I had driven to Florida and back in 2019 and 2023. This time I took a slightly different route. It was my first trip in my 2025 Subaru Outback. My Camry had served me well for many years, but since it was aging (aren't we all?), plus the backseat did not allow me to extend my legs when I occasionally slept in it, I bought a vehicle that has enough space to stretch out, a 3-year warranty, a big dashboard display for navigation, and an emergency call button.

Sunday February 23. Left at 10:15 AM and arrived at Red Dragon Brewery in Fredericksburg VA when it opened at noon.

Then it was off to Richmond, where I would spend the rest of the day and night. I got to Final Gravity Brewing at 2:00.

Next I visited my favorite Richmond brewery: The Answer.

Next stop: The Veil, which has 3 locations. I was at their Scott's Addition location.

Then I went to Benchtop Brewing, which has another location in Norfolk VA.

Stone Brewing, which has about a half dozen locations in the San Diego area. The Richmond location is the only one not in southern California.

Monday February 24. Arrived at DSSOLVR's taproom in Durham NC when it opened at noon. (I'd been to their Asheville taproom before.)

Cellarest Beer Project

Checked in at the Downtown Inn & Suites, where I'd stayed in 2017, and walked to several breweries. Asheville is one of the better beer hubs, with many breweries within walking distance of each other. Three of the ones I wanted to visit (Terra Nova, DSSOLVR, and TRVE) are closed on Mondays, but there were still plenty of other options. Thirsty Monk, which has 3 levels. Upstairs is the Top of the Monk, which is a private club that serves hard liquor. At street level (ironically called "upstairs") is a taproom that serves their own beers, as well as cocktails. Downstairs is the Delirium Bar, which serves many Belgian beers.

Walked past a few breweries (don't have enough liver power to hit 'em all) to White Labs Brewing. White Labs is actually a yeast company based out of San Diego, and I've used their products in many of my beers. They serve beer in their two taprooms to showcase their yeasts (I visited their San Diego taproom in 2015).

Wicked Weed's brewpub (their Funkatorium closed the previous fall due to Hurricane Helene).

Burial Beer Company, which has 6 locations in North Carolina. I was at their South Slope location, where I'd been several times before.

Tuesday February 25. Drove down to Georgia and stopped at Cherry Street Brewing's Vickery Village location (they also have a location in Alpharetta).

Less than half hour away is Variant Brewing

Then it was on to Wild Leap, a brewery/distillery/winery with two locations. I was at their Atlanta location (their other one is in LaGrange).

Then I went to visit my friends Aaron and Rebecca, who I'd met in Maryland. They'd moved to Byron GA several years earlier.

Wednesday February 26. Drove down to Tvelo Brewing in southern Georgia.

Went to Tallahassee Florida and checked into a Motel 6, then Ubered to Ȯlōgy Brewing, which has 4 locations. I was at their Midtown taproom.

Next I Ubered to Proof Brewing.

Then I walked to Amicus Brewing Ventures.

Walked about a mile back to the motel.

Thursday February 27. Visited my friends John and Rick, who live in West Virginia but have a place in Dade City. Went to Tampa and visited Magnanimous Brewing, arriving at 1:00.

There is a brewery right around the corner from Magnanimous but it didn't open until 3:00 so first I went to Woven Water Brewing, which opened at 2:00.

Then I went to Hidden Springs Ale Works, which is just around the corner from Magnanimous.

My final Tampa brewery was Angry Chair Brewing.

Then I went to Clearwater, checked into the Rodeway Inn, and Ubered to Arkane Aleworks in nearby Largo.

Friday February 28. Went to St. Petersburg and picked up some food at a Publix. Then I visited Cycle Brewing.

A few minutes away is Green Bench Brewing.

Went over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to Corporate Ladder Brewing.

My final brewery of the day was Calusa Brewing.

Then I visited my friends Keith and Shonna in Punta Gorda.

Saturday March 1. Went to Scotty's Bierwerks.

Next was Voodoo Brewing, which has more than 20 locations across the United States. I was at their Fort Myers location.

Less than a mile away is Coastal Dayz Brewery.

Then I went to Palm City Brewing.

After that I visited my friend Jean, who was living in Fort Myers with her new husband Ken, whom I had never met.

Sunday March 2. Drove over to Florida's east coast and visited Tripping Animals Brewing. They have two locations; I was at the one in Doral.

Next stop was Spanish Marie Brewery.

Went to Unseen Creatures Brewing & Blending.

Then it was on to 3 Sons Brewing.

Next was Invasive Species Brewing.

Ten minutes away is Funky Buddha.

Walked a few blocks to Tripping Animals's Oakland Park taproom.

Then I went to Delray Beach to visit my sister Marge and her boyfriend Doug.

Monday March 3. Tuesday March 4. Wednesday March 5. Thursday March 6. Friday March 7. Saturday March 8. Drove to Ink Factory Brewing.

Less than a mile away is Southern Swells Brewing.

Next I went to Reve Brewing.

SJ Brewing.

Sunday March 9. Drove to Raleigh and stopped at Funguys Brewing.

Checked into a Motel 6 and Ubered to Burial Beer Company's Raleigh location, called The Exhibit.

Walked to Brewery Bhavana.

Walked to Incendiary Brewing.

Stumbled over to Trophy Brewing, which has several locations. I was at their Morgan Street Brewing & Pizza location.

Monday March 10.