In this article, we are going to discuss 50 of the highest-rated beers in the U.S. You can skip our detailed analysis of the economic impact of the American beer industry, the recent buyback in the brewing industry, and the social responsibility initiatives by breweries, and go directly to 10 of the Highest-Rated Beers in the U.S.
Although it is the third-most popular drink in the world, beer is often more than just a beverage, boasting significant cultural and historical significance in many societies and traditions. In Germany, for example, beer is considered an essential part of the country’s cultural heritage, and the government has strict regulations on its production to ensure quality and authenticity. In Ireland, beer (specifically Guinness) is associated with the country’s national identity and is a common symbol of Irish culture. And in the United States, beer has become synonymous with sports events and tailgating parties, as well as being a popular drink for socializing with friends.
Economic Impact of the American Beer Industry:
Beer is the favorite tipple in America. As we mentioned in our article – 20 Biggest Beer Brands in America – the U.S. beer industry contributed over 2.4 million local jobs and $409 billion to the national economy in 2022, equivalent to 1.6% of GDP. The industry also paid $132 billion in wages and contributed $63.8 billion in taxes to the national kitty.
The 2.4 million jobs the industry provides fall into a multitude of sectors, including 92,159 brewer and beer-importer jobs, 77,847 manufacturing jobs, 137,420 distribution jobs, 52,220 agricultural jobs and 979,805 retail jobs. According to Beer Serves America, each job in the brewing industry generates 30 jobs in every corner of the country.
From the farmers harvesting the barley in your brew, to the beer truck driver, to your local bartender, every aspect of your drink exists because of someone in the industry working hard behind the scenes. The positive economic impact of beer is something you seldom consider while cracking open a cold one, but, given the facts, maybe it’s time we all raised a glass to it.
Recent Buyback in the Brewing Sector:
The beer world is accustomed to hearing about big companies acquiring smaller craft breweries, but Boone-based Appalachian Mountain Brewing has recently bought its operation back from the brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD). The beer behemoth originally inherited the North Carolina-based business in 2020, when it bought outright control of the Craft Brew Alliance. The craft ‘co-operative’, which was absorbed into the Budweiser owner’s Brewers Collective division, acquired Appalachian Mountain in late 2018.
It’s surprising to see a small brewery purchase its brand back from a beer giant, especially in today’s craft beer market. Acquisitions of craft brands have slowed in the past five years, as large corporations find less success in sales. AM founders, Kelischeck and Zieber, didn’t divulge their reasoning for purchasing the brand back from A-B, but it’s a strategy that stands out among a sea of corporation-held craft beer portfolios.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) is the Largest Beer Producer in the World but the company has been facing some headwinds in the American market after the recent controversy regarding its best-selling brand Bud Light, which resulted in the iconic brand losing its crown as the Top-Selling Beer in America after nearly two decades. Due to its falling beer volumes in the domestic market, the beer giant had indicated a few months ago that it was looking to focus its efforts on fewer brands..
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) ranked among the Largest Alcohol Companies in the World in 2023.
Social Responsibility Initiatives:
As breweries have become a part of the local community fabric, many have started giving back. Whether it is based on a portion of sales or through hosting a charity event, these small and independent breweries know they are only as successful as their small towns.
Raising money for local charities was a priority for Mitten Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, MI, from the day they opened. Since their launch in 2012, the brewery has raised over $350,000 for more than 50 local non-profits. And they are not alone.
Local breweries all across the U.S. are dedicated to supporting the communities they inhabit. They do this by promoting a culture of social responsibility, collaboration, and involvement. Today, The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM) remains a pioneer in the industry, and for more than just beer. Programs like Brewing the American Dream, in partnership with Accion Opportunity Fund, provided more than 3,900 loans totaling $91 million to food and beverage businesses in 41 states. Additionally, the program has helped these businesses create over 9,000 jobs and provided free business coaching to over 14,000 entrepreneurs.
Stocks of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM) were held by 29 hedge funds at the end of Q4 2023 in the Insider Monkey database, with Candlestick Capital Management boasting the largest stake of 125,000 shares, valued at around $43.2 million.
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM) is placed among the Best Brewery and Distillery Stocks to Buy Now.
With that said, here are the Top 50 Beers in America.
Pixabay/Public Domain
Methodology:
To collect data for this article, we have referred to the benchmark website for beer reviews – BeerAdvocate – looking for the Top-Rated Beers in America. The following beers have been ranked according to their average rating on the website, granted from a total of 5. When two beers had the same average rating, we ranked them by the number of reviews they received.
If you want to find the best craft beers near you, here are the Best Craft Beer Brands in Each U.S. State.
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50. Doubleganger
Average Rating: 4.61
This New England IPA by Tree House Brewing was conceived with the intent to push the concept of Doppelganger to the limit of flavor and intensity. Both the kettle hopping rates and dry hopping rates were increased while keeping the base beer the same.
Tree House produced 48,400 BBLs of beer in 2018 and had an estimated revenue of $48 million.
49. I Let My Tape Rock
Average Rating: 4.62
A product of the Florida-based J Wakefield Brewing, I Let My Tape Rock is a part of their Big Poppa Series. This 17% ABV Imperial Stout was aged in Maple Rye barrels with coffee, coconut, and vanilla added.
48. Coconut Vibes
Average Rating: 4.62
Coconut Vibes is one of the Montana-based Shared Brewing’s Imperial Stout recipes (named Vibes) in which they have used 7 infusions of raw and toasted coconut flakes into the finished beer to create an expression of coconut that can stand up to the intensity of their Vibes recipe.
47. Very HHHazyyy
Average Rating: 4.62
Very HHHazyyy is the most flavorful double IPA by Tree House, and yet it remains effortless to drink. It tastes like overripe peach nectar, pulpy orange juice, and the most delicious fruit cocktail ever.
46. Nectarine Premiere
Average Rating: 4.62
Nectarine Premiere is a wild farmhouse ale aged in oak wine barrels with nectarines. de Garde Brewing is a unique and delightful rural brewery, specializing in sour ales.
Nectarine Premiere sits among the Best Beers in U.S.A.
45. Ann
Average Rating: 4.62
Ann is the wine barrel-aged version of Anna – Hill Farmstead’s honey farmstead ale. French oak wine barrels are filled with Anna and the beer is allowed to mature in the presence of the resident microflora. Each 750ml bottle is naturally carbonated and hand-dipped in beeswax.
44. Maman
Average Rating: 4.62
Maman is an 11.5% ABV American Imperial Stout that has been aged for 18 to 20 months in Rittenhouse Rye barrels before blending. The highly-decorated Perennial Artisan Brewery of St. Louis specializes in premium craft beer production.
Missouri ranks among the States with the Most Craft Breweries.
43. Morning Wood
Average Rating: 4.62
With a world-class score of 100 on Beer Advocate, this Imperial Porter is one of the Best-Rated Beers in America. Aged in Bourbon barrels for months and with its rich combo of coffee, maple, and smoky flavors, the Morning Wood is a little bit of breakfast in a glass.
It was revealed in May last year that Constellation Brands is now re-selling the famous Funky Buddha Brewery back to its original founders.
42. Duck Duck Gooze
Average Rating: 4.62
Duck Duck Gooze is a blend of young and old barrel-aged beers that has been one of the most sought after beers year after year since its introduction in 2009. Alas, it is released in very small quantities only once every three years, so it’s extremely difficult to come by beyond the day it is released by The Lost Abbey.
41. Dinner
Average Rating: 4.62
Dinner is the first Double IPA by the Maine Beer Company. To maximize hop character, the 8.2% ABV beer is dry hopped twice with over 6 lbs. of hops per barrel.
40. Barrel-Aged Vietnamese Coffee Speedway Stout
Average Rating: 4.63
The AleSmith Brewing Company traditionally brews Vietnamese coffee, known as cà phê sữa đá, with a phin-style filter that gently percolates water through ground coffee. The result is a chocolaty and bold tasting coffee that perfectly complements the notes of oak, vanilla, and Bourbon in this massive barrel-aged stout.
39. JJJuliusss!
Average Rating: 4.63
Decanted carefully in a Teku glass, this 100% American Beer by Tree House pours thickly with a densely packed head and gives off aromas of orange juice, melon, guava, and mango gummies.
38. Double Sunshine
Average Rating: 4.63
This American Double India pale ale by Lawson’s Finest Liquids is packed with juicy tropical fruit flavors and bright herbal aromas, thanks to the abundance of U.S-grown hops.
37. Abner
Average Rating: 4.63
This Double IPA is dutifully crafted from American malted barley, a plethora of American hops, Hill Farmstead’s ale yeast, and water from the brewery’s well.
36. Framboise du Fermier
Average Rating: 4.64
Framboise du Fermier is Side Project Brewing’s barrel-fermented and aged Saison du Fermier, which at maturity, was racked to French Oak barrels with raspberries and allowed to re-ferment for six months before being bottled.
35. CBS
Average Rating: 4.64
Canadian Breakfast Stout is an Imperial Stout brewed with a blend of coffees and imported chocolates, then aged in spent Bourbon barrels that have most recently been aging pure Michigan maple syrup.
34. Pliny the Elder
Average Rating: 4.64
Pliny the Elder is an 8% ABV Imperial IPA by the Russian River Brewing Company. The Highly Rated American Beer is brewed with Amarillo, Centennial, CTZ, and Simcoe hops.
33. Westly
Average Rating: 4.65
Westly is a reinterpretation of one of the most popular beers made at Sante Adairius Rustic Ales – West Ashley. With twice the amount of apricots and twice the time in barrels, Westly is the answer.
32. Juice Machine
Average Rating: 4.65
The use of Magnum, Columbus, Amarillo, Citra, and Galaxy hops creates perhaps Tree House’s most complex drink with unapologetic flavors of tangerine, mango, lime, papaya, and grapefruit, with waves of dankness.
31. Assassin
Average Rating: 4.65
This top rated beer is a pitch-black 12% ABV American Imperial Stout by the top-rated, Iowa-based Toppling Goliath Brewing Company.
30. Very Green
Average Rating: 4.65
This Double IPA by Tree House Brewing is created with a massive kettle charge of Australian and American hops. It opens in the glass with huge notes of ripe pineapple, pithy citrus, and dank saturated hops.
29. Julius
Average Rating: 4.65
Bursting with 1.6 oz per gallon of American hops, Julius is loaded with notes of passionfruit, mango, and citrus. At 6.8% ABV, this New England IPA by Tree House is refreshing and freakishly drinkable.
28. Very GGGreennn
Average Rating: 4.66
Though it was hard to imagine improving upon Green or Very Green in a way that made it worthwhile, Tree House Brewing Company did exactly that with this IPA of the highest order.
27. Anabasis
Average Rating: 4.67
Anabasis is a beer in which Side Project Brewing is continually experimenting with different barrels and resting times, always trying to find harmony in this American/English-inspired Barleywine.
Anabasis is one of the Top-Rated Beers in the U.S.
26. Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout
Average Rating: 4.67
Barrel-aged for a year to develop the complexity that only time can provide, Bourbon County Stout boasts a unique blend of flavors such as fudge, vanilla, and caramel.
The Goose Island Brewery was acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2011, in a deal worth $39 million.
25. The Adjunct Trail – Bourbon Barrel-Aged
Average Rating: 4.68
A collaboration between Angry Chair Brewing and Prairie Artisan Ales, Adjunct Trail is an Imperial Sweet Stout matured for 18 months in Bourbon barrels with toasted coconut and hazelnut coffee.
24. It Was All A Dream
Average Rating: 4.68
Made by J. Wakefield Brewing as an exclusive annual release for their anniversary celebration, this Imperial stout is aged in Bourbon maple syrup barrels with Jamaican Blue coffee, coconut, and vanilla.
It Was All A Dream is one of the Top 25 Best Beers in America.
23. Chemtrailmix – Rye Barrel
Average Rating: 4.68
At a staggering 15% ABV, this Russian Imperial Stout is 3 Floyds Brewing Company’s Dark Lord, but aged in rye barrels with cinnamon and pink peppercorns.
22. Very Hazy
Average Rating: 4.68
Clocking in at 8.6% ABV, Very Hazy is a kicked up version of Haze. Brewed by Tree House, Very Hazy conveys all the beautiful flavors of Haze, but with even greater depth and potency.
21. Fundamental Observation
Average Rating: 4.68
This 13% ABV Imperial Stout by Bottle Logic Brewing is blended with Madagascar Vanilla Beans and aged in Bourbon barrels.
20. Samuel
Average Rating: 4.69
To produce this iconic saison, Hill Farmstead set out by crafting a base of buckwheat, spelt, Vermont wildflower honey, and the same hops used in both Vera and Sarrasin. Following shifting seasons of rest in wine barrels and more than a year of bottle conditioning, they are finally able to present a beer worthy of being among America’s Highest Rated Beers.
19. Clover
Average Rating: 4.69
Brewed in the memory of their cat, Clover by Hill Farmstead is among the top 20 highest rated beers in the U.S. This 6.5% ABV saison is a blend of the brewery’s Ann and Art beers that had been aged for 12 to 22 months.
18. A Deal With The Devil – Double Oak-Aged
Average Rating: 4.69
This blend by the Anchorage Brewing Company is an American Barleywine, aged for 9 months in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels, then transferred into freshly emptied Woodford Reserve Double Oaked barrels for an additional 7 months.
17. V.S.O.J.
Average Rating: 4.69
This periodic and rotating release by Revolution Brewing is a cuvée of English Barlewines aged between two and four years in Bourbon barrels. Lusciously sweet and colossally complex, V.S.O.J. is equal parts refinement and excess.
16. Pliny The Younger
Average Rating: 4.69
This is almost a true Triple IPA with triple the amount of hops as a regular IPA. That said, it is extremely difficult, time and space consuming, and very expensive to make, and that is why the Russian River Brewing Company doesn’t make it more often.
The 2022 release of Russian River’s Pliny the Younger generated $6.1 million in economic impact, a record for the brewery and $1 million (20%) increase compared to 2020, the last year that the Triple IPA was released.
15. Barrel Aged Imperial German Chocolate Cupcake Stout
Average Rating: 4.7
This 11% ABV beer by Angry Chair Brewing is a Bourbon barrel aged Imperial Milk Stout with coconut, cacao nibs, and Madagascar vanilla.
14. King JJJuliusss
Average Rating: 4.7
To continue with their 4th anniversary celebration, Tree House brewed an extra kettle hop and extra dry-hopped version of King Julius. The result is an incredibly intense citrus hop blast in the form of this New England IPA.
13. King Julius
Average Rating: 4.7
Brewed by the Tree House Brewing Company, King Julius is an American Double IPA brewed to be an exceptionally flavorful, juicy, and hop saturated beer while never tiring the palate.
King Julius is included among America’s Top Beers in 2024.
12. Mornin’ Delight
Average Rating: 4.7
Try this delicious coffee stout from Toppling Goliath and you’ll never want your low-fat vanilla cream latte again. This might not contain a wonderful design in the foam, but it certainly will satisfy your need for a late evening coffee pick-me-up.
11. Oude Fermier
Average Rating: 4.71
Side Project Brewing earmarked specific rich barrels of Saison du Fermier for extended aging to produce an exceptionally limited Saison with deep layers of complexity and soft, rounded, oak nuances to either be released as is or blended into Tête de Cuvée.
Click to continue reading and see the 10 of the Highest-Rated Beers in the U.S.
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Disclosure: None. 50 of the Highest-Rated Beers in the U.S. is originally published on Insider Monkey.