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. More information on line at www.bbaybrewery.com.

Sky River Brewing Company, nestled in the foothills of Stevens Pass in the Cascade Mountain Range, is a mead brewery that offers tours. Mead is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages, pre-dating both wine and beer, is brewed from honey. Sky River brings the age-old art of making mead into the twenty-first century to create a new tradition. Contact Denice Ingalls at denice@skyriverbrewing.com, 360-793-6761 or on line at www.skyriverbrewing.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 509-575-1900.

Spokane's production brewery includes both The Northern Lights Brewing Company and Coeur d'Alene Brewing Company, brewing draft beers that are distributed throughout the state and Northern Idaho. There is a pub and restaurant on site at The Northern Lights! Call 509-242-2739 to schedule a tour, Saturdays are best. Sample Coeur d'Alene microbrews at the Steamplant in downtown Spokane. The restaurant is a tour in itself. Beer brewed at the Steamplant is delivered directly from tanks to taps.

Washington home-grown and Seattle-based Redhook Ale's Woodinville brewery offers tours seven days a week, educating consumers about the attributes of their specialty beers. Call 425.483.3232 or online at www.redhook.com.

The Port Townsend Brewing Company is Port Townsend's first microbrewery since 1916. Enjoy the tasting room and beer garden while you choose from over ten ales on tap. There is also a limited menu. Tours on request. Call 360-385-9967 or online at www.porttownsendbrewing.com.