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America’s 40 Best-Tasting Beers, Ranked

America’s 40 Best-Tasting Beers, Ranked

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40. Arrowhead Red Ale

Courtesy of Montauk Brewing Company via Yelp

39. Fresh Squeezed

Courtesy of Antonio R. via Yelp

38. Death and Taxes

Courtesy of Moonlight Brewing via Yelp

37. Abner

Courtesy of Hill Farmstead Brewery via Yelp

36. Anabasis

Courtesy of Jaye S. via Yelp

35. Bone's Desire

Courtesy of Carrie N. via Yelp

34. Duck-Duck-Gooze

Courtesy of Paulina M. via Yelp

32. Monster Tones

Courtesy of Travis T. via Yelp

31. New World Geography

Courtesy of Brian M. via Yelp

30. Atrial Rubicite

Courtesy of Dawn H. via Yelp

29. Daily Wages

Courtesy of Fran V. via Yelp

27. Qualified

Courtesy of Alden C. via Yelp

26. Más Verde

Courtesy of Patricia N. via Yelp

25. Elevated IPA

Courtesy of Carlos I. via Yelp

24. Le Terroir

Courtesy of Ashton M. via Yelp

23. Westly

Courtesy of Katie R. via Yelp

21. Sip of Sunshine

Courtesy of Ruth C. via Yelp

20. Maman

Courtesy of Kelly P. via Yelp

19. Dinner

Courtesy of Bella T. via Yelp

18. Clover

Courtesy of Retxab M. via Yelp

17. O.W.K.

Courtesy of Brian M. via Yelp

16. Very Hazy

Courtesy of Joey D. via Yelp

15. CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout)

Courtesy of Cy M. via Yelp

14. Inherited Wisdom

Courtesy of Matt C. via Yelp

13. Fundamental Observation

Courtesy of Rich C. via Yelp

12. Zombie Dust

Courtesy of Emily H. via Yelp

10. Pliny the Younger

Courtesy of John D. via Yelp

8. Hunahpu's Imperial Stout – Double Barrel Aged

Courtesy of Naomi K via Yelp

7. Barrel-Aged Abraxas

Courtesy of Kevin H. via Yelp

6. Blessed

Courtesy of Betty M. via Yelp

5. Mornin' Delight

Courtesy of Scott S. via Yelp

4. KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout)

Courtesy of Alden C. via Yelp

2. Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout

Courtesy of Craig W. via Yelp

40. Arrowhead Red Ale
39. Fresh Squeezed
38. Death and Taxes
37. Abner
36. Anabasis
35. Bone's Desire
34. Duck-Duck-Gooze
33. A Deal With the Devil – Triple Oak-Aged
32. Monster Tones
31. New World Geography
30. Atrial Rubicite
29. Daily Wages
28. Old Rasputin
27. Qualified
26. Más Verde
25. Elevated IPA
24. Le Terroir
23. Westly
22. Very Green
21. Sip of Sunshine
20. Maman
19. Dinner
18. Clover
17. O.W.K.
16. Very Hazy
15. CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout)
14. Inherited Wisdom
13. Fundamental Observation
12. Zombie Dust
11. Two-Hearted Ale
10. Pliny the Younger
9. King JJJuliusss
8. Hunahpu's Imperial Stout – Double Barrel Aged
7. Barrel-Aged Abraxas
6. Blessed
5. Mornin' Delight
4. KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout)
3. Pliny the Elder
2. Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout
1. Heady Topper

A nice, crisp, refreshing beer may seem ideal on a hot summer day – or any day – and many people would agree that this brew is delicious. The most popular alcoholic beverage in the world is beer – believed to be the oldest too – and ranks third to water and tea as the most consumed beverage. It also takes the top spot in the United States, and even though Americans' beer consumption has declined over the past 20 years as wine and cocktails have gained popularity, beer remains the top alcoholic drink in the U.S. where over 6.5 billion gallons was consumed in 2023.

From Budweiser, Coors, and Corona to Heineken and Guinness, mass-market brands dominate sales, but craft beers are steadily gaining ground. In 2023, craft beer consumption grew to 13.3%, accounting for a quarter of the American beer market, bringing in more than 68 billion dollars. Unlike unchanging corporate brews, experimental craft breweries constantly pour new aromas and flavors into the market, offering novel options to beer drinkers, which appeals to the 40% of Americans who drink the brew. (It's also the most popular drink at football stadiums, and in just 73 days, you can return to watching Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce take the field.)

24/7 Tempo consulted numerous rankings and reviews on specialist sites, including Beer Advocate, Hop Culture, RateBeer, and Craft Beer & Brewing, and from such general-interest publications to assemble an admittedly subjective list of the best-tasting beers in America. While numerical scores, where given, were factored into our choices, consideration was also given to the comments of reviewers, both amateur and professional, in describing various beers.

While many think craft beers are far superior to other varieties, and may offer more health benefits than commercial brands due to their high phenolic content, they also have downsides. Per the National Library of Medicine, craft brews can be difficult to find, with limited local or seasonal availability. Plus, they carry premium pricing, sometimes $50 or more per bottle. With bold flavors, high alcohol content, and bitterness, craft beers won't suit every palate but they exemplify the pinnacle of American craft brewing today. (Here's the best local beer from every state.)

Here are the best-tasting beers in America

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