In The Loop Travel
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • The Americas
    • Caribbean
    • Mexico
    • Europe
    • Asia/Pacific
    • Africa
  • Fitness
  • Cruising
  • Travel Tips
  • Videos
  • Work With Us
  • My Work
  • About
  • Colorado Craft Brewery Guide
  • Media Kit
  • TBIN Influencer Network

It's National Beer Day -- The Holiday We All Need Right Now

4/5/2020

2 Comments

 
Picture
National Beer Day is April 7 each year.
By John Roberts
The humble beer doesn't own the real estate in most travelers' minds that is occupied by the romantic and glamorous notions of sipping wine or craft cocktails while jet-setting around the world -- maybe under the moonlight in the Med or at a cafe in Paris.
But we're here to stick up for beer, our favorite beverage at home or on our travel adventures. 
We've enjoyed tasty and satisfying brews all over the world.
We've slaked Pilsner in Prague.
And Kolsch in Cologne.
Lambic in Belgium. Dunkelweizen in Germany.
And, of course, cold lagers to refresh in hot climates in places like Mexico and Cambodia.
Hunting down the popular local varieties amid the friendly bars, pubs and brew halls is one of our top activities when we visit a new destination. It's a great way to get a true flavor for the community and surrounding region.
There is nothing more immersive than settling in at a pub to try a few pints among residents of the city. We inevitably make new friends, learn about their favorite beers and get some tips on what to see and do that is off the beaten path. That is, we make great discoveries and have more intense travel experiences.
And we owe it all to beer.
Well, April 7 is National Beer Day 
(yes, every year on this date), and we're going to be celebrating in a different way this year because of the ongoing health crisis related to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of traveling around the world, meeting people, making interesting discoveries and creating new memories, we'll be staying home and connecting with friends and family via our Internet connection.
Hey, this is still a great way to have some fun and celebrate everything we have to be thankful for, including our continued health and being able to tip back a few delicious beers among friends.
Picture
This year, we'll all connect virtually with our fellow craft beer lovers to celebrate our favorite beverage.
About National Beer Day
This "holiday" came about as part of the post-Prohibition Era and the coming ratification of the 21st Amendment. President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law an act that allowed U.S. citizens to brew and distribute beer once again.
The legislation was initiated on April 7, the president stated "I think this would be a great time for a beer," and after 13 years, Americans were able to legally enjoy their favorite beverage once again.
This is the history that inspires National Beer Day, which was established in 2009 by Justin Smith and some of his buddies who were drinking at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Richmond, Virginia. Smith started a Facebook page to recognize the important date for beer drinkers, and the holiday has grown in popularity since.
You can join the celebration on social media by posting using the hashtag #NationalBeerDay, and you can even get a head start on New Beers Eve on April 6.
Picture
Source: National Today survey
How We Are Celebrating
While we shelter in place, we have been missing our travels, of course, and interaction with our friends and family, most of whom also are big fans of beer.
A night of long-distance games and sipping craft beers will have to do. We're going to put on our comfiest pajamas/yoga pants, crack open some of our recent discoveries -- a cranberry sour, chocolate-cayenne pepper stout, juicy IPA and good old golden ale, for examples -- and play Cards Against Humanity and euchre. All while catching up over a few good laughs.
Picture
Dial up family and friends to celebrate National Beer Day this year on April 7.
Picture
Source: National Today survey
How are you planning to celebrate National Beer Day?

Cheers to beer, and thanks for reading,
JR
Subscribe today to get the latest reviews, tips and tricks to help you have your best adventure ever.

2 Comments

Drinking Our Way Around Portland, Maine, the Craft Beer Capital

10/3/2019

0 Comments

 
Lone Pine Brewery in Portland, Maine
Colleen, Gene and me at Lone Pine, the last stop on our The Maine Brew Bus tour in Portland.
By John Roberts
We grab our seats on the patio at Lone Pine Brewing. It's a spectacularly sunny and warm early September afternoon as our host Becca offers us a tray full of slightly cloudy, honey-colored wheat beer.
Lone Pine is the last stop on our tour of craft breweries in Portland, Maine, and we down a few varieties, including this freshly poured Honey Whole Wheat Ale. By this time, the weekend had become a somewhat impromptu whirlwind tour, following our taste buds around a city that has built an incredible reputation for craft beers.
We spent parts of two days drinking our way through the port city during a visit on our cruise on Scenic Eclipse. It wasn't all drinking all the time, though.
Portland offers plenty of charms. We included runs along the picturesque waterfront park to get each of our days started.
And we . . .
Well, that was it.
So, a bit of jogging and visits to eight separate craft breweries over two days.
Picture
The waterfront trail is built along an old rail line in Portland. We made use of it both days to burn off some calories ahead of our beer indulgences.
Well, OK, I'm sure Portland offers plenty of other charms.
But this time, we gravitated toward one of our favorite ways to explore what a new destination has to offer. 
The city has a legit claim as "Craft Beer Capital of America." In fact, a C+R Research study released in 2019 reveals that Portland, Maine, boasts the most breweries per capita in the U.S., with 18 breweries per 50,000 people, edging out Asheville, N.C.
We had long known about the delicious brews coming out of Maine. But it wasn't until we stepped off the ship to wander out on a self-guided, Google-informed walking tour on a Saturday afternoon that we realized just how many cool bars are within easy reach of the port. The city is highly walkable and easy to get around. We checked out three breweries on our own on the first afternoon.
Portland Maine lighthouse
Portland is a stunning waterfront city. It's a popular port for cruises to New England and Canada, especially during the fall.
We were a little blown away by the cool atmosphere, friendly people and number of bars and restaurants we spotted all over the city. Our informal wanderings provided a wonderful warm-up to the beer scene. The next day, we joined a formal tour to visit even more destinations a little farther afield.
Portland Maine
The Maine Brew Bus offers a range of fun tours, and we were shuttled around to a handful of locations -- small, medium and larger outfits -- that feature creative varieties. If you're ever visiting Portland, these craft beer tours are a fun option. They are led by expert guides, and you get to explore both well-established and budding breweries operated by passionate entrepreneurs.
The Maine Brew Bus tours in Portland
We took a Sunday craft beer tour around the city on The Maine Brew Bus.
Here is a look at the breweries we visited during our time in Portland:
Self-Guided Tour (All of these are within a 15-minute walk from the port)
Sebago Brewing Co. -- We found the Sebago Portland Brewpub just five minutes from our ship and settled in for our first Portland craft brew of the weekend. There would be a few more flights and pints, so I started with a Simmer Down session ale at Sebago.
Picture
Shipyard Brewing Co. -- This is one of the bigger and most widely known brands based in Portland, along with Allagash Brewing, and Shipyard offers a fun environment to settle in and try its brews. We selected out our flight flavors (using chalk on the creative flight trays), grabbed a trivia game and sat back and savored the vibe of this bustling tasting room. By now, we could see why so many people who come to visit Portland, end up staying and becoming part of this friendly community.
Shipyard Brewing in Portland, Maine
Shipyard Brewing in Portland, Maine
Shipyard Brewing in Portland, Maine
Shipyard Brewing in Portland, Maine
Shipyard Brewing in Portland, Maine
Oxbow Blending & Bottling -- One last stop on our self-guided Day 1 tour. Colleen found this brewpub, which specializes in farmhouse ales, and she loved it. The indoor/outdoor facility is a rustic reclaimed warehouse (many of the craft brewers throughout the state have repurposed old city pubs, river lodges, mills and barns). The beer garden features a food stall offering Belgian specialties, part of the site's partnership with award-winning restaurant Duckfat.
Oxbow Blending and Bottling in Portland, Maine
Oxbow Blending and Bottling in Portland, Maine
The Maine Brew Bus Stops
Bissell Brothers Brewing Co. -- This brewer is a definite trend-setter and known as one of the creators of the New England-style pale ale, with its hazy natural body. The brewery's flagship beer is The Substance, an almost creamy IPA with hints of citrus. We grabbed a four-pack on our way out.
Bissell Brothers Brewing in Portland, Maine
Bissell Brothers Brewing in Portland, Maine. The Substance.
Bissell Brothers Brewing in Portland, Maine. The Substance.
Bissell Brothers created the first well-known New England IPA, and the Substance launched the company's craft brewery business.
Goodfire Brewing Co. -- This small brewer offers funky hazy varieties. We loved the Maximum IPA, with its subtle grapefruit and pineapple flavors. The brewery's cans feature cool art designs, too. Goodfire is located just out back behind its neighbor Lone Pine. A food truck is almost always on-site.
Goodfire Brewing Co. in Portland, Maine
Goodfire Brewing Co. in Portland, Maine
Lone Pine Brewing Co. -- This well-regarded brewer began in 2016 and is growing rapidly (available in seven states). It specializes in America ales and small-batch varieties. We enjoyed Lone Pine's Honey Whole Wheat Ale and flagship Portland Pale Ale.
Lone Pine Brewing in Portland, Maine
Lone Pine Brewing in Portland, Maine
Lone Pine Brewery in Portland, Maine
Our guide Major Tom gave us an in-depth look at the Portland craft beer industry.
Major Tom, beer guide for the Maine Brew Bus tours in Portland, Maine
More Pours (We kept the good times rolling after our Brew Bus tour with these finds)
Urban Farm Fermentory -- This spot is right across the street from Lone Pine. 
Urban Farm features fermented drinks like kombucha, ciders, mead and beer made with locally harvested and foraged ingredients.
Urban Farm Fermentory in Portland, Maine
Liquid Riot Bottling Co. -- This Portland waterfront brewery and distillery was a natural last stop as we headed back to the ship. We watched an NFL game and downed a pint to cap a sweet weekend drinking our way around Portland. We also made a pact to come back for a longer visit in the next year to try some new beers and reunite with some of our favorites from this trip.
Picture
Next time, we'll be sure to make time for hiking, biking, watersports and all the fabulous foods the city offers, too. All of these activities pair perfectly with a delicious craft brew, of course.  
We left Portland with four four-packs, picked up as cherished souvenirs from our visit that we brought home to share with friends.

Thanks for reading,
JR
Subscribe today to get the latest reviews, tips and tricks to help you have your best adventure ever.

0 Comments

    Categories

    All
    Africa
    AIDA Cruises
    Alaska
    Albatros Expeditions
    Alicante
    AmaWaterways
    Amber Cove
    American Queen Steamboat Company
    American Queen Voyages
    Amsterdam
    Antarctica
    Antigua
    Arctic
    Arizona
    Aruba
    Asia
    Atlas Ocean Voyages
    Australia
    Austria
    Avalon Waterways
    Backroads
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Barcelona
    Belize
    Blue World Voyages
    Bonaire
    Bora Bora
    Brooklyn
    Budapest
    Burma
    Cabo San Lucas
    Cadiz
    California
    Cambodia
    Cancun
    Caribbean
    Carnival Cruise
    Celebrity Cruises
    Celestyal Cruises
    Christmas Markets
    Cologne
    Colombia
    Colorado
    Corfu
    Costa Rica
    Cozumel
    Craft Beer
    Croatia
    Crystal Cruises
    Cuba
    Curacao
    Dominican Republic
    Dubrovnik
    Egypt
    Emerald Cruises
    Emerald Waterways
    Europe
    Expat Life
    Explora Journeys
    Fathom Travel
    Fitness
    Florida
    Fort Lauderdale
    France
    French Polynesia
    Galapagos
    Galveston
    Germany
    Grand Cayman
    Greece
    Grenada
    Guatemala
    Halifax
    Harmony Of The Seas
    Hawaii
    High Line Park
    Hiking
    Holland America
    Hong Kong
    Houston
    Hungary
    Ibiza
    Iceland
    Isla Mujeres
    Italy
    Jim Thorpe
    Key West
    Kotor
    Labadee
    Lake Minnewaska
    Las Vegas
    Lisbon
    Lithuania
    London
    London Eye
    Maine
    Malaga
    Mexico
    Miami
    Minnesota
    Mississippi River
    Monte Carlo
    Montenegro
    Monterey
    Montreal
    Moorea
    MSC Cruises
    MSC Divina
    Netherlands
    Newfoundland
    New Jersey
    New Orleans
    New York
    New York City
    New Zealand
    North Carolina
    Norway
    Norwegian Cruise Line
    Nuremberg
    Oceania Cruises
    Oregon
    Orlando
    Panama
    Panama Canal
    Passau
    Paul Gauguin
    Paul Gauguin Cruises
    Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia
    Pickleball
    Ponant
    Portugal
    Prague
    Princess Cruises
    Puerto-rico
    Queens
    Regensburg
    Regent Seven Seas
    Rome
    Royal Caribbean
    Saint-Tropez
    San Francisco
    Santorini
    Scenic Cruises
    Scottsdale
    Seabourn
    SeaDream Yacht Club
    Sicily
    Silversea
    Sintra
    Sorrento
    Spain
    Star Clippers
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    Symphony Of The Seas
    Tahiti
    Travel Gear
    Travel Tips
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks And Caicos
    UnCruise
    Un-Cruise Adventures
    UnCruise Adventures
    Universal's Islands Of Adventure
    Uniworld
    Utah
    Utica
    Utica Boilermaker 15K
    Vienna
    Vietnam
    Viking Cruises
    Washington
    Windstar Cruises
    Wisconsin

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    RSS Feed

Copyright © 2013 | All rights reserved | Ewing, New Jersey.
Contact | About | Media Kit