As you plan your trip to Munich for Oktoberfest, we’ve compiled a few of the best beer destinations around the country, with a focus on those you may not know. While the big destinations in craft brews are well worth the visit, others lie just under the surface of craft brew culture, waiting for your discovery. Make a side trip to one of these seven destinations on your next domestic journey for unique finds and maybe a new favorite or two. © Kirill Zmurciuk | Dreamstime.com

Concord, North Carolina, is just outside Charlotte and its picturesque countryside and Americana-filled main streets mix nicely with the high-adrenaline thrills the area is known for —namely, NASCAR and other auto racing. You can enjoy two breweries with one stop when you visit Cabarrus Brewing Company and High Branch Brewing Co. The two are located side by side in previous textile manufacturing facilities. The cool environment and the brew geek-certified beers make for an unforgettable time. © Holly Riddle

Cincinnati was historically a brewing hub, thanks to German immigrants’ business acumen in the mid-1800s. The industry declined in the mid-1900s, with the rise of national breweries, but craft brewers are once again on the upswing in the Queen City. Visit the many new breweries that popped up and take a tour of the historic brewery architecture while you’re there. © Holly Riddle

Traverse City, Michigan, greets flocks of visitors every year, many who come for the beautiful scenery and abundance of outdoor activities. However, there’s more to do than just enjoy the fresh air. The small town contains more than 20 breweries and blends the plentiful libations with the great outdoors in the form of kayak pub crawls. © Ehrlif | Dreamstime.com

Idaho is known for its potatoes, but it’s also one of the top barley and hops producers in the country. Breweries in Boise have prime access to fresh ingredients, meaning travelers like you enjoy some of the best and freshest brews in the Pacific Northwest. Visit in October for Hoptober Freshtival. © Sergii Kateryniuk | Dreamstime.com

When you live in Alaska, you need some pretty interesting hobbies to make the long winters go faster. Maybe that’s why home brewing is so popular in the state and why the hobby has, for many, morphed into a business. Anchorage is home to dozens of breweries, many featuring local ingredients and the fine-tuned skills of faithful home brewers-turned-professionals. © William Ellis | Dreamstime.com

Think the only thing to drink in Louisville is bourbon? Think again. Beer lovers have plenty to enjoy when visiting Kentucky’s most urban destination. Great Flood Brewing Company is 4 years old and easily a favorite spot for the locals. Cumberland Brewing is a bit older, founded in 2000, and is just now distributing its beer on a larger scale. © Thomaskelley | Dreamstime.com

St. Petersburg, Florida, offers abundant breweries, all in a sunny, laid-back atmosphere. You’re never far from the water, no matter where you choose to sample the local brews. The first brewery in the city didn’t open until 2013, but now you can find nearly 20 in the area. If you’re willing to drive throughout the Tampa Bay area, as many do, you can find more than 60. © Feng Cheng | Dreamstime.com