The Top 10 Beer Cities in America (based on Nielsen Scantrack 2014 numbers)

Ironic as I was just about to go on another beer pilgrimage to New Haven this weekend.

 

Guess its hard for LA to make that list, since very few things come out from here that are highly sought after. Oh well, hope to try something from each one of those cities at some point.

 

I live in the Seattle area and therefore can proudly say that being #2 is justified

 

If I'd gone on to say "but I'm not now as this thread will probably mean the place will be overrun" - would that have helped my cause? If not then I guess I suck at English and thanks for everybody's time

 

Data is not accurate as here in Minnesota the only beer we can buy in grocery stores is 3.2. I believe the same is true for Colorado. Strange way to do a study. I believe Denver belongs on that list and Minneapolis also has a strong argument as well.

 

It's also a huge city. Most of the cities that make lists like this are the smaller ones that have a great beer culture.

 

Yes they are medium to large, I agree. I was speaking comparatively to las angelas they are smaller cities. Should've been more specific.

 

its one of the most common misuses, done mostly by convenience, so you are not alone

 

I like Seattle being so highly ranked, but agree the methodology is flawed due to some states having asinine laws (Yet more proof that Washington is a great state to live in for beer).

 

I thought you were trying to make a joke about New Haven's inclusion on here. As in something along the lines of, "Oh yeah, let me go to New Haven to score a huge haul." But then again, it's been ten years at least since I've been there and I suppose things have improved mightily. I imagine NEBCO's not far off.

 

Another thing about NYC is that it has so many immigrants, many who buy the beers of their homeland with vigor and these beers are all of the massed-produced variety. I know for sure this is the case with the Dominican, Mexican, Colombian and other Latino immigrants.

 

It would be nice to see other cities and states numbers. Albuquerque can still feel very BMC-preferential, but other times, it seems like everyone from every corner of the city is drinking something from a craft brewery, local or otherwise.

 

I am completely dumbfounded that Rochester, NY made the list. We have a great beer city!

 

No Boston love?

 

I love this guy thinks this is the end all list. That list comparatively is like saying, Maxwell House is the best coffee in America because we looked at grocery store sales of coffee. Ok. What about coffee shops, Starbucks, etc.

I lost count how many breweries there are in Asheville, NC, but if you go in a grocery store their selection is not that great. I remember going in an Earth Fare (or some large chain similar to it) real close to downtown last summer in Asheville. The biggest selection they had in the beer aisle was about 3 different Dogfish head bombers. When I'm in a beer city I typically don't rush off to Wal Mart to buy my favorite IPA's. I'll drive down the street and hit one of the 30 breweries and get it from the source.

 

It's silly to see a claim for "top beer cities" based on such a specific criteria as volume of "craft" sold in grocery stores vs "non-craft." What's non-craft? One can interpret data however one wants, but it's especially ridiculous to pretend that your interpretation is somehow factually valid as a result. I would think that volume of Bud Light sold vs wine and vodka is a better starting point for a "top beer city." I'm a fool for taking the bait with this competition obsessed filler.

 

I don't know, I don't really care about overall sales. My idea of best beer city is what has the best craft seen/bars. Who cares about volume!

 

The linkage of the article's title to the sales numbers is also subjective.

 

I don't know what I would do with myself if it were like that here. LOL. In The state of Tennessee you can not buy beer above 6.2 ABV in a grocery store. Also, breweries can't make it above 6.2 unless they have a different license. So, I'm not saying Tennessee would be anywhere near the top of any list, but the southeast in general is nowhere like you described in a grocery store setting.

So, the voting is still skewed when you compare apples to bananas. Cheers to your city for being epic.

 

Exactly Right.

 

Looks like the list is split between cities where there is a homegrown craft beer scene and those that can "afford" to import it.

Given the criteria is sales, this makes sense. So the fact that NYC, SF and DC are [more] open to craft beer [than other large markets], even if they aren't craft beer producers extroadinaire (yet?) maybe means something. But maybe not, marketers will help decide.

 

Denver & Ft. Collins more so, should be on the list...

 

Sacramento? Really?

 

Meh, small populations inundated with craft beer choices choose more craft beer. Thank you Captain Obvious.

 

That's Grand Rapids, MI for those who were confused

REPRESENT!!

 

In Portland craft beer runs down the gutter. Craft beer is filtered out of the drinking water. Quick change auto lubes offer craft beer instead of antifreeze. The local busses run on craft beer.
Every restaurant in the city that sells beer has craft beer. The ice cream vendors recommend craft beer pairings. I do believe the city kindergartens have brewing classes. How the Hell could they not be number one on this list?

 

Denver didn't make it because of the 3.2 law at grocery stores. Many would vehemently disagree that the law is asinine. In fact, many support the law and don't believe grocery store should sell regular abv beer. The argument is that small breweries are able to have an opportunity to sell their product and get noticed, instead of the bigger craft beer taking up all the limited shelf space at the grocery store.

 

St. Louis has got to be on the list. Usually in polls like this one St. Louis City is misrepresented due to its odd population statistics, and has a great craft beer scene.

 

Yeah I'm not saying Tennessee has a stronger beer culture than those awesome cities. I would, however, like to see Asheville's numbers. But, Asheville's numbers overall…not from grocery store sales. That statistic would probably be in the lowest of the lows. That's what I was trying to infer to. For example, if you want a Wicked Weed bottle, you go to Wicked Weed. Also, there is plenty of Asheville breweries that don't package yet. Some just package and sell in-house, and the bigger, more established places actually distribute.

If you visit Asheville and want beer, you don't go to Wal-Mart or Kroger like you are inferring to what you can do. You hit Bruisin Ales (a liquor store, not a grocery store) and hit a brewery or two right down the street.