What adverse comment could anyone have about a fre...

What adverse comment could anyone have about a free tour where each participant receives free refreshments?

When you walk in, immediately look for the nice associate handing out tickets (they should be close to the entry). Each ticket is color coded and will be associated with a certain time. Tours run approx every 10-15 minutes.

If you become enthralled with the Budweiser NASCAR vehicle, and miss your assigned tour, you will need to go back and get a new tour ticket. You cannot just ride standby on an upcoming tour. This isn't Southwest Airlines. They don't overbook, so if you miss it, you're out of luck. Note to my foreign friends: "If you can't speak English too well, you won't be able to use that to your advantage. Get back in line and get a new ticket."

There is much to look at while waiting for your tour to commence. A gift shop is on the premises, but I'd suggest waiting until after the tour to make your purchases.

My tour guide was young and fun. We walked in the stables, the fermentation room (where you get to see exactly what Beechwood is), the mashing room, and the bottling area, before heading back on a tram.

While taking an elevator up to the observation deck of the mashing room, the guide asked if anyone had any questions she could answer. I asked if she could spell 'farfegnugen'. If you go, I suggest posing the same question.

Concluding the tour is a stop at the guest hospitality room, where each guest receives bag(s) of Rolled Gold pretzels. Everyone can have as much fountain drinks as they want. Those over 21 can have 2 samples of beer or malt beverages. Each sample is approx 10 oz.

If you're one of the first to the bar, you can chug your first 10 oz, and then head to the end of the line. This way, you might be able to squeeze 3 samples out of your visit.

Overall, I learned a little about the company and the brewing process. The tour was just OK for me. I like being able to say that I went on the tour. FYI: I'm not a militant beer drinker and I didn't have a 'beech-woody' when I walked through the doors.

Swoop Says: If you're traveling from out of town, and take the Metro Link... get off at the 'Stadium' station. Then, find a cab. It will cost around $7. Even if you count yourself in the penny-pinching ranks, don't be like me... and walk the 2.5 miles... especially if it is sunny, 98 degrees with high humidity. It's pretty much all uphill. If you just like fresh air, then head south on 7th St, and make a right at Lynch.