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The Best Local Beer from Every State

The Best Local Beer from Every State

Craft beers continue to grab market share of the overall beer market in America, as total U.S. beer volume sales declined 3% in 2022, according to the Brewers Association. Craft-brewer volume sales edged up 0.1%, and the small and independent brewers’ share of the U.S. beer market by volume now stands at 13.2%. Retail dollar sales of craft beer rose 5%, to $28.4 billion, accounting for 24.6% of the $115 billion U.S. beer market.

In 1985, there were only 110 breweries of any kind in the U.S. As of 2022, there were 9,709, some 9,552 of them classified as craft breweries – an all-time high – and they are well-represented in every state. 

To compile a list of the best craft beer from 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. The site then calculates ratings by weighting attributes differently (most important is taste, weighted at 40%). The weighting accounts for the fact that in the ranking here, the highest placed beers don’t necessarily have the highest reader scores. Scores are current as of mid-May 2023.

As alcoholic beverages go, beer is the least powerful of potent potables. The average alcohol by volume for beer is around 4.5%. The craft beers on our list pack a greater wallop, with ABVs ranging from 4.8% to 17.3% – the latter in Utopias Barrel-Aged World Wide Stout, made by the Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Delaware. (On the other hand, here are 25 things you might not know about non-alcoholic beer.)

Craft beers range from hoppy double IPAs to inky-black imperial stouts to English-style barleywines. American imperial stout is the preferred style in 19 states, followed by New England IPA with nine. This is indicative of the popularity of these beers as well as their experimental potential by their brewers. (See where some of these beers place on our list of the 30 best beers in America.)

Source: Courtesy of Hitchhiker Brewing via Facebook

Alabama: Hitchhiker
> Avg. score: 4.3/5 (126 votes)
> Beer style: American IPA
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.4%
> Brewery: Good People Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of Anchorage Brewing Company via Facebook

Alaska: Blessed
> Avg. score: 4.7/5 (264 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 15.5%
> Brewery: Anchorage Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of SunUp Brewing Co. via Facebook

Arizona: White Russian imperial stout
> Avg. score: 4.4/5 (108 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.2%
> Brewery: Sun Up Brewing Co.

Source: Courtesy of Ozark Beer Company

Arkansas: BDCS
> Avg. score: 4.5/5 (554 votes)
> Beer style: Sweet/milk stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.2%
> Brewery: Ozark Beer Co.

Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News via Getty Images

California: Pliny The Younger
> Avg. score: 4.7/5 (3,544 votes)
> Beer style: Imperial IPA
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.3%
> Brewery: Russian River Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of Casey Brewing and Blending via Facebook

Colorado: Leaner
> Avg. score: 4.6/5 (246 votes)
> Beer style: Saison
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.0%
> Brewery: Casey Brewing & Blending and Barrel Cellar

Source: bellemarematt / Flickr

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

Source: Courtesy of Dogfish Head via Facebook

Delaware: Utopias Barrel-Aged World Wide Stout
> Avg. score: 4.4/5 (331 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 17.3%
> Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Source: Courtesy of Cigar City Brewing (Brewery & Taproom) via Facebook

Florida: Hunahpu’s imperial stout – Double Barrel Aged
> Avg. score: 4.7/5 (1,663 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.0%
> Brewery: Cigar City Brewing

Source: Courtesy of Wrecking Bar Brewpub via Facebook

Georgia: Mexican Siberius Maximus
> Avg. score: 4.5/5 (81 votes)
> Beer style: Russian imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.0%
> Brewery: Wrecking Bar Brewpub

Source: Courtesy of Winnie L. via Yelp

Hawaii: Imperial Coconut Porter
> Avg. score: 4.2/5 (275 votes)
> Beer style: Imperial porter
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.4%
> Brewery: Maui Brewing Co.

Source: Courtesy of Woodland Empire Ale Craft via Facebook

Idaho: Ada County
> Avg. score: 4.3/5 (31 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 15.0%
> Brewery: Woodland Empire Ale Craft

Source: brostad / Flickr

Illinois: Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout
> Avg. score: 4.7/5 (7,535 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13.2%
> Brewery: Goose Island Beer Co.

Source: Courtesy of 3 Floyds Brewing via Facebook

Indiana: Marshmallow Handjee
> Avg. score: 4.8/5 (1,800 votes)
> Beer style: Russian imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 15.0%
> Brewery: 3 Floyds Brewing Co.

Source: Courtesy of Toppling Goliath Taproom via Facebook

Iowa: Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout
> Avg. score: 4.8/5 (913 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 12.0%
> Brewery: Toppling Goliath Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of The Free State Brewing Co. via Facebook

Kansas: Old Backus Barleywine
> Avg. score: 4.2/5 (263 votes)
> Beer style: American barleywine
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.5%
> Brewery: Free State Brewing Co.

Source: Courtesy of West Sixth NuLu via Facebook

Kentucky: Snake Cake
> Avg. score: 4.5/5 (42 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13.0%
> Brewery: West Sixth Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of Parish Brewing Company via Facebook

Louisiana: Ghost In The Machine – Double Dry-Hopped
> Avg. score: 4.6/5 (406 votes)
> Beer style: New England IPA
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.5%
> Brewery: Parish Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of Maine Beer Company

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

Source: Courtesy of Polly R. via Yelp

Maryland: J.R.E.A.M. – Blueberry Cobbler
> Avg. score: 4.4/5 (27 votes)
> Beer style: Fruited kettle sour
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.8%
> Brewery: Burley Oak Brewing Co.

Source: Courtesy of Amanda C. via Yelp

Massachusetts: King Julius
> Avg. score: 4.7/5 (1,581 votes)
> Beer style: New England IPA
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.2%
> Brewery: Tree House Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of Cy M. via Yelp

Michigan: CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout)
> Avg. score: 4.6/5 (6,750 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.3%
> Brewery: Founders Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of Forager Brewery via Facebook

Minnesota: Nillerzzzzz
> Avg. score: 4.6/5 (141 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 14.0%
> Brewery: Forager Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of Southern Prohibition via Facebook

Mississippi: Paradise Lost
> Avg. score: 4.3/5 (72 votes)
> Beer style: New England IPA
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.1%
> Brewery: Southern Prohibition Brewing

Source: Courtesy of Perennial Artisan Ales via Facebook

Missouri: Abraxas – Barrel-Aged
> Avg. score: 4.7/5 (1,664 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.0%
> Brewery: Perennial Artisan Ales

Source: Courtesy of Big Sky Brewing Company via Facebook

Montana: Ivan The Terrible imperial stout – Barrel-Aged
> Avg. score: 4.3/5 (900 votes)
> Beer style: Russian imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.6%
> Brewery: Big Sky Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of White Elm Brewing Co. via Facebook

Nebraska: Champurrado Stout
> Avg. score: 4.5/5 (32 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13.0%
> Brewery: White Elm Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of Revision Brewing Company via Facebook

Nevada: Coconut Pie Face
> Avg. score: 4.4/5 (29 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.7%
> Brewery: Revision Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of Courtney M. via Yelp

New Hampshire: Vinatta Russian imperial stout
> Avg. score: 4.4/5 (94 votes)
> Beer style: Russian imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 12.0%
> Brewery: Kelsen Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of Kane Brewing Company via Facebook

New Jersey: Sunday Brunch
> Avg. score: 4.6/5 (851 votes)
> Beer style: Imperial porter
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.2%
> Brewery: Kane Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of Charles K. via Yelp

New Mexico: Project Dank
> 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
> Avg. score: 4.6/5 (260 votes)
> Beer style: New England IPA
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.0%
> Brewery: Other Half Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of Heist Brewery via Facebook

North Carolina: CitraQuench’l
> Avg. score: 7.1/5 (372 votes)
> Beer style: New England IPA
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.1%
> Brewery: Heist Brewery

Source: Courtesy of Drekker Brewing Company (Drekker Brewing - Brewhalla) via Facebook

North Dakota: Chonk Sundae Sour (Mango and Marshmallow)
> Avg. score: 4.4/5 (28 votes)
> Beer style: Fruited kettle sour
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.2%
> Brewery: Drekker Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of Jack O's Brewery via Facebook

Ohio: Appervation
> Avg. score: 4.5/5 (339 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 15.0%
> Brewery: Jackie O’s Brewpub

Source: Courtesy of Prairie Artisan Ales via Facebook

Oklahoma: Bourbon Paradise
> Avg. score: 4.6/5 (935 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13.7%
> Brewery: Prairie Artisan Ales

Source: Courtesy of Melissa E. via Yelp

Oregon: Nectarine Premiere
> Avg. score: 4.6/5 (408 votes)
> Beer style: Saison
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.1%
> Brewery: de Garde Brewing

Source: Courtesy of Brew Gentlemen via Facebook

Pennsylvania: Albatross
> Avg. score: 4.5/5 (110 votes)
> Beer style: New England IPA
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.0%
> Brewery: Brew Gentlemen

Source: Courtesy of Tilted Bard Brewery via Facebook

Rhode Island: The Chosen One
> Avg. score: 4.5/5 (171 votes)
> Beer style: New England IPA
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.5%
> Brewery: Tilted Barn Brewery

Source: Courtesy of Westbrook Brewing Company via Facebook

South Carolina: Mexican Coffee Cake
> Avg. score: 4.4/5 (330 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.5%
> Brewery: Westbrook Brewing Co.

Source: Courtesy of Lost Cabin Beer Co. via Facebook

South Dakota: SoDank IPA
> Avg. score: 4.1/5 (14 votes)
> Beer style: American IPA
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.8%
> Brewery: Lost Cabin Beer Co.

Source: Courtesy of Wiseacre Brewing Company via Facebook

Tennessee: Astronaut Status
> Avg. score: 4.4/5 (215 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 12.2%
> Brewery: Wiseacre Brewing – Broad Ave OG

Source: Courtesy of Jester King Brewery via Facebook

Texas: Atrial Rubicite
> Avg. score: 4.6/5 (2,012 votes)
> Beer style: Wild ale
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.8%
> Brewery: Jester King Brewery

Source: Courtesy of Epic Brewing Company - Denver Taproom via Facebook

Utah: Big Bad Baptista
> Avg. score: 4.4/5 (815 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.7%
> Brewery: Epic Brewing Company

Source: walkn / Flickr

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

Source: Courtesy of Aslin Beer Company - The District via Facebook

Virginia: Double Orange Starfish
> Avg. score: 4.5/5 (488 votes)
> Beer style: New England IPA
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.3%
> Brewery: Aslin Beer Company

Source: Courtesy of Mel T. via Yelp

Washington: Coffee Cinnamon B-Bomb
> Avg. score: 4.6/5 (1,128 votes)
> Beer style: American strong ale
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13.0%
> Brewery: Fremont Brewing Company

Source: Courtesy of Chestnut Brew Works, LLC via Facebook

West Virginia: Halleck Pale Ale
> Avg. score: 4.3/5 (58 votes)
> Beer style: American pale ale
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.0%
> Brewery: Chestnut Brew Works

Source: Courtesy of Central Waters Brewing Company via Facebook

Wisconsin: Black Gold
> Avg. score: 4.5/5 (869 votes)
> Beer style: American imperial stout
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.0%
> Brewery: Central Waters Brewing Co.

Source: Courtesy of Melvin Brewing via Facebook

Wyoming: 2×4 DIPA
> Avg. score: 4.3/5 (884 votes)
> Beer style: Imperial IPA
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.9%
> Brewery: Melvin Brewing/Thai Me Up

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