Zymurgy's Top 50 list

Domingo pretty much nailed it. The only criteria not listed, which might be obvious, is that the beer has to be commercially available somewhere in the United States.

 

As a member you are asked to submit a list of your top 20 beers that can be found somewhere in the US (whether domestic or legally imported). Zymurgy then tallies the votes and releases the top 50. A lot of beer and breweries get votes but definitely you need some distribution range to get into the top 50.

As far as I can tell their poll is not a weighted one. Thus whatever beer you voted 1st is considered the same weight as the beer you voted 20th. This last sentence is just speculation. It's a cool poll and I appreciate the homebrew recipes they supply.

 

And imports aren't excluded? This takes me back to my first post in this thread, but I find it hard to believe that no imported beers scored higher than some of the ones on this list, or at least would have if they'd been allowed to compete.

 

As long as you can purchase it in the U.S., it's fair game.

 

I felt like Black Butte was just subdued, where I get a ton of dark chocolate and coffee in Edmund Fitzgerald. It just enough to be fantastic, but not too much to kill drinkability.

 

Got it- Inferior to Edmund Fitzgerald not so much as inferior in general. I read it as more of a generalization. Thanks for the reply. Now I need to track down some Edmund Fitzgerald.

 

No Black Butte is a good beer, just nowhere near Edmund Fitzgerald or Thirsty Dog Old Leghumper. Both are available to me, and Im willing to trade if you BM me.

 

Lots of grocery store beer on that list. Where's the rarity?

 

In that case, this list is loaded with FAIL.

 

Totally. This list offers more insight into the overall demographic of the AHA membership than it does insight into the world of fine, high-demand, limited release ales. Out of 16,000 voters, how many of them do you think got their hands on a whale this year? Not enough to give those whales a fighting chance. Honestly, it speaks volumes that Pliny the Younger is on here at all... that's damned impressive given the scope of this poll and the limited exposure it gets. It all boils down to this: You have to try the beer before you'd vote for it.

 

They had a separate list of the top imports and Guinness was #1 ...although Celebrator was either #2 or #3.
Based upon memory, they were factored into the top 100, but none of them made it.
I think you just have to look at the survey population, though. These are serious homebrewers. I'm generalizing a little, but they tend to be big fans of the US craft scene almost to a fault.

 

That was a good beer.

 

Some of you guys must only drink nano brews, or beer from the tank with Vinnie.

 

You vote for 20. You fill in the blanks for beer name and brewery.

The most votes make the list. That should tell people that a widely distributed beer, or one that many have traded for or traveled to taste, will make the list.

 

Imagine Zymurgy a CO based homebrew magazine having a heavy western influence.

 

Imagine BA a MA based website having a heavy eastern influence.

 

No shit but since CA has the most magazine subscribers I guess it is a wash. Beer is global as are BA's, and I love great and even good beer from all over the world.

 

The west coast has the most members in the AHA, who vote on this survey.

 

I never drank beer because its on a list. Lists are for tickers. I just do not get it, but hey its their money.