| - A Few of Owen's Favorite Craft Beer Spots |
Look below for an article from 2021 that showcases just a few of Owen Ogletree's absolute favorite places in the world to enjoy craft beer. If you love beer and travel, make a note of these bucket list spots or come along on one of Owen's group beer trips. BROUWERIJ 't IJ Amsterdam, Netherlands Back in 1991, when I first saw beer writer Michael Jackson's Discovery Channel special that features this Amsterdam brewpub, I knew I had to visit. I still feel excited each time I see the statuesque windmill and walk through the doors to the taproom. Started in 1985 by a famous Dutch folk musician who loved chemistry and brewing, the place was once a bathhouse with water pressure powered by the adjacent windmill. The name 't IJ comes from the river that runs just outside, but the name also sounds like "egg" in Dutch, thus the ostrich egg on the logos. Expect Belgian-styled beers like a Wit, Dubbel, Tripel and strong ales, with modern additions like IPAs, red ales and Bocks served alongside munchies such as nuts, dried sausages, and Dutch cheese cubes sprinkled with celery salt. The place is a brisk hike from central Amsterdam, but well worth the steps. Taster beer flights are available, and a second taproom has opened in the Vondelpark area of the city.  STONE WORLD BISTRO & GARDENS Escondido, California, USA Stone Brewing has been creating exceptional craft beers for years, and there's no better place to enjoy them than the breathtaking Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Escondido. The complex includes a massive bar area with a glass wall looking into the main brewery. Trees, boulders, wooden tables and a water feature surround the central bar, where the draft selection includes 36 taps, and the food menu is loaded with local, organic, farm-sourced cuisine. Step out into the beer garden area for more seating, a tranquil pond, boulder landscaping and a short nature trail. Leashed dogs are welcome in the one-acre beer garden. A second location exists in the form of Stone World Bistro & Gardens Liberty Station in San Diego. Both are "must-see" spots when visiting the area. The blurry photo occurred when Greg Koch, Stone Brewing's former co-owner, grabbed our camera for a group selfie when we visited him back in 2010.  SCHLENKERLA Bamberg, Germany Historic Bamberg ranks as one of the most scenic and iconic locales in all of Germany, and there's no better place to sip a bit of the city's history than the renowned Schlenkerla smoked beer brewery tavern in the heart of old town. Over the years, I've taken more than a hundred friends to Sclenkerla - many of whom thought they wouldn't like smoked beer (Rauchbier). Every single protester left Schlenkerla with a new love and appreciation of this classic lager style. Having the beer fresh from the brewery makes all the difference. Expect a dark Marzen-style brew made with malt that is smoked over a beechwood fire. The beer is served by gravity tap from wooden barrels hoisted to the top of the bar. The brewery also produces specialty smoked variations made with wheat, oak, and a high-gravity malt bill. The tavern houses several historic dining rooms, a central courtyard and a swag booth selling glassware, tin tackers, apparel and more. The pub opens early to allow loyal patrons to stop in for sausages, bread and a glass of Rauchbier on the way to work. Owner Matthias Trum is a wonderful friend of mine who has worked hard to preserve the history and charm of Schlenkerla.  BRICK STORE PUB Decatur, Georgia, USA 1997 saw the American craft beer movement just starting to take hold. Three buddies from Athens, Georgia (Dave Blanchard, Mike Gallagher and Tom Moore) had decided to open a specialty beer pub in a slightly run-down spot in downtown Decatur, and many people thought the three guys were crazy. It didn't take long for the Brick Store Pub to bring new life to the area and become established as one of the country's best craft beer destinations. The front door leads into the atmospheric and welcoming main bar that's loaded with delectable craft beers, while the stairs to the left of the bar take patrons to the gorgeous upstairs Belgian Bar that pours an exceptional range of hand-picked Belgian beers from taps and bottles. Across from the Belgian Bar, check out the pub's popular UK-themed cask ale bar. The kitchen rolls out a satisfying range of tasty pub grub to enjoy alongside your beer, and Brick Store recently expanded the outdoor seating space to the rear of the pub.  BRUGS BEERTJE Brugge, Belgium 't Brugs Beertje ranks as the best beer bar in the scenic, medieval town of Bruges. With over 300 Belgian beers and five taps, this cozy "brown café" features walls covered in antique beer tin tackers and memorabilia. My friend Daisy Claeys started the pub back in 1983 and became one of Belgium's most active craft beer advocates before retiring in 2017 and passing the pub on to her trusted co-owner and managers. Beer writer Michael Jackson filmed portions of his 1990 Discovery Channel "Beer Hunter" series in the pub, and craft beer tourists from around the world make the pilgrimage to Beertje to soak in the classic Belgian ales and warm atmosphere. If the small front parlor is full, a spacious back seating room awaits. Check the atypical opening hours before planning a day to visit the pub. When my Brewtopia tour groups visit Bruges, this pub has always been the favorite stop.  McMENAMINS EDGEFIELD Troutdale, Oregon, USA Located on a former farm and large poorhouse on 75 beautiful acres, this charming hotel complex is just a short ride east of Portland near the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. McMenamins Edgefield houses 100 cozy sleeping rooms decorated with folk art depicting elderly characters who lived and died there. Stroll the grounds to visit the brewery, brewpub, winery, distillery, heated mineral pool, herb garden, nine-hole golf course, movie theater, Jerry Garcia statue and a multitude of bars scattered around the property. The delousing shed is now a gift shop. The power station is now a brewpub. The trash-burning shed is now a cigar and cocktail bar. A storage cellar room has been converted into a Grateful Dead tribute bar. Tasty house-made beers include Terminator Stout, Hammerhead Ale, Ruby, Black Rabbit Porter and Sunflower IPA. If you find yourself in the Portland area, be sure to spend at least one night at Edgefield.  THE BELL INN Aldworth, Berkshire, UK My second favorite cask ale pub in England has to be a remote, rural pub to the west of London that was named the UK's 2020 "Pub of the Year" by the Campaign for Real Ale. The Bell Inn Aldworth has been in the same family for around 250 years and treasures its history, warm personality and unspoiled interior. The pub pours local cask beers from brewers such as West Berkshire Brewery, Arkell’s, Rebellion and Loose Cannon, with the simple food menu including house-made soups alongside mouth-watering crusty rolls filled with meat or cheese. The Bell is normally filled with locals who have always given me and other visiting strangers a warm welcome. The men's toilet is outdoors in a rustic shed with no roof, so guys can pee while gazing at the stars. Locals call it "the planetarium."  PROEFLOKAAL ARENDSNEST Amsterdam, Netherlands I simply love Amsterdam - the canals, architecture, art, progressive culture and pubs are so appealing. Imagine an Amsterdam beer pub that only serves craft beer made by the 400+ Dutch breweries. This pub actually exists and is known as Proeflokaal Arendsnest. Owned by my beer expert friend Peter van der Arend, Arendsnest is tucked away on a quiet street on the edge of central Amsterdam, offering a vast selection of craft beers from the Netherlands. It's a dream for Untappd patrons who will love ticking all the rare beers on draft and in bottles and cans. The place boasts a beautiful, welcoming atmosphere and amazing sausages and cheeses from the region. If the main bar area is packed, try the downstairs seating area. Peter van der Arend is pictured behind the bar in the photo.  PILSNER URQUELL BREWERY Pilsen (Plzeň), Czech Republic Czech Pilsner lagers originated at the Pilsner Urquell brewery in the mid-1800s, and even after all the years of political and ownership change, the brewery still produces the world's greatest Czech Premium Pale Lager. No true craft beer lover should miss the Pilsner Urquell tour that takes participants across the historic brewery campus and into three brewhouses from different centuries. The culmination of the visit is a tasting of unfiltered Pilsner Urquell beer in the icy, historic cellars. While most of the lager is now fermented in massive stainless steel tanks, the tour beer is fermented and matured in old, traditional, wooden vessels. This exceptional beer offers a huge depth of complexity from Moravian malt, spicy Czech Saaz hops and light notes of buttered toast from the malt and fermentation. When visiting the brewery, remember to grab some seats at Na Spilce, the brewery's lovely restaurant that offers beer and hearty Czech cuisine in the historic sandstone cellars.  SIERRA NEVADA BREWING COMPANY Mills River, North Carolina Yes, "Malt Disney World" does exist, and it's located in North Carolina. If you've made the pilgrimage to the gorgeous Sierra Nevada facility in Mills River, you know the awesome scope and appeal of the place. The brewery produces all the old favorites like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Stout, Torpedo, Hazy Little Thing and Bigfoot Barleywine, with a load of exceptional brewery exclusives thrown in for fun. Be sure to try the unfiltered Pale Ale that's made with an added dose of Cascade hops. Take a detailed guided tour or a self-guided walk along the upper-level brewery catwalk and exhibition and be sure to check out the massive back patio and amphitheater. Sample mouth-watering menu items from the kitchen and purchase sampler trays to try all the beers. There's also a gift shop with tons of swag and beer to take home.  IN DE VREDE Westvleteren, Belgium Many people around the world consider the Trappist beers made by the monks of Saint-Sixtus Abbey of Westvleteren to be among the greatest ales ever brewed. To sample these amazing beers without paying the inflated prices of unauthorized resellers, you must visit the blissful café In de Vrede located just across the road from the abbey. The café and gift shop usually offer the Westvleteren Blond Ale, Westvleteren 8 and the extraordinary Westvleteren 12, served alongside sandwiches and small plates made from the abbey's own cheese. With an impressive complexity in aroma, flavor and mouthfeel, Westvleteren 12 is genuinely heavenly. A visit to this peaceful corner of Flanders makes for one of the greatest craft beer pilgrimages on the planet.  AYINGER BRÄUSTÜBERL Aying, Germany Just a 30-minute drive or train ride south of Munich brings visitors to the Ayinger Privatbrauerei, Aying Brewery Guesthouse Hotel and the brewery's wonderful Ayinger Bräustüberl beer hall restaurant. The hotel and beer hall are positioned across the street from each other in the center of the tiny, picturesque village of Aying, while the brewery is located just down the quiet road. In my opinion, Ayinger brews the greatest traditional beers in all of Germany, and the welcoming Bräustüberl makes the ideal place to enjoy the beers alongside a dish of hearty Bavarian fare. Beers include an exceptional Helles, Pilsner, Dunkel, wheat beer, malty Jahrhundert Bier and the amazing Celebrator Doppelbock. Sit inside to soak in the old-school Bavarian decor or grab a bench in the cozy beer garden. The hotel offers a more upscale restaurant and a variety of beautiful sleeping rooms.  GALBRAITHS ALEHOUSE Auckland, New Zealand From its striking façade to the warm, bustling bar pouring house-brewed cask ales, this Auckland landmark brewpub offers an experience unlike any other in the city. Housed in the lofty, historic Grafton library at the top of Mt. Eden Road, Galbraith’s Alehouse welcomes visitors with a relaxed atmosphere, hearty food, and world-class cask beer. Owner and brewer Keith Galbraith founded the Alehouse in 1995 with a mission: to bring traditional, old-world cask ales to New Zealand, where few were being produced. His dedication to heritage brewing techniques has earned the pub both local admiration and international acclaim. In fact, Galbraith’s beers have brought home multiple honors—most notably two gold medals and the trophy for World Champion Strong Dark Beer at the prestigious 2017 International Brewing Awards in Burton-on-Trent. With hand-crafted dishes rooted in pub traditions and pints that carry centuries of brewing history, Galbraith’s isn’t just a place to drink—it’s a destination for anyone who loves real ale and authentic hospitality.  CRAVEN ARMS PUB & CRUCK BARN Appletreewick, Yorkshire Dales, UK If you know me, you know that I love authentic cask ales in a beautiful pub in the UK. Craven Arms ranks as my favorite pub in England. Yorkshireman David Aynesworth and his son Robert bought a rundown pub on the side of a hill in the lovely Yorkshire Dales, removed the linoleum floors, fluorescent lights and 1970s wallpaper, taking the pub back to its 19th-century roots by installing stone floors, a rock fireplace, gas lights and historic decor. In 2006, Robert even built a replica of a medieval "cruck barn" behind the pub. With tree trunk trusswork, wool insulation, exterior heather roof thatch, and walls from stones found on-site, the Yorkshire Dales has not seen a new cruck barn since Henry VIII was alive and kicking. Craven Arms serves the best cask ales from the region, and the kitchen cranks out truly amazing dishes made from traditional recipes. Annual beer festivals and ferret races at the pub are popular with the locals. The group photo below was taken with David in his cask ale cellar during one of my Brewtopia group trips several years ago.  RUSSIAN RIVER BREWING COMPANY Santa Rosa, California If you ever have the opportunity to visit the quaint and cozy town of Santa Rosa, be sure to get in line at Russian River Brewing about 30 minutes before the doors open. This extremely popular brewpub is run by Vinnie Cilurzo, a former winemaker who transitioned to craft beer in the '90s. Vinnie's Pliny the Elder has achieved cult status and was one of the handful of potent, hoppy beers that created the style of Double IPA. Along with hoppy beers, Russian River also offers a range of funky, wild, barrel-aged beers such as Damnation, Temptation and Supplication. Sandwiches, pizza and calzones are on hand to enjoy alongside the exceptional beers. Russian River ranks as one of the greatest brewpubs in the world, and the owners have opened a beautiful second location in Windsor, California, that I have yet to visit.  CANTILLON GUEUZE BREWERY & MUSEUM Brussels, Belgium I still get chills every time I walk into Cantillon, and it's not because of the cool temperature of the brewery - it's because of the exceptional beer and atmosphere. This family brewery is also a historic museum, offering self-guided and expert-led walk-throughs, followed by a tasting of the brewery's flagship Lambics that offer a huge depth of complexity and pleasant acidity from wild fermentation and multi-year barrel-aging. After enjoying your tour samples, hang around in one of the two tasting parlors to purchase and sip bottles of some of Cantillon's rare fruited versions and specialty Lambics that are always on rotation. When sitting in the tasting area next to the old wood-burning stove, you'll feel as if you stepped back in time 100 years as you savor an ancient style of ale. A large bar has been added upstairs, and the downstairs gift counter sells t-shirts, souvenirs and bottles of Lambic to take home.  UERIGE BREWERY TAVERN Dusseldorf, Germany Just like the citizens of Cologne (Köln) Germany love golden Kölsch ale, folks who live a few miles away in Düsseldorf are fiercely loyal to Altbier. Amber to copper in color, Altbier is a historic German ale style that used to be consumed all around the region, until pale lagers became popular. Moderate malt richness is balanced by German hops, with some Altbiers ending sweeter, and others offering a more hoppy, bitter finish (like Uerige - my favorite). Like Kölsch, many Altbiers enjoy a cold lagering period that reduces fruity esters to low levels. Altbier offers 4.3–5.5% alcohol, a crisp, grainy malt character and a medium body. It's so enjoyable to wander the streets of Düsseldorf, visit all the Altbier taverns, drink lots of beer out of small cylindrical glasses, and compare the flavor nuances of different breweries. The Uerige brewery tavern ranks as my favorite place in Dusseldorf to enjoy flavorful Altbier and hearty German cuisine in a traditional setting. |
The folks at 
Thus was born the Battle of the Brewers. Farrell explains, “We had four brewers, so I came up with a competition. The rules were simple. Each brewer would brew a unique beer that StillFire didn’t offer. The identity of the brewer was kept a secret from the staff and the customers by naming the beer after a boxer. We wanted it to be about the beer rather than the brewer.” Each year since, four beers are released on the first open day of the new year, and the contest runs through Super Bowl Sunday. Customers who purchase a Battle of the Brewers (BOB) beer flight circle the name of their favorite brew on a “Fight Card” that comes with the flight.
Come February, North Georgia’s 
Meanwhile back in the spring, warm weather and sunny skies herald the return of outdoor events at Georgia breweries. Toward the end of March or early April, 
Mid-April brings Kölsch Fest to the beer garden at 
Georgians know that July is too hot for anything but escaping to the beach, which is precisely why 
Up in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains, 
Zac started brewing after he married Cari in 2009. Cari reflects, “He was instantly hooked. I would assist on brew days, and when Zac eventually told me that he was put on earth to brew beer, I knew he had to follow his dream, and I wanted to help cultivate this. In 2014, we realized our vision in the form of a 14,000-square-foot craft beer facility in Hammond.
Cari's welcoming demeanor, positive attitude, and love of the industry seem apparent to patrons visiting the Gnarly Barley taproom, but obstacles exist in an ever-moving industry. Cari notes that the biggest challenge she has faced is the feeling of constantly having to “one-up” herself in the continuously changing landscape of craft beer. Hard work pays off, and Cari observes, “My greatest reward is the genuine gratitude that we receive from our customers. It’s amazing when you create something people truly care about and love.”
Gnarly Barley offers a wide array of delicious beers. Cari comments, "My original Gnarly Barley obsession began with Korova Milk Porter because of its rich roasty notes of chocolate and coffee. While this beer still holds a special place for me, my taste buds soon gravitated toward hoppier brews. Jucifer, our juicy/hazy IPA, is now one of my favorites.” She waxes poetic, “Its vibrant blend of hoppy citrus and tropical flavors make it irresistible.” 
Breweries can't say this legally, but I can. Craft beer can be good for you. Here are just a few talking points:
