the brewery options are endless. Around the Waynesboro entrance, you’ll find Blue Mountain Brewery and Bold Rock Cidery and Brew Pub, while on the Buena Vista side of the Blue Ridge Parkway, you have Devils Backbone Outpost and Blue Lab Brewing. Roanoke Railhouse Brewery and Parkway Brewing Company also aren’t too far away. Make a weekend trip out of this one and hit all your desired stops.
NORTH CAROLINA – PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST
Hike through North Carolina’s stunning Arboretum, surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest. Ten miles of trails exist here, just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Asheville, America’s “mecca of microbrew.” Here, you’ll find Asheville’s first microbrewery, Highland Brewing Company, Green Man, and Wicked Weed Brewing Pub, known for their refreshing sour beers. Should you decide to take on the French Broad River with a paddling trip, we recommend doing so before the drinking commences.
COLORADO – BOULDER ALE TRAIL
Fifteen miles, 12 breweries, and absolutely zero cars in sight? Sounds like paradise to us. The trail connects Boulder and Longmont, winding through farmlands and rural spaces. The trail is long and flat, a.k.a, perfect for consuming pints along the way. Boulder Beer is a must, as is Sanitas if you’re looking to pair beer with tacos. Asher Brewing Company is entirely organic, and Avery Brewing crafts over 20 different brews.
MAINE – FOREST CITY TRAIL
Forest City Trail in Portland, Maine, runs 10 miles long and connects to the 70 miles of Portland Trail network. The trails connect historic neighborhoods between the Stroudwater and Presumpscot Rivers; Rising Tide Brewery is found in Portland’s East Bayside neighborhood. Known for their small-batch beers and food trucks, this is the ideal post-hike pit stop.
NEW YORK – BIKE HIKE
O.K., we’re taking a hipster twist on this hike and using two wheels to get to our desired brewery. Perfect for Brooklynites, Manhattanites, and Queens dwellers alike, accessing Captain Lawrence Brewery has never been easier. Forget the train ride on Metro-North; grab a bike and get to pedaling. Just 15 miles north of Van Cortlandt Park, the trail is flat, paved, and a breathtaking escape from the noise of the city. This trail is (liquid) gold.
VERMONT – THE LONG TRAIL
Hike one of Vermont’s most renowned trails and end at no other brewery than the namesake establishment itself, Long Trail Brewing Company. Grab a can of the signature Long Tail Ale, or our personal favorite, Cranberry Gose, to refuel after your intense trek.
OREGON – COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE HIKES e The Columbia Gorge Hiking Trail in Oregon offers a plethora of hiking options for all skill levels. (Click here for a list of easy, moderate, and advanced options.) Some of our favorite breweries along the way include Thunder Island Brewing Co. and Everybody’s Brewing. Head to Full Sail Brewing Company for free tours and stunning river views.
CALIFORNIA – GRIFFITH PARK
Hiking trails within L.A.? Yes, it’s possible! Griffith Park offers miles of trails, perfect for a weekend afternoon escape from the noise of the city. Golden Road Brewing sits just across from the park, and best of all, there’s an entire deck set aside for you and your furry hiking companion. The only thing that makes a post-hike beer even better is a post-hike beer alongside your dog.
DELAWARE – WHITE CLAY CREEK STATE PARK
Whether shady tracks or sunny meadows are your style, White Clay offers 150 miles of hiking terrains. Just a 40-minute drive from Philly, these hiking trails are not to be missed. Best of all, Dogfish Head is within the vicinity. The brewery is the state’s most popular brewery and loved by beer drinkers all over the country. What’s better than ending a day of hikes with a flight of IPAs? Nothing. The answer is nothing.
PENNSYLVANIA – RIDLEY CREEK STATE PARK
According to Roots Rated, Ridley Creek State Park boasts over 2,600 acres of land, with 13 miles of marked hiking trails. The park is located just 16 miles outside the city center, perfect for urban dwellers looking for an afternoon escape. The park also has five miles of paved walkways for more easygoing hikes, as well as a ton of picnic tables for snack breaks. End your day at Sterling Pig Brewery, snacking on savory soups and apps, wood-fired pizzas, and sipping on craft brews. Sounds like the perfect day to us.
Picchetti Ranch Open Space and Fremont Older Open Space, both lead into the same winery.
committing to memory now...
All that reading made me thirsty, I think I’ll try to find an “Old Frothingslosh Pale Stale Ale”(with the head in the bottom of the bottle).
MAINE – FOREST CITY TRAIL
Forest City Trail in Portland, Maine, runs 10 miles long and connects to the 70 miles of Portland Trail network. The trails connect historic neighborhoods between the Stroudwater and Presumpscot Rivers; Rising Tide Brewery is found in Portland’s East Bayside neighborhood. Known for their small-batch beers and food trucks, this is the ideal post-hike pit stop.
I have to wonder if the breweries paid for placement. Rising Tide Brewery is no where near the Forest City Trail which runs along the outer parts of Portland. Rising Tide is in the center of the city. Every neighborhood in Portland is historic and several are home to micro breweries. There are several breweries closer to the trail than Rising Tide.
But don’t let that stop you from coming to Portland and drinking our beer (after a good hike).
But do they have beer slugs?
We visited Picnetti the old-fashioned the way with the kids last year - we drove there. Then continued up to Ridge.
North Country Trail through Taquahamenon Falls State Park in Michigan’s upper peninsula. The brew pub isn’t fantastic, but having it there after several days on the trail is great and the falls are pretty neat. Plus the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is not far and totally worth visiting if you can handle Gordon Lightfoot’s Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald on constant loop.
The North Country Trail continues west through / near Grand Marais which has a fantastic brew pub, through Pictured Rocks lakeshore (except you’re on top of the rocks so you only see bits and the lake), and then to Munising with several nice beer spots. In Munising, avoid the Dogpatch restaurant like the plague.
“CALIFORNIA – GRIFFITH PARK”
Golden Road” Beers are barely above average. Go for the exercise, not the Beer. Trader Joes sells their Beer under the Ol’ Burro and Tap 79 Brands. On the Beer Advocate scale low to mid 80’s.
I’ll start on these as soon as I’ve finished hitting every Diner, Drive-Ins & Dives hosted on the Guy Fieri show.
I’m about halfway thru...but falling behind.
Pretty cool, everything I do revolves around craft beer.
Could be a good 2 day hike in the summer, even though Boulder is part of the axis of evil. Beer, it’s not just for breakfast anymore..
“COLORADO – BOULDER ALE TRAIL
Fifteen miles, 12 breweries, and absolutely zero cars in sight? Sounds like paradise to us. The trail connects Boulder and Longmont, winding through farmlands and rural spaces. The trail is long and flat, a.k.a, perfect for consuming pints along the way. Boulder Beer is a must, as is Sanitas if you’re looking to pair beer with tacos. Asher Brewing Company is entirely organic, and Avery Brewing crafts over 20 different brews.”
Colorado Ping ( Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list.)
It’s pretty and you can rent canoe’s there.
I go to Ridge Winery not too far from there and also occasionally shoot at that range.
The winery I’ve walked by is Cooper Garrod, but I’ve never actually tasted their wine. Which range?
It’s just past the concrete plant and the lake.
I don’t recall the name of it.
Sunnyvale Rod and gun
https://www.sunnyvalegunclub.com/range
Albany, Oregon
Park at Montieth Park downtown, the new carousel is scheduled to open in June. The park has a band pavilion with free top name concerts on Thur. through summer.
Walk on paved sidewalk to first brewery called Deluxe Brewery. It is all a German focused line-up. Continue walking east and a few blocks up is the award winning Calapooia Brewing. Great brews and food.
Continue on paved river path to Bowman park, enjoy ducks and dock. The trail will turn to dirt along river and end up at Simpson Park. Do the paved water feature loop. Come back along Front St and refresh at the Front St. Tavern, serving the ghosts of the now gone lumber mill crews.
If journey the city streets back, head south across the tracks and Old Salem Ave. Turn right and continue to King Kone, monster soft serve and burgers. Not much has changed since the 1950’s. Or continue a few blocks down to Main St and indulge at the Suasagetree, all handmade. Behind him is Linger Longer, one of two taverns in Oregon. (Beer only, opened after prohibition, friends own it).
Continue down Second Ave, and if it’s after 4pm stop at Riley’s for a great happy hour ($1 pbr, $2 wells), $5 1/2# burger and fries), just blocks from where you parked.
Saves me from having to ask the question.
Ping
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