Un(der)appreciated Breweries

Yes, it is true. SS is okay, and Karbach is awesome. But 8th Wonder, Buffalo Bayou, No Label, and Fort Bend Brewing are pretty bad. And sorry if you're a fan, but St. Arnold's is pretty bad as well.

 

Locally:

Grimm Brothers

Non-Locally:

Marble Brewing

 

I don't think St. Arnold is bad, merely OK. I used to love their Elissa, but I've had many great IPAs since then, so Elissa is now no big deal. With the exception of Endeavor and Pumpkinator (which are only available in bombers, damn it), and some of their special series, their stuff does not excite me. Their everyday line up is kinda ho hum. I've only had the Chile beer from No Label, and it made me thirsty- not what you're looking for in a beer. Haven't had any of the others, and from what I've heard, I'm not missing anything.

 

Foothills out of Winston-Salem, NC for sure. The two amazing seasonals of Sexual Chocolate, and Olde Rabbits Foot (collab) aside, they make some really solid beers (Hopyum, Peoples Porter, Seeing Double IPA, Jade IPA...)

Urban Chestnut out of St. Louis. Although, I think they're up and coming for sure, so maybe based on their newness they don't have a chance of being "underappreciated" yet.

Devil's Backbone. As previous posts mentioned, they've won a lot of awards, but you just don't hear much about them.

Heavy Seas. Pretty solid brewery with a few really good seasonals to boot.

 

Terrapin makes damn good beer. As far as the South goes, they are right behind Cigar City in my book.

 

Don't forget bitter valentine....easily one of the best IPAs around!

 

I don't think Boulevard ever gets the recognition it deserves.

 

For NY: Ithaca, Butternuts, Brown's, Mendocino, Shmaltz, and Middle Ages all come to mind. And the folks at Oxbow in Maine deserve more credit.

 

I think Mysstic

 

Barley Mow in Tampa, first anniversary this weekend, not a lot of fanfare before the event, amazing selection of brews. Brandy aged and Scotch aged smores sweet stout, need i say more!

 

Odell is IMO the most under appreciated brewery on this site. Granted, I'm pretty new to the forum and haven't memorized their ratings, but I've been to their brewery 3-4 times and drink their stuff every time I'm out west. Can't get it in NC. They may not be mentioned much because the California crowd have their own amazing breweries and the East coast and most of the Midwest don't get Odell.

They are my favorite brewery by far - every single beer I've had is top notch. My least favorite is Easy Street Wheat but its still an easy drinking American wheat and great for summer. Favorites are below:

Regulars: 5 Barrel Pale Ale, 90 Schilling, maybe the best single IPA out there, Levity Amber, & Cutthroat Porter (top 5 porter)
Seasonals: St. Lupulin Extra Pale Ale, Red - both amazing and unique for the style
4-Pack Series: Myrcenary and Mountain Standard, an awesome double Black IPA

 

I throw Elevation in with Grimm Brothers. A fan of both.

 

Had a chance to try some 4 Hands from St.Louis a few weeks ago at Alla Spina in Philly. The brewers were there (awesome friendly guys). They are a relatively new brewery (less than 2 years old), but ALL of their beers sold there were absolutely solid. Definitely check them out if you have a chance.

Al

 

With Carton and Kane these three are exceptional in New Jersey

 

It ain't enough said-What about hop rod rye?

 

Green Flash is the correct answer here

 

Anchorage Brewing.

 

Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery right here in North Carolina.

 

When I am on the west coast, I always love the stuff from Knee Deep. Terrific brewer in a crowded state for terrific breweries, but they make some really good beers.

 

Nobody has said Half-Acre yet? Galactic Double Daisy Cutter is probably the best APA I've ever had. Beats Zombie Dust.