Our thirst for microbrews and farm-to-keg beers is apparently unquenchable. Craft brewpubs seem to be nearly as ubiquitous as coffeehouses. Ale Trails weave their way through most every city in America these days, and The Great American Ale Trail, a guide to America’s best watering holes, is in its second edition. According to the Brewers Association, U.S. craft beer makers in 2016 topped 5,000 for the first time, at 5,234, and saw $23.5 billion slid across the bar. So, perhaps it was inevitable that hotels—ever eager to differentiate themselves and provide unforgettable experiences—have edged from merely serving local beers to brewing them. Cheers!
The Source Hotel, Denver
Colorado craft brewer New Belgium Brewing Company is opening a 10-barrel operation with a rooftop lounge at this new, 100-room hotel next to The Source artisan food market in the River North (RiNo) District. The structure, made from eight one-story buildings angled and stacked on top of one another, is set to open by March. The brewery is next to the lobby. A 2,300-square-foot event space has floor-to-ceiling windows.
Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Funner, California
In Funner (“It’s not a word, it’s a place,” is its slogan), near San Diego, this Caesars Entertainment property has got you covered. It offers Wellness Rooms with barbells and yoga mats and SR76 Beerworks, a brewery. The brewery, like the rest of the property, is owned by a Native-American tribe; its name was inspired by an ancient path between coastal and inland camps along San Luis Rey River—now a highway known as SR-76.
Doghouse Hotel, Canal Winchester, Ohio
BrewDog, the U.K.’s best-selling craft brewer, launched its first brewery in the United States last year, near Columbus. Now it is adding a hotel, with taps in all 50 guest rooms, beer spa treatments—barley and hops are Vitamin C-rich and good for skin and hair, so think “hoppy feet” pedicures—beer-infused dining (even breakfast), a beer mini-bar in shower stalls and even a suite with an IPA-filled hot tub. It’s opening this summer.
The Cavalier Hotel, Autograph Collection, Virginia Beach, Virginia
OK, if booze, not beer, is your thing, head to this hostelry that’s hosted 10 U.S. presidents. This historic gem features 85 well-curated guest rooms, 4,430 sq. ft. of elegant function space for grand occasions—and spirits made onsite. The Distillery creates its own whiskey, bourbon and vodka, served in an august tasting room. Distillery tours are available, and the tasting room can be booked for events and catered meals.
