"Best Beer Cities"

Chicago, IL is 33? SMH

 

Takes that list apart right from the start, has to be a top 3 and that’s due to regional preferences.

 

I'm a little bummed Tampa was rated as low as it was. There a quite a few really good brewerys around the area.

 

"Specifically, we look at total number of breweries, breweries per 100,000 residents, average number of beers per brewery, bars per 100,000 residents and average price for a pint of domestic beer in each city."

This list...LOL. I guess they don't take into account good beer.

Also, for Pittsburgh they make this statement "And you might be able to stretch your dollar further at the bar," I drink in Pittsburgh regularly. Terribly overpriced.

 

What!?! Someone from NYC thinking things done in NYC are the best in the world!??! Get outta town!

Admittedly though, I think New York should get more love as a beer state, particularly NYC area (including Hudson Valley!). It's a little expensive to get and stay here, but so easy to get around. We're not going to show up on any per capita ranking like the one used here, but it's a fantastic place to drink and subway around between world-class spots! How many cities have a bar like Grand Delancey popping up or Mornin' Delight showing up on draft?

I'm surprised that Other Half isn't pulling "Average number of beers per brewery" into the stratosphere with how frequently they release new labels.

 

So, I grew up near Cincy, and have lived in Cincy the last 4 years...my late 30s to early 40s. In between we’ve moved around all over the country.

In my experience, Cincy as #1 does make sense if you interpret the list as a reflection of beer as a common thread. I lived in Chicago for 9 years, and it is a great beer city...but it is a great everything city. Beer in Cincinnati is ubiquitous, much more of a way of life. It is interwoven into nearly all layers of local culture going back countless generations. It is expected at nearly all venues (even youth sports venues!! ).

The best way I can describe it is that the population at large, is a beer culture...and here is the key - the population doesn’t think it is a big deal. It just is.

Is it the most avant-garde or trendy beer city? No, but there is a more than adequate “scene”. I don’t think that was the aim of the list. Best city for beer drinkers of all types...that seems to fit. At the very least it isn’t a stretch.

 

In the last year or so Mornin' Delight was on draft here in Malden and Cambridge, and I think a couple of other places like Brookline. These aren't even Boston proper, they're just cities near Boston.

It seems like Toppling Goliath has made multiple drops of this as they've expanded production.

 

Yea I'm probably just a homer, but I'd have a hard time trading the NYC beer scene for any in the country. The city itself has enough breweries to keep one occupied, the 100 mile radius around us is absolutely stacked, and on top of all that bars here regularly get Hill Farmstead, Tired Hands, Bissel Bros., and other heavy hitters from outside the region. Plus you can actually drink more than 2 beers away from your home without needing a DD or worrying about killing people.

 

These lists are always controversial. Personal note: When taking my Beercations, I always put attractions, restaurants and public transit into the equations.

 

This^^

When I am looking for a place to go I take hotel price, hotel location and transit options into account. Personally I skip attractions because I am usually solo and there for beer.

I will overlook higher beer prices and food prices if hotels are reasonably priced and i dont have to take Ubers all over the place.

In Pittsburgh I used their bike share a few places and it was amazing. In Grand Rapids I used Beer City Runner and it was perfect.

 

I agree on Isaac Newton’s. Stopped in and ordered what the menu advertised as a 14 ounce pour, but came out in a 12 ounce tulip for $9. Even worse when the bar tender put the beer down it was half foam (not an exaggeration.) I won’t be going back.

 

I suppose that it’s Newtown and their rent or investment downtown is insane, but I think your right the beers I got were in a tulip, and most likely 12 oz. Two beers a few bucks for a tip and a $20 won’t cover it. Not sure where you are, but I’d highly recommend the Hulmeville Inn for a few beers. Not as many options at Sir Isaccs, but close to half the price, $5 for the same Tired Hands beers and none of the traffic and parking hassles.

 

The Hulmeville Inn is a great place, unfancy and friendly. Isaac's has a terrific beer selection, but the restrooms are disgusting and have an odd odor.

 

Decorah is a great town that I would recommend visiting, both breweries are great. The trout fishing is outstanding, there’s tons of outdoors stuff to do. You’re not far from the effigy mounds, but in terms of beer I’m sure there are tons of small towns with 2 great breweries.