A refurbished warehouse with plank floors, Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro in Bellingham features unfiltered and handcrafted ales and lagers. Rated one of the top 25 breweries in the country by Americas Best Brews, the Brewery has won 8 medals at the Great American Beer Festival. In 2003, the brewers added another GABF gold medal to their collection, proving that they are producing some of the best beers in the country. Call 360-647-5593 for a tour.www.bbaybrewery.com.
Grant’s Brewery Pub pioneered the modern American microbrew movement in 1981. The nation’s first brewpub is rated one of the top 25 breweries in the country by America’s Best Brews, based on the appearance, aroma, and palate of their cask-conditioned ales. Located at the North end of Yakima’s original train depot, tours are available by appointment, call 509-575-2922.
Spokane’s only production brewery is The Northern Lights Brewing Company, brewing draft beers that are distributed throughout the state and Northern Idaho. There is no pub on site, but fresh samples are in the hopper! Call 509-242-2739 to schedule a tour; Saturdays are best.
Sky River Mead produces the Nectar of the Gods - Legend has it that "Mead", the world's oldest known alcoholic beverage, is a sacred drink brewed from heaven-sent honey. Drinking mead was said to give good health and exceptional strength, to encourage wit and poetry, to increase virility and add years to a lusty life. Now if that doesn't make you want to tour Sky River Mead, then you've been spending too much time with your laptop. The meadery has resurrected the age-old art of making mead at their brewery just east of Everett, along Hwy. 2 in Sultan. The tasting room is open Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tours should be arranged in advance -- call 360-793-6761 or visit www.skyriverbrewing.com. Tours take from 20-50 minutes, depending upon special interests.
Washington Apple Country Tours, www.washingtonapplecountry.com, based in Cashmere offers tours of the emerging North Central Washington wine region. A variety of options are available and may include wine tastings, lunch, vineyard tours, a chance to speak with the winemaker, and transportation. Lodging packages may also be arranged with area partner.