A Weekend on the North Carolina Coast
Sometimes you find yourself in tiny towns hunting down good beer, which was the case for me last summer on the North Carolina Coast! I was on my way to Emerald Isle and wanted to make an adventure out of it and I ended up at some really cool spots! Check out my route and recommendations:
KINSTON, nc
Your first stop on the way to the coast is Mother Earth Brewing located in downtown Kinston, a small little industrial town. This brewery has won a ton of awards and has a variety of beers on tap. They’ve also got a small outdoor patio to relax on! From Kinston you are headed on to the small town of New Bern.
New bern, nc
New Bern is a cute little town located on the Neuse River. It is the original home to Pepsi, so if you’re into that kind of thing head to the museum! There are two good spots to grab a beer in town that I would recommend:
Brewery 99 is a tiny shack brewery open on Fridays and Saturdays with a small tap list and a rotating cask ale. Snag a bar stool and hang out with the locals!
Beer Army Burger Company is a popular restaurant and brewery in downtown New Bern. Skip the pretzel bites.
From New Bern you are headed across the Croatan National Forest to the coastline!
Morehead city, nc
Morehead City is a more industrial town up the road from New Bern. They were severely impacted by Hurricane Florence and some areas are still rebuilding.
Tight Lines Pub & Brewing recently reopened from hurricane damage, check them out!
atlantic beach, nc
Atlantic Beach is your classic beach town!
Crystal Coast Brewing is located here and has a bright and airy taproom. They have cute North Carolina shaped flight boards and solid IPAs.
beaufort, nc
Beaufort is a cute Southern beach town with an established downtown. You can avoid paying for street parking by just parking on a side street. Skip Front Street Grill.
Fishtowne Brew House is a fun little spot right in the heart of downtown. Their sours are delicious and they have a small area for outdoor seating.
Mill Whistle Brewing is on the grounds of an old mill slightly outside of town. When I visited they had 8 of their own beers and 8 of Crystal Coast’s beers. It is a very small indoor taproom but they’ve got a nice outdoor area as well.
Newport, NC
Shortway Brewing has a nice back beer garden to lounge in and solid beers!
Emerald Isle, NC
I would highly recommend heading over to Emerald Isle for some quality beach time. It is absolutely gorgeous!
The Growler Bar is the best place on the island to grab a beer and kick back with the locals!
If you’re making a full trip of the North Carolina coast, check out my guide to Wilmington here!
Edge City #Squadgoals
The Best Breweries to Drink Outside at in Charlotte
Warm weather is here and so is patio season! Here are the best breweries in Charlotte to enjoy your brewski outdoors at:
Both the South End and NoDa locations for Wooden Robot have great outdoor seating options. At The Chamber in NoDa there is a nice outdoor patio plus there is a rooftop bar! At the original location in South End they have a large patio and garage doors that roll up when the weather allows.
Resident Culture is my favorite brewery in Charlotte and you can enjoy their delicious beers on their an expansive outdoor area. You can choose to go for the deck option or the lawn option, depending on availability and whether you’re looking for sun or shade.
Edge City is located in the MoRa neighborhood and has a beautifully designed patio space! They also have massive fans for the warmer days to keep you comfortable.
An eclectic brewery in northwest Charlotte with a great patio! They have a large pergola, a fire pit, and plenty of seating options.
Ample outdoor options between their patio and the courtyard area. They’ve got an outdoor bar and $3 beers on Thursdays and Sundays!
NoDa has a plethora of outdoor space with fire pits, yard games, and a walk-up bar. Their menu always boasts a variety of beers to choose from for any palate. They’ve got frequent events as well!
All of Blue Blaze is outdoorsy, so it’s no surprise that they’ve got a great outdoor space! Their nature-y outdoor area is along the trees and has fire pits and rustic vibes.
Olde Meck has a huge beer garden with ample seating, fire pits, multiple outdoor bars, and even a playground! Plenty of space to enjoy their traditional German beers!
Devil’s Logic has a fantastic rooftop patio with views of the Charlotte skyline! It is a great place to hang out on a beautiful day.
Birdsong has a strong environmental focus as a solar powered brewery and many green practices, so it is no surprise that they value their outdoor space! Choose whether you’re feeling picnic table vibes or relaxing in an Adirondack chair.
Town has a relaxed outdoor area to enjoy their beers and full food menu. Get the pretzel, you won’t regret it!
A huge outdoor space that even includes an outdoor stage! Get yourself a Hazy IPA and soak up some Vitamin D. They also have great pizza from their partner Livy’s!
For many Sycamore is probably the first brewery that comes to mind when thinking about drinking a beer outside—they have a large outdoor beer garden! Expect to find it packed when the weather is nice.
What’s your favorite brewery to drink outside at in charlotte? let me know in the comments!
The Best Bars in New Orleans
New Orleans is full of bars on every corner, but these are my favorite spots in The Big Easy to grab something that is not a beer. If you’re looking for the best beer bars in New Orleans check out my blog post here!
Bacchanal: Live music, bottles of wine, and build-your-own cheese boards! They’ve got a lively backyard-style outdoor seating area that is the place to be. This is one of my favorite spots in the city, don’t miss out!
Superior Seafood: Go during Happy Hour and sit at the bar for two-for-one Frozen drinks, half-off wine bottles, $3 draft beers, and 50 cent oysters daily from 4-6:30pm. Their Frozen French 75s and Frozen Pomegranate Mojitos are my favorites! Located Uptown on Saint Charles Avenue.
Molly’s at the Market: Frozen Irish Coffees reign supreme at this French Quarter dive bar. Go for the large, you won’t regret it.
Delachaise: A fun wine bar with a patio directly on Saint Charles Avenue. They’ve got $5 glass specials, cheese plates, and delicious fries!
The Columns Hotel: Sit on their expansive front porch and enjoy daily Happy Hour from 5-7pm as the streetcar rolls down Saint Charles Avenue.
Superior Grill: The best place in New Orleans for margaritas! From 3:30-6pm every day you can get a large margarita or mixed drink for the price of a small. Don’t forget in New Orleans you can take them to-go as well!
Carousel Bar: Located inside of Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter, this is actually a bar on a moving carousel! It slowly spins as you sit back and relax in this old-school hotel. Home of the original French 75!
Bar Tonique: Fancy and innovative cocktails on Rampart Street right on the edge of the French Quarter.
The Country Club: Drag brunch and bottomless mimosas in the Bywater neighborhood on Saturdays and Sundays. Make reservations in advance!
The Columns Hotel
Cure: Boogie cocktails at this Freret Street staple. They were the 2018 winner of the James Beard Award for Outstanding Cocktail Program, so you know it’s delicious!
The Sazerac Bar: Located in The Roosevelt Hotel, this old-school bar is home to the New Orleans classic Sazerac cocktail. Visit during the holidays to see their fabulous decorations!
Commanders Palace: Arguably the best restaurant in New Orleans, they offer 25 cent martinis during weekday lunch! Be sure to check the dress code and make a reservation.
Latitude 29: Get your tiki-drink fix at this fun bar in the French Quarter! They also offer “communal drinks” which are basically nicer versions of fishbowls to throw you back to your college days.
Barrel Proof: A low-key bar in the Lower Garden District with over 300 whiskeys! They host pop-ups in their kitchen frequently and have Happy Hour specials from 4-6 daily.
What is your favorite bar in new orleans?! Let me know in the comments:
Your Guide to the NoDa Neighborhood of Charlotte
What does Noda mean?
North Davidson is the main street of the neighborhood, so the abbreviation of that is NoDa! It is in the northern section of the city and one of my favorite neighborhoods! The main area of NoDa is walkable but parking can be a headache so prepare yourself to either pay to park or hunt for a free spot for awhile on the weekends.
NoDa is a very artsy neighborhood with hipster vibes and several murals. The neighborhood has changed a lot over time but has still maintained a lot of its character. Previously it was home to the largest concentration of textile mills in the US and now many of those factories are apartments. The Lynx rail line connects NoDa to Uptown, Southend, and other popular areas of Charlotte now as well.
Adventures and Ales Top Recommendations:
Salud Cerveceria and Salud Beer Shop: Brewery upstairs, beer bar and bottle shop downstairs. Each floor has a distinct atmosphere so be sure to check out both!
Idlewild: A unique cocktail bar with no menu—you tell them the types of things you like and they craft something for you. This is a fantastic spot with great vibes. Reservations recommended.
Fairweather: A cute little bar for cocktails with a small food menu. They are the sister restaurant to Idlewild. Oysters are a large menu focus and they are just $1 on Mondays! Reservations recommended.
Ever Andalo: A delicious Italian restaurant! I highly recommend reservations but you can also throw your name on the list and grab a drink from somewhere nearby.
NoDa Company Store: This bar has a great outdoor patio and delicious sangria to enjoy on it.
The Chamber by Wooden Robot: The NoDa location of the popular Southend brewery. They have more farmhouse-style ales and a rooftop deck.
Divine Barrel Brewing: Another great brewery, they are slightly up the road from the main hustle and bustle of NoDa but still walkable. They host frequent events as well!
Heist Brewery: Delicious brewery food and great beers!
Sabor: Counter-service delicious Latin Street food!
NoDa Brewing: NoDa’s Tryon Street is not walkable from the central NoDa area but definitely worth checking out! They’ve got a large outdoor space and a wide variety of brews.
The OG NoDa
Other ideas:
Protagonist Clubhouse: A nano-brewery with lots of guest taps and sleek vibes.
Haberdish: A popular Southern-style restaurant with a lively atmosphere. Reservations are limited so plan ahead! Do note they offer brunch on weekdays, but not on weekends.
Billy Jack’s Shack: A dive bar with tasty bar food like fried mac nuggs and sliders, with brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
Cabo Fish Taco: Mexican-style restaurant with solid tacos
Figo36: An Italian restaurant and wine bar. They have a very pretty space and tasty eats.
The Dog Bar: Exactly as it sounds! A bar where you can bring your dog to run around off-leash. There is an annual membership of $10 and you need to fill out registration forms for your pup, then you can hit the bar while they make new friends!
Reigning Doughnuts: A little doughnut window behind Growler’s with a variety of flavors
Growler's Pourhouse: A beer bar with 14 taps and an accompanying food menu.
Jeni’s Ice Cream: Located next to Wooden Robot, the ever-popular ice cream chain never disappoints
Popbar: Another dessert option, Popbar offers gelato on a stick!
Neighborhood Theater: Local music venue
Goodyear House: A great restaurant with a killer outdoor patio. Reservations recommended.
Bar a Vins: A wine bar with a small snack menu. As a forewarning if you get a bottle they will charge you an additional $10 to drink it onsite even though you are buying it from them.
NoDa Company Store
The Belmont Area
Belmont and Noda are super close together and easily walk or bike-able between the two areas. Be sure to check out these spots in Belmont while you’re exploring NoDa:
The OG NoDa Brewing: NoDa’s original location specializing in sour and barrel aged beers. A smaller, funkier taproom than their newer location on Tryon.
Free Range Brewing: A farmhouse-style brewery with a large event space and chill vibes.
Rhino Market & Deli: A great spot to grab breakfast or lunch with a variety of sandwiches, salads, and soups. They’ve also got beer and coffee.
Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe: Eventually this ever-popular bakery will be relocating from their original location, but Amelie’s produces some of the best baked goods in North Carolina!
The Hobbyist: A coffee shop, bottle shop, and beer bar combo. Especially nice when the weather is nice and the garage door is open!
Abari: A retro game bar with 9 craft beer taps, cocktails, and spirits.
Optimist Hall: A large food hall with a plethora of options to choose from. Papi Queso and The Dumpling Lady are my favorites!
Fonta Flora’s Charlotte taproom is located in Optimist Hall and definitely worth checking out! They’ve got fantastic wild ales in particular.
Birdsong Brewery: A bit further south but it is still easily walkable from other spots in NoDa! They are solar-powered, make some really tasty beers, and offer free peanuts!
The Chamber by Wooden Robot
What’s your favorite spot in Noda? Let me know in the comments!
Your Guide to South End, Charlotte
South End is Charlotte’s booming activity hub and generally caters to a younger population jammed into apartments throughout the neighborhood. There is a plethora of restaurants, bars, breweries, and shops to entertain and Uptown is just a hop skip and a jump up the road. The Lynx Light Rail also runs through South End conveniently connecting it to other neighborhoods of the Charlotte-metro area.
ADVENTURES AND ALES TOP RECOMMENDATIONS
Resident Culture: The second location of my favorite and the best brewery in Charlotte is in the heart of South End. They partner with El Toro Bruto for delicious food and Mostra Coffee will be coming soon.
Pop The Top: A craft beer bar with 24 taps and a wide selection of cans and bottles. It’s one of my favorite craft beer bars! Check out the full blog here.
Girl Tribe: A fun store with accessories, clothing, and more!
Triple C Brewing: Great beers, indoor and outdoor seating, and frequent food trucks.
Wooden Robot: Self-described as an urban farmhouse brewery, Wooden Robot makes some delicious Sours and Saisons in particular.
Suffolk Punch: A brewery and restaurant with a nice outdoor patio (covered in the winter) and $3 select beers on Thursdays and Sundays!
Lenny Boy Brewing: Homemade beers and kombucha with a small food menu in this fun taproom. A little off the main strip of South End but still easily walkable.
Common Market: Deli, taproom, and market in one!
Explore the Rail Trail: A 3.5 mile trail along the Lynx Light Rail with numerous restaurants, bars and breweries, and shops along it. Generally the Rail Trail is full of people running, walking, biking, and rollerblading!
OTHER IDEAS: Food
Poppy’s Bagels: Fresh-made bagels and schmear!
Bang Bang Burgers: Great burgers on Brioche buns with yummy side options.
Lincoln's Haberdashery: A deli-style restaurant with a market as well. A plethora of soups, salads, and sandwiches to choose from!
Hawkers: Asian street food with outdoor seating and fancy cocktails.
Pepperbox Doughnuts: Upscale doughnut and coffee joint.
Barcelona Wine Bar: Tapas-style menu with a wide variety of wines. They’ve also got a nice patio to enjoy when the weather allows!
Superica: Upscale Tex-Mex menu, also offering brunch!
Fuel Pizza: Solid New York style pizza.
Jeni’s Ice Cream: Expect a line out the door at this location of the popular ice cream chain, but it’s delicious!
Sabor: Counter-service delicious Latin Street food!
Eight + Sand: Casual bakery and cafe with fresh and locally sourced sandwiches, salads, and more!
O-Ku: Fancy sushi! Make a reservation.
Leroy Fox: Southern comfort food and cocktails specializing in fried chicken.
Futa Buta: Ramen house with limited seating so get there early!
Flower Child: Healthy food in a colorful setting with a large outdoor patio.
Midnight Diner: Popular late night diner!
Price’s Chicken Coop: Some say the best fried chicken in Charlotte! Cash only.
The Dunavant: Upscale dining with brunch options and a $25 steak and unlimited fries deal.
SouthBound: Tasty tacos and Mexican street food in a relaxed setting with a nice patio.
Mac’s Speed Shop: BBQ restaurant with outside seating options.
The Waterman: Seafood restaurant with a rooftop bar and cocktails.
OTHER IDEAS: Drink
Pins Mechanical Company: A game bar with duck-pin bowling, free arcade games, free skee-ball, and a full bar. Dog friendly too!
Hoppin’: A self-pour taproom with craft beer, wine, and a nice outdoor space.
Stable Hand: Coffee shop x beer bar x small bites! Chill vibes and a solid tap list.
QC Pour House: The perfect spot to catch a sports game on TV! They’ve got a small food menu and a variety of drinks to choose from.
Charlotte Beer Garden: Boasting the world’s largest draft selection, CBG is new on the scene and super packed. Download the Untappd app before you order.
Rosemont Bar: Adult Capri-Suns and solid drink specials!
Sycamore Brewing: A huge outdoor beer garden with two bars offering wine, beer, seltzer, and cider. Expect a crowd of 20-somethings, families with young children, and a plethora of dogs.
Paddywax Candle Bar: A make-your-own candle spot that is BYOB.
Bulldog Beer and Wine: Dog-friendly dive bar, if you’re lucky you’ll get to meet the two resident bulldogs as well. Frequent live music!
Tyber Creek Pub: Irish pub with a large patio with a full food menu.
Red Clay Ciderworks: Tasty cidery, off the beaten path from other South End establishments but they’ve got solid options to choose from.
HopFly Brewing
THE GOLD DISTRICT:
An up and coming area of South End close to Bank of America Stadium and Uptown Charlotte.
HopFly Brewing: A great brewery with excellent beers, a rooftop patio, and Katsu Kart onsite for food.
Craft: A craft beer bar with 36 taps and a wide variety of bottles. They’ve got a small food menu (go for the cheese board!) and a nice outdoor patio.
Seoul Food Meat Company: Meats, a huge variety of sides, kim bap, wings, and tacos!
Lost and Found: Highly instagrammable and popular bar.
Olde Meck
LoSo:
Lower South End or LoSo is a small hub of several breweries in walking distance of each other. It is just over a mile from the edge of South End. Though you can’t walk the Light Rail Trail all the way to LoSo, there is a sidewalk the whole way if you’re looking to walk/run/bike between the two areas.
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery: Charlotte’s original brewery with German-style beers and a spacious beer garden to frolic in!
Brewers at 4001 Yancey: Sixpoint, Victory, Southern Tier, and Bold Rock all in one! They’ve got a large space and a great food menu!
Sugar Creek Brewing: Belgian-style beers from one of the few Master Cicerones in the world!
Good Road Ciderworks: A spacious cidery and meadery!
Queen Park Social: A game bar with bowling and other activities—great for groups!
Lower Left Brewing: A smaller brewery with outdoor seating, board games, and yummy beers! Slightly removed from the above recommendations but still very close and walkable!
What are your favorite spots in south end?! Let me know in the comments:
Newgrass Balloonhead
Your Guide to Plaza Midwood, Charlotte
Charlotte has several distinctive neighborhood to explore, but Plaza Midwood is one of my favorites! It is full of great breweries, bars, and restaurants with a hipster-esque and local vibe. Plaza Midwood is just north of Uptown Charlotte with Central Avenue serving as the main launching off point. It is a very walkable neighborhood, taking about 25 minutes to get from one end of the neighborhood to the other.
Resident Culture Brewing Co.
Adventures & Ales Top Recommendations
Resident Culture Brewing Company: My favorite brewery in Charlotte! They have delicious beers, a fun atmosphere, and frequent food trucks.
Burial Beer: A fantastic taproom of the Asheville based brewery. They have a rooftop patio and some of the best beer in North Carolina.
Common Market: Deli, beer and wine shop, bar, and market—everything you need! Their breakfast sandwiches are particularly super delicious. It is a popular local hangout with laid-back vibes.
Legion Brewing: Another brewery option in Plaza with a nice patio and great bar snacks.
Workman’s Friend: Irish pub and restaurant with patio-style seating thanks to their garage door.
Whiskey Warehouse: A bar with a rooftop perfect when the weather is nice. On Sundays they’ve got great deals on mimosas and Bloody Marys!
Undercurrent Coffee: A cozy coffee shop with outdoor seating and a small food menu.
Charlotte Collective: Multiple small local vendors in one store.
Midwood Smokehouse: Award-winning BBQ! One of the most popular restaurants in the area.
Moo & Brew
Other Ideas: Food
Yafo Kitchen: Tasty Mediterranean counter-service restaurant, one of my favorite spots to grab food to-go from.
Moo & Brew: Burgers and beers with a nice patio. They’ve also got a Large Marge, a 20oz Bloody Mary that is essentially a meal in a glass.
Two Scoops Creamery: Local ice cream shop with a wide variety of flavors.
Soul Gastrolounge: Plaza’s fancier restaurant, be sure to make reservations! Downstairs they’ve also opened up Sister, an all-day cafe.
Snooze AM Eatery: The ever-popular brunch spot, expect a long wait but super tasty food! Pancake flights, multiple types of Benedicts, and creative twists on classic breakfast foods.
Fuel Pizza: A great spot for late night pizza! Quick, cheap, and tasty.
Zada Jane’s Corner Cafe: A homey spot for breakfast and brunch with a large menu to choose from and an outdoor patio. Eventually the space will also be a tasting room for Cavendish Brewing!
Cilantro Noodle: Vietnamese bowls!
Central Coffee: Your neighborhood coffee shop!
Legion Brewing
Other Ideas: Bars and Breweries
Pilot Brewing: A solid brewery with small-batch brews and a weekly Cask Ale.
Thirsty Beaver: A classic, tiny dive bar.
The Bohemian: A wine bar with cheese plates and sleek vibes.
Thomas Street Tavern: Another classic dive bar with a large outdoor patio and pool and ping-pong tables.
Stroke: A putt-putt and cocktail lounge.
Pour Taproom: A chain bar with pour your own beer and wine by the ounce.
Worth Noting
These two spots are technically in the Belmont neighborhood but they are still very close to Plaza Midwood and worth checking out!
Catawba Brewing: A wide variety of beers in a spacious taproom. They’ve also opened an in-house restaurant called Blue Fork!
White Duck Tacos: Super delicious tacos!
What are your favorite spots in Plaza Midwood?!
Brewery Showcase Salud Cerveceria
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.
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.
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!
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!
Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Island is a gorgeous beach getaway near the border of South Carolina and Georgia. The beaches are long and the sand is soft, making it a great place to hang out on the Atlantic Ocean with friends and family!
In the summer it can get jam packed with tourists from all over, but it is a great spot to visit and soak in some Vitamin D!
Hilton Head Tips:
Make sure you have cash on you, one of the roads onto the island is a toll road and depending on where you are staying that might be the fastest route!
Visiting in the off-season (October-March) is a good idea to avoid the crowds and get cheaper rates!
Traveling with a group? AvantStay has some amazing larger homes for rent! Use my link here to save $250 off your booking!
It’s less than an hour from Savannah as well so it’s a great spot to stop on a Southeast trip! Check out all of my Savannah recommendations here!
Hilton Head Island Recommendations:
Java Burrito
Java Burrito
A coffee shop and Mexican food joint together! Their food and drinks are incredible, the staff is SO friendly, and the prices are great! I highly recommend visiting Java Burrito—I went multiple times while on the island!
My favorite was their breakfast burritos—you can build your own and choose which ingredients you’d like! If you don’t opt for the queso we can’t be friends.
They also have Happy Hour every day from 4-6pm with $5 cocktails. Unfortunately Java Burrito is closed on Sundays, as a heads up!
Hefeweizen at Hilton Head Brewing Company
Hilton Head Brewing Company
A small brewery right near the airport with solid beers! They have outside seating options and a small snack menu as well.
You can also find their cans locally if you want to grab some for your beach time, hotel room, or to take home with you!
River Dog’s IPA at Skull Creek Boathouse
Skull Creek Boathouse
A chill restaurant with relaxing water views on the inlet. They have a large outdoor patio with a fire pit and heat lamps to keep warm on chillier nights! It is a great place to catch a sunset.
Their menu is quite large and offers a wide variety of food and drinks, including a few local beers on tap. They’ve got everything from sushi to pasta to seafood to sandwiches!
Birds Fly South’s Empress Rising Mole BBA Imperial Stout at The Lodge
The Lodge
A great craft beer bar with local and afar options on tap. They’ve also got bar food, pool, and Happy Hour.
The Lodge is located in The Barmuda Triangle—an area with several bars and restaurants to hop around. As a heads up it can get pretty party-centric on the weekend nights!
Vegan wrap at Delisheeyo
Delisheeyo
A vegan food restaurant that is a great spot for lunch! They have salads, sandwiches, wraps, and smoothies.
As someone who is not vegan I still found the food to be delicious! The staff is also super nice and helpful.
The view from The Marriott Resort and Spa
Have you been to Hilton head Island? What are your favorite spots? Let me know in the comments!
Ultimate 6er Mardi Gras Beers
An Adventure on the Great Ocean Road
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!
Resident Culture Brewing Iconic Anonymity
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A Day Trip to the Blue Mountains
The view from Echo Point
So you want to explore the Blue Mountains but you’re not sure where to start? Check out my guide below to plan your perfect day trip from Sydney!
Which option is best for you?
There are a few different ways you can explore the Blue Mountains from Sydney:
On your own via car
On your own via train
With a tour group
Personally, I despise tour groups, so I knew I wanted to do this adventure on my own. I also have absolutely no interest in renting a car in a foreign country, let alone a foreign country that drives on the opposite side of the road than I am used to, so I was thrilled to discover that you can easily get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney via train!
I highly recommend this option, even if you have a rental car, because the trails don’t loop back to their original spot, so you would have to walk back to your car from wherever you end your hike, which is just plain inconvenient.
Check out all of my Sydney recommendations here!
The Three Sisters
Part of the luscious trail of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk
Getting from Sydney to the Blue Mountains via Train
The journey is so much easier than you would expect! Take the train from Sydney Central Station to Katoomba Station. It’s two hours from one to the other, or an hour and forty-five minutes if you hop on the express train.
It’s only a 15 minute difference, but for the timing worked out for me so I went for the express.
To take the train you will need an Opal card, you can get one at any train station and reload it at stations, wharves, most convenience stores, or on the Opal app.
The train leaves from Sydney Central every hour, so you can be flexible with your plans for whenever you prefer to start your adventure.
I hopped on the 8:42AM Express to Katoomba & the 3:24PM non-express back to Sydney Central, which to me was the perfect amount of time.
Once you arrive at Katoomba Station you will walk one mile straight down Katoomba Street from the station, turn left at the large sign for Echo Point, and BAM! that’s it! You made it to the Blue Mountains National Park!
See, I told you it was easy!
Pro Tip: Stop at one of the grocery stores on your walk down Katoomba Street for snacks and water!
Okay so you’re at the Blue Mountains, now what?
Your adventure begins at Echo Point, where you have sweeping views of the Blue Mountains and the Three Sisters to the left. Follow the path to the right to pop down to Elizabeth Lookout for a slightly better view of the Three Sisters.
You’re standing there soaking in these gorgeous views and then seven million tourists and selfie-sticks are pushing you to the brink of craziness and you’re thinking ‘what did I get myself into?!” but don’t fret. The tour bus crowds are generally only an issue at Echo Point. The deeper you go on the trail the less people you encounter.
Once you’re ready to start your hike, I recommend heading east along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. You can also go west towards Scenic World, which has great options for kids or those who don’t want to hike.
You are going to essentially follow the Prince Henry Cliff Walk your entire hike, so don’t fret about getting lost or making a wrong turn!
When you begin your journey it is a paved trail to The Three Sisters, where you can walk down and get up close to the legendary monument.
From here, you continue along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk where the trail becomes dirt and you leave the crowds behind. There are stunning views along the way via various lookouts, but unless you are really determined, you do not need to stop at each one, the view does not change that drastically within a couple of minutes. I would recommend Lady Carrington Lookout, which has nice views.
Burrabarroo Lookout is the perfect spot for a snack/lunch break, but be sure to go all the way deep into it. At first glance it appears like there is no view, but you need to climb over the rocks all the way to the fenced space for a great view.
Leura Cascades
Not long after Burrabarroo you have to pop up onto the road for about two minutes, then you walk down the steps on your right. Quickly after this you are at the Bridal Veil Lookout, where you can see Bridal Veil Falls.
On your walk from the lookout to Bridal Veil Falls there are a lot of steps down, some of which are a bit slick, as a heads up.
Just past Bridal Veil Falls you will hit the Leura Cascades, a small waterfall with steps along the right that lead up to a picnic area. There are bathrooms here, the only ones along the hike, so take advantage!
From the picnic area you will head to Bridal Veil View. It’s not the most impressive waterfall set against the large mountain, but it’s still cool to see.
From here you will walk up quite a few stairs to Tarpeian Rock Lookout, where you can soak in the majestic views and take a rest on a bench if you need to after all those steps up!
Just past Tarpeian Rock is Elysian Rock Lookout, which is also great! You can decide from here if you want to walk up to Leura or venture just a bit further to Gordon Falls. I was not impressed with Gordon Falls whatsoever. Maybe after a heavy rainfall it would be better, but overall it was disappointing.
From here you will walk into the town of Leura. Take Olympian Parade to Leura Mall, and the train station is at the end of Leura Mall. In the town of Leura there are a few restaurants and coffee shops if you need to refuel before hopping on the train back to Sydney.
Hiking in my Founders Brewing shirt!
Key information for planning your Blue Mountains trip:
I spent 3.5 hours in the National Park & a half an hour on each end walking through Katoomba and Leura to/from the train stations—so overall it was 4.5 hours. I walk quickly in general, but I also stopped to take a lot of pictures, so I would say overall it was an average pace.
If you follow the route I described it is ~8.5 miles overall.
You don’t need to pack hiking boots for this—I love my Merrills, but my Nike tennis shoes were just fine for this hike.
Be sure to bring snacks and water! There are no options along the way if you get hungry/thirsty.
Keep your eyes peeled for animals on your hike, you are in a National Park in Australia where everything can kill you (just kidding but really). I saw lots of gorgeous birds, lizards, and a snake—that I straight up sprinted away from.
