What state is the best for local craft breweries?

Resurrecting this 2 year old post here, saw it on a google search. It be hard to deny California, Oregon, Colorado and Michigan at the top. Probably biased here, but being from Ohio and living in all the major cities here, I really feel like it is really rising up the list. Great Lakes, Hoppin Frog, Fat Heads and Brew Kettle put out great stuff in the Cleveland area. Columbus Brew Co is great too. And Cinci is really rising with the help of newer breweries like MadTree and Rhinegeist (just to name two but there are a bunch of good ones)

 

I remember this post from 6 years ago.

 

The 51st state of Greensboro is #1

 

Agree...
Ballast Point
Lost Abbey
Pizza Port
Iron Fist
Latitude 33
Belching Beaver
Thanks for naming Societe in that original post
And a few more I'm not as fond of

So... Cali bias at work sorry, but lump in the nor-cal breweries and its my choice. One cannot discount the sheer quality of Vermont and Michigan beers either.

 

The great state of..San Diego! LOL

 

San Diego without a doubt.

Stone
Modern Times
Societe
Bagby Beer
Port
Lost Abbey
AleSmith
Mike Hess Brewing
Coronado
Ballast Point
Mission
Green Flash
Belching Beaver
Lat 33
Mother Earth
Iron Fist

...to name just a few

 

As a Phoenix resident, I would say we get equal distribution from both the California and Colorado Markets. Per capita I would have to go with Colorado easily (especially with Denver with some outliers within the state). With total amazing breweries, maybe I would have to go to California. I love both, and I get great distribution from both. Except Russian River. I want some of that.

 

Missouri

 

Thanks buddy!

"All the major cities" in Ohio? I'm just going to defer to you....

 

Theres always cali/oregon/PA, but I think a better question would be who is the next to challenge. I would say NC, VT, etc. Cali has been the champ so long with wine country, culture, etc. that I would have to say that over the last 10-20 years, they take the cake.

 

I can't consider this local as half of these beers I can get in NY. If by local you mean only available at the brewery or at most one-state over, the winner is Vermont by a landslide. I'd like to add that there are 3 GABF gold medal winners within a 30 minute drive of me. Stuff you can only get growler fills of. I'd say it's a pretty good area as well.

 

It is the state you currently reside in. For me MA. Drink fresh, drink local.

 

I'm.going to.say Vermont I'm a Florida native but if I had Hill Farmstead, The alchemist and Lawsons finest in my backyard I.would be a happy camper,I have had multiple offerings from.each and from breweries all.over the country but those are my personal favorites

 

michigan. and its not even close

 

Not trying to be that guy, but there are at east 5 Gold Medal Winners within a mile radius of my house + an obscene amount of silver and bronzes.

 

Sierra Nevada, Knee Deep, Anchor Brewing and AleSmith, which makes one of the best imperial stouts if not the best I've ever had. Yup, pretty damn lucky to live here.

 

What, no Ballast Point?

 

Ia, Ca, Mi, Co, Mn
I'm glad no one has picked Iowa in 6 years, More TG for me!

 

I live in Pittsburgh. It's very difficult to navigate. Try going over one of the bridges in the city and not being 100% sure which lane to be in. It's not a pleasant experience. My ~52 mile round trip commute takes me roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes a day give or take 15 depending on traffic. So I agree with the guy you quoted.

 

The State of Belgium.