Move over wine country, a new beverage is taking some of the spotlight. Here are three great beer towns to visit in the United States.

dcubillas | sxc.hu
dcubillas | sxc.hu

San Francisco might be known for its Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, and Alcatraz, but it’s also a player in the craft-beer arena. As far back as the 19th century, brewers here have been creating craft beers, and it is considered the brewing center of the west coast. Each year, the city hosts a 10-day Beer Week with more than 300 events at breweries and bars that showcase nearly 70 local brewers.

Asheville, North Carolina, in the heart of the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Mountains, exudes creativity and free spirit. So it’s no wonder that this area has embraced craft beer and been named Beertown U.S.A. four times by Examiner.com. Asheville’s first successful brewery was opened in 1994, and now the city has more than 10 local craft breweries in the area. (Plus, April is North Carolina’s Beer Month, so check out some of the beer tour itineraries if you are in the area.)

Portland, Oregon, might get more publicity for beer than its neighboring city Bend, but Bend actually has more breweries per a capita. Take a tour on the Bend Ale Trail, the largest beer trail in the West. The town also celebrates its Beervana title with a handful of beer celebrations throughout the year.

So whether you’re a casual beer drinker or a connoisseur of hops and barley, plan a great escape to one of these Beer Towns.