Norway

Norway is a beautiful country full of fjords and unique activities!

Norway Tips:

• Traveling across Norway is not as convenient as the rest of Europe: There are trains between some destinations but they can be quite slow. You can rent a car to drive around the country but everything is quite spread out and there are not many roads. Between most spots I would recommend flying.

• This area of Europe is incredibly expensive. Lodging is pretty affordable but food, drinks, activities, and transportation are all very, very pricey.

Himkok

Oslo, Norway

Oslo gives off big city vibes while still being tiny and very walkable. It is more industrial and not quite as exciting as other parts of Norway.

• You can take the Flytoget express train into the city from airport or the local train for half the price and only 3 minutes longer. Google Maps won’t tell you this but the Ruter app will and you can purchase tickets on the app.

• Himkok: A hidden distillery and cocktail bar that is quite a vibe. The drinks are expensive but it is a fun experience and they are delicious.

• Koie Ramen Torggata: A ramen restaurant that is popular, extremely delicious, and well-priced.

• Mad Goat: A nice beer bar with patio and indoor seating with a great selection and a ton of taps.

• Stay at Comfort Hotel Xpress Central Station: This is a cheap and conveniently located hotel that is still clean and nice.

• Brewgata: Solid little beer bar with a good amount of taps.

• Oslo Opera House: Walk up onto the roof for a nice view of the city and wharf.

• Spor av Nord: This is a cute little café with cozy vibes. 

• Akershus Fortress: This is a national monument of a medieval castle. Norway’s Resistance Museum is inside the fortress. This is a very informative museum with quite a bit of reading but overall quite interesting.

• Aker Brygge: The wharf neighborhood is a nice area by the water with a lot of bars and restaurants.

• Viking Ship Museum: This highly rated museum is closed until 2027, so if you are visiting after that be sure to check it out.

• Henry and Sally’s: Mikkeller’s Norway beer bar.

Tromsø, Norway

Tromsø is a small, touristy town north of the Arctic Circle. It is very small and walkable, and if you rent a car expect to pay for parking everywhere. I found the area to be beautiful and the food and drink to be very underwhelming.

• There are some epic views if you are flying up on a clear day—try to get a window seat on the left side of the plane for the best vantage point.

• Chasing Lights Aurora Tour: This minibus tour to see the northern lights is a great experience. They are visible on clear nights if you are lucky from mid-September to early-April. The guide was knowledgeable and I was very impressed with how determined he was for us to see the aurora. Expect a late night and a unique adventure! We also saw reindeer and fjords on our tour.

• Fjellheisen: Take the cable car up to stunning views of the entire region. The ticket prices for the cable car are pricey so you can also save money (and get some steps in) by taking the Sherpa Stairs up or down, but be forewarned it’s 1,203 stairs though beautiful through Aspen trees in the fall!

• Explore the island of Sommerøy:

  • Hillesøya-Nordkollen Trail: This trail is 1.6 miles long and climbs 600ft of elevation gain in half of a mile. There is a rope to help guide you because it is incredibly steep, so know your limits—AllTrails says this is moderate and that is a boldfaced lie, this is basically rock climbing. The views are insane—the water around the island looks like the Caribbean. It takes about an hour to complete.

  • Sommarøy Arctic Hotel: This is a great spot to stay or to stop for lunch. The views from the patio are beautiful and the food is incredibly delicious.

  • Check out the Kattfjordeidet viewpoint on your way to/from the island.

  • Ersfjord viewpoint: A beautiful fjord view on the way to Sommerøy.

• Stay at Æra Panoramic Glass Lodge: This is a very unique stay about 30 minutes from town on the Barents Sea. It is a nice and very cool stay, but it is expensive for what you get.

• Risø Kaffebar: A nice spot for coffee and snacks. Everything is quite good and surprisingly affordable.

• Arctic Cathedral: A super unique and beautiful church. The price to enter is a bit steep but it is pretty neat to see.

• Tromsø Mikrobryggeri & Balthazar Vinbar: A beer and wine bar with a nice atmosphere.

• Cafe Sånn: Cozy little spot for food and drink.

• Northern Yachting Catamaran Fjordcruise: I wouldn’t fully recommend this, but it is an option! I found the tour to be a bit boring and the guide to be underwhelming. The are some nice views and you get to see Ramfjord, but it’s mostly the same view the entire journey.

• Polar Museum: This is essentially a museum about how man hunted everything in Svalbard. Would not recommend unless you like hunting/gore.

• I would not recommend staying at Clarion Collection Aurora: This hotel is a little dingy and outdated.

Pulpit Rock

Stavanger, Norway

Stavanger is a cute little touristy town on the coast. It is very compact and you can see everything by foot pretty quickly. Be forewarned that cruise ships dock here during the day, increasing the amount of tourists, but by the evening it is a quaint, charming town.

• When traveling to/from the airport, Flybussen is far more affordable than a taxi.

• Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) Trail: This trail is 5.9 miles long with 1,305ft of elevation gain and takes about 3 hours to complete. It is rated moderate, and most of that elevation comes in the first 1.5 miles with a very steep start. Your ascent takes you to Lysefjord with gorgeous views the entire way up to the dramatic cliffs. This is a very popular trail and the trailhead is built up as a little village because there is so much foot traffic.

  • To get here without a rental car you can book a tour or just a bus transfer, which is what I did with Pulpit Rock Tours. There are limited times, so be sure to plan out your day in advance. It is an expensive ride and about 45 minutes each way from Stavanger.

• Fargegaten: A very cute neighborhood with lots of bars to hop around. It is nicknamed “the colorful street” because the bricks are painted beautifully. A great area to hang out at night with lots of patio seating.

  • Bøker og Børst is a nice beer bar here

  • Bella Rose is a cute pink spot for cocktails and wine here

• Gamle Stavanger: Historic area with old wooden houses to meander around.

• Byparken: A small, pretty park in the heart of the city. 

• Thon Hotel Stavanger: This hotel is in a great, central location. There is a bus stop right outside of the front door and everything is very walkable. You even have meals, water and ice included in your stay.

• Sverd i Fjell: A famous spot with 3 swords at the beach. It is very touristy so I did not go out of the way to see this, but you can actually catch a peak on the bus from the airport on the left side.

• Headed to Bergen? Fjord Line is a great way to travel between Stavanger and Bergen. It is quite cheap and has nice touches with beautiful views along the journey. It’s essentially a coastline tour + transport for the cost of your ticket. The only inconvenient thing is the port in Stavanger is not close to downtown.

Bergen, Norway

Bergen is a beautiful, touristy town surrounded by 7 mountains. It is very small and walkable.

• Download the Skyss Billet app for public transit tickets.

• Take the ferry into town—the Fjord Line port in Bergen is located in town and a quick walk to get anywhere you need.

• Vidden Trail from Ulriken to Fløyen: This epic hike is a point to point trail taking you from the summit of Mt. Ulriken to the summit of Mt. Fløyen using the cable car and funicular. It is 10.2 miles long with 1,318ft of elevation gain and takes about 4 hours to complete. There are stunning views throughout the journey that change drastically—highly recommend!

  • Alternatively you could just take the cable car up Ulriken via Ulriken643 or the Fløibanen funicular up Fløyen, or you can also just hike the Floyen Trail or just hike the Ulriken Trail.

• Bryggen: UNESCO World Heritage Site. Old buildings that are colorful and now house bars and restaurants. Madam Felle is a good one to check out.

• Apollon: A great beer bar with 46 taps and a record shop.

• Take a Fjord Cruise: There are numerous options, but I booked with Rodne through Osterfjord and the Mostraumen straits. It is a pretty ride with unique views and a good length of time.

• Pinocchio Mat og Vinbar: The restaurant has immaculate cave-like vibes. Their tapas-style menu is full of delicious eats and they have a large selection of wine.

• Pingvinen: Tasty little gastropub with 15 beers on tap and a full food menu.

• Lucky: The Bergen taproom of Lervig Brewery. A solid spot with guest taps too.

• Last Monkey: A fun little cocktail bar.

• Løvetann Café & Bistro: A cute little spot for lunch or coffee away from the crowds.

• Bergenhus Fortress: This historic attraction was previously part of the Norwegian Castle. It is home to the Rosenkrantz Tower.

• Byparken: The city’s main park that occasionally hosts festivals and events.

• Lysverket Kode: An art museum with 3 buildings that is nice and informative.

• Nøstet/Nordnes neighborhood: Explore this old neighborhood with wooden houses—similar vibes to Gamle Stavanger just with less tourists.

• USF Verftet: Unique venue on the water with a couple of bars. Good spot for sunset.

• Gyro House: A solid spot for a casual, affordable lunch.

Finland and Sweden

Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden are two Pretty Scandanavian cities on the water

Finland and Sweden Tips:

• Both Helsinki and Stockholm are quite small and easily explored on foot and in a short period of time.

• This area of Europe is incredibly expensive. Lodging is pretty affordable but food, drinks, activities, and transportation are all very, very pricey.

• Saunas are extremely popular in the Nordic region of Europe so if that is your thing you can pack your trip with them!

Ateljee Rooftop Bar

Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki is a nice clean and compact city on the water.

• Download the HSL app for public transit. You can use this for the train from the airport to the city as well.

• If you are traveling between Helsinki and Stockholm I would recommend the overnight ferry to get a beautiful cruise through the islands + overnight accommodations all for a cheap price. I took the Viking Line, and Tallink Silja is another option.

• Beer Room Haka/Oluthuone Haka: A fun beer bar in the heart of the Kallio neighborhood with a great beer selection.

• SalamaNation: A great beer bar—pro tip get pizza delivered to you from next door at Restaurant Argegno.

• Uppenski Cathedral: A beautiful cathedral worth checking out.

• Stay at Hotel Indigo: This is a nice hotel in the heart of the city center. It is walkable to nearly everything you’ll want to explore.

• Esplanadi: A pretty green space in the city center with art installations.

• Helsinki Cathedral: Another beautiful cathedral to check out.

• Ateljee Rooftop Bar: A really nice rooftop bar with crazy views. Go up the spiral staircase after you get off the elevator for the best spots. They have a few different seating options both inside and out.

• Lazy Fox: A tasty spot for breakfast with nice vibes.

• Pien Shop & Bar: A solid beer bar and bottle shop in the heart of the city.

• Suomenlinna: This island is a UNESCO World Hertiage Site and can be reached via ferry, which runs every 15 minutes.

• Harju 8: A great little café overlooking a park serving up small plates to mainly locals.

• Old Market Hall: A historic food hall near the port.

• Beer Restaurant Pikkulintu Ruttopuisto: A solid beer bar with chill vibes.

• Restaurant Juova Hanahuone: A beer bar with a solid selection in the Kaisaniemi neighborhood.

• Kaisla: A beer bar with a full food menu and nice patio in the Kaisaniemi neighborhood.

• Hietaranta Beach: A nice beach with volleyball courts and different amenities.

  • Sibelius Monument: A unique, neat monument near the beach.

• Kallio neighborhood: I found this “hipster neighborhood” to be overhyped with not much to do, but Citybox Helsinki is a good basecamp if you decide to stay over here which is very affordable.

• Puu-Vallila: Helsinki’s wooden house district is historic but not worth venturing too far out of your way for.

  • If you do venture to Puu-Vallilia, Bar Petiit is a little bar on the corner with a wine-heavy menu and plant-filled interior.

• Temppeliaukio Church: A unique church in the rocks—not sure it is worth the admission fee but it is pretty cool to see.

• Museum of Contemporary Art: I would only recommend this if you love contemporary art, otherwise it is not worth the cost of admission.

• Skip Helsinki City Museum: This is a free museum but very lame, I would not recommend it.

• National Museum of Finland: I have heard good things but this is closed until 2027, so if you’re reading this in the future check it out and let me know how it is.

• Sightseeing cruises are popular here as well but since I took the ferry to Suomenlinna and took the cruise from Helsinki to Stockholm I got a pretty good sightseeing experience—if you’re just flying in and out or training, it may be worth checking the tours out.

Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is a beautiful little city on an archipelago. You can see it all in just a day or two.

• Download the SL app for public transit. You can take the express train to airport but it is a little pricey. Also consider taking the train to your next destination.

• Eat some cinnamon buns—this is very Swedish, they are everywhere, and they are delicious.

• Gamla Stan: This is the old town of Stockholm which can be quite touristy but also charming.

• Stigbergets Fot: A great brewery and beer bar with 50+ taps and a food menu as well. It is a popular spot with solid beers.

• Omnipollos Hatt: Omnipollo is one of the best breweries in Europe, and their Stockholm taproom is a cool little spot with solid beers and a pizza menu.

• Stay at Hotel Frantz: It is a beautiful, trendy hotel in a fantastic location while still being very affordable.

• Fotografiska Museum: A small but neat museum with 4 exhibits that is a little pricey but enjoyable.

• The Royal Palace: A massive structure with numerous buildings to explore: The Treasury is home to the crowns and jewels. The Hall of State is where business gets kicked off. The Apartments are very fancy and arguable the main attraction. Museum Tre Konor is essentially the construction of the palace. Riddarholmen is the church with a beautiful exterior and underwhelming interior.

• Barrels Burgers and Beer: A beer bar and burger restaurant in Gamla Stan with Mariatorgets Mikrobryggeri beers. Solid spot.

• National Museum: Nice art museum.

• Monteliusvägen: A walking path with elevated views of the city that is popular for sunset.

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!