5 Classic Craft Beers Still Worth Drinking

I think I can get only two of those beers but it’s a solid, unpretentious list.

 

Challenged by his writing coach to create an article with only 500 words, only 5 beers could be selected. I'll bet at least 100 beers fall into that category. See the classic beers thread. https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...ies-thread-keeping-the-classics-alive.676189/

 

Can't disagree with any of those picks but as far as which of those I buy the most its definitely Allagash White. I don't buy the other ones that much. I remember the old days when I thought beers like SNPA, Brookyln Lager and Dale's were too hoppy for my inexperienced palette.

 

Seems kind of redundant to have snpa and Dale's. And no porter or stout?! Wtf?

 

When will BeerAdvocate finally split the style into Canned American Pale Ale and Bottled American Pale Ale?

 

I’m gonna give that thread a bump soon, one of the only beers in my fridge right now just celebrated 30 years brewed.

Never a bad time to revisit the classics, they’re still around for a reason.

Oh and don’t moan and cry when they’re gone…that’s on us to buy em instead of just talk about how great they are, that doesn’t help the breweries that brew them.

 

It’s been at least 2-3 years since I was up north to get a SOS, but was in Southern PA just a few weeks ago and found a 19oz can at a beer store. Forgot just how good that beer is. It’s worthy to be on this list. I’d say it’s been at least 10 or more years since I have anything from Brooklyn so I’ll have to look to revisit some of theirs. Same with Smuttynose, I’ve noticed an upsurge in Smuttynose beers on shelves lately, but haven’t found any fresh enough yet to buy.

 

Barleywine

 

Yeah SOS is pretty much always available around here. I remember going to ACBF in Boston back in the day and the line at the Lawson's table was, no exaggeration, almost an hour long. Tree House was there too, before anybody really knew who they were. Walked right up and got a Curiosity Nineteen with no wait.

 

I had a similar experience @bubseymour I hadn't had sip in probably 5+ years and saw a very fresh stovepipe so I figured what the heck. It is such a tasty good drinking beer, it's as if the "tropical vacation" they describe on the can also has some piney old school bite too it. Dangerously drinkable and clean at its 8%.

 

I wouldn’t say Sip of Sunshine “can be found with relative ease in many parts of the U.S”. Allagash also has a limited distribution reach.

Here is my list of five highly rated year round beers available in most states regions covering different styles and breweries.

(BA Score) BA Beer Link (Distribution Link); + = Also international.

In

• (95) Bell’s Two Hearted (50 States)
• (93) Boulevard Tank 7 (45 States +)
• (94) Founders Porter (50 States)
• (95) North Coast Old Rasputin (46 States +)
• (90) Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (50 States +)

Out

• (93) Allagash White (19 States)
• (84) Brooklyn Lager (34 States +)
• (100) Lawson’s Finest Liquids Sip of Sunshine (9 States)

I also left off Brooklyn Lager because of the relatively low BA score in comparison to the others. There are plenty of alternative and many would say better lager offerings based on people’s preferences and locations.

 

I like the line of thinking, but unfortunately I think a lot of classic beers are in more classic styles that aren't too popular with the craft beer crowd. As a result, they're not going to be highly rated. Especially not one's that are easily found and nationally distributed.

Regarding the OP, I don't see Sip as a classic beer. It only came out in 2014. And since it hit at least MA, I see it EVERYWHERE. I don't think it needs to be "revisited" because I don't think people ever stopped "visiting" it since it was released.

 

I'd also argue that Sip of Sunshine isn't old enough to be "classic". Your list is great.

 

I still really enjoy Brooklyn Lager on tap. They always have it at one of my favorite spots (The Scurvy Dog).

 

Five beers… two pale ales… no Old Raspy.

Booo

 

Let's say that at least one lager should be on a top 5 list. Do you have a suggestion here?

Cheers!

 

It's hard, and I can see why the author went the Brooklyn Lager route. I would personally go with a regional / local or import, but for the list criteria would pick Samuel Adams Boston Lager over Brooklyn Lager primarily because of the broader distribution reach. Trumer Pils, FW Pivo Pils and Victory Prima Pils are solid beers but have limited reach reach (Pivo Pils before they retrenched even further to promote 805).

I personally enjoy lagers, but would likely seek either an import or solid local or regional if available, or an AAL if I was in the mood in say a smaller town / lightly populated state with limited "national" options.

Do you have a preferred national / near nationally distributed "craft" lager (say available in 30+ states)?

PS - I unintentionally left off Dale's Pale Ale listed by the author in my first post. Dale's Pale Ale distributed in all 50 states as of 2016, with an 87 BA score. I felt there should be one Pale Ale.

 

I would probably have included Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold, or Urban Chestnut Zwickel, but whatever its just another list...so what