6 of the world's best hotels for beer lovers
In 2015, travelers can often expect their hotel to offer some kind of booze-related perk. But if beer is your beverage of choice, the following hotels go beyond a pint at the lobby bar, providing totally immersive hops-centric experiences.
1. Fairmont Mayakoba (Playa del Carmen, Mexico). For road warriors seeking seriously unique hotel amenities, the Fairmont Mayakoba offers well-paired beer and insect tastings (yes, you read that right) led by certified cicerones, or beer experts. Guests learn how to properly taste five different local craft beers, alongside such delicacies as dried grasshoppers, leaf cutter ants and ant eggs served taco-style with hot sauce.
2. Grande Lakes Orlando (Orlando, Florida). Grande Lakes Orlando, comprising both the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels, opened the onsite Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen and The Brewery in April 2015. Those looking for a more ethical hotel will enjoy the fact that the property sources ingredients from an onsite farm. Along with seasonal beers, Whisper Creek offers its flagship Surplus, crafted in collaboration with the local Florida Beer Company and infused with honey from onsite apiaries.
3. Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery (Woodstock, New Hampshire). Brewing beer for 20+ years, Woodstock Inn allows guests to tour and taste in its onsite brewery, which focuses on highly aromatic beers such as Lemon Blueberry Pale Ale and Uncle Lumpy’s Vanilla Porter (best paired with brew-battered wings or beer-infused chili). To make the most of a beer-focused trip, visit during one of their Brewer's Weekends for beer pairings and to make your own beer.
4. Augustine Hotel (Prague, Czech Republic). It shouldn't be too surprising that the country recognized as the birthplace of Pilsner would be home to some standout beer-drinking locations, such as this seven-building property, home to a 13th-century monastery and brewery. At the Augustine, guests can sip beer made from an ancient recipe created in 1352(!) by Augustinian monks, eat pork chops braised in homemade beer and head to the spa for a St. Thomas Beer Body Ritual.
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5. Hops Hollow Country House and Brewpub (Lydenburg, South Africa). While South Africa is typically known for wine, a stay at Hops Hollow means you can get as drunk as you want at the onsite micro brewery — the highest-altitude brewery in Africa — and then pass out in one of seven rooms. Brewery tours, structured tastings and accessibility to the famous Kruger National Park add to the experience.
6. BrewDog (Ellon, Scotland). While not officially open yet, BrewDog, a brewery with 20 UK locations and eight global outposts, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to expand its operations even further and open a hotel with beers on tap in the guest rooms. I can only imagine the restful night's sleep you'd get staying with the creators of Sink the Bismarck, a “quadruple IPA” once touted as the World’s Strongest Beer at 41% ABV.
Jessica Festa is the founder on the solo and offbeat travel blog, Jessie on a Journey, and the online responsible tourism and culture magazine, Epicure & Culture. She's constantly searching for local experiences beyond the guidebook. You can follow her travels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.