Here are some highly recommended craft beers you should try, based on their popularity and acclaim:
1. Allagash White (Witbier, 5% ABV) – A Belgian-style wheat beer known for its balanced blend of coriander and Curaçao orange peel. It has won multiple awards, including gold at the Great American Beer Festival.
2. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale (American IPA, 7% ABV) – This iconic IPA is renowned for its Centennial hop profile and is a favorite among beer enthusiasts.
3. Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout)** (Imperial Stout, 12.4% ABV) – A world-class stout with layers of coffee, chocolate, and bourbon, aged in oak barrels for a rich, boozy profile.
4. Russian River Pliny the Elder (Double IPA, 8% ABV) – This highly sought-after double IPA is known for its complexity and smoothness, often leading to long lines at breweries.
5. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA (India Pale Ale, 9% ABV) – Named for its continuous hopping process, this IPA is well-balanced with notes of pine, pineapple, and honey.
6. Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA (American IPA, 7.5% ABV) – Celebrated for its rich Pacific Northwest hop bouquet, featuring notes of lemon, pineapple, and pine.
7. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (American Pale Ale, 5.6% ABV) – A classic that helped define the American craft beer movement, known for its balanced malt and hop profile.
8. Deschutes The Abyss (American Double/Imperial Stout, 11% ABV) – A complex stout aged in bourbon, oak, and Pinot Noir barrels, offering deep flavors and richness.
9. Lagunitas A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale (Pale Ale, 7.5% ABV) – This beer blends wheat ale characteristics with citrus hops, providing a unique and refreshing profile.
10. Cigar City Jai Alai (IPA, 7.5% ABV) – A Florida favorite, this IPA is known for its bold citrus and tropical fruit flavors, with a balanced bitterness.
These selections encompass a variety of styles, from IPAs to stouts, offering a broad range of flavors and experiences that represent some of the best in the craft beer world.