The world of craft beer is a vast and flavorful landscape, with America’s brewing scene continually pushing the boundaries of taste and innovation. Recently, investment advisors Insider Monkey delved into their comprehensive report on the ’60 highest-rated beers in America’ to reveal the top 10 brews that have earned the highest accolades from enthusiasts. Let’s embark on this countdown, starting from number 10 and culminating with the surprising number one choice.
10. Modern Times: Monster Tones
Hailing from California-based Modern Times, Monster Tones is an exquisite creation born from a blend of Monsters’ Park and Modem Tones brews. This fusion undergoes seven months of aging in Bourbon barrels that once cradled Maple syrup, resulting in a harmonious elixir of flavors.
9. Side Project Brewing: Oude Fermier
Side Project Brewing’s Oude Fermier is a limited saison that achieves complexity through extended aging in Saison du Fermier barrels. The result is a nuanced brew with soft, rounded oak notes.
8. Cigar City Brewing: Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout
A once-a-year release from Cigar City Brewing, Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout enchants with notes of espresso, chocolate, plum, cinnamon, toffee, and an earthy hop quality. This imperial stout has a cult following and impressive sales volumes.
7. Revolution Brewing: Double Barrel V.S.O.J.
Revolution Brewing’s Double Barrel V.S.O.J. is a blend of barrel-aged English barley wines that spend one to three years maturing before being rebarreled in Templeton Rye barrels for an additional 18 months, resulting in a rich, multi-layered brew.
6. Perennial Artisan Ales: Abraxas
Perennial Artisan Ales presents Abraxas, an 11% ABV imperial stout aged for a year in Rittenhouse Rye barrels with cacao nibs, vanilla beans, ancho chilies, and cinnamon sticks, delivering a sensory symphony.
5. 3 Floyds Brewing Co: Marshmallow Handjee
Renowned for producing exceptional beers, 3 Floyds Brewing Co presents Marshmallow Handjee, a Russian imperial stout aged in various Bourbon barrels with vanilla beans, boasting both taste and artistic label design.
4. Anchorage Brewing Company: Blessed
Anchorage Brewing Company’s Blessed, an American imperial stout, undergoes a 19-month aging process in a medley of Bourbon barrels, imbued with Madagascar vanilla beans and coconut for a gentle, nuanced profile.
3. Anchorage Brewing Company: A Deal with the Devil
This American barley wine from Anchorage matures for a remarkable 27 months, transitioning through Cognac barrels, Woodford Reserve double-oaked barrels, and Buffalo Trace barrels, resulting in an extraordinary depth of flavor.
2. Toppling Goliath Brewing Co: Vanilla Bean Assassin
Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. introduces Vanilla Bean Assassin, a 12.8% ABV American imperial stout aged in whiskey barrels and conditioned on vanilla beans. This brewery has earned acclaim for its IPA and barrel-aged creations.
1. Toppling Goliath Brewing Co: Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout
At the pinnacle of craft beer excellence sits Toppling Goliath Brewing Co’s Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout. This brew holds not only the title of ‘No.1 Craft Beer in America’ but also the honor of being hailed as the ‘best beer in the world’ by BeerAdvocate and RateBeer. It tantalizes the palate with flavors reminiscent of chocolate chip pancakes drenched in Maple syrup, complemented by espresso and a hint of Bourbon—a true sensory masterpiece.
