Allagash Brewing Company

Portland, Maine

Located in an industrial park, the brewery makes Belgian-style beers and ages many of them in oak. Allagash White is the company’s flagship and a way better version of the macro brew Blue Moon. One of the best parts of the tour? You get to do the tasting first. There are up to four tours daily; registration on the company’s website is required. 207-878-5385, allagash.com

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Atlantic Brewing Company

Bar Harbor, Maine

A little off the well-trodden tourist path, Atlantic Brewing is a must-visit for any beer lover planning a trip to Bar Harbor. Coal Porter and Bar Harbor Real Ale are solid, but the must-try is the Brother Adam’s Bragget Ale. Tours are free and given daily at 2, 3, and 4 p.m. from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. 207-288-2337, atlanticbrewing.com

Harpoon Brewery

South Boston

The largest brewery on this list, Harpoon sees about 2,000 people tour its facility every week. The South Boston Waterfront has exploded in popularity in recent years, and Harpoon founders Dan Kenary and Rich Doyle say they have plans to expand their touring space by the end of the year. Test batches and home brews are sometimes available. Weekday tastings (2 and 4 p.m.) are free; weekend tours start every half-hour (Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and cost $5. 617-574-9551, harpoonbrewery.com

Jack’s Abby Brewing

Framingham

One of the rising stars in the New England craft beer scene, Jack’s Abby creates “approachable beers for the everyday beer drinker that still push the boundaries of brewing,” says brewer Sam Hendler. On-site, you can sample drinks that aren’t available retail. Tours and tastings are free and run Thursday and Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. 508-872-0900, jacksabbeybrewing.com

The Olde Burnside Brewing Company

East Hartford, Connecticut

Olde Burnside brews ales in the Scottish tradition. “Burn” is a Scottish word for brook or stream, and the water beneath the brewery led to the founding of the Burnside Ice Co. in 1911. That same water is now used to brew beer. Tours of both the brewery and the icehouse are available by appointment only, with Saturday and Sunday afternoons being the preferred times. 860-528-2200, oldeburnsidebrewing.com

Smuttynose Brewing Company

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

You may have tried year-round classics like Old Brown Dog, but a tour of Smuttynose will give you the chance to sample some of the brewery’s rare beers. If available, a must-try for hop lovers is the Big A IPA. Tours are Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Reservations are strongly encouraged and should be made on the website. 603-436-4026, smuttynose.com