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This Maui resort offers guests stargazing experience with a NASA ambassador

If you’re traveling to Hawaii, it’s probably because of the state’s sunny weather, crystal clear waters, and beautifully lush landscapes. But the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa wants to offer its guests a little more than the usual sunbathing. The resort’s new “Stay, Learn, and Play” now provides unique experiences for vacationers on the island.

As part of the package, the newly renovated resort offers guests a deluxe oceanfront suite and lets them take part in a private astronomy lesson with NASA Ambassador Edward Mahoney, as well as enjoy a romantic dinner and a stargazing experience during which they’ll be able to see up to 80 constellations in the skies above Maui.

Photo: Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa/Facebook

The package also includes exclusive access to an activity lawn with daybeds; a $500 food and beverage credit; a private hula dancing lesson; a treatment at the resort’s spa; yoga and meditation sessions; and an animal experience where you’ll be able to feed the hotel’s resident penguins, according to a press release.

The package starts at $9,995 for a minimum five-night stay. It’s available to book through December 21, 2021. Call 808-667-4932 to book.

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Fully vaccinated Americans will be allowed to travel to Europe this summer

It’s official — the European Union will allow fully vaccinated Americans to travel to its 27 member states this summer.

On Sunday, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told The New York Times that since Americans are using vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), they will be able to travel freely in the European bloc this summer.

“Because one thing is clear: All 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved by E.M.A.,” she said. The EMA has approved all three major vaccines, which are Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson. While the EU hasn’t set a fixed date for travel to resume, the expected timeline suggests June.

The United States is on track to reach herd immunity among the population by mid-June. Von der Leyen noted that this was “huge progress.” Vaccinated people will be able to travel by producing evidence of inoculation. The EU and the US are still working out the details of what a vaccine certificate might look like.

The EU is working on its own COVID-19 travel passes that would record proof of vaccination, negative test results, and recent history of COVID-19 recovery in order to facilitate movement as soon as possible.

Currently, Greece, Croatia, and Iceland are open to vaccinated US travelers. While each European nation will be able to set its own restrictions, the general consensus is that all 27 will accept inoculated travelers as the travel industry makes a push toward recovery.

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This stunning hotel offers pasta making classes, yoga, and some of the best views in Rome

Working from Rome might rhyme with working from home, but it’s a lot more enticing. The Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese is encouraging people to take a workcation to Rome by offering a workcation package. The five-star hotel and former 19th-century palazzo is located in the heart of Rome, near the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Villa Medici, and it’s put together a pretty enticing offer for would-be visitors.

The workcation package includes three customizable yoga classes on the terrace or in Villa Borghese park, a Roman pasta-making course, wine tasting, 10 hours of Italian lessons, and a running or walking tour of the city that stops at the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and St. Peter’s Square. Oh yeah, and the tour is led by a former Italian National Olympic Committee coach who also happens to specialize in art history.

Good luck finding time to actually work.

The package also includes round-trip transportation from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport or the main train station, virtual concierge service, accommodations, and 20 percent off all food and drinks at the hotel.

As for the food and drink, you won’t even want to leave the grounds. The hotel features one of the most stunning views in all of Rome at its restaurant, Settimo. Located on the seventh floor, Settimo overlooks the lush Villa Borghese gardens and has an intimate terrace. Be sure to have a craft cocktail there at sunset before switching to wine with your dinner inside. The menu features contemporary Roman cuisine like tortellini with oxtail ragu, and saltimbocca with pan-fried chicory and stewed onion.

The package costs $1,082 per night and is available for a minimum stay of 14 nights. It may cost a quarter of your salary, but working from Rome is always better than working from home.

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Elon Musk launched a $100 million prize to fight climate change

The only thing better than a $100 million prize is when that prize is awarded for mitigating the effects of climate change. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, is offering a $100 million Carbon Removal X Prize to incentivize the development of carbon capture technology that can help fight climate change. The prize asks entrants to demonstrate new methods for removing large amounts of heat-trapping CO2 from the air or oceans and keep it locked away. Ultimately, the goal is to reach 10 gigatons per year of carbon removal by 2050.

Marcius Extavour, the president of climate and environment for the X prize, said in a statement, “It should be clear to everyone in 2021 that climate change poses an existential threat, and that our CO2 emissions are a leading cause. Even as we race to get to net zero, the climate math tells us that we must also accelerate the development and deployment of solutions that can be carbon negative. That’s what this prize is all about.”

The competition will last until 2025. However, after one year, judges will award 15 “milestone prizes” of $1 million each. Student teams are also being incentivized to participate with $5 million. The grand prize winner, selected in 2025, will receive $50 million, with $30 million being divided among three runner-up teams.

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The most scenic spots in Cape Town that only locals know about

Often regarded as one of the top tourist destinations globally, Cape Town is a place of exceptional beauty. The city is known for Table Mountain, one of the new seven natural wonders of the world and its gorgeous coastlines, Winelands, and wildlife. During Cape Town’s peak summer season, December through February, popular sites like Boulders Beach and the V & A Waterfront can be filled to the brim with eager domestic and international travelers. Locals tend to stay away from these tourist traps during peak season, but that certainly doesn’t mean that they have to miss out on any of the good stuff. There are many lovely scenic spots that are equally beautiful but offer a little more peace and quiet away from the crowds. From beaches and vineyards to garden viewpoints, here are some local favorites in and around Cape Town.

BeachesMelkbosstrand

Photo: Roger de la Harpe/Shutterstock

For a slice of seaside living, take a trip to the coastal town of Melkbosstrand. Situated around 30-40 minutes from Cape Town center, the quaint area known colloquially as Melkbos is home to many local celebrities, such as retired rugby players, actors, writers, and even visiting members from the House of Lords.

Melkbos displays one of the finest coastlines in the country, with its Table Mountain views and four-mile stretch of white-sand beach. The beach is popular with surfers and swimmers who are willing to brave the chilly Atlantic Ocean. History buffs are sure to take an interest in the numerous shipwrecks along the coast and the old town, which features stunning examples of Dutch colonial architecture.

Melkbos is home to many inviting cafes and restaurants that showcase glorious sea views, including the Damhuis restaurant, which was transformed from a late 18th-century fisherman house. While fishing is strictly regulated, Melkbos’ waters are full of crawfish, Cape lobster and more. As a result, many of the surrounding restaurants offer fresh and affordable seafood menus.

Bakoven

Photo: Robin Runck/Shutterstock

A little way down the road from the busy main beach of Camp’s Bay lies the picturesque and peaceful Bakoven beach. This little strip of sand is the ideal spot for sunbathers as its signature giant granite boulders resemble Dutch ovens (hence the area’s name), radiating heat and providing shelter from the wind. It’s also a gorgeous spot to watch the sunset and to stargaze. While the exclusivity of this beach is dreamy, this does mean that there are no public amenities, so be sure to pack ahead.

If you travel around a mile past the beach, you’ll find a spectacular viewing point and a friendly little coffee cart named simply Street Café Food Truck. On a good day, you can enjoy a coffee while viewing schools of dolphins happily swimming in the ocean below.

Yzerfontein

Photo: Beate Wolter/Shutterstock

At about an hour’s drive on the West Coast from Cape Town, Yzerfontein is a little farther away, but it features plenty of scenery along the way, with sea views on the left and long stretches of untouched fynbos on the right. First, you’ll reach the tiny harbor town, where you’ll find some quirky shops to stop off at before you get to the beach.

The 16-mile Yzerfontein beach is the longest uninterrupted beach on the South African coastline. This far-reaching beach is the perfect spot for water sports such as kayaking, surfing and water-skiing. Nature lovers will be in their element, not only because of the spectacular seascapes but also because of the variety of wild fynbos, wildflowers and birds, as well as dolphin and whale sightings. With plenty to do, staying overnight at one of the many self-catering guesthouses is highly recommended.

Betty’s Bay

Photo: Anna Om/Shutterstock

For penguin sightings, most tourists will head over to the famous Boulder’s Beach. While beloved by locals and tourists alike, Boulder’s can become extremely crowded, especially with families during peak season. For a quieter spot where you can observe colonies of African penguins in their natural habitat, head to Stony Point Nature Reserve in the small holiday town of Betty’s Bay. Stony Point is also home to three species of cormorant and plenty of adorable Rock Hyrax, commonly known as Dassies. The colony lies on the old Waaygat Whaling Station site, with remnants of the site still seen today.

It takes about one hour on a scenic ocean path to reach Betty’s Bay, and on your way, you can stop off at the beautiful harbor town of Gordon’s Bay and the quaint coastal village of Pringle Bay.

GardensChart Rose Farm

Photo: Chart Farm

If you’d like to spend a day feeling like Alice in Wonderland, look no farther than the fairy-tale rose garden of Chart Rose Farm. Conveniently located in the Southern Suburbs, just a 15-minute drive from the city center and a few minutes away from the Constantia Winelands, Chart Rose Farm is the only place in the Cape Peninsula where you can pick your own roses.

The historic farm, purchased in 1934, offers sweeping views of the mountainous Constantia Valley and is home to grapevines, lemon trees, a farmstall, a charming coffee shop, and the English-style rose garden. The roses bloom from mid-October right up until the end of May, but it’s still a delightful location to visit even out of season. If you wish to take some roses home, the farm will lend you a pair of secateurs and a bucket to use for picking, and the roses can be bought for around 50 cents each.

Newlands Forest

Photo: Kyle O’Hagan/Shutterstock

Another incredible place in the Southern Suburbs to get lost in nature is Newlands Forest, a natural pine forest on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Newlands Forest is frequented by avid hikers and joggers who can enjoy four different trails ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty. Each trail offers stunning viewpoints and a wide variety of indigenous plants and tranquil streams to admire along the way. From October to May, there is a designated picnic and braai (barbecue) area covered by a canopy of trees offering plenty of shade for a pleasant stream-side lunch outdoors.

Tourists must take note of safety precautions when exploring secluded areas as crime and accidents do happen. It is advised to travel in groups and to always have the necessary emergency numbers on hand.

WinelandsFairview

Photo: Fairview Wine Farm

Tours through the Winelands usually focus on wine farms in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. While the exceptional wine farms in these areas are not to be missed, many other lesser-known farms deserve just as much love. One of the most unique farms is Fairview, located in Paarl, the largest town in the Cape Winelands and third oldest city and European settlement in South Africa.

Fairview was founded in 1693 and produces artisanal, sustainable produce with a strong focus on wine and cheese. What makes Fairview stand out above the rest? Its goat tower, of course! Believe it or not, this is exactly what it sounds like — a tower inhabited by goats. The goats live comfortably on the land and act as Fairview’s furry mascots, providing plenty of milk and cheese for sale and consumption. When at Fairview, you can admire the goats and their infrastructure, dine at the casual, farm-style Goatshed Restaurant, shop the wide range of artisanal products at the deli, and enjoy a tasting of unique wines and cheeses at the incredible starting price of just a little over $1.

Klein Roosboom

Photo: Klein Roosboom/Facebook

If you seek some fine wines closer to the city, the Durbanville wine valley is just a 40-minute drive away. Durbanville is home to many of Cape Town’s most respected wineries, such as Durbanville Estate, D’Aria, and De Grendel. A true hidden gem amongst these popular wineries is Klein Roosboom, a boutique winery that offers a truly unique wine tasting experience.

Klein Roosboom oozes rustic charm exemplified by its “caves” — old concrete wine tanks that have been converted into cozy yet opulent tasting rooms. Its restaurant, Jéan Deli, is set amongst the vineyards with tables on the deep verandah and between the vines. If the restaurant is full, guests are welcome to grab takeout and picnic around the estate.

ViewpointsSilvermine Nature Reserve

Photo: Neil Bradfield/Shutterstock

Forming part of Table Mountain National Park, Silvermine Nature Reserve is an impressive conversation area that offers spectacular views as well as a reservoir, river, and waterfall. It is also home to over 900 species of fynbos. On a clear day, your drive to the reserve along Ou Kaapse Weg will reward you with breathtaking views of most of the greater Cape Town area.

Silvermine is popular with mountain bikers and adrenaline-seeking rock climbers. The less adventurous might enjoy some of the easy hiking trails around the area, all of which are well-marked with clear maps at the start. From lazy strolls around the reservoir or longer treks up to panoramic viewing points, Silvermine displays natural beauty everywhere you look. Depending on the trail you choose, the views vary from caves and waterfalls, to Noordhoek Valley, Long Beach, Chapman’s Peak and Hout Bay.

The Silvermine Reservoir was built in 1898 to supply water to the growing city of Cape Town and now acts as a lovely swimming spot (for both humans and fish) during warmer months. For a tranquil break from city life, spend a night in one of the tented camps, which are built from timber that has been felled in the Table Mountain National Park. There are designated picnic and braai spots around the reserve, but it is advised that braais occur during winter to prevent fires.

Rhodes Memorial

Photo: Lucian Coman/Shutterstock

The Rhodes Memorial has been a point of controversy in recent years due to the Rhodes Must Fall student movement, which has since become synonymous with protesting against institutional racism at universities and advocating for access to tertiary education for all. Rhodes Must Fall began when students protested Cecil John Rhodes statues at the University of Cape Town. The memorial in question was set up to commemorate the very same colonial politician. Certain parts of the memorial were repeatedly vandalized but have since been restored. However, these archaic statues are the last reason you should visit the memorial — it is one of the best panoramic viewing points in the city.

Situated on Devil’s Peak mountain and close to the University of Cape Town, from the Rhodes Memorial, you can see the Cape Flats and the Helderberg and Hottentots Holland Mountain ranges. It is also one of the few vantage points from which you can see both the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. Just behind the memorial on the slopes of Table Mountain lies the friendly Rhodes Memorial Restaurant and Tea Garden. The friendly cottage-style dining spot is a must-visit not only for its incredible views but also to sample its seasonal specials, traditional Cape Malay specialties and the city’s best milk tart.

Signal Hill at sunset

Photo: Quality Master/Shutterstock

Signal Hill is a well-known fixture of the Cape Town skyline. The flat-topped hill is an ideal spot to watch the sunset over Table Mountain, yet a hike to the top can be challenging and will take at least a few hours. For an effortless way to get the exact same view without any of the work, simply take a drive-up or catch an Uber to the top.

Bring a picnic blanket, find a perfect patch to sit, and take in the view. This “best-kept secret” is known among locals, especially couples who love the romance of the twinkling Cape Town lights. Getting there about 45 minutes before sunset is advised so that you can find a good spot.

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The oldest brewery in every state

There were more than 8,700 breweries in the US as of 2020, but only 50 can claim the title of oldest continuous running brewery in its home state. We dug through available records, followed craft beer history timelines, and evaluated many (many) competing claims between breweries claiming to be the true first in the state, to find the oldest brewery in every state. We didn’t include the Budweisers and Millers of the world that you’re already familiar with, though we did include some of the smaller breweries that they own — either directly or through subsidiaries. Those are noted when necessary.

Whether you’re looking for a taste of where a state’s brewing and beer culture all started or you’re interested in building out a bucket list, these are the breweries to know on your travels.

Brewery entries were compiled by staff writer Eben Diskin, assistant food and drink editor Elisabeth Sherman, and food and drink editor Nickolaus Hines.

Alabama: Good People Brewing Co.

Photo: Good People Brewing Company/Facebook

Where: 114 14th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233
When it started: 2008
What to order: Good People American Brown Ale

First opened in 2008, Good People Brewing Co. is Alabama’s oldest and largest brewery. It was the natural culmination of a homebrewing hobby shared by Jason Malone and Mike Sellers, who started the business in Pickwick Plaza on Magnolia Avenue. In 2010, it moved to its current location on 14th street near Railroad Park. The brewery offers a range of IPAs, brown ales, and stouts, and is open for tours, tastings, and events.

Alaska: Alaskan Brewing Company

Where: 148 W 91st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99515
When it started: 1986
What to order: Icy Bay IPA

Dating all the way back to 1986, the Alaskan Brewing Company in Juneau was started by two 28-year-olds: Marcy and Geoff Larson. They cite southeast Alaska as the inspiration for many of their brews, which reflect similar characteristics as the ales brewed in Alaska during the gold rush era. That includes the Alaskan Amber recipe, alder-smoked malts, and Sitka spruce tips. There’s also the modern line up of a variety of IPAs, amber ales, seltzers, and limited edition porters.

Arizona: Barrio Brewing Company

Where: 800 E 16th St, Tucson, AZ 85719
When it started: 1991
What to order: Tucson Blonde Ale

Barrio Brewing Company wasn’t always the beer powerhouse it is today. It was originally launched in 1991 as a restaurant called Gentle Ben’s in Tucson. Owners Dennis and Tauna Arnold couldn’t ignore their love for craft beer, however, and soon transformed the restaurant into Gentle Ben’s Brewing Co. They expanded their beer offerings to immediate success and high demand, and in 2007 expanded to a large space just south of the city. That’s when the name officially changed to Barrio Brewing Company. In addition to beer, there’s a range of food, much of which incorporate beer into the recipe. 

Arkansas: Vino’s Brewpub

Where: 923 W 7th St, Little Rock, AR 72201
When it started: 1993
What to order: Firehouse Pale Ale

Established in 1993, Vino’s is Arkansas’s oldest continually operating craft brewery. More than just beer, it also serves up New York-style pizza, sandwiches, salads, and live entertainment. Originally conceived as Vino’s Pizzeria in 1990, it quickly converted to a brewpub once Arkansas legalized them in 1993. Vino’s prides itself on its wide variety of handcrafted ales, IPAs, stouts, and porters, and its reputation as the state’s “Original Brewpub.”

California: Anchor Brewing

Photo: Anchor Brewing Company/Facebook

Where: 1705 Mariposa Street San Francisco, CA 94107
When it started: 1849
What to order: Anchor Steam Beer

Anchor Brewing in San Francisco traces its roots back to 1849, when German brewer Gottlieb Brekle came to San Francisco during the California gold rush. He purchased an old saloon on Pacific Street, and in 1896, it was bought by German brewer Ernst F. Baruthand his son-in-law Otto Schinkel Jr. They named it Anchor and turned it into a full-fledged brewery. Fast-forward 100 years, and the brewery is still evolving. In 1993 it became the first brewery in the world with its own in-house distillery. Now the brewery is owned by the Japanese beer company Sapporo Holdings. The Anchor Steam beer — a deep amber colored beer with a thick, creamy head — has been the brewery’s bread-and-butter for over 50 years, and remains a top seller.

Colorado: Wynkoop Brewing Company

Where: 1634 18th St, Denver, CO 80202
When it started: 1988
What to order: Dos Lunas lager

In 1988, geologist John Hickenlooper started Wynkoop Brewing Company inside of an old mercantile building that was built in 1899. Hickenlooper would go on to become governor of Colorado, a presidential candidate, and a US Senator, but first he launched a brewpub that became a local staple for decades to come. The brewery crafts over 40 different styles of beer, from sessionable ales and lagers to seasonal and experimental offerings like a stout made with bull testicals. 

Connecticut: Willimantic Brewing Company

Where: 967 Main St, Willimantic, CT 06226
When it started: 1991
What to order: Willibrew Certified Gold blonde ale

Connecticut’s oldest brewery was founded in 1991 as a small deli called the Maine Street Cafe. The cafe transformed into a full service restaurant featuring American Craft-brewed beers, and later, that concept evolved into a full brewery. Now located in an old post office building from 1909, Willimantic Brewing Company is a seven-barrel brewery producing a range of American, German, and other beers.

Delaware: Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales

Where: 6 Cannery Village Center Milton, DE 19968
When it started: 1995
What to order: 60 Minute IPA

This iconic Delaware staple started in 1995 as Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats — the state’s first brewpub. Ever since, it’s been serving up handcrafted and locally inspired beers, and has grown to become a nationally recognized brand. In 2002, Dogfish Head started distilling gin, rum, and vodka to further diversify its options. The brewery also has a beer-themed inn located in downtown Lewes for weary (or hungover) travelers to rest their heads. In 2019 Dogfish started a new chapter by merging with Boston Beer Company.

Florida: Dunedin Brewery

Photo: Dunedin Brewery/Facebook

Where: 937 Douglas Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698
When it started: 1995
What to order: air. American pilsner

Dunedin started in 1995, and though there were a few large breweries in Florida, Dunedin was the first craft brewery in the state. Dunedin opened in 1995 and is a laid back and spacious brewery. Today, it makes a variety of classic beer styles and innovative ones, like the Biere de Cafe, a brown ale made with chocolate and locally roasted coffee. When you go, there’s also a food menu with upscale versions of typical bar offerings.

Georgia

Where: 2323 Defoor Hills Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
When it started: 1993
What to order: Soul of the City pale ale

Former Guinness executive Greg Kelly founded Atlanta Brewing Company in 1993. Beer was produced using a large red malt mill found in an abandoned meadow in England, and it’s still in use today. In 2010, the brewery changed its name to Red Brick Brewing Company after its original and popular Red Brick Ale. The name has since reverted back to the original, though the brewery is still often known as the Red Brick. In 2013 brewmaster Garett Lockhart and head brewer Steve Anderson took over brewing operations and added award-winning brews like Vanilla Gorilla and Beard Envy Barleywine.

Hawaii: Kona Brewing Company

Where: 74-5612 Pawai Place Kailua Kona, HI 96740
When it started: 1994
What to order: Longboard Island Lager

When it comes to drinks, the Aloha State is more famous for fruity cocktails with umbrellas than for beer. Though the first brewery opened on the islands in 1854, brewing has come and gone in fits and starts until relatively recently. Today, the longest running brewery in Hawaii is Kona Brewing Company on the big island of Hawaii. Father-son duo Cameron Healy and Spoon Khalsa opened Kona Brewing in 1994. The brand has long been a champion of sustainability. A new production brewery opening just down the road from the original location will only add to the company’s sustainability mission with CO2 reclamation, recycled water, and on-site renewable energy sources. Admirable sustainability efforts matched with truly delicious beer makes choosing a cold one over a fruity cocktail an easy choice. 

Idaho: Highlands Hollow

Where: 2455 N Highlands Holw, Boise, ID 83702
When it started: 1992
What to order: Fiegwild English-style pale ale

Two breweries often get credit as Idaho’s oldest: Grand Teton Brewing and Highlands Hollow Brewhouse. Only, for the first 10 years of Grand Teton Brewing’s life, it was just across the border in Wyoming. That means Highlands Hollow in Boise takes the designation when it comes to oldest in the state. The brewery is housed in what was once The Brass Lamp in a building with rafters made of repurposed Boise State University stadium materials — rafters that are now covered with a massive collection of coasters. It reinvented itself as Harrison Hollow Brewhouse in 1992, then changed its name to Highlands Hollow Brewhouse in 2004. Throughout all of the changes, the brewpub has remained a standby for craft beer and pub food in Idaho’s capital city.

Illinois: Goose Island

Photo: Goose Island/Facebook

Where: 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
When it started: 1988
What to order: Sofie saison, or any of the Bourbon County Brand stouts

Illinois has a long brewing history that dates back to Peacock Brewery in 1849. The state’s modern beer reputation, however, starts with Goose Island, which opened in 1988. A few other craft breweries started around the same time, but Goose Island is the oldest left standing. You’re likely familiar with the brand if you’ve ever glanced at beer lists and tap handles across the country. Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest beer company, purchased Goose Island in 2011 and turned it into a global brand. The conglomerate ownership means Goose Island isn’t technically a craft brewery anymore. If you’re looking for an independent brewery, Mickey Finn’s Brewery, which opened in 1993, is the next oldest operating brewery.

Indiana: Broad Ripple Brewpub

Where: 842 E 65th St, Indianapolis, IN 46220
When it started: 1990
What to order: I.P.A.

In 1990, Indiana got its first ever brewpub and what is today the oldest operating brewery in the state: Broad Ripple Brewpub. It’s designed like an English pub with a fireplace, stained glass windows, and dark wood, and most of the beers are European styles, like English-style ales and IPAs, German-style lagers, and Irish-style red ales. It’s not a theme picked at random — the owner, John Hill, was born in Middlesbrough North Yorkshire, while his wife Nancy is from Indiana. If you visit in the warmer months, there’s food available and a dog-friendly outdoors area.

Iowa: Millstream Brewery

Where: 835 48th Ave, Amana, IA 52203
When it started: 1985
What to order: German Pilsner

Traditional German-style beers are what you’ll find at Millstream Brewery, Iowa’s oldest brewery. It opened in 1985, putting it at the forefront of craft brewing for the entire country and not just Iowa, and has an attached German-style beer hall called Millstream Brau Haus that was added to the building in 2016. Despite the history and a lively beer hall that would draw in any passing beer lover, there’s a good chance you would miss Millstream if you didn’t make a designated trip just to visit — it’s located in the 400 or so person town of Amana. German food goes along with the beers if you make it out there, and there are select live music nights that can be found on the brewery’s website.

Kansas: Free State Brewing

Where: 636 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044
When it started: 1989
What to order: Ad Astra Ale

Prohibition is the cut off for when brewing temporarily ended in many states. In Kansas, all alcohol production was made illegal decades before in 1881. That meant that when Free State Brewing opened up in 1989, it was reviving a brewing tradition Kansas hadn’t seen in more than 100 years. The first beer Free State made was Ad Astra Ale, which gets its name from the state motto Ad Astra per Aspera, which means To the Stars Through Difficulties.

Kentucky: Bluegrass Brewing Company

Photo: BBC Arena/Facebook

Where: 300 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
When it started: 1993
What to order: Bourbon Barrel Stout

It can be hard for a brewery to make a name for itself in a state so synonymous with bourbon. Still, Kentucky has a long brewing history — it even has its own distinct style, the Kentucky Common cream ale. One of the most famous Kentucky brewers was the George Wiedemann Brewing Company. It opened in 1870 and ran until 1927, then opened again in 1933 after Prohibition. Another break came in 1967, and when the brewery started up once again in 2011 (after many changes in ownership, obviously), it was centered in Cincinnati. But there’s a new old guard that’s led by Bluegrass Brewing Company, which opened in Louisville in 1993. The three brewpub locations in the city offer classic pub food and a selection of beers (including Kentucky’s “original bourbon barrel aged beer” made using Four Roses barrels) and a mead called Luna de Miel that’s always on tap.

Louisiana: Abita Brewing Company

Where: 21084 LA-36, Covington, LA 70433
When it started: 1986
What to order: Amber Lager

About 30 miles north of New Orleans you’ll find the town of Covington and Louisiana’s oldest brewery still in operation: Abita Brewing Company. It had a humble start making 1,500 barrels of beer, but is now one of the largest craft breweries in the country and makes more than 125,000 barrels a year. The original brewery has been transformed into a 100-seat brew pub, and the brews are well loved in the state and elsewhere both for drinking and for cooking. The Munich-style Amber Lager was the first beer made at the brewery and remains the top seller, though a long list of creative beers keeps things interesting. Another to try is Purple Haze, a lager made with real raspberries thrown in after filtration.

Maine: Geary Brewing Company

Where: 38 Evergreen Dr, Portland, ME 04103
When it started: 1983
What to order: Geary’s Pale Ale

Today, the northeasternmost state in the US is well known as the home of some of the most beloved craft breweries in the country. It started, as with many things, with one: Geary Brewing Company in Portland. The brewery was the first in New England and one of the first in the US, and it has federal craft brewing license number 13 to prove it. The modern beer list is split into two sections. There’s the heritage line up made with open fermentation that includes English-style pale ales and a winter warmer, and the contemporary line up, which are modern, closed-fermentation beers (think raspberry lagers and hazy IPAs). The brewery itself deserves a stop no matter how long your Portland brewery travel list is, and the beer garden features food trucks and live bands in the summer.

Maryland: Flying Dog Brewing

Where: 4216 Shannon Dr, Baltimore, MD 21213
When it started: 1993
What to order: 206 IPA

Maryland’s largest craft brewery is Flying Dog Brewing in Fredrick, Maryland. It’s also the oldest surviving brewery if you only count the original start date and ignore the brewery’s movements: it started in Aspen Colorado, and then moved to Denver before moving to Maryland permanently in 2007. A small brewery in downtown Baltimore called Oliver Brewing takes the designation of oldest brewery in the state when it’s cut down to businesses that have continuously operated in Maryland from the start. Oliver Brewing opened in 1993 with the goal to make English-style ales on equipment from the UK. It’s still running strong today, though the focus isn’t solely on the English anymore. The ever-changing beers available range from hoppy double IPAs to fruited sours to bourbon barrel aged stouts.

Massachusetts: Boston Beer Company

Photo: Samuel Adams/Facebook

Where: 30 Germania St, Boston, MA 02130
When it started: 1984
What to order: Sam Adams Boston Lager

Beer was on the minds of the first colonists who landed on what is today Massachusetts, and Boston itself had more than two dozen breweries in the colonial era. Boston is also the home of one of the founding breweries of the modern craft beer movement: Boston Beer Co. Jim Koch started the company with a family recipe and a beer he called Samuel Adams Boston Lager. It quickly racked up the accolades, and the company today remains a fixture in the beer community as one of the largest craft brewing companies that also owns brands like Delaware’s Dogfish Head and non-beer brands like Angry Orchard, Twisted Tea, and Truly Hard Seltzer.

Michigan: Bell’s Brewery

Where: 355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
When it started: 1985
What to order: Two Hearted Ale

Few states are as famous for beer as Michigan. Part of the reason why is history, and one of the breweries that claims to be the oldest leans on a long past. Frankenmuth Brewing Company traces its roots to Geyer Bros. Brewing Co., which opened in 1874. It ran until 1987, closed and was purchased by another owner in 1990, and then a tornado hit the building in 1996. After reopening, it closed again in 2003 before opening once again in 2009. All of this is to say that while Frankenmuth Brewing Company has a storied background, it’s had fits and starts with years of closures in between openings. The oldest continuously running brewery in Michigan is Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo, which you likely know thanks to the flagship Bell’s Two Hearted Ale. The brewery started in 1985 after owner Larry Bell owned a homebrew supply shop for two years, and today it’s one of the most well known and loved craft breweries in the country.

Minnesota: Schell’s Brewery

Where: 1860 Schell Road New Ulm, MN 56073
When it started: 1860
What to order: Firebrick Vienna-style Amber Lager

Yuengling is the only family owned brewery in America that can best Minnesota’s oldest brewery when it comes to continuous longevity. Schell’s Brewery was opened by a German immigrant to New Ulm, Minnesota, in 1860. Since then, it’s stayed open through battles during the “Dakota Conflict,” Prohibition (when it sold low alcohol “near-beer” to keep the doors open), brewery consolidation, and the craft brewery movement. A lot has changed since horse and buggy transported cases of small batch beer. The brewery stayed relevant by sticking to German beer styles while the mainstream national breweries like Budweiser and Miller capitalized on easy drinking lagers. Today, German-style beers like hefeweizens and Vienna lagers are still on the menu at the historic brewery alongside IPAs and barrel-aged releases.

Mississippi: Lazy Magnolia Brewery

Where: 7030 Roscoe-Turner Rd, Kiln, MS 39556
When it started: 2003
What to order: Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale

Mississippi was late to the craft beer movement. Lazy Magnolia Brewery was the first brewery to open in the state since Mississippi enacted a statewide alcohol prohibition in 1907 — more than a decade before nationwide capital-P Prohibition. The beers are a favorite throughout the South, especially the Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale, which is the rare beer made with whole roasted pecans. The brewery in the southern part of the state near the Gulf of Mexico has an inviting taproom and restaurant called The Porch that’s worth a stop on a Southern road trip.

Missouri: Boulevard Brewing Company

Photo: Boulevard Brewing Company/Facebook

Where: 2501 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
When it started: 1989
What to order: Tank 7 American Saison

When you think of Missouri beer, you likely think of what is arguably the most famous beer made in America: Budweiser. While the St. Louis beer giant has taken over, a brewery across the state in Kansas City holds the title for oldest craft brewery: Boulevard Brewing Co. Founder John McDonald first fell for Belgian-style beers in 1984, and he released his first beer — Boulevard Pale Ale — in 1989. It didn’t take long for the brewery to take off. It became a regional favorite on the backs of original and classic beer styles the brand put out. Boulevard Brewing Co. was among the largest craft breweries in the country before selling to the Belgian brewing company Duvel Moortgat in 2014, bringing the Belgian influence full circle.

Montana: Bayern Brewing

Where: 1507 Montana St, Missoula, MT 59801
When it started: 1987
What to order: Pilsener

Like many of the oldest breweries in America, Montana’s longest running brewery has a strong German influence. Bayern Brewing opened in Missoula in 1987, and it gets its name from where the owner and master brewer, Jurgen Knoller, grew up: Bayern, which literally translates to the German state of Bavaria. German lagers are known around the world thanks to the Reinheitsgebot, which is the beer purity law that dictates only water, hops, yeast, and barley can be used in beer. Bayern Brewing follows the same rules. Don’t think that means a limit in styles, though. The brewery has around 20 beers, from an unfiltered organic amber to traditional pilsners and doppelbocks.

Nebraska: Empyrean Brewing Company

Where: 729 Q St, Lincoln, NE 68508
When it started: 1990
What to order: Imperial Mango IPA

Empyrean Brewing Co. opened in Nebraska in 1990. The business went by Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill at the time, and was located in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket. By 1997, the brewing part of Brewery & Grill became big enough to split off into a separate business. For the name, the owners picked Empyrean, which means the highest heaven and the land of fire. Being the first modern craft brewery in the state wasn’t the only accomplishment, it was also the first to distribute statewide in 2002. Most recently, Empyrean broke ground for a new brewery and taproom in the South Haymarket area.

Nevada: Great Basin Brewing Company

Where: 846 Victorian Ave, Sparks, NV 89431
When it started: 1993
What to order: Ichthyosaur “ICKY” IPA

Sparks, Nevada, is where you’ll find the original location of Great Basin Brewing Company. The award-winning brewery started in 1993 and grew into a second brewpub location in The Biggest Little City (Reno, for the uninitiated) in 2010. There’s a long list of staple year-round beers from an IPA to an amber ale to a milk stout, as well as innovative beers you won’t find anywhere else, like the Orogenesis that’s an imperial red ale aged in ex-bourbon barrels from Nevada’s Frey Ranch Estate Distillery. The food is a draw as well, with breads made from spent beer grains and a hearty list of brewpub favorites like pizza on the menu.

New Hampshire: Portsmouth Brewery

Photo: The Portsmouth Brewery/Facebook

Where: 56 Market St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
When it started: 1991
What to order: Black is Beautiful is an Imperial Oatmeal Stout and the toasted tofu sandwich

Portsmouth Brewery opened in 1991 and is well-known for using fresh, locally sourced ingredients in its beer and its kitchen menu. Owners Peter Egelston and Joanne Francis are pillars of the community, holding events like Token Tuesday, during which patrons receive wooden tokens worth 25 cents for every pint they purchase, which can be donated to one of the four charities the brewery supports. Portsmouth Brewery is committed to sustainability; much of its menu is vegetarian friendly, beer byproducts are reused as animal feed, and all food is composted. 

New Jersey: The Ship Inn

Where: 61 Bridge Street Milford, NJ 08848
When it started: 1995
What to order: Best Bitter

The Ship Inn is technically New Jersey’s oldest craft brewery with an opening year of 1995. A production brewery that makes Budweiser, Rolling Rock, and other AB InBev brands has been operating in Newark since the 1950s, which is likely why The Ship Inn’s website specifies it is “the first in New Jersey since prohibition to brew beer for consumption on-premise.” The beers and vibe is English pub, complete with British food, ales, and ciders to be enjoyed under a Victorian tin ceiling.

New Mexico: Santa Fe Brewing Company

Where: 35 Fire Pl, Santa Fe, NM 87508
When it started: 1988
What to order: Chicken Killer Barley Wine

In 1988, a “cowboy” named Mike Levis founded the Santa Fe Brewing Company. He brewed the first batch of Santa Fe Pale Ale — which is still served at the brewery today. Perhaps its most well-known beer is the Chicken Killer Barley Wine, created in homage to the chickens massacred by one of the founding brewer’s pet dachshund, Petey. Today, Santa Fe Brewing Company runs its own hop farm, where it grows “wild hops native to New Mexico,” and in 2011, installed a 18-kilowatt solar panel system on the brewery’s roof to help reduce its electricity usage. The “Beer Hall at HQ” in Santa Fe offers an outdoor patio with mountain views, and 27 taps of beer, cider, and wine. 

New York: Genesee

Where: 25 Cataract St. Rochester, NY 14605
When it started: 1878
What to order: Cream Ale

Genesee Brewery in Rochester opened in 1878 but thanks to a nearly $50 million renovation project it’s one of the most modern looking breweries in the state. Still, the main focus of the brewery is still on its three classic styles, Genesee Beer, Genesee Light, and Cream Ale. The Genesee Brew House features a restaurant, bar, and taproom, and offers tours of the brewing facility itself. 

North Carolina: Weeping Radish

Photo: Weeping Radish Farm Brewery/Facebook

Where: 6810 Caratoke Hwy, Grandy, NC 27939
When it started: 1986
What to order: Black Radish German Lager

Weeping Radish Farm Brewery & Butchery was founded by Uli Bennewitz, an immigrant from Bavaria, in the early 1980s. At the time, it was illegal for breweries in the state to sell beer directly to customers, and Bennewitz successfully campaigned to change the law. The brewery specializes in beers produced according to Germany’s Reinheitsgebot Purity Law of 1516, which requires that beer only be brewed using hops, malt, yeast, and water. In the early 2000s, the brewery employed a German “master butcher,” to create sausage and charcuterie recipes using free range beef and pork. Today, guests can sip beer and eat lunch at the Weeping Radish pub, then stop by the butchery to stock up on meats or take a tour of the brewing facility. 

North Dakota: Fargo Brewing Company

Where: 610 N University Dr, Fargo, ND 58102
When it started: 2010
What to order: Iron Horse Pale Ale

As one of the last states to have a craft brewery, winning the award of oldest and longest running isn’t as hard as it is in, say, Minnesota. Fargo Brewing Company takes the title with it’s opening date of 2010. The brewery became a neighborhood standard as a place not just to sit back and drink local beer, but also a spot to see concerts and events. Fargo Brewing Company has also made a name for itself by helping shelter dogs find a home by putting their mugs on cans. That’s something we can get behind.

Ohio: Great Lakes Brewing Company

Where: 2516 Market Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
When it started: 1988
What to order: Dortmunder Gold Lager

Great Lakes Brewing Co. started brewing on a 7-barrel system and selling its beer commercially in 1988. Today, it’s the largest, and oldest, brewery in Ohio, and that original comparatively tiny set up is used solely for experimental batches of beer sold onsite. Great Lakes Brewing has a few notable milestones that helped it get to where it is today. First, its Dortmunder Gold Lager won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival. The brewery was also one of the first to make an American spiced holiday ale, which is well loved. Great Lakes Brewing also has made multiple sustainability efforts, including joining a collective of one of the largest urban farms in the country and founding the Pint Size Farm agricultural cooperative.

Oklahoma: Bricktown Brewery

Where: 1 N Oklahoma Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
When it started: 1992
What to order: Bricktown Old King Kolsch

Oklahoma has never made it easy for people who make alcohol for a living. The state didn’t repeal Prohibition until 1952, and legal limits on beer’s alcohol percentage have long been roadblocks. If you’re looking for the oldest brewery in Oklahoma that operates as people commonly expect today, that brewery is Choc, which helped change the law to allow full-strength craft brewing in 1995. But in terms of the first brewery overall, that honor goes to Bricktown Brewery. Bricktown started brewing beer under 4 percent in 1992, which was legal at the time. Today the company has a chain of brewpubs in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas. The original location in Oklahoma City still stands, and the low alcohol session beers Bricktown has specialized in are now more popular among beer lovers on a national level.

Oregon: Widmer Brothers

Photo: Widmer Brothers Brewing/Facebook

Where: 929 N Russell St, Portland, OR 97227
When it started: 1984
What to order: Hefe, the original American hefeweizen

Oregon is a craft beer state through and through. Need proof? The Oregon Brewers Guild is one of the oldest state brewing guilds in the country. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to run a brewery for decades on end, though. BridgePort Brewing, which opened in 1984 and was long the oldest craft brewery in the state, closed in 2019. Then Portland Brewing Co., which opened in 1986, closed in early 2021. One has survived, though: Widmer Brothers, which opened in 1984 and is still going strong. Today, it’s owned by Craft Brew Alliance, which itself is owned by Budweiser’s parent company AB-InBev.

Pennsylvania: Yuengling

Where: 420 Mahantongo St, Pottsville, PA 17901
When it started: 1829
What to order: Yuengling Lager

The oldest brewery in Pennsylvania is also the oldest running brewery in the US: Yuengling. It was opened by a German immigrant, David G. Yuengling, who started it up in 1829 as Eagle Brewery in Pottsville, and it remained family owned (and has since taken on the family name). You can find Yuengling in many states in the South and along the Eastern seaboard. A trip to the brewery can be supplemented by beer samples and a look at the caves where the beer was stored to stay cool in an era with little ice or refrigeration.

Rhode Island: Union Station Brewing

Where: 36 Exchange Terrace, Providence, RI 02903
When it started: 1993
What to order: Whatever is fresh on tap

Narragansett is one of the most famous names in beer in Rhode Island. It was, after all, the beer preferred by Captain Quint in Jaws. But after more than a hundred years of running, the brewery shut down in the 1980s before restarting under new ownership in 2005. With that shift, a small brew pub called Union Station Brewing that opened in 1993 takes the cake as the oldest in Rhode Island. Beer and tavern food are served up to this day in the former Union Station train depot.

South Carolina: Palmetto Brewing

Where: 289 Huger St, Charleston, SC 29403
When it started: 1993
What to order: Lowcountry Lager

Palmetto Brewing is the Palmetto State’s oldest brewery. It was started after founders Ed Falkenstein and Louis Bruce visited Full Sail Brewery (one of Oregon’s oldest craft breweries in the Hood River Valley), and they were instrumental in getting craft brewing laws on the books in South Carolina. Palmetto Brewing merged with Catawba Brewing Company in North Carolina, and today the two work collaboratively together with beers from both offered at each respective tap room.

South Dakota: Firehouse Brewing

Photo: Firehouse Brewing Company/Facebook

Where: 610 Main St, Rapid City, SD 57701
When it started: 1991
What to order: Firehouse Red

Firehouse Brewing gets its name from a firehouse, as you might suspect. Not just any firehouse, though, but in Rapid City’s oldest firehouse that was built in 1915. The firehouse itself was central to the concept of the brewery. It started as a way to bring the building back to life and showcase and protect that history while using the space as a brewery and taproom. On a visit to the brewery, you’ll see many parts of the original building, which is listed on the National Historic Register, such as the original fire pole, ladders, and patches. Check the calendar, as the restaurant and bar also has a band-shell for live music and theater, and for the beer adverse, it’s also a winery.

Tennessee Blackstone Brewing Company

Where: 2312 Clifton Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
When it started: 1994
What to order: St. Charles Porter

Tennessee got what today is the oldest modern brewery in 1994 when Blackstone Brewing Co. opening in Nashville. Today, it’s also the most award-winning brewery in Nashville. You can taste why those awards were won for yourself at the Blackstone TapHouse, which has 16 beers on tap. There’s also a take on food trucks that you don’t find pretty much anywhere else: a food bus. Specifically, a 1989 Ford School Bus that now has a full kitchen dishing out burgers, fries, fish and chips, and other classic bar food whenever the taproom is open.

Texas: Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Where: 2000 Lyons Ave, Houston, TX 77020
When it started: 1994
What to order: H-Town Pils

Saint Arnold Brewing Company started in Houston in 1994, just one year after brewpubs were legalized in Texas, making it the state’s oldest. Texas was late to the game when it comes to breweries. So much so that Houston was the largest city in the US without a microbrewery at the time. Saint Arnold Brewing has enduring plenty of ups and downs over the decades. Breweries in Texas weren’t even legally allowed to sell beer directly to consumers until 2013. Now that those laws are cleared up and brought to reasonable modern standards, craft beer in Texas is better than ever. And one of the best places to see that is the old guard Saint Arnold Brewing, which has a massive covered patio, a gorgeous indoor drinking hall with an arched ceiling, and brewery tours.

Utah: Wasatch Brewery

Where: 250 Main St, Park City, UT 84060
When it started: 1986
What to order: Polygamy Porter

Utah was once home to some of the largest breweries in the West. But as the population shifted from thirsty miners to the alcohol averse and religiously minded, beer took a backseat until 1986. That was the year that Greg Schirf, who’s originally from Milwaukee, started Wasatch Brewery. It’s been a strong influence as Utah’s beer brewing reputation builds back up again over the past three and a half decades. Today, Wasatch has locations in Sugar House and the Salt Lake City airport in addition to the original location on main street in Park City.

Vermont: Vermont Pub & Brewery

Where: 144 College St, Burlington, VT 05401
When it started: 1988
What to order: Burly Irish Ale

Vermont is another state that is synonymous with craft beer today, but the industry got its start with a humble beer put that’s still in operation. Vermont Pub & Brewery founder Greg Noonan helped to change the laws to allow on-site beer sales at breweries, thus ushering in a sudsy era. It was the first brewery in Vermont in 94 years when the brew pub opened in 1988. Some of the original beers are still fan favorites, like the Burly Irish Ale, which also won a Gold Medal at the Great International Beer Competition, and one of the original East Coast style IPAs, Bombay Grab IPA. Find those beers on tap at the brewery today, as well as hearty food like fish and chips, poutine, and burgers.

Virginia: Legend Brewing Company

Photo: Legend Brewing Company/Facebook

Where: 321 W 7th St, Richmond, VA 23224
When it started: 1994
What to order: Legend Brown Ale

Legend is the first modern brewery, and the current oldest brewery, in Virginia. It opened on a gravel road in the Old Manchester District of Richmond in 1994 and served sandwiches and fries (food was required to sell alcohol at the time), but there wasn’t a whole lot there in terms of what could draw people in. The location would have to grow to live up to the brewery’s name, and it did. Today, it has a beer garden, 180 seat restaurant, and a 200 seat deck overlooking the James River. It still makes the classics that it started with (a lager, pilsner, porter, and brown ale), as well as a few seasonal and limited offerings, like a Belgian-style tripel.

Washington: Redhook Brewery

Where: Pike Motorworks Building, 714 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
When it started: 1981
What to order: Long Hammer IPA

Washington’s craft brewing history is about as long as it is storied. It starts in 1981 when Gordon Bowker and Paul Shipman opened Redhook Brewery in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. The first beer was a hit and came to be known as “Banana Beer,” and Redhook quickly grew out of its first location. It moved to a bigger space in Fremont in 1991, and opened a production brewery in Washington in 1994, and an East Coast brewery in New Hampshire in 1996, making it the first craft brewery to have bicoastal locations. Today, like Kona in Hawaii and Widmer Brothers in Oregon, Redhook Brewery is part of the Craft Brew Alliance that’s owned by AB InBev.

West Virginia: North End Tavern & Brewery

Where: 3500 Emerson Ave, Parkersburg, WV 26104
When it started: 1997
What to order: Roedy’s Red

In 1899, North End Tavern opened in Parkersburg’s North End. By some accounts, that makes it the 122nd oldest bar in the US. The brewing arm of the operation is the first oldest when you narrow it down to just breweries in West Virginia, though. North End Brewing opened in 1997 using equipment from Cardinal Brewing, which had just closed. It’s stayed small over the years, but you don’t stay around for so long by over extending yourself. Three to six beers are made each month, and the flagship Roedy’s Red has won some local awards.

Wisconsin: Sprecher Brewing Co.

Where: 701 W Glendale Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53209
When it started: 1985
What to order: Black Bavarian Schwarzbier

Milwaukee has been a beer city for centuries thanks to brands like Miller, Pabst, and Schlitz. The craft beer side of Milwaukee, and the rest of Wisconsin, brewing came when Sprecher Brewing Co. opened in 1985. Randy Sprecher opened his brewery with his own custom-built brewing equipment right after a four-year stint at Pabst from 1980 to 1984. The brewery earned early awards for its Black Bavarian and Special Amber. To this day it’s one of the only US breweries that uses a fire-brewing process to caramelize flavors in the beers. Sprecher ran the brewery up until February 2020, when he took his retirement.

Wyoming: Snake River Brewing Co.

Where: 265 S Millward St, Jackson, WY 83001
When it started: 1994
What to order: Zonker Stout

Wyoming may be the least populous state in the country, but it has some seriously good breweries and distilleries. The oldest brewery still running in the state is Snake River Brewing Co., which Albert and Joni Upsher opened in 1994. Albert previously worked as a distributor for Anheuser Busch in Oregon, and found a home for his own business in Jackson. There’s something about a ski town that makes local beer taste all the better, and Snake River Brewing’s longevity proves that’s a common perception. Good beer helps, too. The brewery has won the Great American Beer Festival Small Brewer of the Year award numerous times, as well as more than 30 medals for its beers.

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This four-day “Bridgerton” trip will take you to the series’s filming locations in England.

If you’ve been sucked into the latest Netflix period drama Bridgerton, here is your chance to live out your Regency period fantasies. This four-day Bridgerton tour of London and Bath, organized by Contiki, will dive right into the world of the hit drama and will bring fans to some of the show’s most beautiful real-life locations.

will start in London where you’ll stay at the luxury historical London hotel, The Rubens at the Palace, for two days and two nights. During your time in the British capital, you’ll see some of the fabulous Bridgerton filming locations in the city, including the Bridgerton Residence; Hampton Court Palace, home of Queen Charlotte in the series; Anthony and Simon’s private men’s club; and more. You’ll also enjoy a pastry-filled high tea at your hotel, visit the city’s oldest wine bar, and have drinks in a Victorian-era pub.

Photo: Mistervlad/Shutterstock

On day three, you’ll head to Bath for two days, during which you will visit some of the show’s stunning ballrooms (like the Bath Assembly Rooms), the Featherington House, and Modiste’s Dress Shop. Your tour group will also make a much-deserved stop at Sally Lunn’s for a taste of its famous bun. You’ll also get to see Wilton House, the filming location for Hastings House and another three homes in the series. Guests will stay overnight in the Old Mill Hotel right near the River Avon. You’ll make your way back to London on day four.

Photo: Billy Stock/Shutterstock

The trip begins September 16, 2021, and is available to book now. Tickets start at $965 for the tour itself, or you can bundle airfare starting around $1,700.

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Zimbabwe to sell hunting rights for 500 elephants

Zimbabwe will start selling hunting rights for 500 elephants this year. Tinashe Farawo, a spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, told CNN on Thursday that due to the diminished tourism revenue last year, the country is moving forward with the decision as a source of profit.

In response, Simiso Mlevu, a spokeswoman for  the Center for Natural Resource Governance, shared with CNN that the decision was “appalling,” commenting, “We strongly condemn trophy hunting — a practice that agitates wild animals and escalates human-wildlife conflicts. Contrary to government arguments that trophy hunting is meant to assist with conservation, the practice is motivated by greed, and often the money is not even accounted for. There is a need for more innovative and eco-friendly measures to improve revenue generation from photo-safaris and tourism in general.”

Trophy hunting is still a pressing issue not just in Zimbabwe but in neighboring Namibia and other African nations. The Independent reports that the right to hunt a single elephant goes for anywhere between $10,000 and $70,000. The money raised is said to be used for Zimbabwe’s national parks upkeep.

Only one month ago, The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that both species of elephants found in Africa are now listed as endangered.

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Taiwanese honeymoon loophole

Wedding bells rang four times for a couple in April 2020, but it was not a sign of the bride and groom’s intense love — they just wanted to take a prolonged honeymoon. In Taiwan, labor laws provide newlyweds with an eight-day paid leave of absence. However, this couple found and exploited a loophole, as the law does not specify how many times a couple can get married and divorced to qualify for the leave.

The couple got married four times and divorced three times during April and part of May: They married April 6, 2020, then divorced April 16. They married again on April 17 and divorced on April 28. Following the cycle, they married again on April 29 and divorced one more time on May 11. The couple’s lasting wedding day was May 12, 2020, according to the South China Morning Post. They enjoyed a 32-day honeymoon.

The groom worked at a bank before taking the leave. Once he finally returned, the bank refused his claim, so he took his case to the Taipei city labor department, which then fined the bank 20,000 New Taiwan dollars (about $710) for violating leave regulations. The labor department eventually revoked the fine in February and will look into the loophole to prevent other couples from abusing it.

“In this case, it is clear that the employee used the marriage leave and exploited a loophole to benefit from it. The laws exist for the benefit of the people, and people should not act in bad faith,” Taipei Deputy Mayor Huang Shanshan posted on Facebook.

The groom no longer works at the bank but remains married.

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The Earth Day climate summit gives us real reasons to hope

This is The Climate Win, the most positive sustainability news around the world every week.

US President Joe Biden’s two-day Earth Day climate summit is underway. The summit’s goal is to boost international climate commitments ahead of the United Nations Climate Conference in Glasgow this November. And if there’s one word that best summarizes those commitments, it’s actually a number: 2030. Biden pledged that the US will reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases at least 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, eventually reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. He also said the US would increase funding to vulnerable countries to help them combat the worst effects of climate change.

Other highlights of the climate summit included Chinese President Xi Jinping echoing a prior pledge to bring China to net-zero emissions by 2060, and to “strictly limit increasing coal consumption.” Canada vowed to reduce emissions 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, Japan said it could reach 46 percent below 2013 levels by 2030, and India pledged to install 450 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by the same 2030 deadline.

US emissions are already down about 20 percent from 2005 levels, although they could increase from that point this year; since oil and gas use may go up as people get vaccinated and feel comfortable traveling again and returning to a semblance of pre-COVID “normal.” Actually achieving the 2030 goals will require a lot of momentum from every sector, including travel. Let’s look at how that impetus is being built here in the US.

As travel and daily commutes pick up again, reaching that 50 percent threshold will be tough but doable — since the lowering cost of solar and wind power and the increasing adoption of electric vehicles will help make each aspect of daily life, including domestic and international travel, more sustainable. Airlines are increasingly turning to biofuels to power their planes, cutting the total emissions of each flight. The potential for a “revisiting” of nuclear power, with new technologies that make it safer and reduce the risk of human-triggered catastrophes, could help to fill in moments of intermittency when solar and wind power can’t be generated, such as night and windless periods. To learn more about this, I highly recommend Bill Gates’ new book, How To Avoid A Climate Disaster.

That momentum of the climate summit got a big push this week as a major union representing coal miners, the United Mine Workers of America, actually endorsed Biden’s green energy policies — with hopes that the federal government will provide ample employment aid and job training to displaced mine workers seeking jobs in renewable energy. Endorsements like this are huge, because they signal that an industry long resistant to the renewable energy transition is acknowledging the need for change, as long as its workers are protected. The union is justified in expecting its members to receive priority assistance and job placements in the energy industry of the future, given that many miners themselves aren’t as willing to endorse the transition for fear of job and income losses.

Lastly, the United States joined forces with Norway and Great Britain on Thursday to provide funding to countries that can prove they are lowering emissions by protecting and conserving tropical rainforests, in an initiative called the LEAF Coalition. The three governments are joined by major global companies pledging additional funding, including Nestle, Unilever, Amazon, and Salesforce.

“The LEAF Coalition is a groundbreaking example of the scale and type of collaboration that is needed to fight the climate crisis and achieve net-zero emissions globally by 2050,” US Global Climate Envoy John Kerry said in a statement. “Bringing together government and private-sector resources is a necessary step in supporting the large-scale efforts that must be mobilized to halt deforestation and begin to restore tropical and subtropical forests.”

More climate wins this week

Cadillac became the latest automaker to make the all-electric commitment, saying this week that all new vehicle models will be electric going forward. The company, whose parent General Motors already has announced a plan to sell only EVs by 2035, will sell through its current models over the next decade and be selling only EVs by 2030, according to a report in Elektrek. Last year, the automaker unveiled its first electric model, the Lyriq, which has a 300-mile range.

Electric-powered safaris have arrived in Kenya, Travel & Leisure reported this week. Some safari tour operators including Opibus now cruise visitors around in electric safari trucks and deploy solar power to run operations, creating a more off-grid experience that better protects the habitat and the wildlife. EVs are also much quieter than traditional safari vehicles, meaning snapping photos without disturbing the animals is that much easier.

Washington state’s House and Senate passed a bill that would phase out gas-powered cars by 2030, five years ahead of the 2035 deadline that a Goldman School of Public Policy study has shown to be a viable end of internal combustion engine vehicle sales. When signed into law, the bill would make Washington the state with the earliest EV transition deadline, The Verge reported.

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