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Years ago, I used to argue that Belgium was the best country for beer, not my birth country of Germany which everyone assumed. But lately I’ve come to believe we were all wrong. Despite making nothing but the worst mass-produced horse swill for the half-century that followed Prohibition, the U.S. is now the greatest nation on earth when it comes to beer. The craft brewing movement that picked up steam throughout the ’90s came to beautiful fruition this past decade, and no where else on earth will you find the variety of beers to match the quality.
Paste may specialize in music, film, TV, books and video games. But we’ve also got a special place in our heart for beer. It’s been a tremendous amount of fun compiling this list with the help of our readers and our two favorite pubs. Mike Gallagher from The Brick Store Pub in Paste’s hometown of Decatur, Ga., and Eric Johnson of the nearby Trappeze Pub in Athens both lent us their time and expertise to make sure we got this as close to right as we could. But of course, we missed your favorite American brewery. Tell us what it is in the comments section. And then go convince them to sell it here in Georgia.
p.s.: all apologies to our neighbors up north at Unibroue, who’d most certainly be on this list if we extended it to North American breweries.
25. Great Divide Brewing Company
Headquarters: Denver
Established: 1994
Our Favorite Beer: Yeti Imperial Stout, Titan IPA
If the U.S. is becoming the beer capital of the world, ground zero might be Colorado, where breweries are churning out a crazy variety of beer. One of the first was Great Divide, who like a gourmet chef takes basic ingredients and transforms them into unforgettable treats.
24. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Headquarters: Chico, Calif.
Established: 1980
Our Favorite Beer: Bigfoot
Sierra Nevada’s success with their pale ale has been our saving grace in so many situations where its the only good thing on the menu. But it’s their harder-to-find special release beers, like the Bigfoot Barleywine that earns the brewery a place on this list. Bonus points to the oldest brewery here for also being the first brewery in the world to do a true estate beer—barley and hops grown on the estate, water from their own sources plus their house yeast.
23. Brooklyn Brewery
Headquarters: Brooklyn, NY
Established: 1987
Our Favorite Beers: Local 1, Black Chocolate Stout
Every craft brewer in America owes a thank you to Brooklyn’s brewmaster Garrett Oliver, who helped raise the profile of a fledgling industry—and make people think of beer in the way they might think of wine. So, of course, does every Brooklyn hipster for developing their palate beyond PBR.
22. Brewery Ommegang
Headquarters: Cooperstown, NY
Established: 1997
Our Favorite Beers: Three Philosophers, Rouge
For a brewery that shares its hometown with the Baseball Hall of Fame, Ommegang brews exceptionally subtle, exquisite Belgian-style ales. Don Feinberg even built a traditional Belgian farmhouse to house the original brewery.
21. North Coast Brewing Co.
Headquarters: Fort Bragg, Calif.
Established: 1988
Our Favorite Beer: Old Rasputin, La Merle
North Coast Brewing has been lapping up awards since it opened as a brewpub on California’s Mendocino Coast. And one taste of the La Merle Belgian-style saison, the Pranqster Belgian-style golden or the Old Rasputin Russian Imperial stout will tell you why.
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I can't believe the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner TX didn't make it, and you ALL really need to check out http://www.realalebrewing.com in Blanco, TX. sorry, i'm a homer and love TX beer. Shiner Blonde and Bock are favorites from Spoetzl and Brown Ale and Fireman's 4 are my favorites from Real Ale.
No Great Lakes out of Cleveland? Unfortunate oversight, if you ask me.
Wow, did I really just read a list of the best American breweries without a single one from Washington State? Boundary Bay Brewing? Georgetown Brewing? Snoqualmie Falls? Seriously, you guys are missing out.
Also missed Pyramid Brewery in Berkeley, CA.
I can't believe there isn't Shiner on there! They have 83 employee's and are one of the nations top selling beer, and they aren't even available in all 50 states! Texas beers are a stand alone breed. And brewing in Texas is a tradition to be matched. Spoetzl Brewery produces amazing tasting beers, and is over 75 years old. I also agree with the thing about real ale's brewery. Fireman's 4 is a great tasting beer.
Seriously. Texas beers man. they didn't even make the list!
Hmmm...
Abita Brewing, Abita Springs,LA The "Turbodog" is fabulous and "Amber" is a staple at my house
The Atlantic Brewing Company, Bar Harbor, ME "Blueberry Ale", flavored with blueberry juice rather than hops and "SOB" (Special Old Bitter) is great
Yazoo Brewery, Nashville, TN "Dos Perros"
Sweet Water Brewing CO. Atlanta, GA IPA is one of the hoppiest around
Um, no Magic Hat? Seriously? I'm calling for a recount.
I can't believe that North Coast Brewing is on here (given that I'm local to the area and haven't even heard of it), and Lost Coast Brewery is left off. Downtown Brown, Great White, Tangerine Wheat? They have some beautiful brews.
I'll echo the cries for Great Lakes. They're relatively local to the Great Lakes region, so you're forgiven if you've just never tried anything from them. However, it is imperitive that you stop everything and travel to a region that sells Great Lakes; or better yet go visit the brewery in Cleveland. Their Elliot Ness is a great amber lager, the Lake Erie Monster (available only at the brew house) is a brilliant double IPA. So much good beer from these guys.
2nding the lack of Washington beers, although Elisian does get an off-hand mention. Also, Midnight Sun should be on the list, if only because their Beserker beats out The Abyss by a hair. Pike in Seattle is doing quite well these days...
DFH is crazy over rated if you ask me. World Wide is too heavily sugared to get the ABV and results in a cloying sweet brew if you ask me. Pikes Entire, Midnight Sun Beserker and The Abyss are all superior Imperial Stouts if you ask me.
Very well done, & I'm glad to see some PA breweries made the list.
One factual error I found was this: "In 1993, Deborah Carey became the first woman to start her own brewery when she launched [New Glarus] with her brewmaster and husband Dan."
Carol Stoudt started Stoudt's Brewing Co. in 1987 with her husband Ed.
Thanks for the inclusion on your impressive list!
I might point out, for clarification, that the phrase "You're Not Worthy" can be found only on Arrogant Bastard Ale (and OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale). I understand the tendency to project this stylistic approach onto the other 13 or so beers we brew each year, however our other beers have a decidedly more friendly approach...well, as long as one considers aggressive hopping and flavor profiles as "friendly." We certainly do!
Ultimately, we're proud to be a part of the American Craft Beer Revolution. Together, we have indeed changed the reputation of beer in our great country, from lowly to elevated (to quote from the I Am A Craft Brewer video that features many of the great brewers on your list http://iamacraftbrewer.com/index2.html)!
Cheers,
Greg Koch, CEO & co-founder
Stone Brewing Co.
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
Thanks for the inclusion on your impressive list!
I might point out, for clarification, that the phrase "You're Not Worthy" can be found only on Arrogant Bastard Ale (and OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale). I understand the tendency to project this stylistic approach onto the other 13 or so beers we brew each year, however our other beers have a decidedly more friendly approach...well, as long as one considers aggressive hopping and flavor profiles as "friendly." We certainly do!
Ultimately, we're proud to be a part of the American Craft Beer Revolution. Together, we have indeed changed the reputation of beer in our great country, from lowly to elevated (to quote from the I Am A Craft Brewer video that features many of the great brewers on your list http://iamacraftbrewer.com/index2.html)!
Cheers,
Greg Koch, CEO & co-founder
Stone Brewing Co.
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
Hey how's it goin? good? cool...Well everyone's like you forgot this and that and blah blah, but honestly I'm from Asheville, NC and there are some pretty good beers here. My friend makes beer in his bathtub and it's better then Sam Adams. I'm not trying to complain about how Asheville isn't represented, I'm just saying that sense I didn't see Asheville there, I'm assuming you haven't had any beers from here, so you should probably come and try some...then maybe in ten years...?
Thanks,
Michael
Hey how's it goin? good? cool...well everyone's like you forgot this and that and blah blah, but honestly I'm from Asheville, NC and there is some pretty good beer here. my friend makes beer in his bathtub and it's better then Sam Adams. I'm not trying to complain about how Asheville isn't represented, I'm just saying that sense i didn't see Asheville there, I'm assuming you haven't had any beers from here, so you should probably come and try some...then maybe in ten years...?
Well done list. I'd change the order a bit, but don't feel there are any truly glaring omissions (well... maybe Hair of the Dog).
In my "also received votes" category:
Midnight Sun
Green Flash
Bear Republic
Great Lakes
Ballast Point
Best brewery of course is subjective, and whether I would add or subtract, you have picked a fine list. I lived for 15 years in Michigan, enjoying Bells and Great Lakes (and my own homebrew). If I were forced to choose one and only one beer to drink for the rest of my life it would surely be Expedition Stout. While I live in Decatur I am lucky enough to work for an employer with HQ in Cleveland, so I do get to stop in at Great Lakes from time to time.
Three Floyds, Stone, Dogfish Head, Victory, and Bell's.
My name is Randall Smith and I approve of this article.
Hmm....considering that you guys are in Decatur, it's surprising that you left out the place 3 hours from you that tied with Portland, OR as "Beer City USA"...Asheville. We now have 9 breweries in this county and were featured in the "Beer Y'all" documentary.
Hah. A music magazine makes a list of something they like but have no professional idea about - and everyone gets their knickers in a bunch?
Please you guys. You too can make a list on your blog. Doesn't make it correctly discerned, any more than this music blog list was.
As "Len" pointed out, any such list is subjective so any such list is open to the "how could you leave out" argument; still, this is a very nice selection and I'd be very happy to find a bar with something from each of these on tap.
By the way, does this mean I can now write about music?
Gregg Wiggins, American Brewer magazine
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Where is Leinenkugels?
Always a great beer and solid variety.
Southern Tier is making some pretty special brews these days, but, that glaring omission aside, good list guys.
Americans really do make the best beer in the world these days.
How about the #1 tie for "Beer City USA" that's 3 hours up the road from Decatur? ....Asheville, NC! 9 breweries in the county now!
"Tell us what it is in the comments section. And then go convince them to sell it here in Georgia."
So, this is actually the Top 25 American Breweries of the Decade Who Currently Sell Beer In Georgia"?
In all seriousness, I think you picked 20 breweries with the widest distribution and marketing networks and then another magical 5 (Jolly Pumpkin and Allagash are probably your best picks, here). All of them are good.. but.. geez guys. There's a whole hell of a lot out there.
They don't need to be in wide distribution to be awesome.
A truly glaring gaffe to omit the Boulevard Brewery out of Kansas City. They defined (and then redefined) the micro-brew segment of the beer market by showing how to do things right and then showing how to make it taste good. Their influx of neo-craft beers (Smokestack Series) has completely re-framed the micro-landscape.
this is a joke. where is abita?
no great lakes. not a good list.
Great List. I'm sure there were to be beers to be missed, so I really can't disagree with anything on there. DogFish Head is by far the most experimental and awesome breweries out there and it is a well deserved number one spot. Simply listening to owner Sam Calagione speak about beer is enough to convince any nay-sayers.
HOWEVER, i think that all should check out Troegs Brewery from Pennsylvania. It definitely deserves a spot on this list. Their "Nugget Nectar" is by far my current favorite beer. It is a deliciously drinkable hoppy IPA at 7.5 ABV.
To back this up with some data, beeradvocate.com has this ranked as #27 on their overall list of top american (and you'll notice that everything above comes pretty much from the brewers on this list). The rest of their beers all rank highly as well.
IT IS AN AMAZING BEER and a great brewery!
http://www.troegs.com/
no magic hat? their circus boy and odd notions are amazing
Hey Greg Wiggins,
Come to my bar, we carry every one of these breweries that is distributed in the state of Virginia. www.rusticorestaurant.com.
My two cents: I'm not saying they should have made the list because they still only get limited regional distribution, but Rock Art and McNeill's out of Vermont are both STELLAR breweries in my opinion. If you ever find yourself up there grab as many 22oz. bottles as you can and keep them in your cellar.
Who made these selections? How could the Great Lakes Brewery in Cleveland, Ohio be overlooked? I have lived in several states, and there beers are among the best I have ever tasted. Their Christmas Ale is already legendary.
no great lakes - big oversight?! otherwise... o.k.
Clipper City Brewery in Baltimore? Come on guys!
Overall, a pretty decent list, but still...
Two words: Anderson Valley.
(Boonville, Calif., 1987)
I'm a big fan of their Boont Amber and ESB, but judging by your favorite picks, you'd likely do well trying their Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout or the Brother David's Abbey-style Ales.
Cheers!
What about Anchor Brewing in S.F.?
really happy to see Michigan represented well on this list. I can't express how happy I am to see Founders in the top five -- over Bell's, even! And I can't argue with the #1 choice. Just want to give an honorable mention shout-out to Dark Horse Brewery from Marshall, MI
It really is unfortunate that Spoetzl was not included--as a Texan I find that leaving out the famous Shiner is a travesty!
Also, for those of you interested in something from our often forgotten states, Alaska and Hawaii have some fantastic brews.
Silver Gulch brewing in Alaska has the most phenomenal barley wine available--Angry Monkey at 14.8% ABV. This brew doesn't make you angry at all...in fact it elates you within the first sip!
And the Kona and Maui brewing companies in Hawaii stand alone as producers that can throw in a tropical flare to beer. Where else can you find things like passion fruit hefeweisen or a smooth and creamy coconut porter?!
I can't believe [insert brewery here] didn't make it. What a joke of a list!
A great list for sure - and like a couple of comments said all lists like this are subjective and are really designed to get people talking. I've seen several breweries in the comments that I had never heard of and look forward to seeking out. Let me add two more
BOULDER BREWING COMPANY out of Boulder, Colorado puts out some great brews on their Looking Glass series - Mojo, Hazed & Infused, Cold Hop, Never Summer Ale, etc - check em out and seek them out, they're sold nationwide - http://www.boulderbeer.com/
HIGHLANDS BREWING COMPANY out of Asheville, NC is also puts out some tasty beverages - their Oatmeal Porter immediately comes to mind
http://www.highlandbrewing.com/main.htm
I'm not going to tell you our beer belongs on your list, but just want to make sure you've tried some of our delicious dark ales from North Carolina. YEAH! Dark beers made in the south!
The Duck-Rabbit's Baltic Porter just won a gold medal at the GABF, so we aren't the only ones that think Duck-Rabbit is good.
Like I said...everyone has their own tastes when it comes to beers, but give ours a try.
Obligatory "Where is LOST COAST BREWING CO." statement
Bell's and Founder's - two of my favorites, but many others on the list as well: Stone's, Victory, Avery, etc. Sorry, but Jolly Pumpkin is not one of my favorites, despite living in Dexter ! Sour beer is just an oxymoron to me - YMMV :)
Keep an eye out for Short's Brewery (Bellaire, Michigan) Their Huma Lupa Licious bests Bell's Two Hearted Ale and many other IPA's
Good job - I enjoy lists like this.
I'm really happy Dogfish head got #1. I've been a huge fan for about 7 years now!!!
Rogue is based out of Newport, OR, not "Ahsland". Great list otherwise.
I would've put Great Divide much higher on the list and Founders at #1 though. There's a great newer Michigan brewery called Short's that'll be sure to make future polls. No mention of some of the greatness that New Holland makes either but other than that I agree with this list.
Nice article with a lot of good picks, but I'm a little surprised at the number of typos.Seriously Paste, who copy edited this? I am available and affordable.
Glad to see two of my favorites, New Glarus and Bell's on the list. Ideally most of us will never get a chance to buy most of these in our local liquor store, as good beer should be brewed and drunk within an hour of each other and everyplace should be fortunate enough to have a good local brewery.
Nice list. @wonko - hilarious. @eric bakkum, there's a typo in your two sentence comment. @paste - try some Ska Brewing Modus Hoperandi IPA in a can. That beer is an incredible American IPA. Ska is smaller than the well-known CO breweries on your list but was the second in the nation to put craft beer in cans, after OB. Also makes a milk stout (Steel Toe) that has won many medals, and an ESB (also in cans) that is a standout.
P.S. @Texans, relax. Everyone knows you take great pride in your state and everything in it.
I scratched my head a bunch about whether DFH deserved the #1 slot, but then I thought about my personal experience: when on a family trip from Atlanta to NYC and back this summer, I specifically organized the itinerary to be in Rehoboth Beach, DE for lunch on day one of the journey back (complete with ferry ride from Cape May, NJ to make it happen.) I think that basically speaks for itself.
Great list, Paste. You got this one right on the money. Dogfish Head is by far the most exciting, inspiring, and delicious beer I've yet to taste. The 90-minute IPA is the bomb. Dogfish founder, Sam Calagione, is a genius.
I also am disappointed at the oversight of Great Lakes in Cleveland. The Christmas Ale is a delicious seasonal brew that has become a legendary tradition, anticipated for months in advance every year. The rest of the year is none too shabby either!
I am absolutely STUNNED that Anderson Valley is not on this list. And I'm from Philadelphia. You'd think I would be yelling about Troegs and Sly Fox, etc., but I am not.
Not only does AVBC crank out incredibly flavorful beers, they get 1/2 their electrical power from solar panels, more than any other brewery.
Go drink a Barney Flats and get back to me.
Preety suprized that no one has even mentioned Harpoon (out of Boston, MA). Their IPA is my go to easy drinking beer and their UFO is legendary. Try it if you can!
Of course there's a geographic bias to this list -- and although I'm a Wisconsin resident I won't start naming names -- but I'm surprised you omitted Georgia's own Sweetwater Brewery. Their IPA is one my favorite memories of the South.
A lofty list like this is no small task. So, I have to say that obviously they didn't everyone's local faves, this is a pretty spot-on list. My local kudos go out to the Portsmouth Brewery (New Hampshire). They don't sell anything commercially, but Beer Advocate Magazine has ranked their Kate the Great Russian Imperial Stout at the tops of their lists for a while now. Because I'm Real Ale (British definition) fan, I love their English style bitter. Do put it on your lists of things to do in New England (after visiting Allagash of course. Feel free to skip Smuttynose and Harpoon, though).
Great list, i am very glad to see the north coast brewery making it!....we are so lucky to be able to have their great brews available here in Florida.....enjoy
Overall, a decent list. Avery, Stone, Rogue, and Dogfishhead are spectacular. Also, Highland Brewing Company and Green Man Ale (served in-house at Jack of the Wood) located in Asheville are stellar. That being said, Asheville does not rival Portland as the beer Mecca of the states. 8 breweries
Great list - Sort of love that Captain Lawrence Brewery is nowhere to be found. Grateful that the brewery responsible for tastier beers than any of the ones mentioned above will be mine for another year.
I enjoyed reading the commentary above despite the fact that none of you have tried a beer like Liquid Gold.
YOU ARE BASED IN GEORGIA AND DID NOT EVEN GIVE SOME KIND OF HONORABLE MENTION TO TERRAPIN!!! FOR SHAME!
Really? No Terrapin, guys?? C'mon y'all! I've been living in Colorado for the past 2 years and I miss Big Hoppy Monster like nobody's business. Good choices with Avery, Great Divide, and Dogfish, though. Amazing breweries.
You know what I love about this list and these comments? I love that everyone has a "glaring omission." Your list is pretty unassailable, and the omissions would be "glaring" if this list was much longer. But the passion just goes to show how many amazing small breweries there are here in the US and how quickly craft beer is growing. We're all a little parochial when it comes to our favorites, so forgive me if I join in the pile-on. Props to Sixpoint, the best brewery in NYC.
Redhook in WA state ain't half bad, either, and their on-site restaurant is better than it should be. Love their Longhammer and ESB.
great list. troegs in pa is easily in the top 25.
I, too, will make a plug for Great Lakes Brewing Co in Cleveland. Having their Christmas Ale during the holidays is a tradition for so many who hail from this region, and the Dortmunder Gold is a classic any time of year.
I can't believe you guys missed Surly. They won brewery of the year on beer advocate for 2007.