What US state has the best breweries?

Interesting response and nice slight to some very respectable (and accessible brews). But, pound-for-pound (product & accessibility), I'd go head-to-head w/some of Firestone Walkers bottles and Hill Farmstead tomorrow.

Pliny, anyone?

 

CA
MI
CO
OR
VT

 

I used to hate living in MI (stupid weather) until I got into craft beer. That said, we do miss out on some big name stuff (Heady Topper, etc), but I can't complain overall.

 

Not trying to argue that Illinois is the best, but I'm impressed how diverse Illinois is. Revolution and Pipeworks aren't afraid to brew any and all styles, and they do so in expert fashion. Metropolitan has lagers locked down like few others. Goose Island is probably the best barrel agers in the country across bourbon and wine aging. Small Town brews an incredible root beer "beer". Half Acre and Finch's make some great hoppy beers. Two Brothers has a very solid variety of brews. Wild Onion, Begyle, Argus, 5 Rabbits, and now Lagunitas is on the way. We're just missing someone to enter the Belgian/Saison/Wild market. I'm sure someone else has figured that out.

 

These threads are basically pointless and completely eye opening at the same time. Within many states, maybe not all, but many, there are great breweries that we, as BA's, should seek out when we can. A thread like this might open our eyes to new breweries, while at the same time illuminating just how much homerism goes into the beers we love. I'm from WI but currently live in MN. I think New Glarus is a wonderful brewery, I also enjoy Ale Asylum and the brew pub in Marshfield called Blue Heron (they have an amazing Scotch ale) but I think compared to Surly, Town Hall, Indeed, Fitger's Brewhouse, all those WI breweries, save for maybe New Glarus, MAYBE, are overrated.

Those other breweries in WI probably aren't overrated, but that's the joy of the craft beer experience. Each state has it's offerings and we call enjoy them all. We defend what we love and diss those brews we don't, right or wrong.

If I had to vote I'd say MI and Ca are leading the way. That said, Surly Abrasive is the greatest beer ever, or maybe it's Pliny…need someone to send me some Heady to be sure!

Drinking a SN Bigfoot, an amazing brew from an amazing brewery!

 

Missouri; Blvd, Schlafly, Perennial (home of BA Abraxas), Urban Chestnutt, O'Fallon, 4 hands, 2nd Shift

 

Sorry, haven't checked this thread out in awhile - did this one get settled yet?

 

Oregon, Oregon & Michigan

 

The good news is I live in IL and will retire to the PNW. Win/Win!!

 

Michigan with 105 craft breweries and growing

 

I am an IPA freak but despite some previous comments regarding Pliny, yes I have tried it (tried it a few times in fact) including many of the Russian River offerings among many other proclaimed IPA's/DIPA's from the Left Coast and elsewhere around the Country. With that said I have to say Vermont wins with Heady, Hill Farmstead and Lawson's Finest Liquids. Those three alone offer some outstanding brews. No, I am not from VT nor have I lived there. Every one of those VT mentioned brews that I have had has been outstanding and I find every way to seek them out. Yes other states may have more known or just more in numbers but they can't compare to the quality and or taste. Unfortunately much of the Country has probably not had the opportunity to taste these fine nectar's due to their limited production but trust me they are well worth it.

BTW, I am actually born and raised in NYC area and live in VA, so I really have no affiliation with that state. NY does have Flower Power which is good but not in the same league and VA has Mad Fox Orange Whip (hard to come by but well worth it) though my neighbor, DC, has OTWOA (On the Wings of Armageddon) which is certainly in my top 5 (that is outstanding)
.

 

I heard from a bartender I know who visits the area where black husky is that their brewer decided he was sick of bottling he apparently does it by himself so it will be kegs only from now on. Sugar maple in milwaukee has it sometimes but I never make it down there.

Don't worry we still have O'so and Tyranena. But BA will probably ruin those too one day.

 

Oh, Black Husky?
That's even sadder for me than when I thought this was about Central Waters :/

Yeah, some days I get annoyed that WI bier isn't distributed wider so all these BA folks could know the awesomeness, but then, I am kind of glad that it isn't. I like that they focus on what appeals to Midwesterners, and not beer snobs. I do think that the beer snob crowd/big biers will be a fad, and people will look back on their days of drinking hop bombs and wearing skinny jeans and chuckle, while Wisconsin will still be churning out Win Sauce!

 

What the fuck state is "PN"??

 

I'm telling you, give it 5 years, and Illinois is going to be a force to be reckoned with. We're already AT LEAST in the better half of the country.

When I got into craft bier like 7 years ago, Illinois had almost nothing. Wisconsin's been in the game for quite some time (they even had some family-owned holdouts to the BMC). Chicago has been churning out breweries lately. It's getting hard to keep up with who all is there.

Staying power is what I am worried about, though.
When the trust fund hipsters run out, will there be a market?
I was at Piece last week, and I was thinking, they should quit brewing and get into the sweater-vest/knit hat business!!!
hahah
So, that worries me. I'm glad to see so many people appreciating craft bier, but I'm worried that it's just part of the fashion, and not a passion (ho-hum!).

Meanwhile, Wisconsin has the heritage to back up their brewing

But, no joke, I think the Midwest is finally coming into its own and re-taking its pre-Prohibition place of honor.

 

Oregon: Rogue, Deschutes, Full Sail

 

Throw some hops in a wort and these west coast people go crazy... Wisconsin crafters brew for the four seasons, and from light to dark, they consistently come up with the best beers, no fads.

 

So you're assuming, simply because I live in Portland, that I am 1) a West coaster and 2) in love with hops... ohhh how you're generalizations fail you.

I love New Glarus, and I regularly say it is one of my favorite breweries, but to say WI is one of the best states for breweries seems, at least to me, the epitome of hyperbole.

cheers

 

Colorado
California

 

Oregon!!!!! The wildness and awesome wilderness of our temperate rainforest climate make for the best hops. I'd have to give my fruity Californians under our ass some props though. Even though it pains me.