Ballparks and Breweries: NL Central
I stole this idea from one of my friends because it’s probably the greatest idea in the world if you love beer (especially craft beer) and baseball. When I ran into my friend Joe very randomly at Camden Yards he told me that his friends and him not only visit ballparks every year, but they make sure to hit up the local breweries as well. I think that’s an awesome spin on visiting all 30 MLB parks, so I compiled a list of some local breweries in every city, which I will split up into six posts. What makes this list even better is some of the brewery tours are free and have samples at the end. Sure beats paying $6+ for a beer at the ballpark! 
Chicago:
Goose Island Brewery Tours are $7 and include a tasting and souvenir glass.
Revolution Brewery Free tours Wednesday-Saturday at 6 pm.
**Take a bus tour for only $58 of the above 5 breweries from Chicago Brew Bus.
Halfacre Beer Company Tours are $10 and include tastings and a souvenir glass.
Cincinnati:
Mt. Carmel Brewing Company Free tours on Saturdays at 1 or 2:30 pm.
Moerlein Lager House Craft beers only a stones throw from the ballpark!
Rivertown Brewery Tours are Fridays at 6 pm and Saturdays at 3 pm for $5. They include a souvenir RTB Glass and pint.
For those who truly love their beer history, check out the Original Cincinnati Brewery Tours. Tours go through the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood looking at pre-Prohibition breweries. **tours are dry
Milwaukee:
For those new to beer, Milwaukee has an incredibly rich brewing tradition. I will turn it over to Milwaukee Brewery Tours for great brewery information!
Pittsburgh:
Rivertowne Brewery Tours are offered every Saturday at 2 pm for $8. They include samples, a pint of beer, and a souvenir pint glass.
Penn Brewery Check website for sampling events.
Pittsburgh Brewing Co. aka Iron City Brewing Company.
Hop Yard Brewing Company Opening this spring… just in time for baseball!
**For craft brewery events visit Craft Pittsburgh.
St. Louis:
Anheuser-Busch Tours are available daily and conclude with samples and snacks.
Perennial Artisan Ales Free brewery tours are available on Saturdays at 2 pm.
Schlafly Bottleworks Tours are every Friday and Sunday 1-5 pm (on the hour) and Saturday 1-5 pm (every 30 minutes). Tours include free samples.
Square One Brewery & Distillery
Not visiting an NL Central City? Check out my previous post on AL Central Cities!
Did I miss your favorite brewery? Have you visited one of the places above and have something to share? Feel free!
Great idea! Now all I need is a traveling buddy
Now I’ll have Schlafly on the brain all day at work. Thanks!
I love this idea because I am a fan of both beer and baseball. If you are looking for beer from specific breweries in the Los Angeles area follow my blog for information on the best.
Like you I visited the Sam Adams brewery several years ago when I was in Boston area for a wedding. All Sam Adams ask is a donation which goes towards the Boston Red Sox Jimmy Fund, and upkeep of the Revolutionary cemetery in Boston. They give you three samples, and a little history on samples, however before the sample they include a brief tour of a small part of the brewery. Plus, I was able to cross Fenway Park off my baseball park list.
Stay thirsty Alicia!
Did you do Steamwhistle when you were in Toronto? Amsterdam is another great one (although they just moved locations, not within walking distance of the Dome anymore). Mill Street is a good one too. Planning a road trip to Toronto this summer? Let me know!
http://thebluejaysdugout.com