Top 10 Classics

A top 10 list for whatever reason (e.g. must tries, hype, essential/classic beers), would do little good for any particular individual. As others have commented, there’s just too much diversity, too much personal preference for a “standard.” Some may list 10 IPA’s, 10 RIS, or 10 Saison’s with little variety, but who is anyone to say that an individual who only drinks sours after experiencing other type’s (e.g. triple, quad, etc.) is not a BA.
Anyways, NOT my top "must tries" and not in any order, but I do like variety and here are some examples (locally and abroad):
Aecht Schlenkerla
Red Rocket Ale
Old Ruffian
Iniquity
Uerige Sticke
Speedway Stout
Ellezelloise Hercule Stout
Ithaca AlphaAlpha
Kane Head High
La Chouffe
3 Monts Amber Ale
Captain Lawrence Nor' Easter
Sixpoint 3Beans
Sam Smith Yorkshire Stingo
Schneider Eisbock
L'Amoureuse No. 2 Rouge
Boulevard Tank 7
De Dolle Dulle Teve
Urthel Samaranth

 

Yeah- the problem definitely seems to be in narrowing the list down, and still get a quality mix of styles/gravities. And everyone will have their own rationale. Too many classic and outstanding beers to choose from- thankfully we don't have to commit to this stuff in real life.

 

I'm not trying to call you out specifically, simply using your post as an example, as you weren't the first to do this.....but how is Torpedo a classic? It came out in 2009. Celebration Ale I could understand if you want to list an IPA.

 

So surprised some douche has yet to come through with:

1. HEADY TOPPER
2. HEADY TOPPER
   
3. HEADY TOPPER
   
4. HEADY TOPPER
   
5. HEADY TOPPER
   
6. HEADY TOPPER
   
7. HEADY TOPPER
   
8. HEADY TOPPER
   
9. HEADY TOPPER
   
10. HEADY TOPPER!!!!!!

 

How interesting. I find it hard to believe that Storm Kind was so well rated years ago. I think it's a great beer, don't get me wrong, but number one on the BA 100? Interesting.

 

Well, if you're from Vermont (or maybe just Waterbury), it might be fair to say that you aren't a true BA until you've had Heady.

 

Say What? I've never seen either of these in cans. Good to know, though

 

Ok here we go...from the standpoint of what's available in the US

1) Coniston Bluebird Bitter. If it's a top ten list, I have to be selective. I'd like to throw in London Pride, but Bluebird Bitter is as great an example of an English ale as you'll get in the US.

2) St. Bernardus ABT 12. Finding Westvleteren 12 would be tough, and personally I found St. Bernardus to be better (not by much). Let's make this list easy for the newbie.

3) Duvel. Who doesn't know Duvel? The glass is just as classic as the beer, and it's still a highly rated legend amongst craft beer drinkers. I wanted to put Orval, but the Duvel Tulip made me lean towards this one.

4) Cantillon Classic Gueuze. I realize I'm contradicting myself here, as this is hard to find, but how can you not put this on the list? The word CLASSIC is on the bottle.

5) Pilsner Urquell. A fine example of a pilsner, but certainly not the best. It's definitely a classic, and seeing as it's tough to find fresh examples of German pilsners (or US versions that aren't over-hopped) Urquell fits here. I could easily swap out Weihenstephan Original for a German pils, but there just aren't enough examples that are fresh and easy enough to find.

6) Weihenstephan Original. Every beer drinker needs to have this fresh, it'll be the easiest way for a newbie to know what Munich tastes like.

7) Weihenstephan Hefeweizen. I don't think this one needs explanation, if we're talking classic wheat beers, this is king.

8) Ayinger Oktoberfest. How can I not put Ayinger on this list? No one does Marzens better in terms of what's available in the US.

9) Old Rasputin. A classic imperial stout that has stood up over the years. No bourbon, vanilla, peanut butter, or any other gimmick. Yes, bourbon barrel aging is popular, but let's wait a bit and let "additions" shake out in America.

10) Heady Topper. I realize I'm REALLY contradicting some earlier posts, because this is a new beer, and really shouldn't be labeled a classic. But the American IPA (and by extension pale ale) is continuously evolving. I wanted to put Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, but now that the pale ale has been supplanted by the IPA as the most popular craft style in the US......I felt Heady Topper was more appropriate. 15 years ago I might have said SNPA, 10 years ago Stone IPA, 5 years ago Pliny, and now? Heady Topper. 5 years from now who knows? Also, I realize this isn't easy to find....but at the moment this is the pinnacle of what US brewing does best, so fuck it.

All apologies to Tripel Karmeliet (or Westmalle Tripel), Hoegaarden (or Allagash White), Ayinger Celebrator, Aventinus, pumpkin beers, Anchor Steam, Boston Lager, German pilsners in general, maibocks, and any hop-forward style in the US that is really just an IPA masquerading as something else. And I'm sure I'm missing ALOT more. When left with simply ten choices, especially those available in the US, this is the best I could do.

 

DFH 90 min
Rochefort 10
Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
FBS
KBS
Stone Enjoy By
Deschutes Black Butte

 

I got this:

Fantome Saison
Sierra Nevada Celebration
Ayinger Weizenbock
Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier (any)
Houblon Chouffe
Allagash White
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Troegs Nugget Nectar
Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale
Anchor Old Foghorn Barleywine

Honorable mention to Rochefort 10- I feel Ayinger Weizenbock handles the malt aspect nicely though.

 

right? and then a "/end thread". God that shit bugs me.

 

yea its all just silly beer chat to me, I take almost none of it that seriously...