The Ultimate Guide to Summer Craft Beer Experiences in 2015

Summer is the perfect time to drink in new experiences while creating unforgettable memories with friends. This summer World of Beer (WOB) is encouraging everyone to take some time to drink, share and discover beer culture and craft beer. You may call it a beer trip, but we at WOB like to call it a WOBTrip.

Need some inspiration? Below are a few of World of Beer’s top picks of breweries and festivals on our summer 2015 #WOBTrip list.

1.	Lagunitas Beer Circus Chicago, IL and Petaluma, CA June 6 and August 16 Whether you’re in California or Chicago, the opportunity to go to Lagunitas Beer Circus is an event you don’t want to miss out on. The circuses will have plenty of carnival rides, vaudeville performers, kegway scooters, acrobats, live music, and of course cold brews. Tickets for the beer circus sell out fast, and Chicago’s circus has already sold out, so make sure you check back on July 9 when Petaluma’s tickets go on sale.

2.	Analog-A-Go-Go Milton, DE June 11th – 13th Dogfish Head hosts its annual Analog-A-Go-Go that collides craft beer with analog music for a “sensory experience to end all sensory experiences.” 1,000 lucky guests will get the chance to enjoy multiple cask beers brewed for the event while they listen to vinyl tunes and peruse through crafted goods. Brewery tours will also be available during the event, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll go on one. For when you need a nap from all the fun, you can book a stay at Dogfish Inn for the most beer centric sleep of your life. This summer be sure to try Dogfish Head’s award-winning Choc Lobster, exclusively at the brewery and at World of Beer. Choc Lobster, along with 120 Minute IPA will be on draught in the majority of WOB taverns for the month of August.

3.	Burning CAN Brevard, NC July 17–18 Since 1935, nothing has been more refreshing than cracking open your favorite can of beer in the summer. Oskar Blues Brewery’s “Burning CAN” is the place to celebrate canned craft beer — more than 50 craft breweries will be serving 100 canned beers alongside live music from some killer bands and outdoor sports competitions.

4.	Funky Buddha Brewery Boca Raton, FL Reservations Required Known for its bold, culinary, dessert-like flavors, Funky Buddha Brewery offers a wide variety of completely unique, unpasteurized, unfiltered and unfussed beer. The brewery offers tours, food trucks, growlers to-go with freshly poured beers and a tap room that allows guests to sample Funky Buddha’s creations. Notable brews include: “Don’t Tell Reece Peanut Butter Cup Brown Ale” and “Banana Split Ale” — it’s a #musttry

5.	Breckenridge Brewery 25th Anniversary Hootenanny Littleton, CO July 18 To celebrate Breckenridge’s 25th anniversary and the grand opening of the new Breckenridge Brewery location in Littleton, CO, the brewery is hosting an all-inclusive event choc full of beer, food and music. Leftover Salmon will be headlining this party, and the brewery has partnered with them to create a collaborativelimited-release beer packaged with a free download code for 25 live tunes from the band that will be debuted at the Hootenanny. This summer, Breckenridge’s Farmhouse Ale will be brewed with grapefruit peel and red Hawaiian sea salt to celebrate Breckenridge’s 25th Anniversary and the opening of their new brewery. Guests can taste this limited edition beer at the brewery itself or on draft at select WOB locations throughout the month of July.

6.	Three Floyds Brewing Co. Brewpub Munster, IN No Reservations Required We can tell you one thing: this brewpub is “not normal.” Chances are, you will wait in line, but it will be worth it. The beer is spectacular, the food is spectacular, the décor is spectacular, the staff is spectacular and you will leave feeling spectacular. Be sure you hit the retail counter on your way out. Don’t say we didn’t remind you. We suggest Gumballhead for its innovative packaging and incomparable taste. This beer can be hard to find, so no one will judge you if you’re buying to stock up.

7.	Oregon Brewers Festival Portland, OR July 22–26 With Portland being the unofficial Craft Beer Capital of the United States, it only makes sense that one of the longest-running craft beer festivals is held there. Oregon Brewers Festival celebrates its 28th year with 90 different craft beers from around the country and a special appearance from New Zealand breweries. Considered one of the largest gatherings of its kind in North America, the festival is sure to wet your whistle.

8.	Anchor Brewing San Francisco, CA Reservations Required Founded nearly 120 years ago, with roots dating back to the California Gold Rush, Anchor Brewing became the first craft brewery in America – the OG of American craft breweries if you will. Today, Anchor is recognized for their flagship Anchor Steam® Beer as well as other classic brews and seasonal beers. The four-floor brewery offers guided tours followed by beer tastings, just make sure you make a reservation. When visiting, we highly recommend trying the new limited-release beer, California Uncommon: a Kolsch-style ale brewed with Meyer lemons (also found on tap at World of Beer taverns in June).

9.	Belgium Comes to Cooperstown Cooperstown, NY August 7–9 Break out your slap bracelets, pack your Bop It, don’t forget your Talkboy (or Talkgirl) and make sure your overalls are clean, because this summer’s Brewery Ommegang’s “Belgium Comes to Cooperstown” (BCTC) festival is totally ’90s-themed. With more than 100 breweries on hand to pour more than 300 unique beers, sour and wit beer lovers can taste the rarest and most popular Belgian style ales from both the motherland and North America.

10.	World of Beer You don’t have to go across the country to embark on unique craft beer experiences and culture. With more than 70 locations nationwide, World of Beer celebrates the popularity of craft beer and its culture. WOB taverns feature 500 bottled beers, with more than 50 varieties on tap — rotating daily for guests to discover new beer experiences. This summer, WOB is teaming up with Anchor Brewing, Breckenridge Brewery and Dogfish Head Brewery to house exclusive brews and experiences in June, July and August. That’s not all it’s doing this summer; WOB is giving its guests the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime beer experiences. Each month, they will be sending lucky winners on WOBtrips to three of America’s best craft breweries and will finish off the summer by giving away an epic grand prize cross-country brewery trip. All you have to do is use the hashtag #WOBTRIP on Twitter and Instagram to be entered for a chance to win June 1 — Aug 31. Good luck!