8 best brewery hotels every beer lover should visit

San Antonio’s Hotel Emma shows off its brewing legacy in the lobby — Photo courtesy of Hotel Emma

Brewery hotels are the ultimate overnight basecamp for beer lovers. Hopheads can dive deep into the barrel when they stay at a hotel with a strong beer connection, whether it has a working brewery on-site or is located in a former brewery. These stays are windows into the world of beer, though you don’t need to be a devoted drinker to appreciate it.

You’ll find these suds-soaked spots throughout the country, from Las Vegas to Milwaukee to New Hampshire. For a bed-and-brew combination that’s a sip of beer-themed heaven, spend the night at one of these eight brewery hotels.

Woodstock Inn Brewery, Woodstock, New Hampshire

Get cozy by the fireplace at Woodstock Inn Brewery in New Hampshire — Photo courtesy of Woodstock Inn Brewery

Surrounded by New England’s White Mountains, Woodstock Inn Brewery is a destination beloved by skiers and hikers. The inn offers cozy overnight accommodations so close to the brewery that the smell of malt acts as a lullaby.

Sip a cold one in the restaurant, the four pubs, or the seasonal patio. You’ll have plenty of options on tap, from year-round signature favorites to limited releases; order a flight and sample five. Brewery tours offer a backstage pass while live music adds to the keg party.

Ellis Island Casino Hotel & Brewery, Las Vegas, Nevada

Ellis Island sells millions of glasses of beer in Las Vegas — Photo courtesy of Ellis Island Casino & Hotel

Ellis Island Casino Hotel & Brewery has a long and strong connection to beer, pouring over 1 million frosty mugs annually. Situated just off the Strip, Ellis Island is a one-stop entertainment complex. Although Ellis Island beer is still widely consumed at its Vegas beer garden and restaurants, it moved beer production to Utah.

Try Weiss, a Bavarian-style beer brewed with wheat malt and served with a refreshing slice of lemon. The signature IPA is loaded with Pacific Northwest hops and tropical fruit notes. Indulge and order the Front Yard burger, a two-fisted carnivore’s delight garnished with bacon, caramelized onions, and zesty chipotle aioli.

Doghouse Hotel & Brewery, Canal Winchester, Ohio

BrewDog is a brewery hotel with a beer museum — Photo courtesy of BrewDog USA

Located just outside of Columbus, Ohio, BrewDog boasts a sprawling beer-centric complex with a hotel, craft brewery, and interactive beer museum. The Doghouse Hotel & Brewery has 32 beer-themed rooms, with in-room beer taps to wet your whistle and a bathroom beer fridge that makes downing a brewski and relieving yourself not mutually exclusive.

In addition to a range of craft beers, nostalgic games from shuffleboard to cornhole are at your fingertips. When hunger strikes, go for burgers, loaded fries, and tacos. As the name implies, it’s pet-friendly, so bring the pooch.

Brewhouse Inn & Suites, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Brewhouse Inn honors Milwaukee’s brewing history and tradition — Photo courtesy of Brewhouse Inn & Suites

Few American cities have a stronger connection to beer than Milwaukee. The brewing industry was started here in the 1840s by European settlers who brought both brewing skills and thirst, and it framed the city’s identity.

Brewhouse Inn & Suites, a boutique hotel in the historic Brewery District, is housed in the former Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery, which dates back to 1848. While the brewery ceased operations in 1996, guests can continue to immerse themselves in the story of beer thanks to venerable brewing artifacts, such as six original copper brewing kettles and a stained-glass window featuring King Gambrinus, the patron saint of beer.

Drinks: These 10 former brewery-owned taverns are a glimpse into Milwaukee history

The hotel has 90 guest suites and a bar with an extensive tap list, including many brewed in Wisconsin, served with locavore pub fare, from cheese curds to beer-brined wings.

McMenamins Kennedy School, Portland, Oregon

This school-turned-hotel features McMenamins’ signature beers — Photo courtesy of Kat Nyberg / McMenamins

McMenamins Kennedy School was an elementary school creatively transformed into a funky, too-cool-for-school hotel and brewery. The hotel features whimsical art and murals depicting brewing and the antics of students who once spent their days there.

The guest rooms continue the scholastic theme with chalkboards and literature-inspired decor. The former school auditorium is now a movie theatre, where food and beer are delivered right to your seat.

Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, Vermont

Trapp Family Lodge is an award-winning ski lodge and brewery hotel — Photo courtesy of Trapp Family Lodge

Owned and operated by the family who inspired “The Sound of Music,” Trapp Family Lodge is a resort and brewery with Green Mountain vistas and various outdoor activities in all seasons, from cross-country skiing to disc golf. It’s known as a top ski hotel with one of the best Oktoberfest celebrations in the country and has some fantastic beer to boot.

Given the family’s Austrian heritage, it’s no surprise that Von Trapp Brewing specializes in authentic Austrian-style lagers brewed with spring water sourced on the property. This beer leans light and thirst-quenching in a sea of hop-heavy Vermont craft IPAs. Sample crisp, ice-cold lagers accompanied by a menu of hearty, Austrian-inspired dishes, from bratwurst to schnitzel.

Northern Outdoors’ Kennebec River Pub & Brewery, The Forks, Maine

Brewery hotels like Northern Outdoors pair adventure with beer — Photo courtesy of Northern Outdoors

Northern Outdoors is a rustic Maine resort that attracts snowmobilers in winter and whitewater rafters in summer. The hotel’s Kennebec River Pub & Brewery beckons outdoor enthusiasts who want to unwind with a draft beer at the end of an adventurous day.

The beers primarily use Maine-grown malt and carbonate naturally in kegs. The flagship Magic Hole IPA is a hop-forward refresher that has remained a favorite since the brewery opened in 1996. A pub-grub menu, including burgers and chili, won’t disappoint.

Explore: Why the shoulder season is the best time to visit Portland, Maine

Hotel Emma, San Antonio, Texas

Rooms at Hotel Emma, a former brewery, have an industrial feel — Photo courtesy of Hotel Emma

Hotel Emma is an upscale hotel housed in a 19th-century building that was originally Pearl’s Brewhouse. The Pearl District hotel is a fine example of post-industrial repurposing. Elements salvaged from the brewery’s heyday, such as brewing tanks and a circular chandelier made entirely from bottling machinery, are woven into the design for a time capsule feel.

While the hotel’s brewery is no longer operating, The Emma is a fine spot to sample some of today’s top Texas-brewed beers, including those from Alamo Beer Company, Pinthouse, and Alstadt Brewery.