The Beer Traveller
There's the Beer Traveller and then there's the Beer Travelers.
From 2000 to 2002 Paul wrote a column named The Beer Traveller for a Canadian site (which shall not be named). In 2003 All About Beer magazine invited Paul to take over writing their Beer Travelers column. He and Maryanne, his faithful travel assistant and photographer, still write the bi-mothly column.
Below is a chronological archive of columns for both publications. We're also including some articles published in other places. Click on the title for a brief description. An alphabetical listing of cities is in the side bar.
There's the Beer Traveller and then there's the Beer Travelers.
From 2000 to 2002 Paul wrote a column named The Beer Traveller for a Canadian site (which shall not be named). In 2003 All About Beer magazine invited Paul to take over writing their Beer Travelers column. He and Maryanne, his faithful travel assistant and photographer, still write the bi-mothly column.
Below is a chronological archive of columns for both publications. We're also including some articles published in other places. Click on the title for a brief description. An alphabetical listing of cities is in the side bar.
Oktoberfest in Your Back Yard - 2009
It's that time of year again: Oktoberfest is coming. Beginning September 19, millions of revelers will descend on Munich, where they'll spend 17 days stuffing themselves with grilled chicken and sausages, drinking beer out of huge steins, and singing and swaying to oom-pah music.
Why did Munich become home to the world's biggest beer festival? One reason is Bavaria's brewing calendar. Beer made in warm weather was so awful the government outlawed summertime brewing. Brewers coped with the ban by making strong beer in late winter, and storing it in a cool place until summer. The beer was called Märzen, German for March.
Read more and see Ludwig's list of the best Oktoberfests in 2009
On the Shores of Lake Michigan
Michigan has over 70 breweries, and almost a third of them make their home close to the shores of Lake Michigan. When you consider that most of the population is concentrated on the opposite side of the state, it's an amazing demographic.
Let's begin our journey just north of the Indiana state line in a city called Benton Harbor. All About Beer magazine, vol. 30, No. 4, September 2009
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Beervana
To call Portland, Oregon, “an embarrassment of beer riches” would be an understatement. For years, enthusiasts have flocked to the Rose City to enjoy that perfect pint; and establishment after establishment either brews, or pours, nectar from the gods. The city is so serious about its beer that one alternative newspaper rates movies on a one- to four–pint glass scale.
Portland is so rich in places to quaff that we could devote several columns to it. We simply can’t do the city justice in just one. So for the first time ever, we’re doing two articles about one place. In this issue we’re visiting the Pearl District. In June, we hope you’ll accompany us to some of the places located outside of downtown. All About Beer magazine, vol. 30, No. 2, May 2009; All About Beer magazine, vol. 30, No. 3, July 2009;
Read part one.
Read part two.
Portland is so rich in places to quaff that we could devote several columns to it. We simply can’t do the city justice in just one. So for the first time ever, we’re doing two articles about one place. In this issue we’re visiting the Pearl District. In June, we hope you’ll accompany us to some of the places located outside of downtown. All About Beer magazine, vol. 30, No. 2, May 2009; All About Beer magazine, vol. 30, No. 3, July 2009;
Read part one.
Read part two.
Under the Gateway Arch
In the 1830's immigrants from Germany and Bohemia began settling in St. Louis, Missouri. Not only were these Central Europeans a natural customer base for beer, but their ranks included many skilled craftsmen who brewed good beer with abundant local water, kept cool in limestone caves indigenous to the area.
Names like Anheuser, Lemp and Falstaff became synonymous with beer in St. Louis, and beyond. Today, a rich local brewing tradition continues along the Mississippi River. It’s easy to find and terrific hand crafted beer in the shadow of the Gateway Arch, the city’s most recognizable landmark. All About Beer magazine, vol. 30, No. 1, March 2009
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A Tour of the Capital
In this inaugural year, it seems appropriate to raise a toast to our founding fathers. All About Beer magazine, vol. 29, No. 6, January 2009
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Charm City: Beer on Baltimore's Waterfront
Baltimore's nickname, the Charm City, truly describes the feeling locals give visitors. We found friendly faces behind the welcome mats. All About Beer magazine, vol. 29, No. 5, November 2008
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A Buckeye Beer Tour
There's more to northern Ohio than the turnpike and toll booth. Let''s exit in Cleveland and discover some great craft beer. All About Beer magazine, vol. 29, No. 4, September 2008
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Exit 139 and Beyond
A return to our roots in New Jersey and a quest to find good beer. All About Beer magazine, vol. 29, No. 3, July 2008
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Bonjour Montreal
Montreal is a city filled with culture, history, great food and beer worth traveling to sample. All About Beer magazine, vol. 29, No. 2, May 2008
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Belgian Masterpieces, American Style
You need not cross the Atlantic to sample Belgian-style craft brew. All About Beer magazine, vol. 29, No. 1, March 2008
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Wandering the Windy City
Mention Chicago to most people, and what comes to mind? Conventions, sports and, oh yes, unpredictable weather. Not long ago, a convention landed us in the city, and Mother Nature greeted us with 90 degree heat and humidity to match. Oh, the hardships of beer traveling. All About Beer magazine, vol. 28, No. 6, January 2008
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And If You're Looking for Heaven, It's North of the Bridge
Michigan's Upper Peninsula provides visitors with a peak at heaven and nectar from the beer gods. All About Beer magazine, vol. 28, No. 7, November 2007
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Beer Traveling in Tourist Class
Great beer is always something to look forward to. But much of the fun of Beer Traveling is discovering new places. A brewery tour is a pleasant way to do both. It's a thirst-quenching way to spend an hour or two while learning about the brewery's history. You get a close-up look at the wonders of manufacturing, and sometimes a lesson in politics or economics as well.
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Central Europe: Beer and Unexpected Memories
The Beer Travelers share some interesting moments in Central Europe. All About Beer magazine, vol. 28, No. 3, July 2007
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Beer Essentials: Beer Festivals
America's FInest CIty
San Diego has more than beautiful weather. It's breweries produce some of America's finest craft beer. All About Beer magazine, vol. 28, No. 2, May 2007
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The Town That Made Beer Famous
A visit to Milwaukee where America's German brewing tradition began. All About Beer magazine, vol. 28, No. 1, March 2007
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Hometown Pride in a Glass
Cologne, Germany is the home of kolsch beer, a distinctive, light, refreshing style. All About Beer magazine, vol. 27, No. 6, January 2007
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Beer in College Towns
Don't assume that macrobrew reigns supreme in college towns. Many of our nation's craft breweries make their home near fine universities. All About Beer magazine, vol. 27, No. 5, November 2006
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A Trip to ACC Country
The Beer Travelers venture into North Carolina. All About Beer magazine, vol. 27, No. 4, September 2006
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Beer and Baseball
Beer and baseball go hand in hand. Find out why. All About Beer magazine, vol. 27, No. 3, July 2006
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Pittsburgh's Iron City Lights
Three Rivers, the Steel Curtain, "Da Bus," and some championship-quality beer, All About Beer magazine, vol. 27, No. 3, July 2006
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The Epic Road Trip, Part Two
Think you can't find good beer in the nation's heartland? Think again. All About Beer magazine, vol. 27, No. 2, May 2006
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The Epic Road Trip, Part One
Think you can't find god beer in the nation's heartland? Think again. All About Beer magazine, vol. 27, No. 1, March 2006
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Philly: A Town With a Thirst for Liberty
Rich in history, Philadelphia has revived its tradition of good beer and friendly taverns. All About Beer magazine, vol. 26, No. 6, January 2006
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On the Trail of Ontario Beer
The official Ontario Ale Trail is no more, but you can blaze your own trail between Windsor and Toronto. All About Beer magazine, vol. 26, No. 5, November 2005
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The Greatest American Beer Cities
For the magazine's 25th anniversary, I shared my top 25 American beer cities with readers. All About Beer magazine, vol. 26, No. 4, September 2005
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Beer in My Backyard
Living in Michigan, I don't have to travel far to find good beer. Here's why. All About Beer magazine, vol. 26, No. 4, September 2005
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Austin City Limits
In America's live music capital, finding good beer was the least of my problems. All About Beer magazine, vol. 26, No. 2, May 2005
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Time in a Bottle: Drinking Beer in 1979
Was it more fun to drink beer 25 years ago? The answer is a definite "yes"...and "no." All About Beer magazine, vol. 26, No. 1, March 2005
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Portland, East Coast-Style
America's "other Portland," the one in Portland Maine, is a beer Mecca in its own right. All About Beer magazine, vol. 25, No. 6, January 2005
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Burton-upon-Trent, Britain's Brewing Capital
A visit to the Brewery Museum in Burton-upon-Trent, the historic home of Bass Ale. All About Beer magazine, vol. 25, No. 5, November 2004
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Munich in Four Seasons
Can't make it to Oktoberfest? Fear not: Munich is a beer town for all season. All About Beer magazine, vol. 25, No. 4, September 2004
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Ballpark Beer
Beer is one of baseball's oldest traditions, and ballparks are serving great local beer. All About Beer magazine, vol. 25, No. 3, July 2004
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Ten Great Beer Festivals for Summer Fun
Hipahipa! Hawaii
There's good local beer in the Hawaiian Islands, if you know where to look. All About Beer magazine, vol. 25, No. 2, May 2004
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Mile High Bar Hopping
Great beer abounds in the shadow of Coors Field, in Denver's LoDo district. All About Beer magazine, vol. 25, No. 1, March 2004.
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Barley Wine in the Far North
There's no better place than Anchorage, in the dead of winter, to get acquainted with barley wine. All About Beer magazine, vol. 24, No. 6, January 2004
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Great Beer in the Green Mountain State
A look at Vermont's lively and diverse craft-brewing industry. All ABout Beer Magazine, vol. 24 No. 5. November 2003
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Touring the Pubs of Toronto
A casually elegant pub crawl through our favorite summertime city. All ABout Beer Magazine, vol. 24 No. 4. September 2003
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"It's Noon Somewhere": The Heineken Experience, Amsterdam
Faced with a long lay over in Amsterdam, the Beer Travellers hopped a train into the city and paid a visit to the Heineken Experience.
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The City of Light
Did you know that the French term brasserie means brewery? There aren't many brew kettles these days, but visitors can find a tasty brew to quench their thirst.
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In Newport Steht Ein Hofbräuhaus
Good news for Hofbräuhaus fans: You no longer need a passport or a plane ticket to get there. Earlier this year, the first American Hofbräuhaus opened in Newport, Kentucky, right across the river from Cincinnati. The location is perfect; the region has a large German-American population, and Cincinnati is a sister city of Munich.
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Gardens of Earthly Delights
Spring means it's time to indulge in two grate German pleasures: good beer and the out-of-doors. There's no better place to do so than in a Munich beer garden. May 2002
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At the Drop of a Hat
A lost hat, followed by a spell of nasty weather, provided the Beer Travellers with the perfect excuse to go on a Honolulu brewpub crawl. April 2002
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Traveller's Advisory: Silly Beer Laws
Beer Travellers face silly restrictions on what beer they can buy, and where and when they can buy it. The culprit: Antiquated laws and the lingering spirit of prohibition. March 2002
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My Top Ten Beer Cities: Part Two
The Beer Traveller continues his virtual tour of the world's top beer cities with a visit to the five best--and winds it up with a challenge to you, the reader. February 2002
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My Top Ten Beer Cities: Part One
The dead of winter is a perfect time to think about Beer Travelling. To get you in the mood to hit the road and take to the skies, I've decided to share with y ou my list of the world's 10 best beer cities. January 2002
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Cerveza y Tapas
The tapeo, Spain's version of a pub crawl, is a moveable feast of food, drink, and friendship. Nowadays, many people make crisp Spanish Pilsner a part of this joyous evening ritual. December 2001
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Beer in Wine Country
Napa and Sonoma Counties are known the world over for wine, but they have a lot to offer beer lovers as well. Let's explore the underrated beer scene in California's Wine Country. November 2001
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American Beer: We've Come a Long Way
Notes from a 1993 beer trip to California reveal how much American beer has improved. They're also a reminder that we have a lot more in common than we think. October 2001
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Denver: A Major League Beer Town
In the Nineties, Denver got a major league franchise and, with the help of energetic brewers, renovated a faded downtown neighborhood. The result? One of America's best beer destinations. August 2001
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Montreal: Tres Magnifique!
Montreal, always a great place to drink, has gained fame for the quality of the beer poured in its bars. Some of North America's most creative brewmasters practice their craft here. July 2001
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Festival Survival Tips
Attending a beer festival this summer? A bit of planning will make your day more rewarding. Here are some tips from beer writers and those who work behind the scenes. July 2001
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Toronto's Magic Summer Evenings
Summer in Toronto is short but enchanting; it lures residents and visitors alike to the city's outdoor cafes and restaurants. It's the perfect atmosphere for an elegant pub crawl. June 2001
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Out and About: Al Fresco Toronto
One of life's nicest beer traveling pleasures is an afternoon pub crawl on a lazy summer day in Toronto.
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F.X. Matt: A Beer for Every Time, Reason
The Biblical advice, "To everything there is a season," applies to beer as well. Take the F.X. Matt Brewing Company, a 114-year-old family-owned operation in Utica, New York, that produces the award-winning line of Saranac beers.
The brewery released its first seasonal, a dark lager called F.X. Matt's Holiday Beer (since renamed Season's Best), in 1983. That was during the infancy of the craft brewing movement. Most beer drinkers, at the time, regarded a Christmas beer as a six-pack of Budweiser decorated with holly sprigs or a case of Beck's you splurged on to impress the relatives. Probably the only other brewery, at the time, doing a holiday seasonal on a regular basis was Anchor Brewing Company of San Francisco. "My father F.X. and Fritz [Maytag] were pretty good buddies," laughs vice president for marketing and sales Fred Matt, when apprised of this fact.
The brewery released its first seasonal, a dark lager called F.X. Matt's Holiday Beer (since renamed Season's Best), in 1983. That was during the infancy of the craft brewing movement. Most beer drinkers, at the time, regarded a Christmas beer as a six-pack of Budweiser decorated with holly sprigs or a case of Beck's you splurged on to impress the relatives. Probably the only other brewery, at the time, doing a holiday seasonal on a regular basis was Anchor Brewing Company of San Francisco. "My father F.X. and Fritz [Maytag] were pretty good buddies," laughs vice president for marketing and sales Fred Matt, when apprised of this fact.
Today, F.X. Matt produces a beer for each season.
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Beer Off the Beaten Path
After rummaging through a pile of notes--and fond memories o journey's past--the Beer Traveller serves up a six-pack of unusual drinking venues. June 2001
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Where I Drink Locally
Ann Arbor, Michigan, my home for 25 years, offers everything from world-class performing arts to football's Michigan Wolverines. It brews some really good beer, too. May 2001
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A Pilrimage to Salzburg
Four centuries of craft brewing tradition go into the beer served at the Augustiner Brau beer hall in Salzburg, Austria. The monks' handiwork draws pilgrims from far and wide. May 2001
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The Changing Face of London's Pubs
How do London pubs survive these changing times? By preserving what made the pub a British institution in the first place: friendly surroundings and great beer. April 2001
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The Best of Both Worlds
Fort Collins, Colorado, a college town an hour's drive north of Denver, is home to three family-owned breweries that combine American entrepreneurial spirit and Old World tradition. April 2001
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Play Ball!
Spring has returned and, with it, baseball. Is there anything that goes better with a ball game than a tall, frosty beer? Here's a guide to finding good beer at --and around--major league parks. April 2001
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Make This the Year of the Beer Festival
Every March, Munich celebrates Starkbierzeit, a mini-Oktoberfest without the hordes of tourists. It features traditional Bavarian entertainment, along with some of the world's most powerful beer. March 2001
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Munich's Strong Beer Festival
Every March, Munich celebrates Starkbierzeit, a min-Oktoberfest without the hordes of tourists. It features traditional Bavarian entertainment, along with some of the world's most powerful beer. March 2001
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A Mother Lode of Beer in Anchorage
Alaska's brewers are living proof that the pioneering spirit hasn't died. In a few short years, they've catapulted their state into the top tier of American brewing. February 2001
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The Winter's Tale: Barleywine in Alaska
Barleywine, a complex and powerful beverage, is made for sipping on cold winter nights. Which is why Anchorage, Alaska, is the perfect locale for a barleywine festival. February 2001
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World Class Beer at Cold War Prices
Westernization has meant radical changes for Prague. But you can still drink flavorful Czech Pilsner in atmospheric old beer halls at prices you haven't seen in years. January 2001
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Brussels: A "Grand Place" for Beer
Visiting Brussels? A perfect introduction to Belgian beer awaits. You'll enjoy distinctive styles of beer in traditional surroundings, just blocks from the city's historic Grand Place. January 2001
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The Soul of Modern America's First Micro
New Albion Brewing Company, often called America's first post-Prohibition micorbrewery, closed its doors in 1982. But its soul live on in the wonderfully-named town of Hopland, California. December 2000
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Airport Beer Gets an Upgrade
Do your plans include air travel? If so, you can become a Beer Traveller...with a bit of luck. More and more airports are serving good local beer. Here are some leads on where to find it. December 2000
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The Smoke Beer of Bamberg, Germany
For centuries, breweries in the charming city of Bamberg have been turning our Rauchbier, a lager with a distinctive smoky taste. Do you know what it has in common with Scotch whisky? November 2000
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Getting to Know Britain's Real Ale
Cask-conditioned ale is a British tradition that beer lovers saved from extinction. "Real Ale" has started to gain a following in North America, but you really should enjoy it in the land where it was born. November 2000
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A Beer Revolution in British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia, is where Canada's Real Ale revolution started. You can enjoy craft beers there in a traditional British pub setting or a lively industrial-style club. October 2000
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A Seattle Neighborhood Tour
The Beer Traveller gets a handle on Seattle alehouses, and enjoys some fresh locally-brewed beer, in the Emerald City's most offbeat neighborhood. October 2000
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Beervana! Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon, has more brewpubs per capita than any other city. The Beer Traveller visits some of the best, and describes what's on tap there. October 2000
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A Sunshine State of Mind
Heading to Florida for the winter? Check out some places in Tampa and Orlando where you can relax and down a cold one.
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What's Brewing on Hawaii's "Big Island"?
The Big Island is paradise for beer lovers, too. Take a virtual tour of the island's two breweries, and discover why their beer is a perfect match for Hawaii's diverse cuisine. September 2000
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Europe's Second Most Famous Beer Hall
History and mass tourism come together at U Flecku, a 500-year-old beer hall in downtown Prague. Find out what makes this venerable establishment so popular. September 2000
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A Gem in the Diamond State
In the small shore town of Rehoboth Beach , Delaware a beer revolution is quietly brewing. Meet Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and owner Sam Calagione.
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Remembrance of Things Past
Maumee Bay Brewing in Toledo offers us a big dose of history in addition to fine craft beer.
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Dusseldorf's Altbier: Old Style German Ale
Dusseldorf, Germany, is famous for a malty, copper-colored ale known as altbier. Learn more about this unique style of beer, and find out how and where you can enjoy it. August 2000
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Hopping Along Ontario's Ale Trail: Day Two
The Beer Traveller spends his second day along Ontario's Ale Trail in Guelph, where he visits craft breweries old and new and learns a bit of beer trivia. August 2000
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Hopping Along Ontario's Ale Trail: Day One
Ontario's Ale Trail is a monthly open house sponsored by six of the province's craft breweries. Here's the Beer Traveller's report on a pleasant Saturday afternoon of beer tasting. July 2000
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Get Real! London's Cask-Conditioned Ale
Stan Hieronymous and Daria Labinsky, the original Beer Travelers at AAB, maintain a site called The Beer Travelers. We encourage you to visit their site too.