ISO: Exceptional breweries that opened in 2015

Mikerphone Brewing in Chicago, IL. They haven't failed me yet, across a variety of styles. Seriously worthy of way more hype than they're getting currently.

 

Four excellent breweries opened in South Florida this year.

1) J Wakefield brews world class sours like their Dragon Fruit Passion Fruit (DFPF) and Miami Madness. In addition, their regular rotation has an excellent IPA (hop for teacher), Hefeweizen (el jefe), and brown ale (24th street). They are constantly experimenting with adjunct flavors and usually hit home runs like their hazelnut coffee stout and different variations of la nada.

2) Barrel of Monks excels at having "spot on" Belgian Ales. From Single to Quad and even a sour and Belgian Pale Ale, they have perfected the art of brewing with Belgian yeast. The recipes come from one of the partner/owners who has been brewing beer for over 20 years.

3) Copperpoint does every style well. They have a very good DIPA (big hopa), a good rye IPA and a Pilsner that is very true to style. All other beers are above average to excellent with no bad beer to be had.

4) Twisted trunk has an excellent IPA (IPGA) and possibly the best German Pilsner I've had outside of Germany (Lucky Langer Lager). Very high quality.

 

I love the one beer concept. It's pretty interesting.

 

And it's a great beer. OB is rolling it out kind of the opposite of Lord Hobo did Boom Sauce. Didn't release it until it was really, really good, very little hype. Reasonably priced. This could be a big one. I also have to give props to New City Brewery. I think they opened around April of this year. They only distribute their flagship Ginger Beer but their brewery only beers are amazing.

 

Magnify in Fairfield NJ. All of their brews are very good and a few have been exceptional. 30 hours was excellent and they recently aged their Saison in red wine barrels, superb brew. Going over there wed to try 30 hours infused with vanilla, I'm sure it will be amazing.

 

Tafts get my vote as well. They are making some great brews right now across many different styles. Not a lot of hype but there should be.