We (2 guys) would leave Minnesota by car on September 1st.
Length: We planned for a month, but if another week or two would greatly improve things, so be it.
Budget: We're trying to do it somewhat frugally, and plan to camp most nights. Stocking up on non-perishables from Costco before we begin. If something is awesome and worth doing, we will spend the money.
Interests: Hiking, seeing the sights, and delicious beer. We're not going to do any mountain climbing, but nor are we afraid of a reasonably strenuous hike.
Basically, what I'm looking for from you all is advice on which are the most important national parks to hit, and how long we should spend in each to adequately appreciate it. Yellowstone is a must, but we had also hoped to hit Arches, Yosemite, Crater Lake, etc. Most of the breweries we had planned to hit are in California (Sierra Nevada, Russian River, Lagunitas, Anchor Brewing, Firestone, The Bruery, Stone, Alesmith).
Thanks for your insight.