Congratulations to New Glarus Brewing for Their Ranking in Forbes Magazine!
12 American-Made Beers That Are Better Than Imports
Contributor
I Cover Spirits, Wine And The Global Culture Of Imbibing.
Updated Jul 22, 2024, 01:31pm EDT
The history of beer may date back centuries, but America’s craft beer movement is comparatively modern.
Prior to Prohibition, there were some 1,300 breweries, many which fronted the rent of bars and package storefronts. When the U.S. emerged from its 13-year dry period, only 31 of them reopened. It wasn’t until the early 1980s that America’s beer scene decisively re-emerged; this is when a handful of leading breweries entered the scene with their flagship brews that now define the craft beer movement. The impressive rebound witnessed an expansive network of breweries and portfolio of beer styles to explore from coast to coast.
The Top 12 American-Made Beers
Today, America produces more than 19.41 billion liters of beer, just behind China in global production volume, according to a 2022 report from BarthHaas. Below, discover a selection of some of the best American-made beers.
1. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Celebrated as one of the pioneers of America’s craft beer movement, this California brewery’s Pale Ale is world-famous. It’s bursting with hops yet balanced with classic citrus and a distinguishing herbal resin quality. Pair with fried chicken. 5.6% ABV
2. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
Fruity hops and a malt backbone make this Imperial India Pale Ale from Delaware-based brewery a standout. The style was so popular that they released a sequel to it in the form of a 60 Minute IPA. They advise pairing the original with pork chops or escargot. 9% ABV
3. Tree House Brewing Company Julius Hazy
Packed with tropical fruit flavors, the Massachusetts-based Tree House Brewing touts this IPA as “a beer famous for converting beer drinkers into lovers” of their signature-style hazy IPAs. Think: mango and passionfruit mingling with the bitterness of the hops for a layered mouthfeel that finishes surprisingly clean. Pair with spicy orange chicken wings or green curry. 6.8% ABV
4. Lawson's Finest Liquids Sip of Sunshine
The aptly named Sip of Sunshinepreviews its bright flavor before you ever take a sip of it. Inspired by the Vermont brewery’s flagship, this IPA features more distinct floral layers between juicy papaya and pineapple. Pair with carnitas tacos. 8% ABV
5. Bell’s Brewery Oberon Ale
This wheat ale from Michigan-based Bell’s Brewery is bold yet refreshing; produced only with wheat malt, hops, water and their signature house ale yeast. The simple ingredient list allows the hops to shine with an intriguing spice that keeps you coming back for more. Pair with sushi. 5.8% ABV
6. New Glarus Brewing Company Spotted Cow
This Wisconsin farmhouse aleemphasizes the flavor of the fine malts used in production by bottling the yeast. The naturally cloudy pour is full on the palate with a lingering fruitiness. Pair with a cheeseboard stacked with soft varieties like brie. 4.8% ABV
7. Maine Beer Company Lunch IPA
In Freeport, Maine, Lunch IPA was inspired by the determination and persistence of a finback whale named Lunch, first spotted in the region in 1982. The tie to the coast is touching, but even more impressive is the explosive palate of grapefruit mingling with white blossom, and papaya. There’s a savory quality to the finish that complements the brewery’s wood-fired pizza offerings. 7% ABV
8. The Alchemist Heady Topper
This American Double IPA out of Vermont is so hop-forward that a whiff of it may confuse the senses; it’s so pungent it’and that’s exactly why it was brewed. The family-owned and operated brewery is admirable for their boundary-pushing brews, but also for giving back and sustainability initiatives that are a majority of their ethos. Pair with barbeque ribs. 8% ABV
9. Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout
Combining the best in beer and bourbon, this Chicago brewery ages their one-of-a-kind stout in just-emptied bourbon barrels — from Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses and Wild Turkey distilleries — for a year. The result is a luscious mouthfeel accented with robust flavors of cherry cola, creme brulee and a fudgy vanilla. Pair with grilled beef. 14.1% ABV
10. Kona Brewing Co. Kona Big Wave
Branded as “Liquid Aloha,” one sip of this crisp, easy drinking golden aletransports you to the island of Hawaii where the brand was founded. Now brewed on the mainland, the flavor remains the same; a crushable, light beer with only a hint of bitter hop that pairs exceptionally with simply grilled seafood dishes. 4.4% ABV
11. Allagash Brewing Company Allagash White
A rendition of Belgium’s most popular style of wheat beer, this Maine brewery’s version is everything you’d want and more with its hazy white appearance, coriander spice and sweet but zesty orange that lingers after each sip. Pair with lobster rolls or the classic Belgium moules frites (mussels and French fries). 5.2% ABV
12. Sam Adams Boston Lager
No U.S.-beer list would be complete without this quintessential German-style lager from Massachusetts. It balances caramel and toffee sweetness with the brightness of Hallertau Mittelfrüh and Tettnang Tettnanger Noble Hops. Pair with shrimp linguine.5% ABV
