Interest in craft beer continues to soar as more and more breweries open their doors and win over thirsty guests with creative cold ones. Travelers in search of the best selections of lagers, ales, stouts and other styles need not look further than these 15 booming beer towns.

The small mountain town of Bend, Oregon boasts 19 breweries and that figure quickly climbs if you count other operations in nearby Redmond, Sisters, Prineville and Sunriver. There's a lot to sample so treat your taste buds on the Bend Ale Trail, the largest beer trail in the West.

Asheville has earned the title Beer City USA as it offers more breweries per capita than any other city in the U.S. That means visitors to the downtown area can stop into multiple taprooms and sample a wide variety of beers with a short amount of walking. Wicked Weed Brewing, which boasts a Funkatorium dedicated to sour and funky beers, is an excellent starting point.

Home to the Maryland Craft Beer Festival every spring and the state's largest craft brewery in Flying Dog, Frederick is one of the country's best cities for flavorful brews. Monocacy Brewing Company, Olde Mother Brewing and Brewer's Alley also stand out along with Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm and Smoketown Brewing Station farther outside of town.

Craft beer enthusiasts visiting Colorado will be hard-pressed limiting their trip to just Denver as the Centennial State has the second-highest concentration of craft breweries in the U.S. Nonetheless, the capital is a worthy stop for refreshment. "Slow Pour Pils" creator Bierstadt Lagerhaus and Alternation Brewing Company are among the Mile High City's best and New Terrain Brewing Company's exploratory beers are certain to surprise you.

Another thriving beer destination, Austin is saturated with unique breweries churning out delicious recipes. Craft Pride in the city's Rainey Street District is your one-stop shop to sample Texas' top craft beers and local favorites. The robust tap list includes a whopping 54 drafts.

You're better off counting Seattle's breweries by the dozen. The Emerald City's beer scene is constantly expanding and new offerings rarely disappoint thanks to Seattle's proximity to some of the best regions for hop growing. Reuben's Brews is beloved by locals and tourists alike and Cloudburst Brewing offers a wide range of beers, including a German Pilsner dubbed "Happy Little Clouds" in a nod to painter and pop culture hero Bob Ross.

Birmingham's craft beer scene is burgeoning thanks to some recent brewer-friendly legislation. Avondale Brewing Company is one of the city's top spots for live music, in addition to craft beer. IPA fans will want to try the Battlefield IPA while less passionate drinkers should start with Avondale's flagship Spring Street Saison.

Pennsylvania's Allegheny County is home to more than 30 active breweries, many of which have set up shop in Pittsburgh. More than one-third of the county's breweries have opened within the past two years and a handful of others are preparing to open, according to the Pittsburgh City Paper. Sud-loving visitors will want to begin their craft beer journey through the 'Burgh at Grist House Craft Brewery, which boasts a taproom overlooking the brew system along with an outdoor beer garden.

San Diego is among the top beer cities in the nation when it comes to quality and quantity. While most craft beer lovers are familiar with powerhouse Stone Brewing, there are dozens of other Southern California breweries flexing their muscles in and around San Diego, including Societe Brewing Company, an award-winning brewery serving up mouth-watering Belgian-style and barrel-aged beers inside of its comfortable tasting room.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul region is home to some of the best craft beer in the Midwest. Visitors can find awesome organic ales at Bang Brewing and an ever-changing lineup of unpredictable beers at Bad Weather Brewing Company. Meanwhile, nearby Summit Brewing Company has been perfecting its flagship Extra Pale Ale for more than three decades.

Joining Bend and Seattle as one of the Pacific Northwest's top beer havens, Portland has been a premier brewing city for years and isn't resting on its laurels. Plan your visit for the first full weekend in July to attend the Portland Craft Beer Festival and try local beers from more than 70 craft breweries.

Alaska's largest city is guaranteed to surprise your palate in the best way possible. The destination's namesake Anchorage Brewing Company is an excellent jumping-off point while Midnight Sun Brewing Company and 49th State Brewing Company are also worthy watering holes. At Anchorage's Glacier Brewhouse, visitors can pair their craft beer with dinner and a show.

Even if you've already been to St. Louis, a return trip is sure to offer something new as more and more craft breweries are opening up. Relatively new area breweries already making waves include Center Ice Brewery, Good News Brewing Company, Steampunk Brew Works and Third Wheel Brewing.

The Windy City is also one of the Midwest's best for craft beer. Begin your brewery crawl at Baderbrau to try the crushable Chicago Pilsener or the "beer-flavored" South Side Pride before venturing to DryHop Brewers on Broadway Street to taste some hop-centric ales.

Craft beer connoisseurs will want to head to the Bay Area to explore the Microbrew Capital of America in Santa Rosa, California. Customers' glowing reviews of the area's breweries will encourage you to try everything at stellar joints such as Russian River Brewing and the dog-friendly Cooperage Brewing Company.