10 Places to Get Great Craft Beer

In 2010, more than 1,700 craft breweries operated in the United States. Here is a look at 10 of them.

Portsmouth Brewery, Portsmouth, NH
This neighborhood pub is celebrating its 20th anniversary, making it an elder statesman in the brewpub revolution. The welcoming atmosphere is a good introduction to this historic seaside town. Try the Black Cat Stout, a dry, dark beer similar to Guinness. 603-431-1115
portsmouthbrewery.com


Brewer’s Art, Baltimore
This two-level bar has a split personality. Upstairs you'll find upscale, creative cuisine. Downstairs is a cellar bar with a unique range of Belgian-style beers. Resurrection, an abbey-style ale with malt flavor is balanced with sweet spicy notes. It has a higher alcohol content, so sip slowly. 410-547-9310
belgianbeer.com

Church Brew Works, Pittsburgh
You can have a great beer at this unique brewery, once home to a Catholic parish. The Pious Monk Dunkel, a German-style lager, has a dark color, and a clean taste. 412-688-8200
churchbrew.com


American Flatbread, Burlington ,VT
Part of a healthy-ingredient pizza parlor chain, this location offers a variety of brews from British to German to American style. Try Summer Gruit Ale, made with herbs and spices instead of hops. 802-861-2999
americanflatbread.com


Pizza Port, Carlsbad, CA
The brewers at this small San Diego-area chain have won recognition in the craft-beer world. The Wipeout IPA, is a quintessential West Coast India Pale Ale, big and bold with lots of strong citrus flavors and aromas. 760-720-7007
pizzaport.com


Magnolia Gastropub & Brewery, San Francisco
Located in the heart of the Haight-Ashbury district, this small brewer really reflects the history of the neighborhood. The Cole Porter has striking similarities to coffee and is very drinkable. 415- 864-7468
magnoliapub.com


Hopworks Urban Brewery, Portland, OR
Hopworks, one of the newest additions to Portland's busy brewpub scene, stands out because it uses organic hops and malts. Its Hub Lager, a Czech-style pilsner, won a silver medal in the World Beer Cup before the brewery even opened in 2008. 503-232-4677
hopworksbeer.com


Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis
This downtown pub near the University of Minnesota has sidewalk seating, plus a selection of flavorful beers. A favorite is Masala Mama, an India Pale Ale packed with tons of grapefruit and pine and citrus notes. 612-339-8696
townhallbrewery.com

Revolution Brewing Co. , Chicago
You'll find great food (the bacon-fat popcorn appetizer is popular) at this Logan Square pub. The beer is worth a trip too. The Bottom Up Wit, a Belgian-style wheat beer, which bears a superficial resemblance to Blue Moon comes is very refreshing and perfect for the summer. 773-227-2739
revbrew.com


Great Dane Pub, Madison, WI
The massive building, just steps from the state capital, has an outdoor beer garden, a pool hall, and other nooks and crannies for settling down with a beer. The Stone of Scone Scotch Ale, which has caramel and malt flavors, reminds some of Bass. 608-284-0000
greatdanepub.com

Carnival, Holland America and Princess Cruises to Institute More Restrictive Smoking Policies

Citing changing passenger preferences, Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America and Princess Cruises have announced more restrictive smoking policies.

Effective January 15, Princess will no longer allow smoking in cabins and balconies across its fleet. Princess says it will continue to provide areas for smokers. Smoking will continue to be allowed in the Churchill's cigar lounge, a section of the disco and casino and a portion of the open decks.

Also effective January 15, Holland America's new smoking policy designates cabins as non-smoking areas. Smoking will still be, however, permitted on cabin balconies. For those who wish to smoke, there will continue to be designated areas available for this both inside and on outside decks.

Carnival's policy changes will be rolled out in two steps:

Step 1: Effective June 15, cigarette smoking in public venues will only be permitted in Carnival's dance clubs as well as in designated areas within the casino and casino bar. Smoking (including cigars) will be permitted in designated exterior open deck areas (starboard side) of all ships. Additionally, smoking will also be allowed in the jazz clubs of the following ships: Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Victory, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Splendor.

Step 2: Effective December 1, smoking will be prohibited in all guest staterooms. Those guests in balcony accommodations will be permitted to smoke cigarettes and cigars outside on the balcony. Spa staterooms -- currently featured on Carnival Splendor, Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic -- will continue to remain entirely smoke-free, including on the balconies.All three lines cited consumer studies revealing that only a small minority of passengers smoke (fewer than 10%). The cruise lines will institute a $250 cleaning fee as the penalty for breaking the rules.

Other lines that ban smoking in cabins and balconies include Crystal Cruises, MSC Cruises and Oceania Cruises.