Nooks and Crannies

Finding the perfect beer in unexpected places

July 1, 2012 By Rick Lyke

Where is the most unexpected place you have enjoyed a cold one?

All of us have experienced that moment when you could really use a beer, but you know the chances of finding a good beer—or even any beer at all—are slim to none. That’s when, if everything is right with the world, the Beer Gods take pity on our thirst and deliver an unexpected treat.

Thanks to the craft beer revolution, finding good beer is easier than it has ever been. Still, there are circumstances and locations where prohibition-like conditions prevail. A public park or beach where alcohol is not allowed. The bumpy flight during which the beverage cart remains stowed away. Or the sports stadium with $11 plastic cups of mass-produced light beer.

While your thirst may linger from these occasions, there are places around the globe where, when you might least expect it, a great tasting beer will find you. Here are a few of our favorite places.

Location, Location, Location

Take Me Out to the Ball Game: More sports stadiums around the country are offering craft beer. Sometimes these concession stands are accessible only to club level patrons or the craft beer taps might be found at a few limited locations. But the Blue Moon Brewery at The Sandlot at Coors Field in Denver gets a big “thumbs up” for offering Colorado Rockies fans a brewpub experience at a major league venue. The brewpub is only open for business during Rockies games and you have to have a game ticket to enter, but beer and baseball are about as American as it gets.