Master's Thesis / Road Trip in America

[PerfectTaste]

Hi eliters,

I'm finishing up my Master's degree. As with every other thesis' I've ever done, I like to take the opportunity to travel while doing my data collections. Previously I've done this in New York City, Georgia (the country, not the state) and Sicily. In exactly one month I'll be flying into New York City to do my biggest data collection yet. So as of 15th of August, I'll full-circle the U.S. for three months, and I'm flying back to Sweden in mid-November. More specifically, I'll be writing my thesis about craft beer.

Now, during this road trip, I'm looking to catch up with some fellow eliters and meeting some new ones in their hometowns. To save money, I'll do couch surfing, hostels, and other budget accommodation. If you're willing to host me on your sofa for a day to maximum three, along the way, I would be very grateful. I find that it is an excellent opportunity to experience the local culture even more and making memories. If you drink beer at all, I'll make sure to bring something nice. Also, if you're willing to, you may want to participate in a short interview for my thesis, and I would be even more grateful. No previous knowledge about beer is required. In fact, I'll be looking for people with different levels of involvement. If you like beer, let's visit a local craft brewery!

Here's a rough itinerary for my trip:

New York City	20 August
Philadelphia	22 August
Baltimore	24 August
Meet in Lancaster	26-28 August
D.C.	29 August
Fredericksburg	31 August
Charleston	1 September
Tampa	4 September
New Orleans layover	8 September
Austin (The Album Leaf concert)	9 September
Oklahoma/Tulsa	12 September
Albuquerque	15 September
San Diego - Tijuana daytrip	18 September
Santa Ana	21 September
Los Angeles	23 September
San Francisco/San Jose - Santa Rosa daytrip	26 September
Portland	30 September
Salt Lake City	4 October
Denver (Great American Beer Fest)	6-8 October
Boulder (GoGo Penguins concert)	9 October
Minneapolis	12 October
Chicago - Munster daytrip	16 October
(Akron) Grand Rapids or Detroit	20 October
Akron (Grand Rapids or Detroit)	23 October
Burlington/Greensboro/Vermont	25 October
Boston	30 October
New York	5 November

To decide on this route, I mapped out America's best craft beer breweries. Now this Google maps document has grown to include coffee, food, people, among other stuff. Eliters whom I have not yet met are blue dots; the rest are red. Some dots might be inaccurate. The locations are based on what I've found through conversations, the rankings, and Facebook. I still have plenty to do on the map, but it is taking shape:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1VUEYwA7sgJY52lp8laCzNu-SgQQ

Note that I do not intend to visit all the places (700 or so markers to far) I've mapped out. Far from it. It's just a rough guide to some of the, supposedly, best spots to get food, wine, beer, coffee, etc., and it'll help me to make up day plans when I arrive in a new city.

If you're willing to host me along the road and/or have contacts that might be able to participate in my study, please write here or message me. Feel free to share any tips, suggestions and recommendations!

[Joshua Nash]

That's awesome! Unfortunately I'm not a beer drinker but I do know of a few local brewery's. I'll take you there if you want. Also my wife has a uncle that has a few places in Oregon. I'll see if he will have a place free in Portland around the end of September. Although Portland is well Portland haha and there are many places to stay with the tent communities and everything haha but I will keep you updated 

[SGT RAGEQUIT]

Lemme know if you need a place to crash around Baltimore. My two favorite local breweries are missing from the list  (Heavy Seas and Flying Dog)

[PerfectTaste]

My two favorite local breweries are missing from the list  (Heavy Seas and Flying Dog)

Yes, I've focused more on the smaller and up-and-coming breweries, unless there's a beer that, in the past, has stood out. Both Heavy Seas and Flying Dog makes quite good beer and are among the five biggest in Maryland. Even my favorite brewery in the area is getting huge: Stillwater. As long as the beer is delicious, I guess.

[NathanStinson]

Would be glad to host you any days around the OKC area. It's about an hour and a half from the city. I work during the week, but coming on a Sunday or Saturday would work great for me showing you around places. You're welcome to stay any other days you'd like, however

[Wodahs-Reklaw]

It would be super cool to meet up when you end up in the San Jose / SF region on the 26th. I might be able to accommodate you if need be but you probably could get a pretty nice hotel or airbinb something nice around here for your needs. You can see my location exactly in my rankings profile.

[OHMSS]

Make sure to declare your plans to the US authorities and clarify whether it's compatible with a tourist visa. While your data collection sounds harmless, they've put people on the next aircraft homebound right upon arrival because of similar accounts of *undeclared business* (e.g. past Facebook message "I could babysit a bit" to host family -> undeclared business -> bye).

And don't sleep on Decipheration's couch!

[youseinthehouse]

I've always wanted to meet up and talk about food/beer/wine/music  I'm smack dab in between Philadelphia and Baltimore and I would love to host you for a night or two (pending approval from the Mrs.)  We've got the room for you, for sure!  I'll let you know. 

I definitely drink beer & we'll definitely visit a craft brewery or two

[youseinthehouse]

Definitely go to Founders if you are in GR!

[Joshua Nash]

Bryan I didn't know you were that close! Your more than welcome to hang and stay with us new eliters. Also Patrick my wife has a friend from Boston and she knows a lot of the local brewery's I will ask her when I get home later. Also I'm sure youll be fine but if you need to exchange krona to usd let me know I work at a bank so I get really good exchange rates with no fees.

[wheatrich]

Obviously in and can stay here if you're heading anywhere near my area.  I hope to do that kind of a trip someday.

[SGT RAGEQUIT]

Also not sure if you've done the research or not, but Tijuana maybe not such a great place to go nowadays unless you're trying to buy pills. Quick to get in, takes forever and a day to get back into the US.

[youseinthehouse]

Yes thanks Joshua, exciting to see so many eliters cropping up around here...

Just saw the map, my actual location is farther north, near to I-95 for your road trippin' convenience.  Making it to Dogfish Head (Delaware's biggest claim to beer fame, as you undoubtedly know) might be a stretch, but plenty of other good stuff 'round here.

[flukey lukey]

Reminder to also research Pokemon "Hot-Spots" on this journey.

[NathanStinson]

Also I don't drink but I have a friend that would really appreciate good and unusual brews

[Jimbo]

Green Bay has a fairly popular Brewery called "Titletown Brewery", although I have no idea how much worldwide credibility it has. I live 10 mins from the airport and would gladly host you for a weekend if you wanted. Milwaukee Wisconsin has the best stuff, I'm sure. (It's home to Miller and Leinenkugel beers).

Derek Clark is a huge beer hobbyist, not sure if that's the right word. He's in Tampa so he's the PERFECT contact for your trip there.

[PerfectTaste]

Thanks everybody for the support! I'll be in touch once the travels are getting near. Feel free to add me on Facebook, where it is probably easiest to reach me.

It would be super cool to meet up when you end up in the San Jose / SF region on the 26th. I might be able to accommodate you if need be but you probably could get a pretty nice hotel or airbinb something nice around here for your needs. You can see my location exactly in my rankings profile.

Would be super cool Daniel! Also, I don't really have any needs - as long as I have a roof over my head, I'm perfectly happy.

Make sure to declare your plans to the US authorities and clarify whether it's compatible with a tourist visa. While your data collection sounds harmless, they've put people on the next aircraft homebound right upon arrival because of similar accounts of *undeclared business* (e.g. past Facebook message "I could babysit a bit" to host family -> undeclared business -> bye).

It'll be fine; after all, I'm in the U.S. for 89 days for tourism, vacation and visiting friends. In the past, I did an internship in New York City for three months on a J1 visa, and that felt much more intimidating.

I've always wanted to meet up and talk about food/beer/wine/music.

Funny you should say that, I have always felt the same way. Founders is definite stop if I go to Grand Rapids. Their beers are now widely available even in Sweden and, in particular for the production size, their beers are pretty impressive. Founders Centennial IPA is one of my go-to IPAs. I always thought heading for Dogfish Head would be too much of a stretch. I would probably be more interested in the brewery's success story and things related to craft beer history.

Also Patrick my wife has a friend from Boston and she knows a lot of the local brewery's I will ask her when I get home later. Also I'm sure youll be fine but if you need to exchange krona to usd let me know I work at a bank so I get really good exchange rates with no fees.

Sounds super! I don't really know anybody around Boston. As for exchange rates, I think I'll manage with ATM withdraws.

Also not sure if you've done the research or not, but Tijuana maybe not such a great place to go nowadays unless you're trying to buy pills. Quick to get in, takes forever and a day to get back into the US.

There are some Mexican single origin coffees I'm a bit interested in trying, as well as some Mexican food, and perhaps Mezcal. I've heard similar experiences. Getting in is quick and getting out takes quite a while. As long as I expect two to three hours I should probably be fine right? The only doubt I had regarded re-entry; nevertheless, US authorities states that "If you are admitted to the United States under the VWP, you may take a short trip to Canada, Mexico, or a nearby island and generally be readmitted to the United States under the VWP for the remainder of the original 90 days granted upon your initial arrival in the United States".

Green Bay has a fairly popular Brewery called "Titletown Brewery", although I have no idea how much worldwide credibility it has. I live 10 mins from the airport and would gladly host you for a weekend if you wanted. Milwaukee Wisconsin has the best stuff, I'm sure. (It's home to Miller and Leinenkugel beers).

Derek Clark is a huge beer hobbyist, not sure if that's the right word. He's in Tampa so he's the PERFECT contact for your trip there.

Cool! If I make my way up there, I'll be sure to tell you. Right now I'm thinking of flying from Colorado to Minneapolis, because it seems cheaper than busing and of course way faster, and then perhaps hang out with Clemens and Koch.

Yes, Derek is perhaps the eliter I know with the most amount of beer knowledge. We've brought beer for each other on numerous VA meets, and I had an incredible time with him and Mark in Tampa a few years ago - bottle share, cigars, and MK64. Optimally I could even get a focus group together with him and his beer brewing friends over a few bottles of high-end beers.

[Thiradell]

Patrik,

I've moved to Denver! I could offer modest lodging for Great American Beerfest. Sounds awesome! I would ask off work for sure, we could probably meet up with Come and Dayle and see the city.

[Carathorn]

can I join in on this trip and be drunk 24/7?

[T+]

I'll be out of town for the Baltimore portion of the trip unfortunately, but I'll be around for the Lancaster meet of course and any touring you wanted to do in the area in the days following