Vineyards and breweries

The USA attracts many brewers and winemakers who truly know their craft. If you are passionate about wine and ale (and beer, of course), the USA has a lot on offer and all of it is magnificent.

From the vineyards in sunny California right through to the microbreweries in northern Maine, there is something here for everyone and we welcome you to try it all when you take your next trip to the USA

Here are a few highlights you might want to consider.

Sonoma Valley, California

Ask anyone where they get their wine from and California will be high up on their list for sure. This state is famed for its wine production and Sonoma Valley, in particular. In fact, Sonoma Valley is home to some of the oldest vineyards in the USA and have not only survived an epidemic affecting the crops in 1870, they also survived the years of Prohibition and are now protected by the government.

San Francisco is the ideal base for venturing into Napa Valley. The wine caves are also a must-see on your to-do list as they hold barrels upon barrels of wine, stretching deep into the hillsides. These caves are the perfect conditions for aging wines and many vineyards offer guided tours as well as wine tasting opportunities.

Ithaca and the Finger Lakes, New York

Home to the longest running wine trail in the USA, Finger Lakes is a popular destination for wine lovers from around the world, but now it is the beer lovers who may rejoice at the number of craft ales being brewed in this region. Here, locally grown ingredients add a little something extra to the beer, connecting the drink, and indeed, the drinker with the land. From cherries to maple syrup, there is always something a little bit different for you to try. Many of the breweries are also producing a range of crisp and refreshing ciders too.

Craft Brews in Oregon

With a geography including huge cities, volcanoes, large forests, deserted scrublands, vast bodies of water and a long coast along the Pacific, you really should expect that the brews here are just as diverse as the land they have come from. With flavours to settle and challenge every palette, Oregon is paving the way for craft brews on the East Coast of America. It’s certainly an exciting place to explore.

As well as the classic flavours and a range from mild to bolder brews, the craft ale scene in Oregon has also come to represent the sour beer movement. These beers are aged in French oak, Kentucky bourbon and even Northwest wine barrels giving them a certain taste - there are also experiments going on with open brewing and organic, sustainable beer making it interesting for those who are keen to know how the industry is developing.

Microbreweries in New England

New England is the perfect place for a road trip to try a range of beers and ales in the microbreweries in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts. There are also plenty of places in Connecticut and Rhode Island too if you fancy heading further south. Here the art of brewing has been perfected over many years, from bottled brews to cask ales, matured in the traditional manner.

Set in the rolling countryside and nestled against the long coastline, each brewery has its own character and offers something completely different to its peers. Whether it has followed a 200 year old brewing tradition or is experimenting with newer, bolder methods for a hoppier ale or a fruitier texture, each brewery is worth a visit.

With so many opportunities to find new and exciting tastes and flavour combinations, the USA really does offer you an incredible tasting trip – wherever you choose to travel.