Hello There!
My name is Joe. You’ve stumbled upon this website probably because we share a common interest, that being craft beer! For me, it’s about beer, but it’s as much about the hunt. Finding new craft beer and craft beverage destinations across this great country, each one unique in its own right. It’s also about meeting new people, especially those that help produce and serve great craft beverages. While also experiencing the sites, nature and communities around these craft beverage destinations with people you enjoy. So yeah, I’m a beer tourist. Sound familiar?
For me, home is Buffalo, NY. Where I’ve also worked in the tourism and hospitality industry for almost thirty years. The last three years at Rusty Nickel Brewing Company, a cool local brewery “brewed a little different,” which has helped build and shape my appreciation for, and knowledge of craft beverages (especially beer), and the hardworking people who contribute to this exciting and dynamic industry every day. I am also a Level I Cicerone Certified Beer Server.
When not working, I’m usually exploring the picturesque Finger Lakes Region of New York State with my wife and three dogs. Searching for new breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries to enjoy and add to our travels. We love the Finger Lakes Region so much, and all that it offers in craft beverages and scenery, that we have a little retreat near Keuka Lake. With the multi award-winning Keuka Brewing Company just down the road, we’ve designated it as our official Finger Lakes home base.
Beer tourism is a thing. I witness it everyday while working at a local brewery and meeting people from all over the country in their quest for craft beer and craft beverages and to experience the settings where it is produced and enjoyed. In a 2019 survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Visit Aheheim, 72% of beer drinkers said they have been on a “beercation” and taken time out to visit a local brewery to go tasting. Sound like yourself?
The goal at UBT is to build the most comprehensive travel guide and resource in the United States for craft beverage tourism. To help you find, plan and enjoy your next adventure. My love is beer, but this platform will continue to evolve as we incorporate wineries, distilleries, cideries and meaderies as destinations on our map. While also providing you other resources such as scouting reports, an events page and options for lodging and dining while you travel this great country.
The USA is a big place and we have a lot of ground to cover. To help build the most comprehensive travel guide and craft beverage map we can, we’re always looking for help. Do you like to blog about food, travel and beverage? We need bloggers to share their experiences with others. Do you have an eye for capturing eye catching photos at your favorite brewery, winery, distillery or cidery? We love beverage tourists with a knack for that. Do you like to post on social? A little shout out or a tag goes a long way. Or maybe we missed a newly opened (or closed) destination on our map? Drop us an email at upstatebeertourist716@gmail.com so we can update things.