Top 5 Beer Countries

I'm trying very hard to reply to the OP and not what people think the OP means. Best beer countries.
Germany and Czech Republic have high consumption per capita. As countries, the beer is overall better than in the US because you simply can't ignore the overwhelming amount of macro lagers.Much of the beer in those two countries would be classed as from craft brewers in the US definition.People in Germany are more likely to be drinking "decent" beer than in most other places.
Similarly, in the UK although I give 15% as the proportion of craft this is simply the cask ale quantity.But much of the other beer here would be classed as "craft" in the US.Kegged , bottled and even canned beers account for quite a large additional amount.In fact it's probably true that some "craft" beer can be found in every alcohol sales outlet in the country.
A good beer country is surely one where decent beer is part of the everyday fabric of society , not simply where there are oases of excellence.A burger which is burnt on the outside but raw in the middle is on average perfectly cooked but perhaps one more evenly cooked without the extremes may be a better meal overall.

 

Belgium
Germany
USA
UK
Denmark

 

1. Denmark
2. USA
3. Belgium
4. UK
5. Canada/Netherlands/Norway/German/New Zeeland/Italy

 

While this statement definitely is true, Oettinger has been the leader in the German beer market since 2004.

Anyway, although a craft-scene (one that deserves the term "scene") hardly exists here, there are hundreds of smaller breweries available to choose from. Mostly family run businesses that could resist being sold to some mega-brewery. These people have never lost their craft.

 

Your country is so small that all the beers are easy and effortless to get.

 

California
Michigan
Belgium
UK
The rest of the USA

Never was a fan of German beers, somehow I got stuck here for 3 yrs

 

Which makes it a good beer country as relevant to the OP.
It's certainly small but I wouldn't like to paint it all.

 

USA! Belgium, Germany, uk, Czech rep go krejci and jagr!

 

I

I buy Rochefort 10, St. Bernardus Apt 12, Westmalle, all the Chimays, and more at the super market for all less than 2 euro each, some less than 1. These beers make up most of the beer lists at all the bars I go to. I can buy Cantillon in all varieties at a slew of bars, or make a 5 minute walk to the brewery itself. I can buy Westvleteran blonde, 8, and 12 at 3 different stores within 10 minutes travel, though at expensive prices.

All of this is true for the other major cities in Belgium I have been to except for the short distance to Cantillon's brewery. But even then, the country is maybe the size or Maryland and it's 12 euro round trip on a train from city to city so even then it's not to bad. Also, the size thing means you can go to the source of Westvleteran without tons of trouble, either, and pay the normal cost.

I guess my point is that the "famous" beers are all readily available. I haven't had to "hunt" anything I wanted aside form checking in a few shops and aside from Westy and going to tourist traps, it's very reasonably priced.

And now rereading my original comment, I realize you were probably talking about the US. If it's in ease of accessibility, Belgium still wins. But it seems kind of silly to penalize the US for being so big. I'm not going to nitpick on semantics and the author's intent, though. I have to do that shit enough at work. Both countries make great beer, currently Belgium is my #1.

 

These are mine in order.

USA
Belgium
UK
Italy
Malta

 

I think I would have to drop the UK, move Czech up, and add The Netherlands. Despite the history and culture in the UK, I just haven't had enough English brews that I've REALLY enjoyed. Other than that, I couldn't agree more both with the list and the opinions expressed below it.

 

I am often asked why I love Italian craft and my answer can be winded. Instead, I take criticism kindly and I will admit that Italy may never reach the level that other countries may. But I think a point which is important, whether dramatized or not, is that there is a few of us who love it and believe in it and promote it. Just as those brewers who also do what they love. Also what comes to mind is the love of Belgians that Italians have and their open dialog with the Belgian masters, which is lost over the language and overseas here in the States.

I know I have been confronted here in past, and it was never my intention to indicate that the Italian craft scene is or will be the best, but instead enjoy it for now for what it is and stick up for it, while remaining respectful of what other countries are doing.

I wish I can send Italians bottles to each and everyone of the BA's who may not be able to try it. Someday I will have an Italian beer tasting in my town! And all are invited! For free!

 

I was shocked when I seen Italy here, so forgive me! I thank you for this mention and it truly humbles me! I love so many beers from all over myself that I truly can not choose!

 

1. USA,
2. Everyone else.

 

Right now:

USA
Belgium
Germany
UK
Ireland

However, 10 years ago, I would've said:

Belgium
Germany
USA
UK
Ireland

The US beer scene has just exploded over the last 10 years and I truley believe that the US is leading the world in creativity when it comes to beers. It's a GREAT time to be a BA in the US!

 

Other countries make beer?

 

USA (IPAs)
Belgium (Lambics)
UK (Brown Ales)
Germany (Maibocks)
North Korea (Kim-Jong Pale Ales)

 

I used to live in South Korea and got my hands on some North Korean beer....it was actually much better than most of the South Korean beers I had.

 

England (Bitters, milds, old ales, barleywines, etc)
Belgium (Saisons, BDSAs, BGSAs, sours)
USA (hops, hops, hops, and experimentation)
England (more of the same, please, session beers galore!)
Germany (Munich dunkel, schwarzbier, bock, hefeweizen, Kolsch, etc)

 

1. Belgium - c'mon - easily!
2. Germany - think, Weihenstephaner...
3. England - no matter what you say, they were doing it before we were
4. America - there we go
5. The rest of the world