Do you know someone who loves beer? Or are you looking to broaden your hop horizons? No matter what your preference, what better way to learn more about beer than on a dedicated holiday? Many destinations worldwide are perfect for beer lovers. It is a great way to discover more about your favorite tipple while also discovering new countries, cultures, and corners of the globe. You could head on the trip on your own, with your other half, or even get together a group of others who also like beer. No matter which you pick, you are sure to have a great time and come back having learned lots, tried plenty of different brews, and made some fantastic memories that are sure to last a lifetime.

Where did beer originate?

Before we talk about the destinations, let’s discuss beer history. A little unknown fact is that beer is the oldest recorded recipe globally, with the ancient Egyptians first documenting the process on papyrus scrolls back in 5,000 BC. The recipes were different back then, as was their method for creating beer, but the ancient Egyptians counted on the drink heavily. In fact, in ancient Egypt, beer was so important to the people it was treated as a type of food and consumed every day in large quantities. It had divine status, and there were even gods and goddesses associated with beer. The beer itself used to be brewed from a mix of loaves of bread and water placed in heated jars where the fermentation process happened. They added yeast to speed up this process, and dates and honey to improve the taste and increase the alcohol content. Even if Egyptians were able to see well into the future, it would have been nearly impossible to predict just how popular beer would still be thousands of years later.

Now that you have a quick education on beer history, here are some of the top must-visit destinations for beer lovers you need to discover:

Top Beer Experiences and places to visit around the world 

Have a uniquely relaxing experience at a beer spa in the Czech Republic

There is something special about that very first sip of a cold pint of craft beer in the sunshine that nothing else can quite compare to. The kind when condensation is beading down the glass, there’s little head on the pint, and it is packed with flavor. Now imagine taking this a little further and mixing this with one of the most relaxing experiences out there – a spa day, which is precisely what The Purkmistr Beer Spa in the Czech Republic does. While there, you can enjoy a range of healing beer treatments such as sinking into a beer bath in a wooden barrel of Purkmistr 12 lager. You can also tap your own beer from the barrel placed next to your tub during your bath. The spa is an innovative and exciting way to discover more about your favorite beer, and you can enjoy beer themed massages, body wraps, peels, and cosmetics too. There is a brewery on-site, so be sure to head on a brewery tour and taste some of their beers on your visit. Other places are also picking up on the trend with Budapest’s zéchenyi and Gellért thermal bathhouses where you can soak in tubs with a beer in their thermal beer spa. The Bjorbodin beer spa in Árskógssandur is another beer spa that offers beer baths, beer products, and much more.

Take your friends to a Beer Festival in Germany

If you are looking for a destination to visit for a beer-themed trip, there is nothing like a beer festival to really whet your appetite. Oktoberfest is the annual beer festival held over two weeks in Munich, Germany, dating back to 1810. Oktoberfest finishes on the first Sunday in October and over the fourteen days, attracts over six million people each year. The festival consists of temporary structures with seating capacities of up to six thousand people with each belonging to a specific Munich brewer. There is entertainment such as amusement rides, games, and dancing, as well as plenty of chances to don some lederhosen and indulge in plenty of different beers. Several cities in the US also hold similar Oktoberfest festivals, so why not check out the best beer festivals near you? It’s great for a brilliant atmosphere, unique beers, and a celebration with your friends, family members, or other half.

Enjoy a tour of the Heineken Museum in Amsterdam

If there was one way to make a museum more fun, it would be to add beer to it. Head to the Heineken Museum Experience in Amsterdam for the ultimate beer adventure. We recommend you indulge in a VIP tour where you can explore the Heineken Museum in all its glory. Your experience will include a two and a half hour tour of the historical brewery with a local Heineken connoisseur as your guide. They will delve deep into the Heineken story where no secrets will go unmissed as well as taking you to one of their hidden bars, either Freddy’s or Henry’s. These are both completely styled after important people in Heineken’s history. Once in the bar, you will get to enjoy and taste five premium beers alongside a selection of A-yeast bread and Dutch bites. When in Amsterdam, make time to wander the streets and take a boat trip along the canal to see the sights, hear the sounds, and soak up the diverse atmosphere. There are many quirky and cool pubs to visit if you fancy a bar crawl too!

Take an organized beer trip in Europe

Many companies out there organize dedicated beer trips and tours for those who love a beer. The first is called Beer Trips, which arranges tours explicitly focused around beer. They consist of “Farmhouses and Breweries in Belgium” and “The Ciders, Ales, and History of Normandy.” There is also Bon Beer Voyage with trips such as the “Amsterdam to Bruges Beer Vacation Cruise” and the “St. Augustine – Beer Safari Weekend.” They encompass all the trip elements you would need and promise a “Beer-y” great time. Another company, called Belgian Beer Me, combines local culture with drinking and has tours covering events such as Christmas markets and Oktoberfest. These are brilliant ways to see a bit of Europe and make the most of your trip across the pond. 

Discover America’s beer culture

While you may not guess it, you can visit many places in America for a beer trip. Head to Portland in Oregon, one of the main cities that played a role in making American craft beer achieve the high status it has now. Wander around Downtown Portland for a whole host of craft beer bars and brewpubs as well as coffeehouses and pretty neighborhoods to explore. Through the years, Portland has seen breweries such as Bridgeport Brewing and Widmer Brothers Brewing and many old fashion style pubs serving a range of local craft beers.

San Francisco is another great place to go and is often cited as where the craft beer revolution began. Be sure to visit the Anchor Brewery Tasting rooms where you can learn all about the beer history in San Francisco and the centuries-old craft brewing tradition. Taste some of their delicious offerings in a special craft beer tasting session and discover your new beer of choice. Once done with your beer tasting, head out sightseeing to the many iconic sights such as Alcatraz, Pier 39, and Golden Gate Bridge.

Vermont is one of the states that has held the most influence over America’s beer industry and is the nation’s leading state in breweries per capita. This is why it’s a great place to visit to hop between the breweries and taste the different local craft beers. India pale ales in Vermont breweries make up more than a quarter or craft-beer sales and are rising in popularity, so it’s well worth a try when you’re there on your trip!

If you feel like visiting the American Midwest, Grand Rapids, Michigan is an excellent choice. Nicknamed “beer city,” there are over eighty breweries within an hour’s drive of Downtown. They celebrate Beer Month from Mid-February to Mid-March, so it’s worth planning your trip around this if you want a real beer focus! Take time to visit the many different festivals, events, museums, and restaurants while you are there too.

Enjoy a beer bike while sightseeing in multiple countries worldwide

When you are looking to do some sightseeing, there is no better way to tie it in with beer than with a bike tour. After all, exploring a city can be extremely thirsty work, yet you don’t want to waste your sightseeing time sitting inside a building somewhere. With a beer bike, which is essentially a bar on wheels, you can get the most out of your city experience and enjoy an ice-cold beer, work off any calories it may have, and also sightsee at the same time. You can do this in many cities, including Budapest, Prague, Barcelona, Berlin, and Hamburg. Check it out before you go, and you might get a discount on tickets.

These are just some of the world’s main destinations for travel and activities to discover if you are a beer lover. Cheers to your next beer adventure!