Which brewery is leading in 2013?

Most of those have been around for a grip, and I notice no mention of the black saison and toothpaste stout. They've had a couple hits, but more misses for me. Trinity breewing out of colorado springs has beeen knocking each release out of the park, and released their first geuze last week that is phenominal. Avery's regular releases are solid, and their barrel program is second to none. I don't see stone takiing the time and risk to sour or commit to a serious barrel program. I mean if a brewery as small as trinity can put up the resources to barrel age on a regular basis I would think a giant like stone could too.

 

Firestone Walker

 

Depends on how you define leading. If it is most revenue and/or most beer produced:

BMC

 

Sante Adairius

 

Even though I don't get it as much as I like...

I'll take cigar city for 800, Alex.

 

New thread--the most ridiculous best-of thread of 2013 (so far). I'll vote this one, by a whisker.

 

I have to say Jack's Abby. BA Framinghammer, 2nd Anniversary, Cascadian Schwarzbier, Smoked Maple Lager, etc.

 

Well, if it's a race, Stone is probably Junior Earnhardt. Lead early, then stuff it into the wall and finish 34th.

 

Well, there's this new contender: http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/compare-craft-beers-to-professional-wrestlers.110300/

 

That did make me laugh pretty good and I somewhat agree with you. I would have to disagree though and say that Bells and Founders are really leading the pack, ESPECIALLY for us Michiganders. Both starting to can, and Founders making a beer garden really jump them ahead of all in my book at least for now. I'm also still holding out hope that Founders will put out CBS again this fall. Just a hunch...

 

But based on the criteria given Shorts beats out Bell's and Founders. Bell's and Founders have had top notch QC for a long time, Short's has now proven they can compete on that front. No matter how much we like Bell's or Founders, Shorts has blown by both of them when it comes to new beer releases.

Founders is doing great thing, love that brewery, but I do not even think they make the best beer in their own city. I would also prefer not to see CBS again, it may be the fifth best maple bourbon barrel beer that Founders makes at best. There are too many other stellar offerings from Founders that be need to see before we even think about CBS again.

 

its already been said but ill say it again.. SHORTS!


please someone name me a brewery doing more then shorts this year..

and out of all the releases from shorts im yet to have one i didnt like.. all solid brews.

 

Short's again! Even their "pub only" releases are better than a lot of beers that other companies bottle. The limited releases gives me something to look forward to every 2 weeks. Personally, I think Bells and Founders are a bit overrated. Not that they make bad beer, just don't get the hype on some of their beers.

 

Never heard of them..

 

You're probably right, but we need more nominees, so we can vote haha

 

Sante Adairius

 

That is really had to say with so many styles and limited distribution. In my option as a brewery grows their creativity declines. Look a Sierra Nevada which is in most states, they have solid beers but not ground breaking beers. Goose island is in all states but really only known for one beer. Look at the top ten on this site, most of them are limited releases or distributed in very small areas.

How I would define “leading” is a combo of quick distribution, solid go to’s and creative offerings. Even if one brewery scores perfect in all these areas it still comes down to the fact not all areas of the county are treated evenly.
One can’t compare the selection of beers in Chicago or New York City to the backwoods of Mississippi or even Austin Texas. For example Sierra Nevada may be the biggest craft brew in Mississippi but sits on shelves for months in New York.

So in the end asking who is “leading” in beer is like asking what type of fruit is leading. Depends on what types you can get, how often and for how much.

 

Also, judging from your new criteria, you would have to go and adjust your list from the original post... Some of those are Stone's original offerings...

Sorry, I missed the fact that there was new criteria involved!
Anyway, the fact that Short's has been putting out a ton of new beers in bottles lately doesn't do it for me. I guess it's personal preference and I like so many of the old regulars from Bell's and Founders, that Short's can't compete in that area. (I didn't see the "New criteria")
Shorts has probably my favorite Black IPA in GK Bodacious, and one of my favorite summer IPA's in Freedom of '78 which is a colab anyway... Other than that, I haven't been able to see the forest through the pine! To me, "The Liberator", "Ale Le Reverend", "MMMKAY", and "Hopstache" were allllll pine and left me with an undesired aftertaste. But canned All Day has been so "Go To" lately I just can't get enough! I guess I just enjoy more of a citrus flavor than pine needles, but I guess you can tell me to refine my palate and move on if you want...
I still see Bell's and Founders as making great strides to stay on top here and to me they have done that. Shared a bottle of Mango Magnifico last night and it was just spectacular!
Enjoy!

 

Unanswerable question is unanswerable.

 

Yeah, but that's why I think you can't include them in someone leading the pack in 2013 for the general audience, most of who cannot purchase any of their beer. I'll be the first to admit, I have been chasing the hype train lately on these latest Short's releases, but most of them have not been for me. I loved Key Lime Pie last year, and enjoyed Strawberry Short's Cake, but had to drive about 2-3 hours just to collect 5 bottles of SSC...
I'll continue to buy any new Short's I see, but so far, most have been one time purchases for me...