Czech Republic

We've all dreamt of the fairytale city of Prague, but have you heard of the statue in Brno? The castle in Cesky Krumlov? The beautiful national park? The Czech Republic is more than just Prague, don't miss out! 

Czech Republic Tips:

• The Czech Republic is dirt cheap. Half liter of beer? 1 euro. Room at a super nice hostel during peak season? 15 euro. Do not overpay at toursity places (I'm looking at you, Prague 1 neighborhood).

• RUN across the crosswalks. They change SO FAST.

• Chimney cakes are everywhere. Not just Prague. Not just Brno. Not just Cesky Krumlov. Heck, not just Slovakia. Don't listen to people. It is a pretty tasty dessert overall that is a combination of cinnamon/sugar/dough/ice cream

Prague Tips:

• You can essentially walk the entirety of Prague, so don't waste money on tram passes

• A lot of people really love Prague. I do not fall in that category. Sure, it's beautiful. But there are a lot of other places in the world that are beautiful that are not overrun with tourists and quite simply, boring [yikes]. I would recommend 2-3 days in Prague if you decide to go, and then roll out. 

Adventures & Ales Top Prague Recommendations: 

• Beer garden in Lentenske Sady, the park on the top of the hill. There is a bar near the metronome and there is a beer garden further along in the park. Highly recommend the beer garden. Fantastic views and not yet discovered by tourists!

• Take a day trip to the Bohemian and Saxon National Park! The gorgeous sandstone area on the German side, the famous gate and bridge on the Czech side (+ a victory beer after hiking up to it!)

The Classic Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting in Prague:

• The Charles Bridge: Go either very early or at night to avoid the crowds and marvel at the beauty that is the bridge and the view from the bridge in every direction

• The Astronomical Clock: Shockingly cool to see and understand. The 'shows' are not worth your while to wait for

• The Prague Castle: Absolutely gorgeous. You have to go. That is all. 

Other Things to do in Prague:​

• The Dancing House: A house that is curving, right near the river

• Pivar Narodni: Beers and food, nice outside patio

• Pivovarsky Dum: Good mixed beer and classic Czech food

• Lennon Wall: Graffitied wall, nothing too special

• Cafe Savoy: Classy brunch spot

• Old Town Square: The center of the buzz, home to the Astronomical Clock and other historical buildings

• Old Jewish Cemetery: Located in the Jewish Quarter, it’s super old (no way right?) and pretty cool to see

• Memorial to the Victims of Communism: an interesting memorial to check out

  • Get gelato at the place across the street!! I went 3 times while in Prague​ (shh…)

• Check out Bakeshop for a quick breakfast​

• The Petrin Hill Rose Garden: Relax and sip on a delicious lemonade while taking in the beautiful scenery 

  • Petrin Tower: At the top of the hill you can go up for views of the city

• River Cruise: Probably the most touristy thing you can do in Prague. Overpriced and nothing that you can't see from the land. But, it's still always nice to be on a boat and see things!​

Eggenberg Brewery

Cesky Krumlov Tips: 

• Cesky Krumlov is pretty touristy, but it's a cool spot to explore. It's essentially adorable + old!

• Do it as a day trip from Prague or spend a night!

Adventures & Ales Top Cesky Krumlov Recommendations: 

• Eggenberg Brewery: Pictured below, need I say more? 

• Honestly just wander the streets. It's a beautiful town with historical, winding streets

The Classic Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting in Cesky Krumlov:

• Cesky Krumlov Castle: Fantastic views of town + mini astronomical clock!

• Check out the churches, there are a ton and they're all old and gorgeous 

• Wander the market in the main square for lots of art, clothing, and more

Other Things to do in Cesky Krumlov:

• ​Plague Monument: Pretty basic, most European cities have one

• Sip something on the river :) 

Brno Tips: 

• Brno is quite small and incredibly walkable

• There are very few/essentially NO tourists!! [Cue the salsa dancing lady emoji]

• People pee in public. A lot. It's shocking. You've been warned. 

• It's totally acceptable to take lots of pictures, even inappropriate ones, of the statue. The locals make fun of it constantly too. It's nickname is the cock clock...

Adventures & Ales Top Brno Recommendations: 

• Starobrno Brewery: Brno's main brewery, yummy beers, awesome patio

• Brno Lake: You can take the train to the Lake and then walk around it, there is a bar, about a mile after the Carnival/Circus near the train stop. Very beautiful and relaxing. 

The Classic Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting in Brno:

• The Main Square: Home to the cock clock and the main hub of the city

• The Town Hall and Cabbage Market Square: there was a beer festival AND a wine festival housed here when I was in town!

Other Things to do in Brno:​

• Breakfast at Kafec: Near the universities, quite tasty

• The 10-Z Bunker: Honestly I found this to be incredibly creepy. This bunker was built to protect officials during the Cold War. You can walk through it and there are some very informative videos

• Spilberk Castle + Church: The Church is gorgeous, the castle is average 

• Check out the pink tank

• Zemecky Pivovar: Near the Town Hall and Cabbage Market Square, restaurant and brewery with classic Czech food and good beers

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is an adorable city exactly how you are currently picturing it: canals, tulips, bikes, and all things promiscuous (don't fret, it's still family friendly and extremely safe). 

Amsterdam Tips: 

• You can walk everywhere which is really nice to save on transportation costs!

  • You could also rent a bike to be like super iconic Amsterdam, but see below--biking is very intense ​

• BEWARE OF THE BIKES! There are 3 bikes for every one resident of the city. They do not mess around. Look 6 times before crossing the street to avoid being run down. Also, please stop looking at your phone while trying to cross the street. If you haven't learned that yet in life, you will when you end up eating pavement in Amsterdam. 

• The weather is actually crazy. I grew up in Michigan where one day it's 32 and snowing and the next it's 65 and sunny, but this Amsterdam stuff was whack. Dress in layers, bring a rain coat, and be prepared for anything to occur within one singular hour. 

• Bring yo cash money. Amsterdam is surprisingly expensive. 

• Coffeeshops = weed shops. Totally casual and legal, but just a heads up there is not a latte in there

• If you want to go crazy and do all things that are illegal most places but legal in Amsterdam, you can. And you can do so very safely. There is very little crime and a very high level of acceptance in the country. 

• If you DON'T want to go crazy and do all the illegal things, you should still definitely go to Amsterdam. It is far more than just the Red Light District.   

Adventures & Ales Top Amsterdam Recommendations: 

• The Jordaan Neighborhood: trendy neighborhood with tons of delicious restaurants and bars 

• De Pijp Neighborhood: another cute neighborhood to wander around, it was quite packed around happy hour time!

  • Brouwery Troost​ is located in this neighborhood and has delicious beers! You can sit outside overlooking the square 

• Bagels and Beans: ​I don't know about you, but I LOVE bagels. Europeans do not love bagels. But, don't fret, Bagels and Beans has delicious bagels and coffee to satisfy your cravings.

• Museum of Dutch Resistance: a fantastic museum detailing the role of the Netherlands in the Holocaust

• Brouwerij't IJ at the Ooj Windmill: 1) brewery 2) Dutch windmill. Hello, winning! 

• Day trip to the Northern Sea! Zandvoort aan see is a quick train ride from Amsterdam. It's a classic beach town. You can hang out at the sea if the weather is nice, or just dip your toes and hop back on the train! 

  • I combined this with a day trip to Haarlem very easily!

• Day trip to Haarlem: a small town outside of Amsterdam that is a perfect escape from the tourists of the big city. 

  • Brewery Jopen: inside an old church, highly recommend ​

Top Touristy Spots in Amsterdam Actually Worth Visiting: 

• The New Europe Walking Tour was informative and worthwhile! They operate on tips only

• Red Light District: you've gotta at least see it during the day time! 

• Dam Square: the city’s classic main square

Other Things to do in Amsterdam:​

• The Cheese Museum: calling this a museum is extremely generous. It is free cheese samples and a silly "exhibit" downstairs. But as I said, FREE CHEESE SAMPLES!

• Anne Frank House: extremely historical. extremely touristy. The line can be multiple hours. You can buy tickets ahead of time online to shorten the wait but still expect to wait at least an hour outside 

• Heineken Experience: very touristy, but very informative. I don't actually like Heineken but I still enjoyed this. You essentially get the history of the company and get some beers to go with it. The rooftop bar at the end is cool to overlook the city

• Canal Tour: classic thing to do. If I had better weather it might be under a top recommendation, but I had a less than enjoyable time in the rain, cold, and wind on a boat. Keep in mind this was June when I was there, so again, prepare for anything. 

• Vondelpark: beautiful, large park filled with locals. I spent two evenings drinking wine next to the pond. Beware! The ducks are very used to people and get extremely close to you

The Best Craft Beer Bars

Obviously I love exploring breweries, but craft beer bars are always fun to hang out at as well. I love getting to try hard to find or obscure beers from breweries across the world!

My favorite craft beer bars each offer a little something different, but they all have delicious and unique beers! Check out my top picks globally below:

The Avenue Pub in New Orleans

The Avenue Pub

Located in New Orleans, Louisiana this craft beer haven is open 24/7 365 days of the year! The Avenue has a fantastic tap list at both their main bar downstairs and their balcony bar upstairs.

The balcony is one of the best parts of The Avenue, it is a fantastic place to kick back and watch the streetcars roll by and soak up some Louisiana sunshine. Their location right on Saint Charles Avenue makes it a prime spot to watch parades during Mardi Gras season, but beware of beads flying into your beer!

The Avenue also has a full food menu that is typical bar food. The cheese fries are fantastic, especially after a beer or two. If you’re local to New Orleans their Mug Club is a fun feature to earn discounts on beers and get invited to special events.

Polly and her team do a fantastic job at The Avenue so be sure to show them some love the next time you’re in The Big Easy! Take note that The Avenue is 21 and up only.

Check out all of my New Orleans recommendations here!

Salud Beer Shop in Charlotte

Salud Beer Shop

This Charlotte, North Carolina beer bar and bottle shop opened its doors in 2012 and has been crushing the game ever since. Located in the NoDa neighborhood, they’ve got 16 taps and a plethora of cans and bottles for consumption both on and offsite.

Salud’s owners Jason and Dairelyn Glunt host frequent events such as tap takeovers, porch parties, and special releases in the bottle shop. They’ve also got natural wines, meads, and a food menu featuring Neapolitan-style pizzas.

Salud also won the top spot for Best Beer Bar from USA Today in 2019 and 2020 so don’t just take my word for how great they are! Be sure to check out their brewery upstairs too, Salud Cerveceria.

Liquiderie Bottle Shop in Paris

Liquiderie Bottle Shop

Liquiderie is located in Paris, France. It is a tiny little spot with a just a few bar stools, but it is full of some incredible beers. They’ve got three beers on taps and a slue of cans and bottles for sale to drink in-house or take to-go.

They’ve also got a small food menu for snacks. Liquiderie’s staff is super nice and friendly so don’t be afraid to ask questions or just hang out!

This cute little spot is located right in the heart of the Folic-Mericourt neighborhood.

The rest of my Paris recommendations are located here!

Torst in New York City

Torst Bar

Torst is located on Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn, NYC. With so many beer bars and breweries in The Big Apple, Torst sets itself apart with its killer tap list and unique environment.

Torst is classier than your average beer bar, with a sleek set-up and intimate atmosphere. They have 21 taps, a large list of can and bottle beer options, natural wines, and cocktails as well.

Torst also has a small food menu with snacks and a few sandwiches. They offer Happy Hour from 4-7pm every weekday.

Beer Street is another one of my favorite NYC craft beer bars with more of a dive bar atmosphere, cheaper prices, and still a fantastic tap list. Check out all of my NYC recommendations here!

The Whale in Greenville

The Whale Craft Beer Collective

The Whale has locations in Asheville, North Carolina and Greenville, South Carolina. Each location has 20 taps and a large can and bottle list to enjoy.

On tap at each spot you will also find Whale Exclusives, which are beers they collaboratively brewed with local breweries for release only at their taprooms.

The Whale is dog-friendly and also offers, wine, mead, sake, and non-alcoholic craft beverages. Be sure to stop by next time you’re in AVL or GVL!

Check out my Asheville recommendations here and my Greenville recommendations here!

The Porter Beer Bar in Atlanta

The Porter Beer Bar

Located in the heart of the Little 5 Points neighborhood of Atlanta, The Porter Beer Bar is a mecca for ATL’s craft beer nerds.

The Porter has been open since 2008, before the craft beer scene in the US really took off.

They have over fifty taps, a large selection of cans and bottles, wine, and cocktails. Be sure to bring your reading glasses with you to this beer bar—the tap list is a novel but it is worth the effort!

The Porter also has a full food menu to keep your appetite at bay while you peruse and enjoy your many drink options.

The rest of my Atlanta recommendations are located here!

The International Beer Bar in Zurich

The International Beer Bar

Located in Zurich, Switzerland, The International is a cozy little spot with indoor and outdoor seating options. They have craft Swiss, European, and global beers available.

Their staff is super friendly and they have truly delicious beers to try. They do tap-takeovers and also have cans and bottles available.

Check out my Zurich guide here!

State of Beer in Raleigh

State of Beer

State of Beer is in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. It is from the team at Trophy Brewing which has three taprooms as a part of their brewery as well.

State of Beer is a bottle and sandwich shop with 12 taps, a plethora of bottles and cans, small plates, salads, and sandwiches. You can also buy beer to-go here.

They have a nice outdoor patio to enjoy your beer and food on as well, it gets busy when the weather is nice. Check it out next time you’re in the area!

Pop The Top in Charlotte

Pop The Top Craft Beer Shop

Another gem in Charlotte, North Carolina, Pop the Top is located in the South End neighborhood. Ketan and his fantastic team have 24 taps, cans, and bottles for sale to consume on or off premises.

Pop The Top does not have a kitchen so they are dog-friendly and you can bring your own food. They host frequent tap takeovers and you’ll frequently find a bottle share happening as well.

They’ve also got an outdoor patio for those sunny days, board games, and TVs.

Local Option in Chicago

Local Option

Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, Local Option is—as you might guess—where the locals go!

They have 24 taps, a few of which are usually their own beer they brew as well. The food at Local Option is delicious, so be sure to come hungry and eat up!

Their taproom has some punk-esque vibes but is still welcoming and friendly to everyone.

They partner with AJ Maka Distributors to get some amazing craft beers and meads on tap and in the bar, so be sure to stop by next time you’re in the Chicagoland area!

Check out my Chicago recommendations here!

Monk’s Cafe in Philadelphia

Monk’s Cafe

Monk’s Cafe is in downtown Philly and advertises itself as “The soul of Belgium in the heart of Philadelphia”.

They have 25 beers on tap and a bottle list, both with an emphasis on Belgian beers. The vibes are more pub-like with a full food menu and servers, but I would recommend just sitting at the bar to get the full beer nerd experience.

Monk’s Cafe also has a lot of special events, such as a special tapping of Pliny the Younger from Russian River that happens each year. Check it out next time you’re in Philly!

My guide to Philadelphia is located here!

What’s your favorite craft beer bar? Let me know in the comments!

The Best Breweries I've Visited Abroad

I’ve been to over 550 breweries in 30 countries exploring the global craft beer scene. These have been some of my favorite breweries I’ve visited outside of the United States!

I base this on beers, atmosphere, and overall experience when visiting. These aren’t in ranking order to be clear, it’s organized by continent.

Cantillon Brewery: Brussels, Belgium

The G.O.A.T.! Cantillon is a lambic brewery making some of the best beers in the world.

It is quite unlike any other brewery you’ll visit, I definitely recommend it! You can book a tour in advance or do a self-guided tour of the historic facility, both come with a tasting afterwards.

Their Gueze is their most popular but everything they offer is unique and fantastic.

The rest of my Belgium recommendations are located here!

Brouwerij’t IJ: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

A brewery in a windmill, can you get more Netherlands?!

Brouwerij’t IJ is adorable and is cranking out some amazing beers. There is also a basic food menu of snacks to accompany your beer.

The taproom has very chill vibes and friendly staff to help you decide what you’d like to have!

Check out my guide to Amsterdam here!

Jopen: HaArlem, The Netherlands

Located in an old church in the center of Haarlem, a small town outside of Amsterdam.

Jopen has a full food menu with a variety of dishes. For a fun twist, Jopen also offers High Beer, in the spirit of High Tea. It has a pairing of 3 beers and 6 snacks.

The vibes at Jopen are a little more restaurant-esque than what I normally like but the beautiful setting makes up for it!

Eggenberg Brewery: Cesky Krumlov, The Czech Republic

A traditional Czech brewery in the little town of Cesky Krumlov. This location first started making beer in 1561!

It has super fun beer hall vibes and you can expect your waitress to slam your overflowing beer down in front of you while holding 10 other beers at the same time.

They’ve also got traditional Czech food to enjoy after a day of sightseeing.

My Czech Republic guide is here!

Augustiner Keller: Munich, Germany

I know, you’re thinking I am crazy because we’re talking about beer in Germany and I didn’t say Hofbrauhaus! Don’t get me wrong, Hofbrauhaus is great, but the atmosphere at Augstiner Keller was fantastic.

They have a huge beer garden that was my favorite part of my visit, along with their delicious traditional German beers. They have a full restaurant as well (but let’s be real you just really want a pretzel).

Check out all of my Munich recommendations here!

Abirradero: Barcelona, Spain

Most people think of Spain for their wines, not beer, but Abirradero is working to change that reputation with their brews!

They have a large beer menu and a food menu with a plethora of tapas to choose from. My cheese board was delightful!

They have a nice outside patio to enjoy your food and drink in as well. Abirradero is a bit pricey but I found it to be worth it!

The rest of my Barcelona recommendations can be found here!

Stomping Ground Brewery and Beer Hall: Melbourne, Australia

I loved the bright and spacious vibes of the beer garden at Stomping Ground! They have a retractable roof, a ton of plants, and a really fun atmosphere.

Their Smash series of sours were my favorites, but they have a large variety of beers to choose from. Stomping Ground also has a full food menu.

Check out my guide to Melbourne here!

33 Acres Brewing Company: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

A brewery coffee shop combination with amazing beers and delicious food! Located in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood of Vancouver and is in walking distance to several other breweries.

The wood fired pizza from the truck out front is incredible and I cannot recommend it enough! They’ve also got a breakfast menu for weekdays, an all day menu, and a weekend brunch menu.

I was thoroughly impressed with their beers, especially the juicy IPAs. Their taproom is pretty small so I would try to visit when it’s not peak hours to guarantee you’ll find a seat!

Check out my full guide to Vancouver here!

La Rana Dorada: Panama City, Panama

Panama’s first microbrewery! Right as you enter the Casco Viejo neighborhood this cute little brewery greets you.

They make great beers and it is a fun place to hang out and soak up the culture on the outside patio.

Check out my Panama guide here!

What are your favorite breweries outside of the United STates? Let me know in the comments!