5 Unique Ways to Experience the PNW Beer and Wine Scene

The Pacific Northwest is justly famous for its rabid coffee culture, yet if you spend all your time choosing between double ristrettos and flat whites at your local café, you might miss out on the PNW’s equally renowned beers, wines and spirits. However, with more than a thousand distinct wineries, breweries and distilleries peppered throughout the area, there are likely a few too many options to explore at once. Grab a taste of the of the PNW’s wine and beer scene with five unique tours that will allow you to sample everything from triple-hopped craft brews to blackberry honey infused limoncello at some of the region’s iconic hotspots and local watering holes.

1. Taste Seattle’s Taps

Home to more than 50 breweries, there is no better place to while away an afternoon than in a local taproom with a fresh lineup of tasty suds in Seattle. Scope out the city’s beer scene on the Seattle Brewery Tour and visit some of the most distinguished and unique breweries around. Sample classics such as the frothy and smooth Hefwewizen or the malty African Amber at the famous Pyramid or Mac & Jack’s breweries or down one of the hoppy IPAs at Fremont Brewing, Georgetown Brewing or Hale’s Ales to truly feel like a local.

2. Explore Willamette Valley’s Wine Trail

Nestled between the Cascade and Coast Ranges, the lush Willamette Valley provides the perfect setting for more than 400 wineries and tasting rooms. Tour the Willamette Valley Wine Trail and explore quiet backcountry roads leading to state of the art wineries, where you can wander through grape-filled groves and learn about the art of winemaking from the vintners themselves. Enjoy spectacular views of the mountains, vines and valley below as you savor the bold flavors of the region’s world-class Pinot noirs, Pinot gris, Chardonnays, Cabernet sauvignons, Rieslings and Merlots.

3. Bike Your Way to the Hoppiest of Hours

Engage all your senses, even your taste buds, as you cycle through the streets of downtown Victoria on a pub crawl that is anything but average. Ride your way past Victoria’s quaint and historic houses, glistening waterfront and the stunning Selkirk Trestle on the Hoppy Hour by Bicycle tour, stopping to refuel at three unique brewpubs along the way. Sip on sudsy craft beer, including a chocolate truffle beer pairing, and pick up local beer history from some of the best brewers in the business. If you are still thirsty after the ride, your guide will provide you a craft beer map and point you in the direction of where you can find more tasty brews.

4. Savor Fine Wines While Soaking in Spectacular Sunsets

Filled with sun-drenched vineyards, sparkling lakes and green rolling hills, the Okanagan Valley is about as close to paradise as you can get. Stop, slow down and experience the heart of Canada’s wine country as you drive through the intimate town on a sunset wine tour. Sip on everything from crisp white wines to deliciously sweet ice wines and watch the sky fill with stunning pink, red, orange and gold hues as the sun dips behind the mountains.

5. Sip Sensational Spirits

Never one to fall behind the times, it is no surprise that as soon as Washington state updated its liquor laws in 2008 to permit the establishment of craft distilleries what followed was an explosion of microdistillieries. Jump on the bandwagon and check out the inner-workings and giant glistening stills of small-batch producers such as Old Ballard Liquor Co., Copperworks Distillery, Letterpress Distillery and more on the Seattle Distillery Tour. Not only will you learn how your favorite spirits are made but you will also be treated to unique concoctions ranging from bright citrus-flavored gin to oaky barrel-aged whiskey that are sure to please even the most discerning beverage aficionado.

Whether you prefer wine, craft brews or spirits, the Pacific Northwest has plenty of options to wet your whistle. Hop on one of these distinctive tours and check out fabulous sights while you sip your way through delicious elixirs, you may even find a new favorite or two along the way!

Feature Photo: Evergeen Escapes