To the Brewery on Two Wheels: What to Pack for a Weekend Beer Road Trip
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Beer Blog
A brewery tour by motorcycle doesn’t really require much planning. It’s an interesting place, a fun journey, and enough time so that you’re not just trying to get there as quickly as possible. It also allows for the little stops that can make a beer tour special: visiting a local brewery or taking time to enjoy a new beer on the trail. The trip isn’t necessarily a race to the end destination; it’s an experience. It’s easy to get yourself to smaller breweries and taprooms, especially. After all, the trip is as much a part of the attraction as is the beer at the end of the trip.
What You Really Need to Bring
Before you’re on the road, it’s a good idea to have a quick check on your motorcycle. The tire pressure, brakes, lights, and fluid levels can easily be checked. Consider rain gear, water, and a charging cable for your mobile phone as well for the road. Compact motorcycle tool kits are also a good idea. A few suitable wrenches, screwdrivers, fuses, and tools for minor repairs are usually enough. Carrying a full set of workshop equipment, on the other hand, would just be extra weight.
Make Room for Groceries
Part of your bag or side case should be left empty when you set out. After all, many breweries offer beers you’ll want to enjoy again later at home. Cans are easier to handle on a motorcycle than bottles. Still, they shouldn’t be left loose among tools, shoes, and other heavy items. A small towel or piece of clothing is usually enough padding. Glass bottles require a bit more caution. In the summer, temperature is another factor, since side cases can get quite hot in the sun. If you want to bring beer along, it’s best to buy it only when the next longer leg of the trip actually begins, keeping it protected from heat for as little time as possible. That small bit of planning can help preserve the beer’s quality until you reach your next stop.
What the U.S. traffic authority advises motorcyclists
Anyone traveling in the U.S. should also keep in mind the guidelines from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It suggests the use of extra luggage to attach to the motorcycle and weight distribution as even as possible. If the load is heavier, the pressure and/or suspension may need to be adjusted as well. This applies, of course, including from the brewery. The answer to the question of beer is even more unambiguous: The NHTSA “strongly recommends” against getting back on a bike after a drink. Any amount of drinking reduces alertness, coordination, and judgment. The legal blood alcohol content limit is .08 percent in nearly every U.S. state and .05 percent in Utah.
Park Your Motorcycle and Stay
If you have a brewery tour on your agenda, and an open-ended tour that includes a tasting, you’re going to have to plan an overnight stay. It’s convenient to find lodging within walking distance of the brewery. Then you can leave your motorcycle there once you get there. You shouldn’t wait until after your second beer to think about food. Some taprooms have their own kitchens, while others partner with food trucks, giving visitors an easy way to settle in, try a few pours, and enjoy the social side of the experience without letting hunger cut the visit short. Otherwise, it’s worth checking in advance to see what’s open in the area. After that, there’s no more time pressure. You can sample different beers, chat with the staff behind the bar, or ask them to explain what’s just come fresh from the tank. The next morning, quickly check your luggage and motorcycle, and stow your purchases safely. Then all that’s left is a good ride home.
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