 Nathan Berrong works at CNN's satellite desk and writes Eatocracy's beer column, "Berrong on Beer." He Tweets at @nathanberrong and logs beers at Untappd. 2012 has been yet another milestone year in the world of American craft beer. There are currently more breweries in operation in the United States than ever before, even surpassing the alcohol boom of the late 1800s. Outdated beer laws are beginning to change and will benefit both brewers and consumers, and a debate began between the little guys and the big boys about what exactly defines craft beer. Oh yeah - there were also some incredible beers made in the last 12 months. Since being turned onto the world of craft beer, I rarely order a Guinness, but I swear the one I had in Dublin atop the Guinness brewery is one of the best beers I've had to date. I should also point out that I was enjoying it with my new bride and it happened to be St. Patrick's Day. When I'm drinking a beer or eating a meal, these outside factors matter to me. The rarity of a beer factors into my perception of it, as well. Often times, much like a rare car, it might not be the collector's fastest or sleekest, but it could very well be the favorite based on its lack of availability. Take the Belgian beer, Westvleteren 12 (pictured), for example. Many beer geeks swear it's the best beer on the planet, but it probably doesn't hurt that it's also considered one of the rarest. The only place this beer is sold legally is the actual brewery, which happens to be a monastery, and the procedure to buy the beer isn’t exactly easy. The brewery is one of only eight authentic Trappist breweries in the world and is the only one that is not distributed outside its respective monastery for retail sales. The Westvleteren monastery, however, is currently in need of repairs and to raise money the beer was distributed and sold in the United States for one time only on 12/12/12. The beer sold out quickly and unless you were in line early at your local beer store and ponied up $85 (for a six pack), you'll have to rely on a trip to Belgium to buy one or spend hundreds of dollars via eBay. The beer is extremely rare, yes, but it's also fantastic and for a Quadrupel it's extremely dry, which sets it apart from the many others that try to replicate it. It's one of my picks for the top beers of 2012. Choosing a "best of" list is difficult and regardless of the quality of choices, someone is going to cry foul when they don't see their favorite listed. This list is not based on any formula for determining the best beers or even based on things like tasting notes or reviews. It’s just my personal list and the beers that stood out to me in the past year. With that, I give you my top 12 beers of 2012. – Westvleteren Trappist 12 – 21st Amendment Marooned on Hog Island Stout brewed with oysters in collaboration with Hog Island Oyster Company – Firestone Walker Union Jack Double dry-hopped IPA made using over four pounds of hops per barrel – Odell Woodcut No.6 Oak Aged Ale using Mosiac hops – Sierra Nevada Narwhal Russian Imperial Stout crafted with 6 different malt varieties – Lagunitas Daytime extremely flavorful IPA, clocking in at a mere 4.5% ABV – Jester King Boxer’s Revenge Organic Wild Ale aged in whiskey and wine barrels – Alchemist Heady Topper Imperial IPA hop bomb with 120 IBUs – Cascade Noyaux Wild Ale with raspberries and apricot nuts added, aged in oak barrels – Ballast Point Victory at Sea Imperial Porter brewed with vanilla and Caffe Calabria coffee – Wedge Vadim Bora Russian Imperial Stout brewed with raspberries – Avery Odio Equum Wild Ale aged for 12 months in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. And now it's your turn. What were your favorite beers of 2012? Let me know in the comments and cheers to good health, peace, and a bunch of great beer in 2013! |
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I've tried Union Jack's and Avery Odio Equum Wild Ale all great stuff! I also believe that this list is missing some really great beers.
My five favorite are:La Fin Du Monde,La Fin Du Monde, Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale,Schneider Wiesse Tap 6 Aventinus,Victory Prima Pils. Seriously folks I am glad to be part of the craft beer revolution.Anything from Founders and Great Lakes is great.Great Lakes just started to distribute in New Jersey.LFDM is a dangerous addiction and far to easy to
drink
1. Sierra Neveada Pale Ale
2. Guinness
3. Anchor Steam
4. O'Dell – 90 Schilling
5. Great Divide – Denver Pale Ale
6. Flying Dog – Old Scratch (liquid freakin' gold)
7. Full Sail Amber
8. Sweetwater – 420 Extra Pale Ale
9. Samuel Smith – Oatmeal Stout
10. Arrogant Bastard
Well, for the "purists" in the crowd, I'll offer my thoughts. Is a beer better because you want to drink a 12 pack (sessionable) or can be satisfied with just one. I choose the latter. A lot of hops or malt won't overpower the "beer taste" because they are what make the beer taste. A belgian quad may not be sessionable, but there is nothing in it that is a "trick flavor" unless you consider the addition of sugar and yeast a trick. So rather than damning others for not liking what you like, tip your hat to them and enjoy what you will. I have no issue with folks drinking a PBR, Sam Adams, Sam Smith or anything else. I will say that I am a lover of most things barrel aged so there are so trick flavors that drift out of the pores of the wood. Find me a Lost Abbey Angels Share or an Port Older Viscosity and I couldn't be happier. There are so so many others though with or without a barrel. Oh, and for those who loved their Guinness in Dublin, make it down to the southwest of Ireland and find Beamish on tap. IMO, far superior. Try it at An Teach Beag in Clonakilty and compare it with Guinness and Murphy's side by side.
I'm not a fan of IPAs. Beer shouldn't taste like dirt or smell like my grandmother's perfume. Every IPA I've tried tastes muddy. Having said that, I prefer Chimay Blue and New Glarus Brewery's Spotted Cow. And I'm excited about the increased import of Belgian beers.
Ah, Read all the comments and took notes. Now all I have to do is to try all of these... lol
I didn't see any from Dark Horse in Marshall Mi. Plead the fifth and Scotty Karate are great. Michigan has some very good micro brewers: Dark Horse, Founders, and several others.
It is so cute to see Americans discuss beer, as though you actually know what you are talking about..."Great taste...No, Less Filling"...your tastes are so unsophisticated, you are like little children with your chicken nuggets,,,
Kindly identify your country of origin so we can disgrace it for all its shortcomings.
Based on the post time, probably some jackoff from the UK or elsewhere in the socialist nightmare aka the EU.
Apparently you've never been to the Paciffic Northwest, home of the best IPAs in the world.
1. Sockeye Brewing Co. Boise ID Dagger Falls IPA
2. Nikasi Eugene, OR Total Domination IPA
3. 10 Barrel Brewing Bend, OR Apocalypse IPA
4. Laughing Dog Brewing Sandpoint, ID Rocketdog IPA
5. Rogue Brewing Newport, OR Brutal Bitter IPA
Actually I believe the USA has the most breweries of any country nowadays, and keeps adding to that number every year.
Apparently, you've been in a cave for the past 20 years.
Smuttynose IPA – always my favorite
My Favorite Beer – A Free One
Second Favorite Beer – A Cold One
Third Favorite Beer – Shared while enjoying time with Family and Friends.
If it is really good I get all three in one!
Well you won't find this outside of Wisconsin, and I'm not going to claim it's the best beer in the world, but one of my favorites is a beer called "Vanishing Vanilla Stout" by Stone Cellar Brewery. I really enjoy a good dark beer, especially stouts, and I've had several so-called Vanilla stouts in my day, but none like this. The Vanilla comes through so clear and flavorful giving the beer almost a creamy taste and texture, but not so much that it completely masks or overshadows the caramel and chocolate notes of the stout itself. If you live anywhere near the Fox Cities in Wisconsin, you need to try this beer, one of the best stouts I've ever had
can't believe nobody's mentioned Downtown Brown and Eightball Stout from Eureka,CA Lost Coast Brewery
In a 10 place tie for first (The Pacific Northwest has the best breweries in the world. Accept it, don't deny.)
Fremont Brewing Company – Universale Pale Ale
Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company – Powerhouse IPA
Hale's Ales – Supergoose IPA
Hilliard's Beer – Pils
Icicle Brewing Company – Kolsch
American Brewing Company – Power Play IPA
Schooner Exact Brewing Company – 3 Grid IPA
Chuckanut Brewing Company – Kolsch
Emerald City Beer – Dottie's Lager
Pike's Brewing Company – Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale
Twelve Bar Brews – Pentatonic Pale Ale
If you live in Washington or on your way up, check out the WABL website for the listing of the best Washington has to offer!
OK, I posted 11... What can I say, I love my states' beer.
i will have to agree with you. i live in ohio, my daughter in seatle and she sends me some of the most amazing beers
iron horse brewery " irish death" is one of my favorites.
Santo – Saint Arnold
Here's my list of 10 faves:
Stone's Imperial Russian Stout w/ Vanilla Beans [Escondido, CA]
Russian River's Pliny the Elder DIPA [Santa Rosa, CA]
Devil's Backbone 8-Point IPA [Nellysford, VA]
Rogue Mocha Porter [Newport, OR]
Dogfish Head Bitches Brew American Double/Imperial Stout [Milton, DE]
21st Amendment Brew Free or Die [San Francisco, CA]
Bell's Double Cream Stout [Kalamazoo, MI]
Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout [Petaluma, CA]
Terrapin Moo-Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout [Athens, GA]
Hardywood Park Bourbon DIPA [Richmond, VA]
I was lucky enough to find some of Richmond, VA's finest for the holidays: Hardywood Bourbon Barrel Gingerbread Stout. It's almost impossible to find here upon it's late NOV release. Most stores don't bother putting it on the shelves and keep it behind the register. Most stores also have a one bottle per person policy. We had to go to 4 different stores to get some!
My favorite beer is the 10th one.
Today when I sit down to watch a bowl game I'm going to have a Ninkasi. All are good.
I have 2 different ones cooling. Not sure if I'll have the seasonal, "Sleigh'r" (Dark Double Alt Ale) or a year 'round regular "Total Domination IPA".
Such wonderful choices.
Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel
St Bernardus ABT 12
Rochefort Trappists 10
Founder's Breakfast Stout
Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier
Abita Purple Haze
and if i'm at the bar, I love a Dark Snakebite (Cider poured through Guiness)
gimme a thirdy pack of BUCSH LIGHT over any of this hippie juiec andaqy
Hipsters are discussing drinks as the economy falls apart and the United States falls into ruin and death.
Perhaps it's God's Will that we suffer, it's becoming apparent that we deserve our fiery fate.
Mad because your favorites, Hamm's Ice and Olde English 800, didn't make the list?
Just shut up, god-boy.
Pledge
The economy is getting better.
Now if we could just get the GOP to agree that the Tax cuts were a big mistake and go back to at least sightly increasing the taxes on the very rich it might just get better.
Of course the problem is pride. If they agree to raise taxes on anyone they are admitting their tax cut policy was a mistake.
World Wide Stout from Dogfish Head above 15% ABV
120 Min. IPA from Dogfish Head
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
Foothills Sexual Chocolate
Big Boss Black Porter
Mephistopolies from Avery
The Beast from Avery
The Alchemist Heady Topper (DIPA)
Maine Beer Co Lunch (DIPA)
Founders Backwoods B@st@rd (Barrel aged scotch ale)
Heretic Evil Cousin (DIPA)
Pretty Things Jack D'or (Saison)
Firestone Walker Union Jack (IPA)
Pretty Things Meadowlark (IPA)
I'm an IPA guy, so sue me... :-)
Coors Banquet. How is it this wonderful beer only has 1.5% of the US beer market?
Wookey Jack from Firestone Walker
Hopslam
Dark Horse Plead the 5th
Kinda hard to place some of these beers – maybe a bit obscure but a good collection none-the-less.
On the more mass-produced craft beer side (oxymoron?) I've been most impressed with New Belgium's Tart Lychee and Sam Adam's Cinderbock. Sour beers are some of my favorites to try and the tart lychee was so good I kept on drinking it for 2 weeks straight. LIkewise I've stocked my pantry with some bottles of cinderbock for when I want something heavy and tastey.
Not sure if they're exclusive to 2012, new to me, or if they'll continue to make them in 2013 but they're two that most anyone should be able.
... "able to find". Got cut off there for some reason.
Alaskan Amber at Mother Plucker's wing bar.
The best beer by far is the one that you make yourself!
Touch of Paradise – Pineapple Wheat
Bad Relationship – Honey Double IPA
Back in Black – Barrel Aged Vanilla Bourbon Imperial Russian Stout
Blood of the Valkyre – Cherry Melomel Mead
I could not agree more. I've got a Kegerator full of beer. In 2012, here's some of what I brewed.
An IPA, dry hopped with Citra Hops, A porter with hints of chocolate, a Schwarzbier, A Czezh Pilsner, too many to name. Of the commercial beers, I've been to Ballast Point in San Diego, great beer. Stone is not just good beer, but a great destination to go to as well (try the food there). So much beer, so little time.
Sweet delicious Natural Light, nectar of the gods.
Stone IPA
Deviant Dale's IPA
Boulevard Wheat
PBR
Check out Beer Drinkers United on Facebook for their favorites. It's a die hard international craft beer group for beer snobs.
FYI...They also do beer trades!
Peticolas Great Scot!
Revolver Blood & Honey
DEBC Wealth & Taste
How about St Bernardus? They made Westvleteran for decades until the abbey was forced to brew it themselves to preserve their Trappist status, and when they did revert back they started using the easier to obtain Westmalle yeast rather than the yeast that was previously used to make Westvleteren – which St Bernardus still uses to make Abt 12 – so will the real Westvleteren stand up! Side by side St Bernardus is only slightly different and some would argue better than Westvleteren – it is certainly more obtainable and cheaper. So for those that have never tried Westy don't beat yourselves up, have a St Bernardus and be content in knowing you are probably tasting something more historically acurrate and subjectively better than your freind that paid over $100 for that six pack off ebay. http://www.zymurology.com
Viewing beer lists at work. Have to put in mine:
Red Oak – Amber & Hummingbird
Bison – Honey Basil
Souther Tier – 2x IPA
Weeping Radish
Palwel Kwak
Gose
Hops Slam
Stone
Victory – Golden Monkey
Bells – Oberon
Tripel
Hennepin
Aecht
Staropramen
Itachio Nest
Omagon
Vitas
Whew – thirsty now! Enjoy.
Scaldis Noel is always a year end favorite.