Best beer state?

I think Illinois is one of the best for distribution. Our list on seekabrew.com is absolutely insane because of Chicago's market size and location. But for production we don't hold a candle to California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont and probably about a dozen others.

 

Washington has more breweries than any other state than California (with just a fraction of the population), but Oregon is even better. Just visit the Portland-Bend-Hood River triangle and tell me I'm wrong. Here are a few fun facts:

Oregon has the largest % of dollars spent on Craft Beer in the US in 2014 with 36.69%.
Oregon was the third largest market by dollars spent on Craft Beer in the US behind our neighbor to the south and our neighbor to the north.
To put that in perspective – dollars spent per capita on craft beer in Grocery Stores in 2014.
Oregon $22.16
Washington $17.19
California $6.86
US Census Data from 7/1/2014

Craft Beer grew by 18.3% to 15.36% of $ Sales in 2014.

Portland continues to lead the US with a 39.3% of $ Sales for Craft Beer – up 2.5%

Portland had the largest week for % of $ Sales for Craft Beer in US history the week ending 12/21/14 with a 45.6% of $ Sales.

Oregon Craft Beer Facts – Updated 01/31/2015
Final number for breweries in Oregon for 2014 as on 12/31/2014
221 Breweries
179 Brewing Companies
71 Cities Across Oregon
————————–
22 in Bend
29 in Central Oregon
12 in Eugene
12 in Eastern Oregon
5 in Hood River
10 Mt. Hood/The Gorge
58 in Portland
83 in the Portland Metro Area
28 in Southern Oregon/The Coast
19 on The Coast/North
40 in the Willamette Valley

• It’s estimated that 53% Percent of all draft beer consumed in Oregon is brewed in Oregon.
• There are currently 58 breweries in Portland, 84 in the Portland metro area, 23 in Bend and 31 in Central Oregon and 14 in Eugene.
• Portland currently has the most breweries of any city in the world.
• Hood River has 4 breweries in its city limits and 5 that have a Hood River address-that’s 1 per every 1458 people, if there’s another city in the world that has at least 4 breweries and more per capita – drop us a line and let us know.
• Portland continues to lead the US for % of dollars spent on craft beer with a 36.6% share for Q-4 2013 and for Q-1 w/e 03/30/2014-the Portland market recorded a 38.69% share per IRi Worldwide. Craft Beer has been the largest category for dollars spent on beer in Grocery Stores continuously in the Portland market since October, 2010.

Source: http://oregoncraftbeer.org/facts/

 

Best beer state is slightly buzzed and with friends.

 

The top 5 (in no particular order) are California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Vermont. For quality and quantity, my vote goes to California, but they each have their own strengths.

If you are planning a vacation and want beer to be a big part of it, I suggest San Diego. It is one of the best beer cities in the country along with the likes of Bend and Portland, but the weather is better than anywhere else in the country. There are now over 100 breweries in San Diego County, tons of great beer bars, and perfect weather. It's a no-brainer.

 

I'm going to base it off the fact that if had to move to a state based solely on the beer they produce I would go with Oregon.
California following a close 2nd.

 

Best beer state?

Cold

 

preferably liquid state

 

California and then some others...lol...

 

California. If NoCal & SoCal were separate states, both would make the top five.

 

Connecticut!!!

 

California. Isn't is super obvious...? At least for ipas

 

I wish it was NY, but sadly it's not. For my tastes, I'd go west coast for sure - probably California.

 

It has got to be Michigan. Founders, Bells, Dark Horse, Kuhnhenn, Shorts, Odd Side....I mean c'mon brah!

 

I am proud of Washington state breweries and the craft beer scene here.

That being said. The answer has to be either California or Oregon. It's crazy to say otherwise.

Your state may have 2-4 INSANELY good breweries. But Cal and Oregon have way too many to even keep track of. Hands down, it comes down to a battle between those two.

 

I think there is a lot of good stuff that is off the radar. The best state for beer is the one you know well. If you are looking for vacation ideas consider a road trip 1) around the Great Lakes, 2) east to New England and back, or 3) to the Pacific Northwest and back.

 

While it is debatable, California is at or near the top. But California is clearly, without any doubt, the best state for wine. So combine beer and wine, and this is a pretty sweet state to live in.

 

No argument.... Mass...Cheers

 

California. Even though some states have breweries that are rated extremely high (Vermont), this is probably because the beers from those breweries don't make it out of state. lol

 

For being such an ordinary place, we are awfully fortunate in Indiana

 

Ummm, California </thread