This time of year take advantage of your time together with family and friends and journey out on a beer tour around southern Oregon. With the range of production breweries, brewpubs and nano-breweries there are plenty of options in the Rogue Valley to mix things up and make a day of beer tasting. We’ve put together a list of craft breweries in Ashland, Medford and Grants Pass for you to visit, imbibe, socialize, and celebrate the holidays.

Standing Stone Brewing Co.
Here are a few insider tips for you and your beer buds: Try the Sunday Beer & Food Pairing for $25 per person, every week at 3pm. Five taster courses of craft beer and fare, and no reservations required. Minors welcome all day, every day, and we have toys and books to keep the kiddos entertained while you sip on the 2014 Barley Wine.

Caldera Brewing
Tap into the local spirit and order an Ashland Amber at their south-side Ashland brewpub. Or visit their taproom downtown, within walking distance of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Lithia Park, and local retail shops.

Swing Tree Brewing Co.
Be in-the-know and check out the newest little brewery on the block. Swing Tree is currently planning an expansion to brew even more of their Porch Swing Pale and Obligatory IPA. Last spring we brewed southern Oregon’s first collaboration beer with Swing Tree – the Stone Swing Saison. Bring your own snacks to pair with craft beer from Ashland’s favorite nano-brewery.

Opposition Brewing Co.
Check out the list of craft beers brewed on their 1.5 BBL system. Regulars include Blast Radius American Pale, Fallow Fields Brown, Devastated Sky Stout, and Sixth Seal Northwest Pale Ale.

BricktownE Brewing Co.
Take a break from the bustle of downtown Medford and stop in for a pint and grub at their brewpub. For the month of December they will be running a daily special paired with a different beer and a free pint glass to take home, all for $15.

Portal Brewing Co.
Just because we love Cascadian Dark Ales (we make a seasonal Hop Night CDA every year), we recommend trying their Blackghost CDA and Hoptopus Imperial CDA. Pair with a Gyro or Bacon Quesadilla, because, heck, it’s the holidays.

Southern Oregon Brewing Co.
This Medford taproom is open every day, so stop by and indulge in a pint of Pin Up Porter. Or show some local sports pride and try their Raider Red Ale (the SOU Raiders just won the NAIA football national championship. Go Raiders!).

Walkabout Brewing Co.
Swing by the tasting room in Medford and go big with their Jabberwocky Strong Ale. Have a gluten-free person in the group? Try their GFA (Gluten Free Ale), also newly available on tap at Standing Stone in Ashland. This hoppy Pale Ale is low on gluten and big on hop flavor.

Conner Fields Brewing
Say “hi” to the first craft brewery in the Applegate Valley. You can find their beer at The Haul in Grants Pass (open Christmas Eve), and select local growers markets during the market season. In the mean time, stop in at the gastropub and treat yourself to some local flavors.

JD’s Sports Bar and Brewery
JD’s has been serving beer in Grants Pass for 20 years. Check out their Event Calendar for upcoming happenings and try their Festivus Winter Ale for a sip of the season.

Wild River Brewing and Pizza Co.
Ask for a brewery tour at the Grants Pass location, or stop in for a wood-fired pizza at the Medford brewpub. They have happy hour from 2-5 p.m., so stop in for a brew and snack before dinner with the family.

(photos: George Rubaloff Photography, Southern Oregon Brewing, Wild River Brewing)