The Best Breweries of 2017

Second Runner Up
Cape May Brewing Co.
Cape May, NJ
Website

One World Class Beer & Two Exceptional Beers
Total Score: 287
Highest-scoring beers: The Topsail (Best Beer of 2017) -- 98, The Scupper -- 95, White Caps -- 94

New Jersey's Cape May Brewery has unquestionably demonstrated its place as one of the country's top brewers. The brewery consistently delivers exceptional beers, and with this year's Top Rated Beer of 2017 -- The Topsail -- it has proven it can brew with the world's best. The Topsail is a Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer that emulates the best of American Wild Ales. This is a warm weather beer with refreshing fruity notes, a medium-light body and high carbonation that accentuates its refreshing character. This beer is sure to become a summertime favorite.

The Scupper, receiving an exceptional 95 rating, is another warm weather option for any beer connoisseur. This is an exceptional American Wild Ale and as the judge describes, "It’s like sticking your face into a fresh spring bouquet with banana, berry, spice, floral, faint orange, pepper, almond, light toast and a hint of tobacco rising from the glass."

Cape May further cemented its position as a top brewery of 2017 with White Caps Double IPA. This fresh, fruit-forward DIPA bursts with melon, mango and resin-like piney hop aromas and flavors atop a clean, slightly sweet malt base. Its medium body and creamy texture deliver a full flavor experience and make it the perfect choice if you're looking for a quaffable, hoppy DIPA.