It is a pretty good tour. A definite larger brewery. I would suggest touring somewhere like Surly if you have a chance. You get to meet people who actually do the work at Surly rather than volunteers at Summit.
+1, Summit tour is worth doing. Bottling operation was pretty impressive... Surly (if you are able to secure a tour) has a good tour with a heartwarming tale of the little guy prevailing. fun.
Sounds great, I've been looking at the Surly tour, but every time I look all of them are full. Have to keep trying! Know of any other breweries around the cities that do tours?
The Leinie's tour is pretty good if you wanted to spend a Saturday in WI, you could probably squeeze in Point too. The Point brewmaster gave us the tour and he was very free with information.
I lived in the cities from 90-93 and fell in love with Summit Pale ale. Would go to Liquor Lyle's and get a pitcher of it to go with the free wings during Happy Hour. I just had that old bartender's name on the tip of my tongue.....
I moved to Bend and started working at Deschutes Brewery and discovered Mirror Pond. When I would go back to Mlps for holidays, I would bring a case of Mirror Pond for my step dad and he always had a case or 2 of Summit for me in exchange.
Now they live in Tucson and it doesn't look like I will be having a Summit Pale ale anytime soon. Enjoy one for me please!
I went this summer. It was interesting, but kind of slow. Still, it's some neat stuff, and they give you a few free drinks, including one of the Unchained series, so it's worth the trip down there.