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A Beer Lover’s Guide to the Best Craft Brews in Every State

A Beer Lover’s Guide to the Best Craft Brews in Every State

The beer industry has been popular in the United States for several centuries. While there have been high and low points – prohibition forced all sales to halt – for the most part, a few large corporations have dominated the market. It wasn’t until the 1980s that craft beer appeared in the U.S., comprising only a small portion of the beer market – 0.1% of total sales. If you’re a craft beer lover, you were still missing out.

In 1985, there were only 110 breweries in the United States. Fast forward to today where craft beer grabs a big portion of the market share of the overall beer market in America. As of 2023, there were 9,683, an all-time high, which includes 2,071 microbreweries, 3,467 brewpubs, 3,900 taproom breweries, and 245 regional craft breweries. According to the Brewers Association, retail sales of craft brew now account for 24.7% of the $117 billion U.S. beer market.

To compile a list of a beer lover’s guide to the best local brews in every state, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the “Top 250 Rated Beers” on BeerAdvocate, as judged by its readers. The site asks reviewers to score beers on a scale of 1.00 to 5.00 in 0.25-point increments on five ratable attributes: appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel, and overall impressions.

Ratings were then calculated by weighting attributes differently (the most important is taste, weighted at 40%). Scores are current as of mid-May 2023. Craft beers range from hoppy double IPAs to imperial stouts to English-style barleywines. (If you prefer wheat beer, check out the only wheat beer brands you should be drinking.)

Here is a beer lover’s guide to the best local brews in every state:

Alabama: Hitchhiker

Courtesy of Adrian T. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.3/5 (126 votes)
  • Beer style: American IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.4%
  • Brewery: Good People Brewing Company

Alaska: Blessed

Courtesy of Tiffany R. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.7/5 (264 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 15.5%
  • Brewery: Anchorage Brewing Company

Arizona: White Russian imperial stout

Courtesy of Sunup Brewing via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.4/5 (108 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.2%
  • Brewery: Sun Up Brewing Co.

Arkansas: BDCS

Courtesy of Ozark Beer Company
  • Avg. score: 4.5/5 (554 votes)
  • Beer style: Sweet/milk stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.2%
  • Brewery: Ozark Beer Co.

California: Pliny The Younger

Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • Avg. score: 4.7/5 (3,544 votes)
  • Beer style: Imperial IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.3%
  • Brewery: Russian River Brewing Company

Colorado: Leaner

Courtesy of Sylvia B. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.6/5 (246 votes)
  • Beer style: Saison
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.0%
  • Brewery: Casey Brewing & Blending and Barrel Cellar

Connecticut: Fuzzy Baby Ducks

Fuzzy Baby Ducks by Matthew Bellemare
bellemarematt / Flickr
  • Avg. score: 4.5/5 (1,159 votes)
  • Beer style: New England IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.2%
  • Brewery: New England Brewing Co.

Delaware: Utopias Barrel-Aged World Wide Stout

Courtesy of Jason N. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.4/5 (331 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 17.3%
  • Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Florida: Hunahpu’s imperial stout – Double Barrel Aged

Courtesy of Kaiden T. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.7/5 (1,663 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.0%
  • Brewery: Cigar City Brewing

Georgia: Mexican Siberius Maximus

Courtesy of Adrian B. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.5/5 (81 votes)
  • Beer style: Russian imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.0%
  • Brewery: Wrecking Bar Brewpub

Hawaii: Imperial Coconut Porter

Courtesy of Winnie L. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.2/5 (275 votes)
  • Beer style: Imperial porter
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.4%
  • Brewery: Maui Brewing Co.

Idaho: Ada County

Courtesy of Stacy G. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.3/5 (31 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 15.0%
  • Brewery: Woodland Empire Ale Craft

Illinois: Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout

Goose Island Bourbon County St... by Bernt Rostad
brostad / Flickr
  • Avg. score: 4.7/5 (7,535 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13.2%
  • Brewery: Goose Island Beer Co.

Indiana: Marshmallow Handjee

Courtesy of Howard L. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.8/5 (1,800 votes)
  • Beer style: Russian imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 15.0%
  • Brewery: 3 Floyds Brewing Co.

Iowa: Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout

Courtesy of Scott S. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.8/5 (913 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 12.0%
  • Brewery: Toppling Goliath Brewing Company

Kansas: Old Backus Barleywine

Courtesy of Kendra K. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.2/5 (263 votes)
  • Beer style: American barleywine
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.5%
  • Brewery: Free State Brewing Co.

Kentucky: Snake Cake

Courtesy of Ben N. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.5/5 (42 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13.0%
  • Brewery: West Sixth Brewing Company

Louisiana: Ghost In The Machine – Double Dry-Hopped

Courtesy of John L.H. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.6/5 (406 votes)
  • Beer style: New England IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.5%
  • Brewery: Parish Brewing Company

Maine: Dinner

Courtesy of Maine Beer Company
  • Avg. score: 4.6/5 (2,749 votes)
  • Beer style: Imperial IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.2%
  • Brewery: Maine Beer Company

Maryland: J.R.E.A.M. – Blueberry Cobbler

Courtesy of Polly R. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.4/5 (27 votes)
  • Beer style: Fruited kettle sour
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.8%
  • Brewery: Burley Oak Brewing Co.

Massachusetts: King Julius

Courtesy of Amanda C. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.7/5 (1,581 votes)
  • Beer style: New England IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.2%
  • Brewery: Tree House Brewing Company

Michigan: CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout)

Courtesy of Cy M. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.6/5 (6,750 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.3%
  • Brewery: Founders Brewing Company

Minnesota: Nillerzzzzz

Courtesy of Danielle W. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.6/5 (141 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 14.0%
  • Brewery: Forager Brewing Company

Mississippi: Paradise Lost

Courtesy of Sandra T. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.3/5 (72 votes)
  • Beer style: New England IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.1%
  • Brewery: Southern Prohibition Brewing

Missouri: Abraxas – Barrel-Aged

Courtesy of Brian M. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.7/5 (1,664 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.0%
  • Brewery: Perennial Artisan Ales

Montana: Ivan The Terrible imperial stout – Barrel-Aged

Courtesy of Kierstin R. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.3/5 (900 votes)
  • Beer style: Russian imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.6%
  • Brewery: Big Sky Brewing Company

Nebraska: Champurrado Stout

Courtesy of Daniel D. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.5/5 (32 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13.0%
  • Brewery: White Elm Brewing Company

Nevada: Coconut Pie Face

Courtesy of Deanna L. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.4/5 (29 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.7%
  • Brewery: Revision Brewing Company

New Hampshire: Vinatta Russian imperial stout

Courtesy of Courtney M. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.4/5 (94 votes)
  • Beer style: Russian imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 12.0%
  • Brewery: Kelsen Brewing Company

New Jersey: Sunday Brunch

Courtesy of Jennifer K. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.6/5 (851 votes)
  • Beer style: Imperial porter
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.2%
  • Brewery: Kane Brewing Company

New Mexico: Project Dank

Courtesy of Charles K. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.4/5 (914 votes)
  • Beer style: American IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.5%
  • Brewery: La Cumbre Brewing Co.

New York: 4th Anniversary

Courtesy of Nicole S. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.6/5 (260 votes)
  • Beer style: New England IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.0%
  • Brewery: Other Half Brewing Company

North Carolina: CitraQuench’l

Courtesy of Sandra C. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 7.1/5 (372 votes)
  • Beer style: New England IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.1%
  • Brewery: Heist Brewery (Noda location temporarily closed due to fire damage)

North Dakota: Chonk Sundae Sour (Mango and Marshmallow)

Courtesy of Erica W. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.4/5 (28 votes)
  • Beer style: Fruited kettle sour
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.2%
  • Brewery: Drekker Brewing Company

Ohio: Appervation

Courtesy of Jeffrey S. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.5/5 (339 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 15.0%
  • Brewery: Jackie O’s Brewpub

Oklahoma: Bourbon Paradise

Courtesy of Laura R. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.6/5 (935 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13.7%
  • Brewery: Prairie Artisan Ales

Oregon: Nectarine Premiere

Courtesy of Melissa E. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.6/5 (408 votes)
  • Beer style: Saison
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.1%
  • Brewery: de Garde Brewing

Pennsylvania: Albatross

Courtesy of Pete J. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.5/5 (110 votes)
  • Beer style: New England IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.0%
  • Brewery: Brew Gentlemen

Rhode Island: The Chosen One

Courtesy of R.J. P. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.5/5 (171 votes)
  • Beer style: New England IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.5%
  • Brewery: Tilted Barn Brewery

South Carolina: Mexican Coffee Cake

Courtesy of Chris W. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.4/5 (330 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.5%
  • Brewery: Westbrook Brewing Co.

South Dakota: SoDank IPA

Courtesy of Steve M. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.1/5 (14 votes)
  • Beer style: American IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.8%
  • Brewery: Lost Cabin Beer Co.

Tennessee: Astronaut Status

Courtesy of David H. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.4/5 (215 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 12.2%
  • Brewery: Wiseacre Brewing – Broad Ave OG

Texas: Atrial Rubicite

Courtesy of JRam C. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.6/5 (2,012 votes)
  • Beer style: Wild ale
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.8%
  • Brewery: Jester King Brewery

Utah: Big Bad Baptista

Courtesy of Clayton A. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.4/5 (815 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.7%
  • Brewery: Epic Brewing Company

Vermont: Heady Topper

The Alchemist Heady Topper by walknboston
walkn / Flickr
  • Avg. score: 4.7/5 (15,197 votes)
  • Beer style: Imperial IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.0%
  • Brewery: The Alchemist

Virginia: Double Orange Starfish

Courtesy of Olivia I. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.5/5 (488 votes)
  • Beer style: New England IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.3%
  • Brewery: Aslin Beer Company

Washington: Coffee Cinnamon B-Bomb

Courtesy of Mel T. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.6/5 (1,128 votes)
  • Beer style: American strong ale
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13.0%
  • Brewery: Fremont Brewing Company

West Virginia: Halleck Pale Ale

Courtesy of Sher Y. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.3/5 (58 votes)
  • Beer style: American pale ale
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.0%
  • Brewery: Chestnut Brew Works

Wisconsin: Black Gold

Courtesy of Michael B. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.5/5 (869 votes)
  • Beer style: American imperial stout
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.0%
  • Brewery: Central Waters Brewing Co.

Wyoming: 2×4 DIPA

Courtesy of Monica D. via Yelp
  • Avg. score: 4.3/5 (884 votes)
  • Beer style: Imperial IPA
  • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.9%
  • Brewery: Melvin Brewing
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