Top 100 Beers of 2025

Each year, we collect the highest-scoring beers evaluated in the Official Review and compile them into a definitive list of the finest examples. While 2025 was a slower year for craft brewing sales, there were still myriad incredible brews to discover. 2025 saw the continued hero arc of “functional drinking” spearheaded by Athletic Brewing Co., a sad case of beloved breweries going to pasture, and an enhanced focus on refined European styles.

Some of these seemingly simple Euro-centric brews were among our eight World Class brews for 2025, with ratings of 96 or above. Lagers and Belgians can be found amidst stouts and IPAs that America has championed for the last decade. Among the highest-rated was a barrel-aged brew, a reassuring familiar friend in the stylistic sea change craft has undergone. How-ever, these are the Top 100 beers of 2025. There’s something incredible on offer for fans of every style. So read on, and enjoy the best beers produced this year.

Cheers!

The Editors & Judges

ABOUT THE OFFICIAL REVIEW

The Official Review is conducted in a single-blind tasting format that adheres to the Beer Judge Certification Program 2021 Style Guidelines. This method provides the best opportunity to rely on facts and to avoid favoritism, ensuring a level playing field for all brewers. It serves both the industry and the consumer to have unbiased and objective scores from qualified experts.

In an effort to provide the most credible evaluations, The Beer Connoisseur hand-selects judges with a minimum BJCP ranking of “National” or Master Cicerone®. Judges are required to work with an assistant that handles beer prior to evaluation, and breweries are not allowed to solicit judges directly.

In the single-blind tasting format, judges are presented with a chilled, properly poured beer and given its style category. Scoring is then done on the following basis using a 100-point scale: Aroma (24 points), Appearance (6 points), Flavor (40 points), Mouthfeel (10 points) and Overall Impression (20 points).

The score breakdown is as follows:

100 to 96: World Class – You need this beer in your life.
95 to 91: Exceptional – Don’t hesitate.
90 to 86: Very Good – A brew to savor.
85 to 75: Average – Somewhat unimpressive.
74 and below: Not Recommended – Just walk away.

#100 | RATED 78 | N.A.R.C. by Resident Culture Brewing Co.

The pour revealed a light brown hue that was cloudy. There was a subtle hop aroma with no malt sweetness. The initial taste of this beer was light, in a word. Light in malt flavor. Light in hop bitterness. It is listed as an IPA; however, I find this to be a misnomer. The overall hop bitterness is too light to be considered in the IPA category. I would consider this to be a mild or bitter, because it is light in both malt and hop bitterness and represents this style better. Initially, if given this beer, I’m not sure if I could recognize that it was a non-alcoholic beer because, regardless of style, it tastes like beer.

#99 | Rated 78 | Bananas Foster by Abita Brewing Co. (LA)

A strong aroma of vanilla and banana esters exudes from this beer. Strong alcohol esters and some modest fusel notes are also present; the latter, or combination of all these aromas, lending a slight nail polish quality to the aroma. The flavor is chocolaty, almost syrup-like, with banana and vanilla notes. Alcohol is evident as well, making it apparent that this is not a small beer. The sweetness of residual sugars along with the very rich chocolate character make for a somewhat cloying finish. The mouthfeel is full with some drying in the finish from the bitterness described above. If you are a fan of bananas and chocolate, you will likely enjoy it more than others.

#98 | Rated 80 | Sneaky Snake by Mountain Fork Brewery

There is substantial alcohol but it’s smooth and clean… and devilishly sneaky! Medium-low bittering doesn’t quite go far enough in offsetting the honey-like sweetness that lingers in the finish and gives this beer more body than expected. This is a very tasty beer, but it doesn’t really match the style; it needs a lot more carbonation, and it should finish dry with more bittering. Again, quite tasty, but misses the mark stylistically. I would really enjoy this beer with a rack of St. Louis-style pork ribs with a spicy dry rub. The very enjoyable sweetness and bready honey character of the beer would complement the salty and spicy pork extremely well.

#97 | Rated 80 | Crown 10º by Guilford Hall Brewery

The aroma presents a fresh-baked bread note along with moderate herbal hop notes and a hint of black pepper. The first sip echoes the bready note of the aroma and there are medium-low herbal and low black pepper notes along with a bit of fruitiness that comes across as ripe apricot, making it just a bit too fruity for the style. A moderate fruity herbal note lingers into a slightly sweet finish. The beer is medium in body. The extra fruitiness may indicate a lack of temperature control and maybe a slightly too-warm fermentation. With its fruity notes, this beer would pair nicely with a tart spicy sausage like chorizo served on salty tortilla chips.

#96 | Rated 80 | Shiner Desert Mirage Hazy IPA by The Spoetzl Brewery

The aroma of this beer was a bit unusual, perhaps due to the cactus water. By the way, “cactus water” is often made with the juice from prickly pears. The initial taste of this beer featured an unusual flavor that is a bit hard to describe, which was likely the cactus water. It had a nice malt sweetness and an aggressive hop bitterness with an 8% ABV, so the alcohol presence was surely there. The body and mouthfeel of this beer were about medium with light carbonation. The overall impression of this beer was that the addition of cactus water changed the profile and flavor(s) associated with an IPA, for better or worse. It had a smooth, crisp finish.

#95 | Rated 81 | St. Patrick’s Irish Red Ale by Glennbrook Brewery

The pour revealed a light brown, copper hue that had great carbonation and tiny bubbles. Head retention for this beer was solid. The aroma had a nice malt sweetness and subtle caramel notes. Not much hop aroma was present, which is okay for this style. The initial taste had light flavors of malt and hops with subtle caramel and biscuit notes. The body and mouthfeel of this beer are medium. Very good carbonation level. Overall, I feel that this beer is a little light and could use a little more malt in the flavor and body.

#94 | Rated 82 | Three Oaks | Southern Revere Cellars

A very light oak character emerges in the aroma as the beer approaches room temperature, though no bourbon or honey aroma/flavor characteristics are noted. The beer pours a moderately hazy medium-amber with a dense and creamy off-white head that has excellent persistence. The flavor thankfully has a bit more to offer than the aroma; while oxidized bread-like malt is dominant, there is a hint of vanilla and oak that adds complexity. The honey doesn’t offer any notable flavor but factors into the mouthfeel by adding some alcohol warmth and dryness on the palate due to high fermentability. This beer would have benefited from a shorter aging time in the barrel or finding a way to utilize the honey post-fermentation.

#93 | Rated 82 | Green Mountain Boys Spruce Run Ale by Glennbrook Brewery

The pour revealed a medium caramel hue that had great carbonation with a bit of chill haze. I didn’t get any hint of spruce tips in the aroma. The hop aroma was negligible, which is okay for this beer style. The initial taste of this beer had light flavors of malt and hops. I didn’t really taste any spruce tips in the flavor of the beer. The mouthfeel and body of this beer are light overall with, again, great carbonation. The overall impression of this beer is that it could use a little more malt backbone to make it a bit more flavorful. Perhaps a few more spruce tips in the recipe would help it stand out more.

#92 | Rated 82 | KEREL Paradise Ale by Verbeeck-Back-De Cock Brewery

KEREL Paradise Ale pours golden in color with a slight haze and a small white head. The aroma is of moderately light pils malt with light peppery phenolics; light berry-like fruits and esters are in the background. The flavor features moderately light pils malt with light peppery phenolics. Light lemon and berry-like fruit flavors are present in the background. This is a drinkable beer for those that are not opposed to a sharp, dry, and sour finish. But, as for judging a fruit beer, the fruit flavors are too subdued. Also, the base blonde style is more akin to a standard American blonde ale than a more assertive (think peppery phenolics and citrusy esters) Belgian style.

#91 | Rated 82 | Czech Czech One Two by North South Brewing Co.

There is an evident malt backbone with a lightly sweet flavor, which carries through to the middle and finish, leaving a somewhat flabby and muddy aftertaste. There is a rather light spicy, somewhat perfumy hop flavor along with moderate bitterness, but not enough to deliver the clean finish expected for the style. A hallmark for any Czech Pils style brew is the smoothness delivered by the exceptionally soft water used in the brewing process. The water used in this brew seems a bit minerally, which can deliver an unexpected harshness in the finish. Overall, Czech Czech One Two is a nice pils, perhaps more German than Czech, but there are certain issues that do stand out.

#90 | RATED 83 | Wegbier by Moniker Brewery

In the glass, this Munich helles pours a faintly hazy deep yellow with a frothy and persistent white head. It is also a touch hazy, which is peculiar. The nose has a tangy twinge to it that is throwing me off a bit. Behind this is a sort of sweet malt with a white bread note to it and a faint caprylic note that adds some complexity, though no real hops are present aside from a suggestion of herbs. Fairly clean with just a suggestion of some fruity notes, but a pretty solid helles on the whole that could be a bit leaner and feature maybe a touch more hops to really make it pop.

#89 | Rated 83 | Shiner Ruby Redbird by The Spoetzl Brewery

The pour revealed a yellow hue with slight chill haze and extremely low carbonation. The aroma of this beer had a very noticeable ginger flavor that was fragrant and wonderful. The initial taste of this beer showcased the strong presence of ginger that wasn’t overwhelming but instead balanced nicely with the malt and hops. I also got a hint of citrus-like flavors lingering in the background; however, the ginger flavor was the main component of this beer. This beer was light and almost watery in body and mouthfeel. A gentle malt sweetness and light citrus and hop flavors rounded out this very smooth and easy-to-drink beer

#88 | Rated 84 | Owl In by New Realm Brewing

It has a light straw color that’s not much darker than water and just as clear with immaculate clarity. There is also a bubbly white head that doesn’t stick around long. The aroma is malt-forward with some moderately light grainy, pale malt, and a bit of adjunct-like (rice?) character. The hops are just barely there in the flavor to add a little extra complexity, while giving a moderately light bitterness to help balance the malt. Much like the rest of the beer, the body is quite light, but it does have a moderately high carbonation. With the amount of bubbles present, one would expect the head to hang around more.

#87 | Rated 84 | KEREL Kaishaku by Verbeeck-Back-De Cock Brewery

I find this beer somewhat difficult to evaluate. It is obviously way too strong, too full-bodied, and way too sweet for a classic Belgian golden strong ale. By those standards, this is way off-track. However, I don’t think that is what the aim was when the beer was brewed. For my part, I choose not to penalize this beer for lack of adherence to the Belgian golden strong ale guidelines, but rather on its own merits, or lack thereof. My main issue with this beer is the lack of balance in the malt/hops continuum. This beer is very, very sweet! It could really use some more hop bite just to tilt the scale a little more to the center.

#86 | Rated 84 | Sky Meadow by Sapwood Cellars

The aroma consists of a medium-low grainy malt with a low herbal hop aroma. There is a very low musty note present, almost reminiscent of earthy hops plus a very low tart note on the nose mingled with slight honey notes. On the sip there is a medium-low malt sweetness that lingers into the finish. The malt flavor has a low-intensity grainy quality, with a toastiness leaning towards a touch of nuttiness, which sticks around into the finish. The hop flavor is low with floral and spicy flavors. There is a medium hop bitterness in this beer, and there is also a low tart flavor, which also continues into the finish. This beer has a medium-low body with medium-high carbonation.

#85 | Rated 84 | Duke of Spenard by Turnagain Brewing

Duke of Spenard is an interesting brew, running the fine line between a lambic (with the acetic character) and a Flanders red with the evident maltiness. It even has aspects of a Belgian strong like Orval with the Brett. It is a quite refreshing brew, particularly if you appreciate a traditional lambic as I do. The complexity of the aroma is quite nice, but the overall flavor profile does lack some of the depth and complexity of the better examples of the style. The rating reflects the Flanders red style, but it really is an amalgam of a number of different Belgian styles as mentioned, and is quite interesting in its own unique way.

#84 | Rated 84 | Shiner Light Blonde by The Spoetzl Brewery

The beer pour revealed a yellow-to-light brown hue with a slight chill haze that had no noticeable carbonation. The aroma of the beer had a nice malt sweetness and negligible hops (okay for style). The flavor of this beer had a nice balance of malt and hops. Light malt sweetness and a light hop bitterness balanced this beer nicely. I also picked up a nice, light honey flavor that added complexity. The body, mouthfeel and carbonation level of this beer were light. A bit more carbonation would make this a bit more sparkling on the palate. The overall impression of this beer was that it was very smooth, crisp and dry in the aftertaste. A quencher during hot summer months.

#83 | Rated 84 | Lil Slurp by NoDa Brewing Co.

The pour revealed a hazy and cloudy yellow hue with nice carbonation that eventually subsided. The aroma was wonderful, and I detected malt sweetness along with tropical hop aromas that included guava, pineapple, grapefruit, and other citrus. The flavor of this beer had a nice malt sweetness and moderate hop bittering that is balanced nicely. Again, the taste revealed a variety of complex tropical flavors like grapefruit, guava, pineapple, and it was certainly just as juicy as described. The beer could definitely benefit from a little more malt for body without sacrificing or overwhelming the hop flavors. Nevertheless, this is a nice, enjoyable beer for the summer or anytime.

#82 | Rated 85 | Electric Whiskers by Attic Brewing Co.

This beer pours a golden color with a very slight orange tint. It was hazy and opaque, as per the style. The head is creamy and frothy with an off-white stand of small and medium bubbles that leave a beautiful lacing on the glass. The very hop-forward aroma overtakes any malt and consists of high orange, medium orange, low pine and low tropical notes in the background. There is a very low grainy malt character and a very slight mineral-like quality on the nose. There is no fermentation character detectable. In the flavor, there is a medium-low tartness in the beer that is out of place for the style.

#81 | Rated 85 | The V.I.P. by Old 121 Brewhouse

The color is pale straw with a very thin, incomplete ring of bubbles flirting with the edge of the glass. The flavor is much like the aroma with a moderately low malt character backed by a subtle hop bitterness and flavor that is quite herbal. There’s very little complexity, which is as expected for the style. The mouthfeel is light, leaving a crisp and clean finish. This beer does a good job of representing the style, providing a beer without complexity or dimensionality, delivering exactly the low-complexity profile you’d expect from an international pale lager. Overall, this is a fine example of the style and a good go-to beer when something simple but refreshing is what you are seeking.

#80 | Rated 85 | RBC Hefeweizen by Redwood Brewing Co.

Overall, I would guess that if I were drinking this beer fresh off the tap at the brewery it would be much closer to weissbier perfection. However, out of the bottle that likely traveled many miles under presumably less than ideal conditions, it had a few distractions. The beer has a wonderfully soft and rich wheat malt character, though it could be improved with some slight adjustments to the phenolics, keeping them in the clove realm, more closely balanced to the banana ester. Some additional carbonation would also have helped in the overall perception of balance in the beer. Having said all that, Redwood Brewing’s Hefeweizen is overall a good example of a hard style to nail.

#79 | Rated 85 | Hop Lei IPA by Aloha Beer Co.

The aroma greets your nose with moderate citrus and tropical fruit hop character of fresh mango, with a hit of fresh orange. The hops are followed by a moderate bready maltiness that tends to balance out the hop flavor. Light buttery diacetyl and very high hop bitterness emerge mid-palate. This is an American IPA with a lot of promise, but the hop bitterness tends to dominate this beer with a harshness that lingers through the finish into the aftertaste. The hop flavor needs to be more at the forefront and is overshadowed by the balancing malt character and light buttery diacetyl. A more fresh and bright hop flavor with smooth bitterness would make this beer shine.

#78 | Rated 85 | “Steel Arm” Lager by Ebony & Ivory Brewing Co.

The aroma is a step up from the typical fizzy yellow beer and carries some malt and hop notes. The flavor kicks it up another notch, carrying a bit more character, and while still malt-forward, it does have a bit more hop balance. The hops are light, and they provide touches of orange zest, wildflowers, and fresh-cut grass in the flavor. They also bring a moderately low bitterness that keeps the malt in check and prevents it from being too sweet. The ferment is very clean, with almost no yeast character, and a dry, crisp finish. Despite the fizzy look of the beer, the carbonation seems a bit low for style, though it doesn’t detract from the beer.

#77 | Rated 85 | Alter Kriek by Alter Brewing Co.

Much of what is experienced in this beer is what you will find in a classic Belgian kriek. This is a very interesting beer that takes you on a journey, with multiple expressions and interesting things to discover as you drink through. I’m wondering if the additional acidity and tannin from the cherries have pushed the sourness of the base beer toward a slightly harsh impression. The fermentation character of the cherries was very nicely integrated; I only wish that it was more dominant and the sourness was more in check to bring a better balance. I would also like a touch more of the Brett qualities to have come through in the flavor.

90-86 Very Good

#76 | Rated 86 | Blood Orange Blonde by Mully’s Brewery

On the initial sip there is a slight acidity with a light blood orange flavor. A very low grainy malt flavor is quickly taken over by a medium bitterness. There is a quick sensation of a very low malt sweetness before the bitterness continues to build well into the aftertaste. The bitterness builds and becomes a touch too imbalanced for this particular beer. The body is medium-thin with medium-low carbonation and a slight creaminess. The bitterness comes off slightly astringent and sharp. Overall, this is a very good beer that is refreshing to drink. However, the blood orange character and bitterness come out too much and get in the way. A little more balance would make it much more enjoyable.

#75 | Rated 86 | Undisputed by Saucy Brew Works

This beer looks like your average macro lager: pale straw in color and crystal-clear with a white head that fizzes away despite lots of little bubbles. Even in the aroma, it begins to separate itself from the macros. It’s malt-forward with a moderately light grainy malt along with some sweet adjunct-y (rice?) notes. At the backend there are light grassy, spicy, flowery hop notes that are noble-esque. The flavor is similar, but carries a bit more sweetness and more adjunct. The low bitterness and mild herbal hops allow the malt to stand out, but it is still restrained and flirts the line between light and standard American lager. It’s light and refreshing, crisp, clean and thirst-quenching.

The aroma is complex with a plethora of deep notes such as dark roasted coffee beans, chocolate-covered dates, caramel apple, butterscotch candy, black cherries, toasted raisin bread and vanilla with a bit of herbal hops. The flavor brings even more complexity with additional notes of coffee, cocoa nibs, burnt sugar and licorice. It seems like a variety of roasted malts were used and each is present instead of being muddled. Beyond all the malt, there is also some alcohol, which adds some warmth and complexity without being offensive and remaining pretty smooth. This is a delicious example of the style that treads the line between U.K. and U.S. varieties. It’s big, bold and goes wonderfully by the fireplace.

#73 | Rated 86 | Grave Digger by Tombstone Brewery LLC

There is a light toasty aroma, but only in a supporting role for the hoppy tangerine and grapefruit character, along with some interesting fruity notes like pineapple. The flavor echoes the aroma with a slight toasty malt note but adds a moderate caramel note. In the flavor, the hops are crisp with bright citrusy notes leaning towards tangerine and mandarin orange. There is a substantial pine tree component, and, as the beer warms, the caramel becomes more prominent, particularly in the long bitter finish. Bitterness is firm, which almost balances out the residual caramel sweetness, making this more of a medium beer. A very enjoyable hoppy bitter American IPA with maybe just a bit too high of a caramel component

#72 | Rated 86 | Third Heaven Belgian IPA by Wild Heaven Beer

The pour of this beer revealed a golden-to-amber hue. There is a good carbonation level for this beer and good head retention. Some redolent hop notes were detected in the aroma and it had a nice balance of malt and hops. The hop bitterness was nice, though it was a bit too light for an IPA. This needs a bit more bitterness and hoppiness for it to be true to style. As it stands, it comes up just a little short of that. The overall impression is that it just needs a bit more hop profile to justify fitting into the IPA category. It does have a nice malt sweetness alongside a clean smoothness in the finish.

#71 | RATED 87 | Leprechaun Say ‘Yeah’ by Bearded Lady Brewery

The aroma is typical for the style, with chocolate malt and some roast barley up front followed by an acrid black malt. The appearance is black and opaque, with a moderate, tan, small-bubble head with fair retention. The flavor demonstrates very evident chocolate and black malt with a touch of ashiness in the finish. There is a moderate roast barley flavor that lingers through the finish, but it could be more impactful. Hops are low to moderate and might also be a bit too subtle for the style. The soy and smoke notes from the aroma are also present in the flavor. Overall, a nice offering and unmistakably fits the style.

#70 | RATED 87 | pFriemsters Union Japanese Mizunara Oak Aged Whisky Stout by pFriem Family Brewers

There’s an elegance here, but the sweetness really creeps up on you as you continue. It’s almost as though the wood is a bit too subtle for the underlying beer and is accentuated in the sweetness department by it. Quite roasty but never harsh or ashy. I dig this, but would like a bit more pop to the wood character to really let the Mizunara shine. I like the perfumy notes through the finish. It has an almost Sakura cask vibe to it, with notes of cherry as well. Nice beer, even if it is quite sweet. Worth noting: this beer actually does have lactose, which I discovered post-review, so that’s likely the culprit for the high sweetness.

#69 | Rated 87 | Purple Haze (2025) by Abita Brewing Co.

The color is pale rose with a touch of haziness, typical of high-pectin fruits like raspberries when brewed in beer. The flavor is aggressively fruity with a big burst of raspberry character. There is a noticeable tannin quality, perhaps a result of the fruit pith, which finishes with a slight puckering quality. The mouthfeel is slightly astringent with the puckering quality noted above in the finish providing a perception of dryness. Overall, this is a cleanly fermented beer with a strong fruit character that is not cloying or overly fruity. The raspberry character is well defined without being a “soda pop beer,” but rather a good expression of the essence of raspberry with a restrained base style supporting the fruit.

#68 | Rated 87 | 1677 Irish Dry Stout by Las Vegas Brewing Co.

The aroma consists of a medium-intensity roast, which is at the forefront with slight chocolate and slight coffee coming in secondarily. The flavor consists of a medium dark roast flavor that has a touch of an acrid character and a very low tartness, which seems to be malt-derived. This beer has a very low perceived malt sweetness but is quickly dried out by the roast character. There is a low earthy hop bitterness present. There is a very low prune-like fruit ester in this beer, which manifests in the finish along with the lingering acrid roast. There is a light creaminess to this beer, but the noted acrid component in the flavor offsets it.

#67 | Rated 87 | Trône by Wallenpaupack Brewing Co.

On the nose, low ethyl alcohol presents itself at first but is quickly overtaken by a low malt sweetness with medium-low plum, low dark bread and very low caramel. Medium-high sweet malt is present in the initial sip with flavors of caramel and a slight touch of plum. A low hop bitterness helps to ground the sweetness along with a low flavor of ethyl alcohol. This beer has a medium body with medium-high carbonation and has a nice creamy quality to it. The alcohol warmth is pleasant and not hot. Overall, this is a solid beer, but it lacks the overall dryness as well as complexity and depth of malt character found in the best examples of the style.

#66 | Rated 87 | Friars on the Storm by Starkweather Brewing Co.

Friars on the Storm pours reddish-brown in color, is clear, and sports a medium, fluffy tan head. The aroma is of moderate rich bready malt with a moderately light caramel note, moderately light peppery phenolics, and moderately light plum-like esters. The flavor features moderate bready malt elements with a light sweetness balanced by moderately light peppery phenolics. The beer finishes moderately bitter with lingering bready malt and peppery phenolics. This is an enjoyable Belgian dubbel, but it lacks a little complexity typically shown in its Belgian counterparts. Still, this well-made dubbel is definitely worth trying.

#65 | Rated 88 | Run Club by Space Cadet Brewing Co.

The flavor begins hop-forward but not quite as pleasant as the aroma. The hops lean more to the herbal, green, piney notes, but still carry a lot of fruit with pineapple, berry, mango, orange and lemon as well. Beyond the complex fruit and dank characters, the citrus from the hops also carries on the tongue and builds up to a moderate level of bitterness that is a bit higher than most hazies and almost blurs the line between hazy & American IPA. This also shows up in the mouthfeel, where it doesn’t have quite as pillowy soft mouthfeel as other hazy IPAs as well, although it’s still within the style guidelines.

#64 | Rated 88 | Gold Dot by Heater Allen Brewery

Gold Dot has an appropriate malty aroma of soft grain notes with clean and mild lager yeast breadiness. Supporting notes of traditional noble hops lend some earthiness and mild floral character to the nose. The flavor mimics the aroma, though the hop herbal and floral characters are now more apparent than the subtle malt flavor. The bitterness in the finish lingers a bit beyond the restrained sweetness of the malt. The mouthfeel has an impression of fullness from the malt, though it is medium-low in terms of viscosity on the palate. Overall this is a very good lager, though the hop flavor and bitterness are a little too forward for a traditional Munich helles.

#63 | Rated 88 | Grave Shift by Lost Generation Brewing Co.

It pours a very deep brown that is nearly black, but has great clarity around the edges with cherry wood hues. The aroma is rather complex for its size, with a good balance of hops and malt. There is also a nutty roasted character that is reminiscent of brown malt. The flavor leans a little more roast-forward with freshly ground espresso beans and burnt notes (not in an unpleasant way). Despite all the malt, the body remains moderately light due to the crisp, dry finish and hop balance that leaves little sweetness. This beer was really enjoyable and well made. Great on a cold day when you want something a little lighter. I love seeing underappreciated styles shine.

#62 | Rated 88 | Half-Toberfest by Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co.

This beer pours a copper color with a slight chill haze. A white head of small bubbles around the edge of the glass forms on the pour but is quickly fleeting. The aroma consists of a medium toasty malt with a low spicy and floral hop aroma. The flavor has a medium-low hop bitterness with low spicy and floral hops present that are quickly overtaken by a low malt sweetness with flavors of medium toast, low caramel and low nutty notes. The beer finishes dry with a lingering low (almost medium-low) hop bitterness alongside the earthy note detected in the aroma underscored by a slight graininess. There is no warmth or astringency detected in this beer.

#61 | Rated 89 | Ricky Rosé Ale by Tapped 33 Craft Brewery

The aroma is simply loaded with hibiscus, dominating the character. The clarity is fantastic. The brew has a golden color with a rather small white-bubble head that dissipates quickly. Just like in the aroma, a floral hibiscus character dominates the flavor. There is a light brown sugar sweetness in the middle, similar to that in the aroma as well. The body is medium-thin, as expected for the yeast used. The overall impression of Ricky Rosé Ale is that of a rather bright, strongly hibiscus-forward, clean, dry ale. If you are a fan of hibiscus, this is definitely a great option for you! A unique offering that delivers on what it proposes to do.

#60 | Rated 89 | Cold Current by Pure Project Brewing

The initial pour delivered a host of citrus-like hop aromas up-front reminiscent of Cascade and Citra followed by notes of lemon and tangerine. Fruity esters contributed to the aromatic bouquet. The beer was pale yellow, quite clear, with a sizable white head that faded quickly. The taste was distinctly hop-forward. As in the aroma profile, citrus notes were firmly expressed, although they leaned more toward grapefruit than lemon or other citrus fruits. Malt character was a bit understated and would have benefited both balance and the body, which was on the lighter end of the style spectrum. A crisp, clean, light-bodied example of the style, which would go well on a summer day on any coast.

#59 | Rated 89 | Light Work Lager by Evasion Brewing Co.

The aroma is clean with a slightly corn- or rice-like sweetness. Hop aromas are negligible, lending a very subtle earthy and herbal quality. The flavor is considerably more hoppy than anticipated from the aroma. A touch of residual sweetness from grains or syrups provides some balance to the hops despite being non-traditional gluten-free grains and/or adjuncts. As an entirely gluten-free fermented product, this is an exceptionally well-made beer that provides characteristics of a more traditional malt-based beer with an extra nudge of hops for flavor and depth. If you are limited to gluten-free products, this beer will deliver a satisfying experience, particularly if you crave a hoppy American lager-esque beverage.y.

#58 | Rated 89 | Chemesthesis by Jackie O’s Brewery

Overall, this is a dessert/pastry stout through and through. The mole flavors of light/milk chocolate, cinnamon and light, smoky nuttiness dominate over the chili pepper element. That leaves bitterness and roastiness as counterweights and here they are reserved. If you like strong and sweet beers in this vein, then take that with a grano de sal. Also consider that beers like this really are not appreciated without a food context (unlike this tasting). This is a strong, rich, and complex beer with assertive mole flavors that would provide a nice sweet finish to a big Latin-inspired meal. Picture sitting on a patio with the cool fall breeze coming off the water, as midday heat fades into the setting sun.

#57 | Rated 90 | Straight Outta Portland IPA by Migration Brewing

The beer is medium-full-bodied with good carbonation and beading; there is some warmth from the 7.3% ABV, but it doesn’t strike you as, “you better sit down to drink this beer!” I found it somewhat creamy for a West Coast-style IPA. Clean, with no detectable astringency in the finish. Overall, I found the beer to be very enjoyable. I could see having several of these in a sitting. My only real criticism is that this is not truly an American IPA. It’s really more of a strong pale ale than an IPA. It would have scored even higher with more bittering hops or, frankly, just calling it a strong pale ale. Here’s hoping it shows up in my neighborhood!

#56 | Rated 90 | Tempe Wick Farmhouse Blueberry-Lemonade Sour by Glennbrook Brewery

The pour revealed a beautiful reddish hue with a little chill haze in appearance. The aroma of this beer had hints of blueberries and citrus notes. The initial flavor of this beer had light malt and hops. The main component of this beer is the sourness. As such, this beer was certainly mouth-puckering. I also picked up noticeable blueberry flavors and lemon or citrus notes, surprisingly, even through the initial sourness of the beer. The body and mouthfeel of this beer were light. A very good carbonation level made this beer a little more sparkling on the palate, almost champagne-like. Overall, a nicely made sour that had noticeable blueberry and lemon notes along with the requisite sourness/tartness.

#55 | Rated 90 | Sycamore Serveza by Sycamore Brewing

Serveza is a light fruit beer that goes down easy. My main quibble is that the Mexican lager element (bright, crisp, fizzy and usually corny) isn’t noticeable enough. I think this is due to two issues: first, the fruit elements, while not massive, are pretty assertive especially in the mid-palate-to-finish. Here, it’s a bit flabby and that brings me to the base beer: It really needs more carbonic bite to remind you that you are drinking a light lager and not limeade. Otherwise, the beer is very drinkable with a dry finish and low bitterness and pretty nice fruit notes, with the blood orange shining in the aroma and the lime notes taking center stage in the flavor and finish.

#54 | Rated 90 | Blinded by Nostalgia by Moniker Brewery

The nose opens with a fairly standard mix of hops, lending some stone fruit, resin, diesel and just a hint of onion. Very much hop-forward here, but again, kind of the usual suspects of hops, which isn’t a bad thing at all. Faint toasty malt on the back end with a subtle fruity yeast character as well. On tasting, there is a surprising minerality, and a fairly robust supporting malt backbone with more bready and toasty notes than expected. Pretty strong bitterness carrying those classic resiny hop notes. This is the kind of West Coast IPA that I remember from 20 years ago, and I’m glad to see it’s still kicking; the name is definitely in tune with that idea!

#53 | Rated 90 | White Pine Belgian Witbier by Two Saints Brewing Co.

Overall, White Pine is a very enjoyable witbier. I appreciated the fresh and bright character. If I were to compare it to other well-known and respected versions, I would say it’s closer to Allagash White than to Hoegaarden, but that’s pretty good company to keep. The biggest distraction for me was the initial dominance of the lemon character. Obviously, I don’t know the true source but for my palate it reads like a combination of lemony hops, lemon zest and the lemony quality of coriander. While this was enjoyable, the beer seemed somewhat out of balance. Had this been somewhat reduced, I think the malt and yeast qualities may have been more dominant, making it truer to style.

#52 | Rated 90 | Honey Mango Sour by The Damascus Brewery

This beer opens with moderately low fruity aromas and some sharp tannins that are green apple-like with a stone fruit finish. The first sip delivered a green apple-like sharp acidity as in the aroma, paired with a stone fruit character. This beer has a medium-light body with medium-light carbonation with acidity contributing to a carbonation-like mouthfeel. Here’s an easy-drinking beer that focuses equally on flavor and mouthfeel for drinkability. I can see this beer being paired with summer foods like chilled oysters, fish ceviche, and hard cheeses. Drinks similarly to a rosé wine with its lightness, acidity, and fruitiness, yet without the alcoholic punch.

#51 | Rated 90 | Carl by St. Elmo Brewing

Overall, Carl (a seemingly unique name for a beer, if not an uncle) is a hop-forward golden ale with suppressed esters, low malt structure, and very nice herbal hop flavors dominating. It finishes very dry and thus serves a thirst-slaking role so commonly needed in the hot months of the year. While its comparative profile to more traditional Cologne imports differs, Americans do love their hops, and this one fits that bill accordingly. I have a couple extra cans, it’s Sunday, and it’s supposed to top out around 90 degrees today, making today “mow-the-lawn day” in this household. I know what I am drinking after that chore.

95-91 Exceptional

orginal lager the black abbey brewing co

#50 | Rated 91 | Black Abbey Original Lager by The Black Abbey Brewing Co.

Malty notes dominate the flavor with bready, doughy characteristics and a slight touch of biscuit. Hop flavor is very low and leans herbal. What stands out most is the bitterness; it feels high for the style, where a Munich Helles typically finishes soft and slightly malty, balanced with mild hop bitterness. Here, the bitterness overshadows that expected balance, though the finish remains clean and dry. Black Abbey Original Lager is an easy-drinking beer with pronounced malt-forward flavors that capture much of the style’s essence. However, the bitterness is slightly elevated for a Munich Helles and would ideally sit at a medium-low level. That said, as the palate adjusts with continued sipping, the initial bitterness becomes less prominent.

#49 | Rated 91 | Tropicáliana by Sunken Silo Brew Works

Overall, this is a very enjoyable pale ale that leans into the New World hops and provides qualities typically found in hazy, juicy, NEIPAs without the haze and while keeping everything at pale ale levels. The sweetness also moved toward the juicy style. Very enjoyable, but I wanted a touch more bitterness and perhaps a slightly more characterful malt to keep it in the APA camp. I appreciated the restraint on the hops, as I find many APAs drink like IPAs, blurring the lines between the styles. I suppose if the beer was significantly hazy in appearance along with the sweetness level and tropical hops, perhaps this would be a perfect hazy pale ale, if such a BJCP style existed.

dad strength juicy ipa dad strength brewing

#48 | Rated 92 | Dad Strength Juicy IPA by Dad Strength Brewing

The aroma has a combination of tropical melon/cantaloupe dank hop character married with very evident apricot notes. The color is amber-gold with exceptional clarity, sporting a solid rocky, white, medium-bubble head that dissipates rather quickly considering the initial size of the head. The flavor follows the aroma very well, with very evident apricot flavors along with dank tropical hop flavors. There is a light grainy base malt character in the background. These characters linger through the finish and aftertaste. Overall the fermentation seems quite clean with no off-flavors. There is quite a bit of carbonation bite in this one, which delivers a quite dry finish. Dad Strength Juicy IPA is a refreshing and flavorful session IPA.

cosmic guava west coast ipa pfriem family brewers

#47 | Rated 92 | Cosmic Guava West Coast IPA by pFriem Family Brewers

In the glass, it is mostly clear with a slight polyphenol haze. It’s a deep golden color with a white head of fine bubbles. On the nose, it’s a mix of diesel, light onion and distinct tropical fruits like guava and pineapple with a mango note. Really nice nose on this, almost a candied tropical fruit thing. Upon tasting, it has a fairly high bitterness that is never harsh. Tropical fruits abound and that guava note is no joke. Really cool blending of old school West Coast bitter dryness with a distinct modern twist. Pineapple and guava into the finish and clean fermentation. This is a great IPA to bridge the gap from the old school to the juicy crowd. IPA.

#46 | Rated 92 | Country Mile Kölsch by Take 16 Brewing Co.

Country Mile’s aroma has a fresh, doughy punch. It is pils-like, dry, grainy, and clean, without a noticeable ester that would otherwise be acceptable for the style. The flavor also has a pils-like, crackery character. It’s dry with moderate hop bitterness throughout the sip. There is a low level of herbal, noble hop flavor as it begins to warm up in the glass, along with a light pear ester. It tastes lightly minerally, which is welcome here, and is otherwise clean. This is a delicious beer, and the style doesn’t matter so much for something like this that is just plain refreshing and enjoyable to drink. Take this one outside for a barbecue, hike, or pool day.

bourbon street barrel aged imperial stout abita brewing co

#45 | Rated 92 | Bourbon Street Barrel Aged Imperial Stout by Abita Brewing Co.

This is an enjoyable bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout with some complexity to the malt character and smooth hop bitterness in a supporting role. The alcohol is just a bit edgy, though that may smooth out and become more appealing over time. The medium body is a touch thin for the base style, but it’s not that unusual for a barrel-aged beer. The barrel character was spot on and did not dominate the aroma or flavor of the beer. This is a beer worth seeking out, and you might tuck a can or two in the back of your beer fridge for later enjoyment.

its your party skinny flowers brewing co

#44 | Rated 92 | It’s Your Party by Skinny Flowers Brewing Co.

It’s Your Party is a really enjoyable hazy. It is hop-forward in aroma and flavor with sufficient bitterness and a dry finish. The hop bite and resin reduced the smooth qualities enough that it is reminiscent of the classic examples. There is a slight harshness to the mouthfeel that impacts the finish. I find this harshness common among hazy IPAs, but it takes away from the style’s drinkability. This may be a result of water chemistry or just the level of lingering hop resin, but the best examples manage to minimize this quality, resulting in a more quaffable beer. Style guidelines aside, I really enjoyed this beer and appreciated the big, fresh hop punch.

#43 | Rated 92 | Pils To Meet You by Moniker Brewery

In the glass, it’s a fairly clear pale gold with some polyphenolic haze from the hops. Nose is as advertised featuring bombastic American hops that are resiny with a minty note. Quite fresh and bright. On tasting, this sort of bridges the gap between a cold IPA and a German pilsner. Bright hop flavor, again resiny but also floral, adding a nice balance to let you know where the bitterness comes from. Feels nice in the mouth, never aggressive or harsh, just light and spry. The only thing I’d say is that the hops may be just a bit too aggressive, even for this style, as it does start to approach that IPA arena, just without the yeast character.

#42 | Rated 92 | Mexican Dark Lager by pFriem Family Brewers

My initial impression of the flavor was that the roastiness of the grains carries over from the aroma. However, the roast character is more restrained than I anticipated given that aroma. There is some caramel malt sweetness, but nowhere near approaching cloying. Just a kiss of sweetness. I do detect some hop bitterness, but just enough to balance the malt sweetness. The finish is clean. The body was firm, medium-to-full. The beer was lively and the carbonation was appropriate for the style. Not a lot of alcohol warming here, but wasn’t expected from the style. No lingering off-flavors or palate sensations. Overall, this was a very pleasant dark lager! I found it well balanced and clean.

#41 | Rated 92 | Stay Cool Drink Moniker by Moniker Brewery

The beer is a hazy, deep, almost whitish straw color in the glass. There is a lot of tropical aroma with mango and guava at the forefront. A light bready aroma supports the juicy hop nose. The flavor echoes the aroma with mango and guava but also substantial orange peel and tangerine juice. Moderately high hop flavor with a low bitterness while the hops linger into a long fruity and juicy finish. It has a medium body with a crisp note to it that nicely balances the fruity character while taming any apparent fruity sweetness. There is no noticeable alcohol but the hazy/juicy character is quite prominent, particularly as the beer warms.

snowblower coconut cream ale brewhaha brewing co

#40 | Rated 92 | SnowBlower Coconut Cream Ale by BrewHaHa Brewing Co.

Pleasant aromas of coconut milk are present, though hops and malted grains were absent. No off aromas or diacetyl were detected. The beer showed a deep shade of gold with a slight haze, and a beautiful white foamy head crowned the glass. A pleasantly sweet coconut flavor comes through. The cream ale character of the base beer is not present. The coconut flavor is more pronounced than the base beer. This brew finishes soft and dry with low bitterness. I appreciate that the coconut flavor tastes fresh, as if the coconut was just sliced in twain with a machete. Medium-light-bodied, the carbonation is medium-high, which gives it a suggestion of lime.

pivo tal czech style pilsner pivotal brewing co

#39 | Rated 92 | PIVO-tal Czech-Style Pilsner by Pivotal Brewing Co.

This beer pours golden in color with excellent clarity and a medium, fluffy white head. The aroma is moderately light spicy hops complemented by a light pilsner malt. The flavor is of moderate spicy hops with a lighter herbal note; lightly bready pilsner malt complements the hops. The beer finishes with a moderate bitterness alongside moderately light spicy hops and a hint of pilsner malt. PIVO-tal is an exceptional Czech pils. The hop flavor is spot-on, even despite the use of non-traditional Hallertauer Blanc hops. The malt flavor comes from high-quality malt. The balance between the hops and malt is excellent; the hops shine and the malt supports, but neither impedes the quaffability of this terrific brew.

#38 | Rated 92 | Trendy Name Bright Colors by Moniker Brewery

This beer pours a very hazy deep straw color with a large head of tiny white bubbles that fades to a thin layer. A big tropical aroma greets the nose with pineapple and kiwi prominently featured and notes of lychee following close behind. A very light sweet malt is discernible in the nose. The first sip echoes the pineapple and kiwi notes with additional fruity character, like strawberry, which works nicely with the acidic flavors of pineapple. The malt backbone in the flavor is lightly bready with a touch of honey. Bitterness is moderately low for this medium-bodied beer. The balance is definitely towards the hops; the malt is a minor supporting character. The finish is quite long and fruity.

#37 | Rated 92 | Cottage by Tall Oaks Farm + Brewery

The beer pours with beautiful clarity, showcasing a rich mahogany brown color. It is topped with a firm, foamy, tan-colored head that exhibits excellent persistence. Moderate aromas of milk chocolate shavings and dry malt grains dominate the nose, accompanied by notes of raw tree nuts and a subtle hint of green tea. Roasted coffee notes lead the flavor profile, followed by chocolate and a small amount of grainy toast. An exceptional example of its style. This is a highly drinkable beer that achieves a great balance of flavor. Its low ABV makes it highly enjoyable as a session beer, proving that a beer can be low in alcohol but high in flavor.

#36 | Rated 92 | Tiki Like a Fox by New Realm Brewing

This beer pours a very hazy, yellowish gold with a big fluffy off-white head that clings to the glass. The fruity aroma gushes forth the second the can is cracked open. It’s very tropical and citrusy with loads of different fruit: orange, pineapple, mango, tangerine, grapefruit and passionfruit, all of which come from the hops and added natural flavors. The flavor is similarly very fruit-forward with a bit of sweetness. Creamy and fruity, it is like drinking an Orange Julius, tangerine creamsicle or mango lassi with a splash of alcohol. This beer boasts a ton of fruit character, both from the hops and natural flavorings, whatever they may be. Pineapple? Orange? Whatever it is, it’s quite delicious.

#35 | Rated 93 | Diamond Dust by Pure Project Brewing

Fully aromatic from the first pour, Diamond Dust boasts a host of tropical and citrus notes reminiscent of pineapple, tangerines, peaches and berries. All blend well, and none dominate. However, it’s not a very pretty beer, as it’s murky and light amber in color capped with a large white head. Style parameters, however, allow for all of the aforementioned. A virtual fruit basket of flavors dominates the taste profile. Notes of orange peel, tropical fruits, peaches and pineapple marry well with Mosaic and other New World hops. The light bready malt character normally associated with this style was a bit understated. Overall, a good example of the hazy IPA style characterized by a plethora of fruity complexity.

biere du chateau lucy and howe brewing co

#34 | Rated 93 | Little Loose by Heavy Seas Beer

The aroma consists of a low grainy malt at the forefront. Medium-low hop notes of low pine, medium-low grapefruit, low general spiciness, and a nice touch of sticky resin are present. There is a touch of floral aroma as the beer warms, reminiscent of a nice blend of traditional American hops. The flavor has a low grainy malt flavor that finishes dry, setting the stage for the hop character. There is a medium-low hop flavor with notes of grapefruit, light pine, and a touch of rose petal. Overall, this is a terrific beer. It maintains an excellent balance of low ABV and drinkability while still focusing on an interesting drinking experience.

#33 | Rated 93 | Biere du Chateau by Lucy and Howe Brewing Co.

The aroma is arguably the highlight of this beer, featuring light grainy water cracker-like presence up front with a subtle pop of bright citrus. An accent of freshly squeezed lemon with a touch of freshly ground black pepper follows. The flavor is driven by yeast and hallmark ingredients of the style. Freshly ground coriander dominates; a bit less in the balance would be welcome. Overall, an excellent interpretation of this style, which is a notoriously difficult one to balance all the elements in. This excellent witbier is true to style without being a boring clone. It has its own identity, almost coming across as a witbier/saison hybrid. There are new things to discover with each whiff and sip

#32 | Rated 93 | Parkville Lager by Dead Language Beer Project

Overall, this is a wonderful beer. I really enjoyed the malt characteristics of the beer and wanted more of them in the overall balance. Nice and rich with some complexity without being overly in your face. Very fresh hop and malt qualities. I just wanted the late-addition hops to take a bit of a backseat to the wonderful malt in this amber Kellerbier. I did find the mandarin-like notes in the flavor more integrated than the grapefruit notes in the aroma. When all was said and done, I really wanted to drink this beer fresh out of the tap for the full experience but in the meantime, I’ll be very happy with this packaged version any day of the week.

#31 | Rated 93 | WC IPA by Old 121 Brewhouse

This beer pours a pale gold color and produces a fine head of light bubbles that clings to the edge of the glass. The flavor is boldly hoppy in both bitterness and flavor (fruity, herbal). The balance between the grains and the hops is good for the style, leaning to hops but not failing to undergird the big hop presence with a healthy amount of clean malt flavor and residual sweetness. The herbal hop character lingers into and beyond the finish of the beer. The mouthfeel is medium with substantial carbonation. In a crowded field, this is a very enjoyable American IPA that meets the mark for the style and delivers a ton of flavor and enjoyment in the process.

west coast pilsner pfriem family brewers

#30 | Rated 93 | West Coast Pilsner by pFriem Family Brewers

On the palate, the beer is medium-to-full-bodied, with a lively and refreshing amount of carbonation. The malt lends a bit of pleasant creaminess, with no astringency to speak of. Overall, I find this to be a very pleasing medium-strength pilsner. It drinks very easily, and I would always make sure to stock my refrigerator with some of this were it available in my market! The balance is superb. The fruit character of the hops softens the bitterness, making it an easy-drinking offering. I was surprised to find that this was a 34 IBU lager (more than I would have guessed). The more I drink, the better I like this.

#29 | Rated 93 | Neighborhood IPA by Stones Throw Brewery

The beer had a nice malty aroma along with nice hop notes. The initial taste of the beer had a nice balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness. I also detected light caramel notes in the flavor, which is fine for this style. In fact, the light caramel notes added to the complexity. I especially enjoyed the hop bittering in this beer. It was just perfect. Some brewers can be overzealous in putting too many hops in a beer, especially an IPA. This, however, was not the case with this Washington brewery. The beer had a light/medium body and mouthfeel as well as good carbonation. The aftertaste was nice, clean and smooth. Overall, a nice IPA for any occasion.

#28 | Rated 93 | Thomas Hardy’s Ale, The Historical 2018 by Meantime Brewing Co.

The base beer here is a wonderful English barleywine. It’s an excellent beverage for a cold winter evening (or just turn the air conditioning up!). The beer is well-balanced and delicious. My only complaints were the low carbonation level (not a big deal), and the bit of astringency from the oak. Ultimately, allowing the sample to warm up took care of most of those concerns. It might be worthwhile to stock up on this and allow some of the bottles to age several more years. Perhaps the last of that astringency will go away. In the meantime (see what I did there?), just don’t over-chill! And, no, I’m not sharing this one!

lookout czech pilsner lookout brewing co

#27 | Rated 93 | Lookout Czech Pilsner by Lookout Brewing Co.

The overall flavor profile is quite clean. The malt backbone is quite small, as expected for the style. The noble/Saaz hop flavor and bitterness are rather moderate, considering the lack of malt and other flavor notes, but that works well in this brew. Moderate carbonation allows for a bit of bite on the palate, which amplifies the drying effect of the hop bitterness in the finish, delivering a quite refreshing and quaffable light-bodied beverage. The clean character of this brew is where it really shines and allows for its high level of drinkability. Lookout Czech Pils is a refreshing summer thirst-quencher that has enough character in proper balance to be quite interesting and enjoyable. This small beer really delivers!

#26 | Rated 93 | Juicy Hop Bomb by Springfield Beer Co.

A deep tropical fruit and citrus aroma was immediately perceived upon the initial pour. Some New World hop notes were mixed in to deliver a one-two punch. The appearance reflected a pale, tan-hued and turbid beer with a thin white head. The flavor was piney with intense citrus flavors that were reminiscent of grapefruit and tangerine peel were readily apparent. A very tangy beer, it was both sweet and sour. As in the aroma profile, hops (Mosaic in nature) made their contribution to the mix. It was lightly carbonated with a thin-to-medium body that was soft in nature. If you are a hazy IPA fan, this one packed in lots of flavor/aroma and hit all the style parameters well.

#25 | Rated 94 | Cerveza PALMA by Compañía Cervecera de Nicaragua

A light mix of corn and malted grains was cleanly manifested in the aroma profile. The pour was pale golden in color, crystal clear with a big white head that lingered briefly and then dissipated. The flavor reflected a bready character that edged the balance more toward the malt end of the style with hops expressed only in a supporting role. Extremely clean and refreshing. Well attenuated and highly carbonated. Light-bodied with lower alcohol levels as appropriate for style. Many lagers of this style are delicately balanced and feature very low levels of malt and hops. The grainy corn-like nature evident here makes a statement that sets it apart from the others.

#24 | Rated 94 | Free Swim | Two Pitchers Brewing Co.

Bright lime is prominent in the aroma and offers freshly peeled zest and squeezed juice with the complexity of real fruit rather than a one-note artificial character. The flavor is lime-forward, which offers a subtle tartness but comes across on the palate as “bright” rather than “sour.” The beer has a medium-light body with moderate carbonation. There are no rough edges from tartness, bitterness, or salinity and the alcohol level seems low, resulting in a very refreshing beer. This beer isn’t too far from an alcoholic carbonated Lemon Lime Gatorade, and I mean that as a compliment. It has fantastic drinkability and is packed with well-balanced flavor. This is a beer that would hit the spot poolside, beachfront, or post-gym.

castillo classic ipa alaro craft brewery

#23 | Rated 94 | Castillo Classic IPA by Alaro Craft Brewery

Castillo Classic IPA pours copper in color, is crystal clear, and has a small white head. The aroma is an even blend of moderate citrusy, resiny, and piney hops with light caramel malt and no esters. The flavor is moderate piney and resiny hops with lighter citrusy notes over moderate-light caramel and nutty malt. The beer finishes moderately bitter with moderate piney and resiny hops and moderate-light caramel malt. Castillo Classic IPA has won many awards in its existence. The experience of finally trying this beer does not disappoint. I would have liked to see the hop flavors a little more citrusy, but don’t let that stop you. Definitely seek this beer out; hopheads will not be disappointed.

imperial coconut porter malibu brewing co

#22 | Rated 94 | Imperial Coconut Porter by Malibu Brewing Co.

As I pour the beer into my glass, I am struck by the intensity of the color. It looks like a straight-up stout. Very, very, very dark brown… bordering on black. Definitely opaque. Good head retention, as any respectable stout should have. As I raise the glass to my nose, I am greeted by not-so-subtle hints of roastiness: roast grains, roast coffee, dark chocolate, and, yes, a hint of coconut. I was eager to give the beer a taste, wondering if this is really just a stout in “imperial porter” clothing. Yes, it’s roasty, on the edge of “stoutness,” but not over the top. It stops short of what I think of as a stout. In a word, “Delicious!”

luna nueva export lager cheluna brewing co

#21 | Rated 94 | Luna Nueva Export Lager by Cheluna Brewing Co.

Overall, Luna Nueva is as pretty as a new moon, and is an extremely tasty light lager with great cereal, malt and hop expression in a tight package. The nose is reserved but mixes malt and hops in a delicate dance, and while the flavor profile comes off a little big, that may be partly exaggerated by the lack of conditioning. Spritzy fizziness is a hallmark for the style and it’s really the only thing this beer needs to reach World Class status. It’s a really outstanding effort and I can’t wait to sample the second bottle in a less formalized setting and just enjoy it for what it is: good yellow beer that goes down easy.

#20 | Rated 94 | Fruited Spontanée by pFriem Family Brewers

The impact on the palate is immediate and amazing! Malt and hops don’t play a big role here, and I’m not concerned about the balance. The malt is merely a vehicle to deliver the fruit. This wild ale is tangy from first sip to finish, but I’m not worried about damaging the enamel on my teeth. The body is medium, not surprising as this beer comes in at a modest 5.7% ABV. It is well carbonated, perhaps somewhat deceptive as there is no semblance of head retention. This is a tart and tangy fruit bomb, and I love it! The tartness is not excessive and makes for an extremely pleasant, thirst-quenching beverage.

wrecking ball imperial stout no li brewhouse

#19 | Rated 94 | Wrecking Ball Imperial Stout by No-Li Brewhouse

The aroma is clean without any fermentation character, and subsequent swirling reinvigorates the tan head and releases additional fresh pine hop notes. The beer lingers on the palate with an assertive bitterness and roasted malt character that finally finishes quite dry. This full-bodied beer has medium-high carbonation, which accentuates the fresh hop and roasted malt bitterness. A slight warming sensation builds over several quaffs, and there is a small amount of astringency from the roast malt, but not in an offensive way. Overall, an outstanding beer and easily drinkable on a warm, early July day. Pair this with vanilla bean ice cream and experience the bitter and sweet elements as they complement and contrast with one another.

vista west coast ipa lost worlds brewing co

#18 | Rated 94 | Vista West Coast IPA by Lost Worlds Brewing Co.

This is a super-tasty, somewhat old-school IPA that showcases both hops and malt, the latter seemingly with some low-color caramel malt in the grist. While super bitter, the beer remains structured and balanced from beginning to end and is very drinkable. While the moniker “West Coast” is often used to indicate all base-malt/pale yellow-colored IPAs purposefully stripped of malt structure, Vista sees through that folly and provides a balanced interpretation of a strong and hoppy ale. I like it (a lot!), and I think you might too, especially if you enjoy more “traditional” IPA excursions. Well done, Lost Worlds!

#17 | Rated 94 | Haładuda Specjal by Otherlands Beer

A medium, floral hop nose shares the initial aromas with a light flinty, minerally character. My first mouthful yields a medium, bright, floral, and herbal hop character with medium-low grainy malt and soft mineral character. The hop bitterness is medium-low, but strong enough that the hops win the malt/hop balance debate. The beer finishes quite dry with a lingering floral hop bitterness. Medium-light-bodied with medium carbonation and no warmth or astringency. Returning to the aroma, there is some low sulfur character that adds complexity. Overall, the beer is crisp with pleasant hoppiness and rustic charm. While it has a freshness, it does not display the youth indicative of a short maturation time.

#16 | Rated 95 | Barock Dunkel by Weltenburger Kloster

Bitterness is notable, probably both from hops and dark grains lending some light astringency, though water may be playing a role in the bitterness as well. The balance is decisively on the malt side with the bitterness and mild hop flavors lending a nice counterpoint to the beer. Overall, this is a delightful Munich Dunkel, and one that really showcases the rich malt complexity that characterizes this style. This makes for a welcome break from the plethora of heavily hopped beers at our fingertips, portraying the masterful use of dark malts and lager yeast to produce an exceptional example of one of the great classic beer styles. I highly recommend finding and trying this as a break from hop deluge.

#15 | Rated 95 | Black Lotus by First State Brewing Co.

This deep black, opaque brew has a rich roasted coffee aroma with a hint of cocoa up front, followed by a noticeable level of roast barley and black malt. The clarity, when viewed through the thin part of the glass, is excellent. The flavor presentation is very smooth, with very evident fresh coffee notes up front complemented by black malt, roast barley and cocoa notes. The lactose level used delivers a mild level of sweetness, which fits the overall character of this brew. Black Lotus is a wonderful interpretation of a coffee stout. The brew is very well crafted, with all the parts coming together synergistically to deliver a delicious treat.

#14 | Rated 95 | Old 121 Brewhouse Oktoberfest by Old 121 Brewhouse

Oktoberfest pours a bright medium copper color with brilliant clarity. The aroma greets you with a prominent and rich bready, lightly toasted maltiness followed quickly by a light herbal hop aroma. The flavor spotlights a prominent and moderately strong bready malt character with a touch of bread crust. Oktoberfest is a well-brewed Märzen. The appearance is spot-on for style and is very inviting. The rich German malt character is prominent and bright with a light herbal hop aroma and flavor to help balance it out. A touch more hop bitterness would help balance the malt sweetness even more, but this is a small issue. Seek this one out for a great fall quaffer.

devil in a blue dress butcher and the brewer

#13 | Rated 95 | Devil in a Blue Dress by Butcher and the Brewer

Devil in a Blue Dress pours golden in color, and is clear with a huge fluffy white head. The aroma is moderate peppery phenolics with lighter citrusy esters and herbal hops. The flavor is of moderately light peppery phenolics with light pils malt and citrusy esters. A hint of herbal hops hides beneath the prominent peppery phenolics. The beer finishes moderately bitter with moderate peppery phenolics again taking prominence. Light citrusy esters and light herbal hops round out the finish in this fairly dry and moderately carbonated beer. Devil in a Blue Dress is a solid Belgian golden strong ale. The phenolics are prominent with lighter malt and hops. Drinking this reminds me of sitting at a café in Antwerp.

#12 | Rated 95 | Putzig Pils by Moniker Brewery

The beer pours with a big, white, poofy head of tiny bubbles, which is persistent. The initial aroma is of light bready graininess with a moderate hop nose that is herbal, perfumy, and floral. The flavor starts off with a moderate hop presence that is green, leafy and floral and ends with a light but firm bitterness that lingers and brings out a light lemon note in the finish. The medium-light body is held up with light grainy malt, and it is crisp without any hint of alcohol. As the beer warms, there is more of a pleasant herbal hop note that adds dimension. The hop character (both bittering and flavor) is spot-on for the style.

#11 | Rated 95 | Double Barrel Narcissist by O’so Brewing Co.

Double Barrel Narcissist pours black in color, is opaque, and sports a small rim of brown head. The aroma is strong roasted and chocolate malts with a complementing moderately strong rich caramel malt. Barrel aromas complement as well with aromas of light vanilla, toasted oak, and bourbon. There is a moderate ethanol aroma but without harshness or sharpness. The body is full with a creamy mouthfeel and a moderate and pleasant warmth. The flavor is strong chocolate and roasted malt with a complementary caramel malt and a light sweetness. Light bourbon, vanilla, and toasted oak complement the dark malts. This is an excellent bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout. It measures in at 14.5% ABV but still exhibits quaffability.

#10 | Rated 95 | Diurnal Nights by Moonshot Brewing Co.

Initial aromatics are fresh oak, lightly tannic with some vanillin, and soft berry notes from the grapes, strawberry and red currant. The first sip reveals a puckeringly tart, acidic and bright red wine grape character bursting with red currants, cranberries, and faint strawberry jam, creating a richly sweet jam character easily supplanted and restrained by bright acidity and tartness. Berries continue dominating the aroma, though wild fermentation notes permeate throughout and present an underlying wet forest floor note in addition to the aforementioned funky/barnyard character. This is a complex aroma. The flavor’s berry notes are bright and persistent, lingering long into the dry finish. Overall, a complex beer that invites contemplative sipping.

english sporting beer midwest coast brewing co

#9 | Rated 95 | English Sporting Beer by Midwest Coast Brewing Co.

The aroma provided a nice bready malt quality with just a hint of toast. The malt flavor is more elevated on the palate but leans into a medium toasted bread with a touch of caramelization. Overall, I found this to be an excellent example of a style that, unfortunately, is not brewed that often in the U.S. I’m always happy to find a brewery that is willing to make traditional styles in a traditional manner with what at least comes across as traditional ingredients, and is able to resist the temptation to over-hop or throw in some crazy adjunct. This beer is nicely balanced, leaning into the bitterness without being harsh while maintaining nice malt and hop qualities.

100-96 World Class

#8 | Rated 96 | Cuveé de L’Amitié by Lindemans Brewery

Review by Sal Mortillaro II

Aroma: 23 / 24
Appearance: 5 / 6
Flavor: 39 / 40
Mouthfeel: 10 / 10
Overall Impression: 19 / 20

Cuvée de L’Amitié by Lindemans was judged as a Gueuze. (2021 BJCP Category 23E)

This beer pours deep gold with a light amber hue. A medium sustained bone white-colored head of small and medium bubbles left a beautiful ring around the glass with nice lacing. A light dusting of foam persists on top.

The aroma consists of a medium typical Pajottenland character of Brettanomyces. Beautiful notes of medium-low barnyard character and a touch of green apple are present, plus a slight unmalted wheat aroma.

Upon first sip, the barnyard character is at the forefront. It quickly transforms into low tart rhubarb and tart green apple. There is a very low sweetness in the beer, quickly overshadowed by the perceived tartness with no hop flavor. There is also a touch of barrel character, providing a supporting woody flavor. The finish is dry, crisp, and refreshing. Cuvée de L’Amitié has a medium-thin body with high carbonation. The acid in this beer causes the drinker to salivate and perpetually want more. The barrel character noted adds a very light touch of astringency, adding structure to the beer overall.

This is a World Class, well blended authentic gueuze that hits all of the major hallmarks of the style.

Brewer’s Description

Batches of three-, five-, and six-year-old lambic contribute to the exceptional flavor of this limited edition golden Oude Gueuze. Only available in select markets.

Beer Statistics

Style: Gueuze
Style Family: European Sour Ale
Availability: Limited Release ABV: 6.0%
IBUs: 13
Served at: 40º to 45º F
Hops: Nelson Sauvin
Malts: Rahr Pale, Simpsons Cara Malt, Simpsons Crystal Dark

Contact the Brewery

Brouwerij Lindemans
Lenniksebaan 1479
1602 Sint-Pieters-Leeuw Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 569 03 90
lindemans.be

#7 | Rated 96 | Hallertau Pils by Human Robot

Review by Dan Martich

Aroma: 22 / 24
Appearance: 5 / 6
Flavor: 39 / 40
Mouthfeel: 10 / 10
Overall Impression: 20 / 20

Hallertau Pils by Human Robot was judged as a German Pils. (2021 BJCP Category 5D)

Bready white cracker notes dominate the aroma, accompanied by a moderately low noble hop presence that’s spicy, floral, and herbal. A hint of sulfur is noticeable, which is perfectly acceptable and indicative of the lager yeast used, as many strains exhibit this character.

The beer appears light yellow to straw in color, with a big, persistent white foamy head. Many fine bubbles rise steadily in the glass.

The flavor mirrors the aroma, showcasing white cracker and bready malt characteristics that truly shine through. Hop flavor is moderate and consistent, featuring the noble hop notes expected for the style: the aforementioned floral, spicy, and herbal elements. Bitterness is moderately high, as it should be, balanced by a clean lager fermentation profile. The finish is slightly malty yet dry.

Medium-bodied with moderately high carbonation, this pilsner is very pleasant on the palate and goes down incredibly smoothly.

This is a fresh and classic example of the German Pils style, and one that highlights the use of quality, fresh ingredients. It’s an absolute pleasure to drink and stands as a definitively World Class representation of the style.

Brewer’s Description

Hallertau Pils is brewed as an ode to the industrial German pilsners of the 50s to the late 70s,when technology allowed for more efficient processes, but the liquid was still brewed “the old way.” We use a double decoction mash, 100% German Pilsner malt, and 100% German Hallertau Mittelfruh hops.

Beer Statistics

Style: German Pils
Style Family: Pale Bitter European Beer
Availability: Year-Round
ABV: 5.2%
Served at: 35º to 40º F
Hops: Hallertau Mittelfruh
Malts: German Pilsner

Contact the Brewery

Human Robot
1710 N 5th St
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Tel.: (267) 534-5761
humanrobotbeer.com

#6 | Rated 96 | Planifolia by Pure Project Brewing

Review by James Link

Aroma: 23 / 24
Appearance: 6 / 6
Flavor: 38 / 40
Mouthfeel: 10 / 10
Overall Impression: 19 / 20

Planifolia by Pure Project Brewing was judged as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer. (2021 BJCP Category 33B)

I was immediately rewarded for having the foresight to use a snifter to imbibe this beer for review. The aromatics were delightfully aggressive. Vanilla and chocolate were present in spades with notes of bourbon and a smack of alcohol to warm the nose.

Planifolia poured a dark brown-hued, almost black appearance with ruby highlights and a coffee-colored head that was somewhat restrained. This is not abnormal for higher-gravity beers. The nose provided a well-balanced combination of rich charred chocolate that was complemented by bourbon notes and a very pure and distinct vanilla complexity.

The body was full and smooth, with a firm alcoholic warmth that avoided astringency from the darker roasted grains.

Overall, this is a full-flavored and well-conceived example of the style that is guaranteed to warm your cockles in front of the fire on a cold winter night and surely hits the standard for a World Class barrel-aged beer.

Brewer’s Description

Bourbon and vanilla are a timeless flavor combination. So we loaded a delicious double dose of organic Tahitian vanilla beans (10 pounds to be exact!) into this fifth batch of our bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout, Planifolia. Its beautifully nuanced bourbon character comes from aging in a curated blend of four different bourbon barrels: Eagle Rare, Heaven Hill, Cutwater, and Blanton’s. Planifolia exudes aromas of bourbon and chocolate fudge with flavors reminiscent of German chocolate cake, vanilla, and dark chocolate-covered blueberries.

Beer Statistics

Style Family: Wood Beer
Availability: Limited Release
ABV: 14.4%
Served at: 50º to 55º F

Contact the Brewery

Pure Project Brewing
9030 Kenamar Dr #308
San Diego, CA 92121
Tel.: (541) 321-0490
purebrewing.org

#5 | Rated 96 | No Frills Pils (2025) by Wallenpaupack Brewing Co.

Review by Dan Martich

Aroma: 24 / 24
Appearance: 6 / 6
Flavor: 39 / 40
Mouthfeel: 7 / 10
Overall Impression: 20 / 20

No Frills Pils (2025) by Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. was judged as a German Pils. (2021 BJCP Category 5D)

This beer opens with typical noble hop aromas of floral and spicy character along with a moderate malt background characteristic of pilsner malt, similar to unsalted saltine crackers.

This beer poured deep yellow with crystal clear clarity. A thick, white, foamy head crowned the glass.

The flavor starts with a malty forwardness, as in the aroma, which boasted notes of unsalted saltines and dough. The malt flavor is quickly replaced by hops with a floral and spicy character, then replaced again by moderately high bitterness, appropriate for this style. While the bitterness is moderately high, it is in balance with the flavor of this beer, which finishes very dry on the palate. The noble hops play well with the malt with an agreeable spicy characteristic that adds dimension and weight.

A medium-full body with moderately high carbonation keeps this beer on point. There’s a pronounced drying sensation in the mouth due to high bitterness, aiding drinkability.

An excellent example of the style, one that includes all attributes, large and small, of a German pilsner. This one resembles a northern version with its higher sulfate water profile. The aroma, appearance, flavor and mouthfeel are all in perfect harmony. This is a deliciously drinkable beer, eminently “quaffable.”

Brewer’s Description

A straightforward pilsner that stands on its own, without added pomp or unnecessary adjuncts.

Beer Statistics

Style: German Pils
Style Family: Pale Bitter European Beer
Availability: Year-Round
ABV: 5.0%
IBUs: 35
Served at: 35º to 40º F
Hops: Hallertau Mittelfruh, German Saaz
Malts: Pilsner, Chit, Acidulated

Contact the Brewery

Wallenpaupack Brewing Co.
73 Welwood Ave
Hawley, PA 18428
Tel.: (570) 390-7933
wallenpaupackbrewingco.com

#4 | Rated 96 | Kroon by Wallenpaupack Brewing Co.

Review by Sal Mortillaro II

Aroma: 24 / 24
Appearance: 5 / 6
Flavor: 38 / 40
Mouthfeel: 10 / 10
Overall Impression: 19 / 20

Kroon by Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. was judged as a Belgian Golden Strong Ale. (2021 BJCP Category 25C)

This beer pours a golden color with a slight chill haze. On the pour, it produces a bone white head that doesn’t last long for the style.

The aroma is medium-intensity pear character at the forefront with a low white pepper spice. As it warms, slight bubblegum character comes through with a low grainy malt and low floral hop note that intertwine perfectly. The aroma is absolutely beautiful and reminiscent of the best classic examples of the style. On the sip, a low sweetness is detected but dries out, leaving a medium pear-like ester lingering well into the finish. Low bubblegum flavor manifests but is quickly overtaken by the bitter hop character and low floral hop flavor. The white pepper phenolics are not present in the initial sip, but instead manifest in the finish. There is a low, ethyl alcohol flavor that presents itself in the finish as well, helping accentuate the dryness and leaves a flavor reminiscent of a fresh, crisp pear.

This is a medium-to-light-bodied beer with high, effervescent carbonation. There is a low and pleasant alcohol warmth, not hot or fusel.

Overall, this is a World Class beer hitting all the major hallmarks of the style. Flavors and aromas are individually identifiable, yet well-integrated and woven together. Incredible aromas, flavors and subtle, sneaky alcohol abound in this beauty.

Brewer’s Description

2024 GABF Gold Medal and World Beer Cup Silver Medal winner! We fermented this yeast-driven ale with our favorite Belgian yeast strain. Using Belgian Candi Sugar to feed the yeast, we crafted this strong ale to be very dry. Deceptively drinkable with flavors of pear, bubble gum, and cracked peppercorn.

Beer Statistics

Style: Belgian Golden Strong Ale
Style Family: Strong Belgian Ale
Availability: Limited Release
ABV: 9.0%
IBUs: 27
Served at: 40º to 50º F
Hops: Hallertau Blanc
Malts: Belgian Pilsner, Acidulated, Dextrin

Contact the Brewery

Wallenpaupack Brewing Co.
73 Welwood Ave
Hawley, PA 18428
Tel.: (570) 390-7933
wallenpaupackbrewingco.com

#3 | Rated 96 | Goldfinger Original Lager by Goldfinger Brewing Co.

Review by James Link

Aroma: 23 / 24
Appearance: 6 / 6
Flavor: 39 / 40
Mouthfeel: 9 / 10
Overall Impression: 19 / 20

Goldfinger Original Lager by Goldfinger Brewing Co. was judged as a Munich Helles. (2021 BJCP Category 4A)

Poured from a 16-ounce can and imbibed via a pilsner glass, this reviewer noted lots of active tiny white bubbles supporting a tight white head over this light golden-hued beer. The aroma was malt-forward, exhibiting a baked bread bouquet and other grain-like complexity with just a wisp of noble hops in a supporting role.

A well-lagered effort reflecting bready, doughy, and soft malt flavors that came through cleanly with very little hop contribution. The softness manifest in the mouthfeel, alongside the visible carbonation, smacks of decoction mashing. A medium-bodied lager with alcohol levels as per style parameters.

Helles at its finest. Gabriel Sedlmayr, the creator of the style in 1894, would be pleased that his creation is still so well represented via this brew and others in 2025. Kudos to Goldfinger on this World Class masterpiece.

Brewer’s Description

The quintessential cold, crisp, and light yet flavorful accompaniment to whatever life throws at you.This single-decocted German-style Helles is a perfect balance between complex malt flavor and noble hop flavor.

Beer Statistics

Style: Munich Helles
Style Family: Pale Malty European Lager
Availability:Year-Round
ABV: 5.2%
IBUs: 18
Served at: 40º to 45º F
Hops: Hallertau Mittelfruh
Malts: Pilsner, Carafoam

Contact the Brewery

Goldfinger Brewing Co.
513 Rogers St
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Tel.: (630) 541-9728
goldfingerbrewing.com

#2 | Rated 97 | Planet Pulp by Triple C Brewing

Review by Richard Wong

Aroma: 24 / 24
Appearance: 6 / 6
Flavor: 39 / 40
Mouthfeel: 9 / 10
Overall Impression: 19 / 20

Planet Pulp by Triple C Brewing was judged as a Hazy IPA. (2021 BJCP Category 21C)

The aroma of this beer was pleasant and as lush as expected. It had nice citrusy notes, notably grapefruit, along with a nice malt sweetness in the aroma. The pour of this beer revealed a very hazy and opaque yellow hue, to the point that you couldn’t even see through the glass! The carbonation was very nice, with a fluffy head that did not recede over time. The first taste revealed a nice malt sweetness and very noticeable hop notes and flavors of tropical and citrus fruits. Again, grapefruit really sticks out here.

This beer is listed as “tropical and juicy” on the can, and it lives up to those descriptors. The beer was so “juicy” that one could be fooled into thinking that real, fresh grapefruit juice was added to the beer! Overall, it’s wonderful. The mouthfeel and body of this beer were medium and the carbonation was perfect. The overall impression of Planet Pulp is that it does live up to the “tropical and juicy” elements as advertised. The hop bittering and profile were perfect. The beer was smooth, crisp, and dry in the aftertaste. Planet Pulp is a thirst-quenching and ultra-flavorful hazy IPA for any occasion, and a World Class example of the style.

Brewer’s Description

Juicy, hazy and tropical IPA brewed with Mosaic, Citra and El Dorado hops. Smooth bitterness coupled with aromas and flavors of pineapple, juicy peach and ripe citrus notes.

Beer Statistics

Style: Hazy IPA
Style Family: IPA
Availability: Year-Round
ABV: 6.5%
IBUs: 45
Served at: 38º to 45º F
Hops: Mosaic, Citra, El Dorado

Contact the Brewery

Triple C Brewing
2900 Griffith St
Charlotte, NC 28203
Tel.: (704) 372-3212
triplecbrewing.com

Bufflehead Brown Ale b Kishwaukee Brewing Co. Best Beer of 2025 Award

#1 | Rated 97 | Bufflehead Brown Ale by Kishwaukee Brewing Co.

Review by Randy Scorby

Aroma: 23 / 24
Appearance: 6 / 6
Flavor: 39 / 40
Mouthfeel: 10 / 10
Overall Impression: 19 / 20

Bufflehead Brown Ale by Kishwaukee Brewing Co. was judged as an American Brown Ale. (2021 BJCP Category 19C)

Bufflehead Brown Ale pours a deep brown color with bright ruby highlights and near-brilliant clarity. The creamy tan head forms a low, thick cap of fine bubbles on the beer. The aroma greets you with a rich and complex blend of bittersweet chocolate, light toast, and just a hint of dark roast coffee. As the beer opens up, a light grainy base malt character emerges, along with a light and fresh herbal hop aroma, light berry esters, and a pleasant hit of caramel.

The flavor features a prominent and rich malty profile of bittersweet chocolate, light toast, medium-light caramel and light nuttiness. The low herbal hop flavor surfaces mid-palate, along with a firm but smooth hop bitterness that lingers into a medium-dry finish. No fermentation esters are noted in the flavor. The medium body, light creaminess on the palate, and moderate carbonation offer structure to the beer. Light alcohol warming rounds out the profile.

Bufflehead Brown Ale checks all of the boxes for an exceptional American brown ale, which is a style you don’t see all that often these days. The overall malt character is rich and complex, but has enough hop presence to offer balance and intrigue. If you are a fan of the brown ale style, seek this one out with expediency. If you are not, seek it out anyway, as this beer might change your mind on this “old-school” American style.

Brewer’s Description

Bufflehead Brown Ale is a World Beer Cup 2023 Silver Medal winner. An American-style Brown Ale with notes of caramel, toffee, and light chocolate along with a slight floral aroma.

Beer Statistics

Style: American Brown Ale
Style Family: Amber & Brown American Beer
Availability: Year-Round
ABV: 6.8%
IBUs: 30
Served at: 45º F
Hops: Cascade
Malts: Two-Row, Munich, Brown, Pale Chocolate

Contact the Brewery

Kishwaukee Brewing Co.
1900 Dillard Ct
Woodstock, IL 60098
Tel.: (815) 308-5232
kishwaukeebrewing.com