Most Improved Beer States

I think pretty much everyone is just going to list his or her home state.

So to list my home state, NC seems to be coming along quite nicely. New breweries are sprouting like weeds, the overall quality is increasing (Foothills, Olde Hickory, Wicked Weed, OMB, NoDa, Nantahala, Lonerider, etc. when the state used to be known only for Highland and Duck-Rabbit), and we're the new East Coast location for Oskar Blues, Sierra Nevada, and New Belgium.

 

I think North Carolina and Ohio have come a long way from where they were just a few years ago.

 

NC really kicked into gear with lots of very solid brewers and a very large number concentrating in Asheville. Sexual Chocolate from Foothills is certainly the most acclaimed. SN is coming (2014?) and there rumor Green Flash is looking at the coast in Va or NC. We also seem to getting a good bit of love from the brewers across the country. Exciting.

 

NC has my vote. Hope to be making a trek down there soon to experience the goodness.

 

Things are getting better in NJ. A law was passed to help small brewerys. At least where i live most retailers and bars have improved their selection of beers. We still have a long way to go.

 

Ohio for sure. We still have an abv limit of 12% and we are trying to change that.

 

Indiana.. Of course, three floyds.. But we also have sun king, flat 12, triton, figure 8, etc.all coming on the scene in the last three years.

 

Gotta say New York, if only for the breweries and new distro that has come here. Add in the massively increased capacity of favorites and NY certainly makes this list.

 

Wyoming has improved a lot..6 new breweries scheduled to open this year!

 

Alabama has you all beat. Until 2009, beer above 6% was illegal. Until 2011, brewery taprooms were illegal. Until 2012, beer containers above 16oz were illegal. We now have 14 and counting breweries and have so many amazing craft brews distributed here it would be hard to list them all - Great Divide, Avery, Bells, Founders, Green Flash, Southern Tier....

 

Easy to improve when you were previously the worst state.

Just joking with you. I am happy that Alabama has improved so much. How are the local breweries? I have never had any of them.

 

It seems, aside from Colorado, California, Oregon and Washington that most any state is going to be leaps and bounds above what they used to be.
Most improved beer city is Chicago.

 

Of course I will say South Carolina.
I personally think these events (and many others) have led to an overall improvement of the beer/brewery/beer sales picture in our State.

Statement of my limitations first:

1. I am a "consumer" and not intimately associated with the many other activities that has made SC more "local beer friendly".

2. I live in Columbia and thus am likely "over representing" the midlands and low country regions, since I frequent them more.

Others from the State please expand and correct:

1. Prior to 2007, no beer greater than 5.0% ABW (6.25 ABV) was allowed to be sold,
2. In 2007, the "Pop the Cap" campaign led to the passage of legislation allowing for sales of up to 14.0% ABW (17.5% ABV).
3. 2011, All About Beer made Columbia a stop on it's "World of Beer" festival tour route.
4. 2010, Charleston's "Brewvival" festival started up and has been an annual event since.
5. 2010, additional legislation allowed for tastings at breweries.
6. I personally know of at least 4 breweries (not brewpubs) that have opened since 2010: Westbrook (2010), Holy City (2011), Conquest (2012), River Dog (2013).
7. Beer stores in the Columbia and Charleston areas have made available a huge variety, not just quantity, of offerings that previously would require a drive.

From where we were in 2010, let alone from where we were in 2007, I see this as quantitatively a huge change.

My thoughts.

 

I would say based on what I've read in these forums; Alabama.

NC I don't see as much as I go back there at least once a year, it seems more linear & gradual as far as improvement, but way better than it was 10 years ago.

Oklahoma is coming around, we are starting to get more out of state options (Green Flash, BrewDog & Goose Island) . In state Prairie, Coop, Marshall & Choc are leading the way. We still have the most onerous/stupid Brewpub & Liqour store laws. But things already miles better than when I moved here in 09.

 

Iowa- Toppling Goliath! If I could drink their beers only for the rest of my life- I would be a happy craft beer man......

 

I may be a homer on this, but florida has grown by leaps and bounds in the last 5 years with all the great brews being produced in the state

 

Nc has exploded over the years, adding new breweries out West like Oscar Blues and SN only up the stakes for the local market. IMO Asheville in 2-3 years actually may be a great beer town vs a Cool bar town with some very good local brews. The Raleigh market has exploded as well. lots of newer breweries are popping up and some great beer bars. Asheville is fun, good music, lots of cool bars, good food, you can walk around safely, but the beers are only at best pretty good in spots. Waterbury as an example is a great beer town, cool bars and sitting down and having your choice of HT/ HF/Lawsons in many styles of world class brews is unmatched. Both different both great for different reasons.

 

CT has gotten better in the past year (Green Flash, Founders, Sixpoint, several other mid-runners) but I wouldnt make a case for it being "Most Improved" Still a long way to go

 

While Alabama has improved a ridiculous amount considering where it was, I'd say that it's still easily one of the 10 worst states for beer. Even though there are few, the state is still pretty devoid of local breweries, especially really good ones (Good People being a massive exception). I still visit family pretty often and it has gone from torture to tolerable.
North Carolina was never awful, but has improved into one of the best. That doesn't even count SN and NB moving in either. IMO, that says more.