Yellowstone: Hike, Bike & Beer

Online, March 2, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Tour operator Zephyr Adventures announced it will offer a six-day Hike, Bike & Beer Adventure in the areas of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks September 9-14, 2011. The guided tour includes hiking and biking activities during the early part of the day and then focuses on visiting local craft breweries, ale houses, beer fests, and hop growers in the late afternoons. The tour visits six breweries in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.

The business of craft brewing has been booming in recent years. Even in a down economy, craft beer grew 12% in dollar sales in the first half of 2010 and there are now almost 1,600 breweries in the country, according to the Brewers Association.

The growth in the number of breweries means that beer lovers can usually find local beers and often visit a brewpub when they travel. Yet the idea of "beer tourism" where people visit an area for its beers and breweries has not really taken off yet, except for a few tours to places like Belgium.

Zephyr Adventures, a Montana-based tour company that also runs the Beer Bloggers Conference (http://beerbloggersconference.org/), is out to change that. Figuring that beer lovers might also enjoy an active vacation, they have created their first-ever active beer tour, a six-day hiking and biking vacation in and around Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks that will feature excellent local scenery, activities, and breweries.

"We are excited to run our first-ever active beer tour and couldn't think of a better place than our own back yard", explains Allan Wright, owner of Zephyr Adventures. "The scenery is amazing, the activities perfect for all ability levels, and the local craft beers are superb!"

Zephyr Adventures successfully offers active wine & food tours around the globe and looks to use the Yellowstone Hike, Bike & Beer Adventure as a springboard to launch and grow the concept of active beer tourism.

"We like to think Zephyr is seizing on a unique niche that is destined to grow", says Reno Walsh, who set up the tour for Zephyr. "We invite all beer lovers to come explore the Northern Rockies via some fun hiking and biking and to then slake a well-deserved thirst with some fantastic local craft brews."

The six-day tour includes lodging, local transportation, most meals, brewery visits & private tours, and activities for $1700 per person. For more information visit www.ZephyrAdventures.com.
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