I have just moved to New Mexico, where the beer is quite good, but I have remained partial to some Alabama breweries. Having read the listing of the 50 best breweries in the country, I though I would give my rating of breweries I visited near my old home in Auburn. Tied for first: Trimtab and Chattabrewchie. We loved Chattabrewchie. At least in the old location in West Point Georgia they had a wonderful system where you were charged by putting a card into a slot and getting as much beer as you wanted from each spigot. The variety and quality was outstanding. At this point, the Backwater Blonde stands out, the Crowfoot IPA, and especially a very strong beer that was somewhat like an IPA but was called something else. But the variety was just outstanding. Only went once to Trimtab, but it all the beers we tasted were great. Tied for 3-4: Common Bond and Avondale. We loved Common Bond and went there often. Only went to Avondale once, but there beers were all good. TIed for 5-6 Omaha and Beacon. Very good beer. Fewer choices at Beacon, but the Thai Chili Banjarong and pale ale Clem the Clown were very good. Omaha also consistently good. Nest Wild Leap: I think this brewery is overrated. The last time we went we had a flight with 10 different IPAs. Some of them were awful, which also goes for some of their "fruit flavored" beers. But the Alpha Abstractions are very good. Overall quality is less. I hate to say it but Red Clay and the other new brewery in Opelika whose name escapes me were disappointing. I hope they improve, but not in a class with any of the above breweries.
