BuffettNews.com

2012 Best Beers in America

For the past 10 years, we've asked Zymurgy readers to share a list of their 20 favorite beers that are commercially available in the United States. A record number of votes were cast this year: 16,445 for a dizzying array of brands available to beer lovers across the country.
Top-Ranked Beers

For 2012, we have a four-peat! Russian River's Pliny the Elder, a double IPA, claimed the top spot for the fourth straight year. Finishing second for the third straight year was Bell's Two Hearted Ale, an IPA. (T indicates tie)

1. Russian River Pliny the Elder
2. Bell's Two Hearted Ale
3. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
4. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
5. Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale
6. Bell's Hopslam
7. Sierra Nevada Celebration
8. Stone Ruination IPA
9. Sierra Nevada Torpedo
10. North Coast Old Rasputin
11. Firestone Walker Union Jack
12. Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye
13. Bear Republic Racer 5
14. Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale
15. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
16. Firestone Walker Double Jack
T17. Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
T17. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot
19. Stone IPA
20. New Belgium Fat Tire
21. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
22. Avery Maharaja
23. Founders Breakfast Stout
24. Left Hand Milk Stout
T25. Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
T25. New Belgium Ranger
T25. Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
28. Deschutes The Abyss
29. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
30. Surly Furious
T31. Lagunitas Little Sumpin Sumpin
T31. Rogue Dead Guy
T31. Samuel Adams Boston Lager
34. Troegs Nugget Nectar
T35. Lagunitas IPA
T35. New Belgium La Folie
T37. Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
T37. Founders KBS
T37. Russian River Blind Pig IPA
41. Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale
42. Victory Prima Pils
43. Great Divide Yeti
T44. Alaskan Smoked Porter
T44. Anchor Steam
T44. Lagunitas Hop Stoopid
T44. Samuel Adams Noble Pils
T48. Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
T48. Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
T48. Russian River Pliny the Younger

I've had some of the Sierra Nevada's including the Pale Ale that came in 4th on this list.
A number of others I've had like the Anchor Steam The Sam Adams Boston Lager and the
Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale but the vast majority are unknown to me. Guess I need to
get busy.

pair8head wrote:2012 Best Beers in America

For the past 10 years, we've asked Zymurgy readers to share a list of their 20 favorite beers that are commercially available in the United States. A record number of votes were cast this year: 16,445 for a dizzying array of brands available to beer lovers across the country.
Top-Ranked Beers

For 2012, we have a four-peat! Russian River's Pliny the Elder, a double IPA, claimed the top spot for the fourth straight year. Finishing second for the third straight year was Bell's Two Hearted Ale, an IPA. (T indicates tie)

1. Russian River Pliny the Elder
2. Bell's Two Hearted Ale
3. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
4. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
5. Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale
6. Bell's Hopslam
7. Sierra Nevada Celebration
8. Stone Ruination IPA
9. Sierra Nevada Torpedo
10. North Coast Old Rasputin
11. Firestone Walker Union Jack
12. Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye
13. Bear Republic Racer 5
14. Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale
15. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
16. Firestone Walker Double Jack
T17. Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
T17. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot
19. Stone IPA
20. New Belgium Fat Tire
21. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
22. Avery Maharaja
23. Founders Breakfast Stout
24. Left Hand Milk Stout
T25. Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
T25. New Belgium Ranger
T25. Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
28. Deschutes The Abyss
29. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
30. Surly Furious
T31. Lagunitas Little Sumpin Sumpin
T31. Rogue Dead Guy
T31. Samuel Adams Boston Lager
34. Troegs Nugget Nectar
T35. Lagunitas IPA
T35. New Belgium La Folie
T37. Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
T37. Founders KBS
T37. Russian River Blind Pig IPA
41. Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale
42. Victory Prima Pils
43. Great Divide Yeti
T44. Alaskan Smoked Porter
T44. Anchor Steam
T44. Lagunitas Hop Stoopid
T44. Samuel Adams Noble Pils
T48. Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
T48. Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
T48. Russian River Pliny the Younger

I've had some of the Sierra Nevada's including the Pale Ale that came in 4th on this list.
A number of others I've had like the Anchor Steam The Sam Adams Boston Lager and the
Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale but the vast majority are unknown to me. Guess I need to
get busy.

I am guessing Kevin will chime in and think that should be higher up the list. I have tried the Dogfish and I do like it. I am not overly impressed with Sam Adams. And no, I haven't heard of most of those either.

pair8head wrote:2012 Best Beers in America

For the past 10 years, we've asked Zymurgy readers to share a list of their 20 favorite beers that are commercially available in the United States. A record number of votes were cast this year: 16,445 for a dizzying array of brands available to beer lovers across the country.
Top-Ranked Beers

For 2012, we have a four-peat! Russian River's Pliny the Elder, a double IPA, claimed the top spot for the fourth straight year. Finishing second for the third straight year was Bell's Two Hearted Ale, an IPA. (T indicates tie)

1. Russian River Pliny the Elder
2. Bell's Two Hearted Ale
3. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
4. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
5. Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale
6. Bell's Hopslam
7. Sierra Nevada Celebration a Holiday favorite!
8. Stone Ruination IPA
9. Sierra Nevada Torpedo
10. North Coast Old Rasputin
11. Firestone Walker Union Jack
12. Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye
13. Bear Republic Racer 5
14. Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale
15. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
16. Firestone Walker Double Jack
T17. Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
T17. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Like!
19. Stone IPA
20. New Belgium Fat Tire Great with a Snicker's bar for lunch when you're fishing
21. Deschutes Black Butte Porter might be my all time favorite
22. Avery Maharaja
23. Founders Breakfast Stout
24. Left Hand Milk Stout
T25. Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
T25. New Belgium Ranger
T25. Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
28. Deschutes The Abyss
29. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
30. Surly Furious
T31. Lagunitas Little Sumpin Sumpin
T31. Rogue Dead Guy
T31. Samuel Adams Boston Lager new "go to" when traveling
34. Troegs Nugget Nectar
T35. Lagunitas IPA
T35. New Belgium La Folie
T37. Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
T37. Founders KBS
T37. Russian River Blind Pig IPA
41. Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale
42. Victory Prima Pils
43. Great Divide Yeti
T44. Alaskan Smoked Porter
T44. Anchor Steam
T44. Lagunitas Hop Stoopid
T44. Samuel Adams Noble Pils
T48. Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
T48. Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
T48. Russian River Pliny the Younger

I've had some of the Sierra Nevada's including the Pale Ale that came in 4th on this list.
A number of others I've had like the Anchor Steam The Sam Adams Boston Lager and the
Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale but the vast majority are unknown to me. Guess I need to
get busy.

Check this place out: http://millvalleybeerworks.com/ I'll bet you can find them here.

I don't consider myself a beer drinker, and am a bit surprised how many I've had. And this one should be on the list for the name alone-

tigzoe wrote:

pair8head wrote:2012 Best Beers in America

For the past 10 years, we've asked Zymurgy readers to share a list of their 20 favorite beers that are commercially available in the United States. A record number of votes were cast this year: 16,445 for a dizzying array of brands available to beer lovers across the country.
Top-Ranked Beers

For 2012, we have a four-peat! Russian River's Pliny the Elder, a double IPA, claimed the top spot for the fourth straight year. Finishing second for the third straight year was Bell's Two Hearted Ale, an IPA. (T indicates tie)

1. Russian River Pliny the Elder
2. Bell's Two Hearted Ale
3. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
4. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
5. Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale
6. Bell's Hopslam
7. Sierra Nevada Celebration
8. Stone Ruination IPA
9. Sierra Nevada Torpedo
10. North Coast Old Rasputin
11. Firestone Walker Union Jack
12. Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye
13. Bear Republic Racer 5
14. Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale
15. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
16. Firestone Walker Double Jack
T17. Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
T17. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot
19. Stone IPA
20. New Belgium Fat Tire
21. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
22. Avery Maharaja
23. Founders Breakfast Stout
24. Left Hand Milk Stout
T25. Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
T25. New Belgium Ranger
T25. Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
28. Deschutes The Abyss
29. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
30. Surly Furious
T31. Lagunitas Little Sumpin Sumpin
T31. Rogue Dead Guy
T31. Samuel Adams Boston Lager
34. Troegs Nugget Nectar
T35. Lagunitas IPA
T35. New Belgium La Folie
T37. Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
T37. Founders KBS
T37. Russian River Blind Pig IPA
41. Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale
42. Victory Prima Pils
43. Great Divide Yeti
T44. Alaskan Smoked Porter
T44. Anchor Steam
T44. Lagunitas Hop Stoopid
T44. Samuel Adams Noble Pils
T48. Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
T48. Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
T48. Russian River Pliny the Younger

I've had some of the Sierra Nevada's including the Pale Ale that came in 4th on this list.
A number of others I've had like the Anchor Steam The Sam Adams Boston Lager and the
Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale but the vast majority are unknown to me. Guess I need to
get busy.

I am guessing Kevin will chime in and think that should be higher up the list. I have tried the Dogfish and I do like it. I am not overly impressed with Sam Adams. And no, I haven't heard of most of those either.

Nope Ill chime in and say that Nugget Nectar should be much higher and say Yuengling Lager should be on there.

backstreets77 wrote: Nope Ill chime in and say that Nugget Nectar should be much higher and say Yuengling Lager should be on there.

I have to pick up more of their beer next time I come down. It was really good.

tigzoe wrote:

pair8head wrote:2012 Best Beers in America

For the past 10 years, we've asked Zymurgy readers to share a list of their 20 favorite beers that are commercially available in the United States. A record number of votes were cast this year: 16,445 for a dizzying array of brands available to beer lovers across the country.
Top-Ranked Beers

For 2012, we have a four-peat! Russian River's Pliny the Elder, a double IPA, claimed the top spot for the fourth straight year. Finishing second for the third straight year was Bell's Two Hearted Ale, an IPA. (T indicates tie)

1. Russian River Pliny the Elder
2. Bell's Two Hearted Ale
3. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
4. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
5. Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale
6. Bell's Hopslam
7. Sierra Nevada Celebration
8. Stone Ruination IPA
9. Sierra Nevada Torpedo
10. North Coast Old Rasputin
11. Firestone Walker Union Jack
12. Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye
13. Bear Republic Racer 5
14. Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale
15. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
16. Firestone Walker Double Jack
T17. Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
T17. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot
19. Stone IPA
20. New Belgium Fat Tire
21. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
22. Avery Maharaja
23. Founders Breakfast Stout
24. Left Hand Milk Stout
T25. Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
T25. New Belgium Ranger
T25. Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
28. Deschutes The Abyss
29. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
30. Surly Furious
T31. Lagunitas Little Sumpin Sumpin
T31. Rogue Dead Guy
T31. Samuel Adams Boston Lager
34. Troegs Nugget Nectar
T35. Lagunitas IPA
T35. New Belgium La Folie
T37. Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
T37. Founders KBS
T37. Russian River Blind Pig IPA
41. Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale
42. Victory Prima Pils
43. Great Divide Yeti
T44. Alaskan Smoked Porter
T44. Anchor Steam
T44. Lagunitas Hop Stoopid
T44. Samuel Adams Noble Pils
T48. Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
T48. Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
T48. Russian River Pliny the Younger

I've had some of the Sierra Nevada's including the Pale Ale that came in 4th on this list.
A number of others I've had like the Anchor Steam The Sam Adams Boston Lager and the
Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale but the vast majority are unknown to me. Guess I need to
get busy.

I am guessing Kevin will chime in and think that should be higher up the list. I have tried the Dogfish and I do like it. I am not overly impressed with Sam Adams. And no, I haven't heard of most of those either.

I'm just glad it's on the list. I've found that beers taste different on different days depending on what you are eating (or have eaten). I've had alot of these beers. Most I think belong on this list, but a few I have never heard of, and a couple in my opinion do not belong here.

I noticed that 6 of the top 8 are ales. Perhaps they should split the categories
between top-fermenting ales and bottom fermenting lagers. I also think
Troeg's Java Head should be on the list.

Honestly to me, from the "big" "Micro-brewers" there are 2 I will never turn down.... Bells and Dogfish Head. Been to the Ecentric Cafe many a times for Bells, Still wanna make it up to Dogfish Head one day. #3 is Goose Island. Well used to be til Budcrapser bought them out. Still remember the night when the brewer who came up with 312 Urban Wheat came up to us, and gave us a sample out of the holding tank, before it was even released at the bar. It was one of the best summer beers I have ever had. For quite a while, you were only able to get it in the Chicago Loop, Hence the name 312. They marketed as the beer we drink for the Area Code we work in. Though, GI's Bourbon County Stout will always hold a special part in my heart, for when I wanna get drunk off 2 bottles of beer. Only close to 12%+ per a bottle.

pair8head wrote:2012 Best Beers in America



1. Russian River Pliny the Elder
X2. Bell's Two Hearted Ale
X3. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
X4. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
X5. Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale
X6. Bell's Hopslam
X7. Sierra Nevada Celebration
X8. Stone Ruination IPA
X9. Sierra Nevada Torpedo
X10. North Coast Old Rasputin
11. Firestone Walker Union Jack
12. Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye
X13. Bear Republic Racer 5
14. Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale
X15. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
16. Firestone Walker Double Jack
T17. Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
XT17. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot
X19. Stone IPA
X20. New Belgium Fat Tire
21. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
22. Avery Maharaja
X 23. Founders Breakfast Stout
X24. Left Hand Milk Stout
XT25. Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
T25. New Belgium Ranger
T25. Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
28. Deschutes The Abyss
X 29. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
30. Surly Furious
X T31. Lagunitas Little Sumpin Sumpin
XT31. Rogue Dead Guy
XT31. Samuel Adams Boston Lager
34. Troegs Nugget Nectar
X T35. Lagunitas IPA
XT35. New Belgium La Folie
XT37. Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
T37. Founders KBS
T37. Russian River Blind Pig IPA
41. Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale
X42. Victory Prima Pils
X43. Great Divide Yeti
XT44. Alaskan Smoked Porter
XT44. Anchor Steam
XT44. Lagunitas Hop Stoopid
XT44. Samuel Adams Noble Pils
XT48. Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
T48. Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
T48. Russian River Pliny the Younger

Everything with an X is what I have tried multiple times. Alaskan Smoked Porter should be up a lot higher. Back in 2006 at the GABF in Denver, They brought several different years with them. We were lucky enough to be good friends with a lot of brewers at the event, and were even allowed a tasting of a few different years from the 1980s that they had saved for the event.

Speaking of GABF, we were also invited to a closed door event of a BREWERS BREAKFAST at Brekinridge. Yes the one kiddy corner from Coors Field. Everything there was made with one of their beers, and all of their taps were open to us, free of charge. Best Breakfast Ever. Especially the French Toast made with the Vanilla Porter.

tigzoe wrote:

backstreets77 wrote: Nope Ill chime in and say that Nugget Nectar should be much higher and say Yuengling Lager should be on there.

I have to pick up more of their beer next time I come down. It was really good.

I wondered why Yuengling isn't on the list. Maybe because you can't purchase it in all 50 states. I live in a state where you can't get any....



Yuengling that is.

I've given this more thought. I've decided that my favorite beer is.....cold.

VanillaGrl wrote:I've only tried 16 of those!

I'm with Nighthawk on anything Bell's and Dogfish.... love them both. And while I'm fairly new to Goose Island, I do love their 312 and Summertime. I almost picked up some Honker's Ale the other day, regretting not getting it. Need to make a beer run.

I was a little surprised to see SA Noble Pils on that list. I personally love it, but haven't found too many people that like it...at all.

None of the Jolly Pumpkin's on that list. I haven't tried any of their beers, but did pick up a bottle of the Oro de Calabaza for my son in Texas who wants to try it.

I was wondering when you would chime in.

I'm going to take this list to my favorite liquer store and see if they have any of them.

Being from St. Louis, it's hard to find some of the other Micro Brews. AB is so prevelant here. We have a great liquer store near us called Lukas Liquer. I bet they will have some of these. I've had a few of them, mostly the Sierra beers and Sam Adams. I still haven't found a Sam Adams that I like.

We do have some micro brew here. One of my favorite is the Schlafly Hefeweizen. They also have an Oatmeal Stout that is very good.

PA Parrot wrote:I've given this more thought. I've decided that my favorite beer is.....cold.

How about "Free" and "Another".

big john wrote:

PA Parrot wrote:I've given this more thought. I've decided that my favorite beer is.....cold.

How about "Free" and "Another".

Don't forget the all important "Next Beer"

15 posts and not a single Landshark crack? You guys are slipping.

FunkHouse9 wrote:15 posts and not a single Landshark crack? You guys are slipping.

It not even worth the 15 second to make a crack about it.

smiller wrote:I'm going to take this list to my favorite liquer store and see if they have any of them.

Being from St. Louis, it's hard to find some of the other Micro Brews. AB is so prevelant here. We have a great liquer store near us called Lukas Liquer. I bet they will have some of these. I've had a few of them, mostly the Sierra beers and Sam Adams. I still haven't found a Sam Adams that I like.

We do have some micro brew here. One of my favorite is the Schlafly Hefeweizen. They also have an Oatmeal Stout that is very good.

But you can get Schflys down there

smiller wrote:I'm going to take this list to my favorite liquer store and see if they have any of them.

Being from St. Louis, it's hard to find some of the other Micro Brews. AB is so prevelant here. We have a great liquer store near us called Lukas Liquer. I bet they will have some of these. I've had a few of them, mostly the Sierra beers and Sam Adams. I still haven't found a Sam Adams that I like.

We do have some micro brew here. One of my favorite is the Schlafly Hefeweizen. They also have an Oatmeal Stout that is very good.

Not sure where in the STL you are located...but two stores in St. Charles (Friar Tucks Liquor in O'Fallon and Wolfbrau House of Brew in St. Peters) carry extensive collections of micro brews (many on the list).