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America’s Most Delectable Brews

America’s Most Delectable Brews

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When it comes to alcoholic beverages, beer reigns supreme. It is the most popular beverage in the world, as well as the United States, and is the most consumed beverage after water and tea. Although not everyone is a beer drinker, (wine and other assorted cocktails have gained in popularity), which has led to a slight decline in consumption, it remains the dominant adult beverage in the U.S.

In 2022, over 6 billion gallons of beer were consumed annually; compare that to the U.S. wine consumption, the highest in the world, where 4.6 billion bottles (or 2.86 gallons of wine per person) are enjoyed yearly, and it’s easy to see which beverage is leading the way. Tastes vary significantly but with such a wide variety to choose from, there is certainly something for every beer aficionado and beginner alike.

Most people tend to enter the beer market with the basics; market brands that dominate overall sales. But it’s the craft beers that stand out for their exceptional flavor profiles that make each beer unique, with different tastes and aromas that result in a more complex flavor. Craft brews have steadily gained ground and unlike corporate brews that remain the same, experimental craft breweries constantly pour new aromas and flavors into the market, offering novel options to beer drinkers.

24/7 Tempo consulted numerous rankings and reviews on specialist sites, including Beer Advocate, Hop Culture, RateBeer, and Craft Beer & Brewing, and from various general-interest publications to give you a somewhat subjective list of America’s most delectable brews. Consideration was also given to the comments of reviewers, both amateur and professional, in describing various beers. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, craft beers may offer more health benefits than commercial brands due to their high phenolic content, but they also have downsides. They can be difficult to find, with limited local or seasonal availability, and often carry premium pricing, sometimes $50 or more per bottle. With bold flavors, high alcohol content, and bitterness, craft beers won’t suit every palate. Still, together 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 the U.S.

39. Arrowhead Red Ale

Source: Courtesy of Jaak L. via Yelp

A sunny day at Montauk Brewing Company.

Source: Courtesy of Jaak L. via Yelp
  • Style: Irish red ale
  • Notes: Stone fruit, traces of butterscotch, malt
  • Brewery: Montauk Brewing Company
  • Location: Montauk, New York

38. Fresh Squeezed

Source: Courtesy of Rachel M. via Yelp

Deschutes Brewery in Portland, Oregon.

Source: Courtesy of Rachel M. via Yelp
  • Style: IPA
  • Notes: Lemony, tropical fruit flavors, solid malt center
  • Brewery: Deschutes Brewery
  • Location: Bend, Oregon

37. Death and Taxes

Source: Courtesy of Myke M. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Myke M. via Yelp
  • Style: European dark lager
  • Notes: Smooth, crisp, and clean, with a bracing finish compared to iced coffee
  • Brewery: Moonlight Brewing Company
  • Location: Santa Rosa, California

36. Abner

Source: Courtesy of Jackie L. via Yelp

A 2 liter growler.

Source: Courtesy of Jackie L. via Yelp
  • Style: New England IPA
  • Notes: Floral, hoppy
  • Brewery: Hill Farmstead Brewery
  • Location: Greensboro Bend, Vermont

35. Anabasis

Source: Courtesy of James J. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of James J. via Yelp
  • Style: American barleywine
  • Notes: Earthy, piney, and oaky, with caramel, vanilla, and almond
  • Brewery: Side Project Brewing
  • Location: Maplewood, Missouri

34. Bone’s Desire

Source: Courtesy of Carrie N. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Carrie N. via Yelp
  • Style: Grodziskie
  • Notes: Smoky, with pinpoint carbonation, nice hoppy bitterness, and a hint of sweetness
  • Brewery: Necromancer Brewing Co.
  • Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

33. Duck-Duck-Gooze

Source: Courtesy of Paulina M. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Paulina M. via Yelp
  • Style: Belgian-style sour ale
  • Notes: Stone fruits, with some tartness and sweetness.
  • Brewery: The Lost Abbey
  • Location: San Marcos, California

32. A Deal With the Devil – Triple Oak-Aged

Anchorage Brewing Company Beer... by Four Brewers
Source: fourbrewers / Flickr

Anchorage Brewing Company Beer… (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Four Brewers
  • Style: American barleywine
  • Notes: Dried fruit, caramel, chocolate, vanilla, brown sugar, a bit of smoke
  • Brewery: Anchorage Brewing Company
  • Location: Anchorage, Alaska

31. Monster Tones

Source: Courtesy of Travis T. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Travis T. via Yelp
  • Style: American Imperial stout
  • Notes: Coconut, chocolate, caramel and coffee
  • Brewery: Modern Times Beer
  • Location: San Diego, California

30. New World Geography

Source: Courtesy of Brian M. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Brian M. via Yelp
  • Style: Italian-style pilsner
  • Notes: Citrus and resin
  • Brewery: Alma Mader Brewing
  • Location: Kansas City, Missouri

29. Atrial Rubicite

Source: Courtesy of Dawn H. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Dawn H. via Yelp
  • Style: Sour ale
  • Notes: Juicy fruit
  • Brewery: Jester King Brewery
  • Location: Austin, Texas

28. Daily Wages

Source: Courtesy of Fran V. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Fran V. via Yelp
  • Style: Saison/farmhouse ale
  • Notes: Herbaceous, crisp, earthy
  • Brewery: Brasserie Saint James
  • Location: Reno, Nevada

27. Old Rasputin

North Coast Old Rasputin by Bernt Rostad
Source: brostad / Flickr

North Coast Old Rasputin (CC BY 2.0) by Bernt Rostad
  • Style: Russian imperial stout
  • Notes: Malty, chocolatey, with a hint of strong espresso bitterness
  • Brewery: North Coast Brewing Co.
  • Location: Fort Bragg, California

26. Qualified

Source: Courtesy of Alden C. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Alden C. via Yelp
  • Style: Quadrupel
  • Notes: Dried fruit, brown sugar, baking bread, and roasted almonds
  • Brewery: Taxman Brewing Co.
  • Location: Bargeersville, Indiana

25. Más Verde

Source: Courtesy of Patricia N. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Patricia N. via Yelp
  • Style: New England IPA
  • Notes:  Tropical fruit, pine, tinges of citrus and spices
  • Brewery: River Roost Brewery
  • Location: Hartford, Vermont

24. Elevated IPA

Source: Courtesy of Carlos I. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Carlos I. via Yelp
  • Style: American IPA
  • Notes: Resin, grapefruit, green grass
  • Brewery: La Cumbre Brewing Co.
  • Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico

23. Le Terroir

Source: Courtesy of Ashton M. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Ashton M. via Yelp
  • Style: Sour ale
  • Notes: Citrus, tropical fruit, mango, peaches, grapefruit, perfume
  • Brewery: New Belgium Brewing
  • Location: Fort Collins, Colorado and Asheville, North Carolina

22. Westly

Source:

Source: Courtesy of Fran V. via Yelp
  • Style: Saison
  • Notes: Apricots, oaky
  • Brewery: Sainte Adairius Rustic Ales
  • Location: Capitola, California

21. Very Green

Tree House Brewery Sign (24431... by Eric Kilby from Somerville, MA, USA
Source: Eric Kilby from Somerville, MA, USA / Wikimedia Commons

Tree House Brewery Sign (24431… (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Eric Kilby from Somerville, MA, USA
  • Style: Double IPA
  • Notes: Piney, herbaceous, citrus
  • Brewery: Tree House Brewing Co.
  • Location: Charlton, Massachusetts

20. Sip of Sunshine

Source: Courtesy of Ruth C. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Ruth C. via Yelp
  • Style: Imperial IPA
  • Notes: Pine needles, roses, warm biscuits, hops, malt
  • Brewery: Lawson’s Finest Liquids
  • Location: Waitsfield, Vermont

19. Maman

Source: Courtesy of Kelly P. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Kelly P. via Yelp
  • Style: American Imperial stout
  • Notes: Barleywines, bourbon, barrel, char, dark fruit, brownie, and chocolate
  • Brewery: Perennial Artisan Ales
  • Location: St. Louis, Missouri

18. Dinner

Source: Courtesy of Bella T. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Bella T. via Yelp
  • Style: Double IPA
  • Notes: Mango, passion fruit, pineapple, garlic, onion, malt, and caramel
  • Brewery: Maine Beer Co.
  • Location: Freeport, Maine

17. Clover

Source: Courtesy of Retxab M. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Retxab M. via Yelp
  • Style: Saison
  • Notes: Lemon zest, apricot pit, and a slight touch of butter
  • Brewery: Hill Farmstead Brewery
  • Location: Greensboro Bend, Vermont

16. O.W.K.

Source: Courtesy of Brian M. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Brian M. via Yelp
  • Style: Imperial stout
  • Notes: Milk chocolate, decadent fudge and earthy vanilla
  • Brewery: Side Project Brewing
  • Location: Maplewood, Missouri

15. Very Hazy

Source: Courtesy of Joey D. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Joey D. via Yelp
  • Style: New England IPA
  • Notes: Peach rings, orange juice, and tropical fruit bubblegum yeast esters
  • Brewery: Tree House Brewing Co.
  • Location: Charlton, Massachusetts

14. Inherited Wisdom

Source:

Source: Courtesy of Matt C. via Yelp
  • Style: English dark mild ale
  • Notes: Chocolate, toffee, roasted coffee, dark fruit
  • Brewery: Westbound & Down
  • Location: Lafayette, Colorado

13. Fundamental Observation

Source: Courtesy of Rich C. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Rich C. via Yelp
  • Style: Imperial Stout
  • Notes: Creamy vanilla, rich chocolate, bourbon, and oak
  • Brewery: Bottle Logic Brewing
  • Location: Anaheim, California

12. Zombie Dust

Source: Courtesy of Emily H. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Emily H. via Yelp
  • Style: IPA
  • Notes: Blackberry, blueberry, peach, mango, pineapple, white wine, and light onion
  • Brewery: 3 Floyds Brewing Co.
  • Location: Munster, Indiana

11. Two-Hearted Ale

Bells Two Hearted Ale by Hungry Dudes
Source: twohungrydudes / Flickr

Bells Two Hearted Ale (CC BY 2.0) by Hungry Dudes
  • Style: IPA
  • Notes: Pine, grapefruit
  • Brewery: Bell’s Brewery
  • Location: Comstock, Michigan

10. Pliny the Younger

Source:

Source: Courtesy of John D. via Yelp
  • Style: Triple IPA
  • Notes: Oranges, stone fruit, and citrus
  • Brewery: Russian River Brewing Co.
  • Location: Santa Rosa, California

9. King JJJuliusss

Tree House Brewery Sign by Eric Kilby
Source: Eric Kilby / Wikimedia Commons

Tree House Brewery Sign (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Eric Kilby
  • Style: Double IPA
  • Notes: Mango, orange, grapefruit, and herb
  • Brewery: Tree House Brewing Co.
  • Location: Charlton, Massachusetts

8. Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout – Double Barrel Aged

Source:

Source: Courtesy of Naomi K via Yelp
  • Style: Imperial stout
  • Notes: Dark toffee, vanilla, cinnamon, tobacco, chili notes
  • Brewery: Cigar City Brewing
  • Location: Tampa, Florida

7. Barrel-Aged Abraxas

Source: Courtesy of Kevin H. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Kevin H. via Yelp
  • Style: Imperial stout
  • Notes: Mocha, toffee, dark fruit, vanilla, spice, oak
  • Brewery: Perennial Artisan Ales
  • Location: St. Louis, Missouri

6. Blessed

Source: Courtesy of Betty M. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Betty M. via Yelp
  • Style: Imperial stout
  • Notes: Fudge, coconut, vanilla, whiskey, caramel, oak
  • Brewery: Anchorage Brewing Co.
  • Location: Anchorage, Alaska

5. Mornin’ Delight

Source: Courtesy of Scott S. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Scott S. via Yelp
  • Style: Imperial stout
  • Notes: Maple syrup and coffee
  • Brewery: Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.
  • Location: Decorah, Iowa

4. KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout)

Source:

Source: Courtesy of Alden C. via Yelp
  • Style: Imperial stout
  • Notes: Vanilla, cocoa, roasted coffee, charred oak
  • Brewery: Founders Brewing Co.
  • Location: Detroit, Michigan

3. Pliny the Elder

Favorite Beer by Mike McCune
Source: mccun934 / Flickr

Favorite Beer (CC BY 2.0) by Mike McCune
  • Style: Double IPA
  • Notes: Floral, citrus, and pine
  • Brewery: Russian River Brewing Co.
  • Location: Santa Rosa, California

2. Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout

Source: Courtesy of Craig W. via Yelp

Source: Courtesy of Craig W. via Yelp
  • Style: Stout
  • Notes: Chocolate brownie batter, maple, espresso, bourbon spice
  • Brewery: Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.
  • Location: Decorah, Iowa

1. Heady Topper

The Alchemist Heady Topper by walknboston
Source: walkn / Flickr

The Alchemist Heady Topper (CC BY 2.0) by walknboston
  • Style: Double IPA
  • Notes: Tangerine, grapefruit, sweet malts
  • Brewery: The Alchemist
  • Location: Waterbury, Vermont
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