Most Improved Beer States

Iowa and North Carolina.

 

I would definitely say Florida. From a state with virtually no beer culture to speak of a few years ago, not only are craft beer bars popping up all over the place, but new breweries and brew pubs as well! Orlando is home to many great craft beer bars including the nationally recognized Redlight Redlight, as well as my favorite, Oblivion Taproom. Also, Cigar City and Funky Buddha are quickly rising to the top of the lists for best new(er) breweries.

And a decent to very good distribution of the following: Founders, Dogfish Head, Stone, Ballast Point, Sixpoint, Smuttynose, New Belgium, Goose Island, Avery, Bell's, Bear Republic, Brooklyn, Great Divide, Green Flash, Sierra Nevada, Lagunitas, Left Hand, Ommegang, Oskar Blues, Rogue, Southern Tier, Terrapin, Victory, and Weyerbacher

 

My state can beat up your state. But really, it's all a pissing contest that everyone wins...if only the inexplicable ABV laws would just go away already. My vote goes to any beer state that takes care of their local brethren first before shooting their hoppy loads across the country. Terrapin, are you listening?

 

You should check out Maumee Bay and Great Black Swamp, they're right in your back yard! I'm sure you must get White Rajah from TBK?

 

Maryland has changed some laws allowing a few farm breweries to sprout up. With that said, we're still not a very strong state for craft beer. Stale California beers on the shelves, and still don't get Bells or Founders. Virginia, our neighbor to the south has way better craft beer selection and laws. We've got a lot of catching up.

 

Can't say I'd vote for NJ, while Kane and Carton are 2 years old, the newest brewery in the state (Bolero Snort) is meh and hasn't wowed me yet...and there hasn't been too many others popping up unfortunately.

Not too much new in distro in 2013 besides Great Lakes and DuClaw but maybe Bells, Boulevard, Clown Shoes, Deschutes and New Belgium in 2014 would change my tune.

 

How do you like GL, Cassino?

 

Love. Visited the brewery over the summer on a baseball road trip with some buddies after the Tribe smacked the White Sox. One of my favorite bigger breweries, their porter is amazing.

 

Arkansas

 

Tonight was their BA Black Out Stout release party! Open sales to the public tomorrow! I think I might go down!

 

I wonder if I am the only one that will agree with me but Tennessee has come a long ass way since I got into craft beer. I used to make a trip to KY once every two months. Last time I went I was disappointed with the selection and have not been in a long time. Since I have been a craft beer drinker the breweries we gained off the top of my head are Green Flash, Moylans, Victory, Southern Tier, Lagunitas. We are getting DFH back and we got Goose Island back as well. Lots of smaller lesser known breweries and we have gained a few notable local newcomer microbreweries. Considering how high the taxes are on alcohol and stupid splitting of abv I think it is pretty impressive. As far as I know Founders is going to happen sooner or later. I can't complain.

 

I'd have to look. I'd like to go to Maumee Bay. Just been busy haha. Where is Great Black Swamp?

 

I think Alaska was actually on the front of the curve. If I remember correctly we had 3 microbrews in Anchorage (not Alaskan in Juneau) in the mid-90s.

 

This. In the past 3 months we added Stone, Lagunitas, FiftyFifty, New Belgium (next week), even B nectar just came here.

 

Not that I'm complaining about prior distribution, but in the last/next couple of months, New York has (re-)gained / will gain:

Bell's
Central Waters
Cigar City
Jack's Abby (just picked up my first Kiwi Rising last night!)
New England
Oxbow
Port City
Thirsty Dog

Hurrah!

 

Is Cigar City there, now?

 

Just a few of the canned options, but yes.
Jai Alai
White Cracker
Dry Hopped on the High Seas

 

Awesome! I see a 2-1/2 hour ride to NY in my immediate future! A helluva lot closer than FLA!

 

I may be a little bias, but I'm going to go with Alabama. Specifically Northern Alabama. That is where the majority of brewers in the state. My brother lives in San Diego and he came home recently and couldn't believe how many beers are now available in the state. It's a wonderful time to enjoy beer!!!

 

California. 2 breweries just opened in the past 30 minutes!