slides: 10 Getaways for Beer Lovers

Harpoon Brewery Tour

There's a reason this brewery tour is so popular... it's awesome. Head to the South Boston Waterfront for free weekday tastings (2 and 4 pm) if you can slip out of work. On the weekends, check out the tours that run every half-hour (Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Tour $5. 306 Northern Ave, Boston, MA, 617-574-9551 harpoonbrewery.com

Jack's Abby Brewing Tour

For a smaller, European approach, check out Jack's Abby Brewing. The brewery offers free tours and tastings on Thursdays and Fridays, 3pm-7pm and Saturdays 12pm-5pm. Their brewing combines the strict German brewing style with the creative American approach. They specialize in lagers. Take a sip of their most popular beer, Hoponius Union, and stick around for their seasonal offerings.

81 Morton Street, Framingham, MA. 508-872-0900. jacksabbybrewing.com

Union Station Brewery

Don't miss the Union Station Brewery in Providence for a great selection of craft beers, including this season's Cascadian Dark Ale, Cannonball IPA, and Golden Spike. Also watch out for their lobster macaroni and cheese and mediterranean salad. If it's an Indian summer night, check out the patio or time your visit with Providence's remarkable WaterFire.

36 Exchange Terrace, Providence, RI, 401-274-2739. www.johnharvards.com

Trinity Brewhouse

Visit one of the largest breweries in Rhode Island, for a taste of their award-winning beers--their classic Rhode Island India Pale Ale is usually the most popular in the house. Located in downtown Providence, the Brewhouse is a perfect hangout spot. Check out Trinity's Mug Club for a great set of values, including being able to fill up your 25-oz. mug for the price of a pint.

86 Fountain Street, Providence, RI, 401-453-2337. www.trinitybrewhouse.com

Basement Brewhaus

While in Providence, you won't want to miss a visit to Basement Brewhaus, a homebrew shop for every beer-lover, from Novice to Expert. The shop hosts workshops on "all things fermented," equipment needed to concoct that special stuff, events, a co-op, and custom-made equipment, according to the website.

116 Calverley Street. Providence, RI, 401-272-9449.

Mohegan Sun Brewfest

Yeah, you're going to want to book a room for this one. Two solid days of beer, beer, and more beer. Grab the souvenir tasting glass and sample more than 100 brews, including craft brews, micro brews, imports, domestics, limited edition batches and malt liquors from around the country. Plus demos and the opportunity to talk brew with the pros. Jump online and check out the Beer Lovers Rejoice Hotel package.

$20 per session includes tasting glass
October 6 (noon-4pm, 6-10pm)
October 7 (noon-4pm)

Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT, 888-226-7711. http://mohegansun.com

Olde Burnside Brewery

Afficianados, check this out. This brewery (and icehouse) in East Hartford, CT, is available for tour, but you have to make an appointment. The specialness of Olde Burnside ales (don't miss the award-winning Ten Penny Ale) lies in the Scottish tradition, which relies on the water beneath the brewery. This was Burnside Ice Co. in 1911. Now that water is used to brew beer.

Call 860-528-2200 for an appointment for a tour--weekend prefered.

780 Tolland St, East Hartford, CT, www.oldeburnsidebrewing.com

Do Oktoberfest

It's already Oktoberfest season throughout the region, and there are some incredible parties brewing every weekend throughout October. Whether its in Boston, at the Cape, or down on the Newport waterfront, there's a schnitzel and a stein with your name on it.

For a full list of all the Oktoberfests in MA, go here, in Rhode Island, go here.

Newport Storm Brewery

Rhode Islanders cheered when they got their own microbrewery, and Newport Storm hasn't disappointed. And now that the summer crowds have dispersed, there's no better time to visit.

Tours and tastings are every day except Tuesdays from 12-5pm. While you're there, you can not only taste Newport Storm Beer, but also Thomas Tew Single Barrel Rum, distilled right in RI. Self-guided tours are available during open hours; guided tours are once daily at 3pm.  

Beer tours and tastings $7 plus tax and include 4 Newport Storm Beer samples including our year-round beers, a souvenir glass and tour. Rum tours and tastings $9 plus tax and include samples of three stages of Thomas Tew Single Barrel rum, souvenir tasting glass and tour.

293 JT Connell Rd, Newport, RI, 401-849-5232. www.newportstorm.com

Wormtown Brewery

It might be right down the street in Worcester, but it's still a beer-lover's destination. So don't miss Wormtown Brewery at Peppercorn's Bar and Grille. The business was started by a Worcester native and their Massachusetts Whole series boasts ingredients grown only in the state. Consider their coconut chocolate stout or their most recent Hefe Wizen or Hop Harvest.

455 Park Avenue, Worcester, MA, 774-239-1555.
www.wormtownbrewery.com