Plan Your Brewery Weekend Getaway

Everyone deserves to take time for themselves. Whether you've had a busy couple of months at work or you're about to enter a new stage of life, get ready for the future by making the present a little more relaxing. One way to do this is by planning a short vacation with friends, family or your significant other. While you're at it, why not plan a beer vacation and research breweries to visit in your chosen location? Craft breweries have swept the nation, getting inspired by their communities to create unique flavors and styles.

With a nice weekend getaway or extended stay, you'll enjoy the warm sun on your face and a cool glass of local beer in your hand. Not sure where to go for great brews? Use our brewery getaway guide to determine your vacation destination. We have four critical pointers that will take your brewery vacation to the next level. Follow our suggestions, and you'll plan a trip that you and your group will always remember.

Make Your Vacation All About Great Craft Beer

Beer is at the core of beer vacations. By beer, we're not just talking about the brewskis you pick up at a grocery store. We're talking about ice cold craft beer that is meticulously brewed. Many breweries around the country have marked the proper ways to brew and serve craft beer. You want to find a place that helped establish these ways, not just adopted them.

To choose the best locations, consider these suggestions:

  • The bestseller: No one calls a beer a bestseller for nothing. Call the brewery ahead of time and ask if they have popular beers, especially if you aren't familiar with the type of beer they make. This helps you determine if they offer quality brews you want to try.

  • The ingredients: We all know that it takes more than one flavor to make a beer unique. Fruity and nutty additives enhance the flavor and give you a chance to try something you haven't tried before. Make sure that the beers at your chosen brewery offer flavors that intrigue you.

  • The story: Some brewing companies have unique stories behind the flavor and creation of their beers. This enhances the quality of the beer, both in taste and value. Stories attached to beers you like are also fun to share with others upon your return home.

Tip: Try Local Breweries like Thompson Island Brewing Company

At Thompson Island, we have a variety of locally crafted beers for any taste or preference. But it's about more than our beer, though. If you're looking to explore the world from one place, try visiting our beer cellar. We have carefully and masterfully crafted beers from Germany and Belgium waiting for you to taste. And no need to limit yourself! Try as many locally brewed beers on tap and some cellar beers. Make an evening of the experience and let yourself savor the taste of excellent craft beer.

Pair With a Culinary Experience

Every cold beer needs a complementary dish. You may think of the traditional beer and sandwich combination. Maybe you have pizza and beer in mind. When you're on vacation, you want a brewing company that delivers delicious beer and food that go together like they were meant for each other. Many craft breweries develop a menu in which the dishes revolve around the beer selection. Your goal is to find one of those locations.

When you look into a brewery, check out their menu and see if the dishes have beer recommendations. Often the brewing company will post new dishes on social media and explain how the foods complement certain beers. What you want to find is a brewing company whose food revolves around beer.

Tip: Enjoy Local Cuisine at Thompson Island

When you find a brewery with food that complements the beer you want to try, you have found the perfect place to relax, drink and eat. This is another thing that Thompson Island Brewing Company does right. When you visit our brewery, we offer several courses, from appetizers to dinners and desserts, that complement various craft beers. Your server can recommend any pairing, whether you order your beer first or your food. And if you happen to be craving that classic sandwich and beer combination, trust that our chefs will prepare a quality dish that has never made your beer taste so good.

Choose a Venue With Other Things To Do

Going from a brewery to a restaurant to a place for entertainment is exhausting. This is a vacation, isn't it? That's why we recommend searching for a brewing company that also serves delicious food. And while you're at it, go ahead and search for a brewery that offers a little more. Some brewing companies out there provide food and beer as well as entertainment options and an exciting location full of things to do.

When you're searching for a great place to settle down after a day of vacationing, you want to decompress and stay awhile. Many brewing companies think about their customers and try to model their venue in a way that helps you have the best experience possible.

Tip: Why Rehoboth Beach Fits the Bill

Thompson Island Brewing Company is all about offering great craft beer, an exceptional menu and a variety of entertainment options. When you come to us, you and your group can choose to sit around a flaming fire pit, play a few rounds of bocce or team up for a game of ping pong. 

If you're feeling energized after your time with us, you're in luck! Our location in Rehoboth Beach is central to all kinds of attractions, including shopping at the boardwalk and playing at the water park. Plus, the beach is right up the road. Spend your time the way you want while you're on your beer vacation.

Bring the Best Craft Beer Home

Brewery weekend getaways are an excellent way to escape work and responsibilities for a little bit. But that doesn't mean you can't bring part of your vacation back home. Many craft brewing companies can bottle and package their beer so customers can enjoy a local brew wherever they wish. After a delicious meal at the brewing company of your choice, make sure to buy some packaged beer to bring home. You'll be glad to have something that takes you back to your memorable vacation.

Tip: Grab a Crowler or Two!

At Thompson Island Brewing Company, we offer Crowlers, which are large containers you can fill with your favorite brews we have on tap. Make a custom four-pack and fill each one with a favorite brew you just can't leave behind. We have designed our Crowlers to keep your beer fresh and delicious for up to a month.

Plan a Trip to Rehoboth Beach and Thompson Island Brewing Company

Nothing beats a beer vacation, especially when you choose a brewing company with great beer, delicious food and fantastic entertainment. If you're planning an East Coast brewery trip, Rehoboth Beach offers beautiful sights and quality beer from Thompson Island Brewing Company. 

Take a seat with family, friends or your significant other, and let us serve you. We offer craft beers, stouts, sours and ales so you have a variety of options to explore. Make our craft brewery a frequent stop during your vacation now and for years to come. Join us for happy hour today!

Caroline Judge