(Courtesy Sierra Nevada Brewing)

The winter holidays are ON  and it’s a perfect time to celebrate the season with an afternoon spent touring your favorite brewery.

But, just as with beer, some brewery tours are better than others and here are four memorable brewery tours that shine at Christmastime.

Sierra Nevada Brewing – Chico, California

Located in Chico, California, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. offers an exceptional brewery tour that delves into the history and craft of one of the pioneers in the American craft beer movement. The tour features a comprehensive look at their state-of-the-art facilities, a peek into their sustainability practices, and a generous tasting session.

The tasting session is extensive, you get to sample lots of beers which is always fun. But you’ll also be invited to tour Sierra Nevada’s impressive brewery grounds which includes their own hop field filled with experimental hops, and a beautiful garden.

The 45 minute brewery costs $12.10 and lasts around 45 minutes but Sierra Nevada also offers a series of specialized tours that can last more than three hours and delve into different aspects of their rich history.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery – Milton, Delaware

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, Delaware, provides a unique tour experience that showcases its off-centered approach to brewing.

(Courtesy Dogfish Craft Brewery)

Known for its adventurous and experimental beers, the tour includes a look at their relatively new distillery, a tour of their “Steampunk Treehouse,” and an in-depth tasting session.

The standard brewery tour costs $20 per person and is limited to 15 people per tour. In addition to beer and cocktail samples, and they’ll send you home with a specialty logo glass that’s only available to those that take this tour

New Belgium Brewing  – Fort Collins, Colorado

New Belgium Brewing Company, famous for its flagship beer Fat Tire as well as their bestselling Voodoo Ranger IPA line offers an engaging tour in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The tour is known for its fun and educational approach, highlighting the company’s employee-owned model, commitment to sustainability, and innovative brewing techniques.

Tours, which are free and limited to 20 participants, take place at 4:00pm Monday-Friday and  2:00pm & 4:00pm on Saturday & Sunday.

(Courtesy Samuel Adams / Boston Beer)

Sam Adams Brewery – Boston, Massachusetts

A visit to the Sam Adams Brewery in Boston, Massachusetts, offers a historical perspective on the American craft beer movement.

The tour includes a detailed look at the brewing process, a sensory experience room where visitors can learn about ingredients, and of course, a tasting of some classic and experimental brews.

Sam’s Signature Experience costs $10 and lasts 45 minutes but there’s also the Beyond the Brewhouse tour ($25) that takes in all of Samuel Adams  brewing spaces including our Brewhouse, Bier Keller and Sour Barrel aging facilities