What are your 2 favorite breweries?

For the Big Brewery Category (they are probably technically Medium-Sized):

--Lagunitas. It'd be one of my choices if taste was my only consideration, but when you consider the price of their six-packs and bombers, in light of their quality, Lagunitas strikes me as the best overall value around.
--Firestone Walker. Everything they put in a barrel/box is world-class, and their regular line-up isn't too shabby either.

Honorable Mention: Stone and Sierra Nevada

And for the Small Brewery Category:

--Fremont. My favorite local brewery, they seemingly do everything exceptionally well, from hops to barrels. A few of the most delicious beers I've yet had have come from them and their barrel program (the KDS and B-Bomb variants in particular). They're also, from what I can gather, genuinely committed to being good, responsible corporate citizens.
--Reuben's. A small (but soon to be growing) operation, they brew in a surprisingly large number of styles. And while it's possible I'm just channeling their own slogan, it's all "Bloody Good Beer!"

Honorable Mention: Boneyard and Black Raven

***Disclaimer for these choices: They have undoubtedly been influenced to a certain degree by geography and the fact that I've only been into beer for less than a year. I also believe they have some objective validity none-the-less.

 

founders
bells

 

Anyone who said New Glarus is only somewhat correct...
New Glarus's regular beers are nothing to write home about.. The thumbprint series and their fruit beers are where they really show their skill

 

#1 - Oskar Blues
#2 - Founders

 

Currently, it's Knee Deep and Sierra Nevada.

 

Probably FFF and Founders

 

Really hard. Hill Farmstead and Cantillon maybe.

But I also have very warm spots for Anchorage, Sante Adairius and Prairie. Also, Firestone Walker and Lost Abbey are uniformly excellent. Stone holds a spot in my heart, though this last year they have let me down a great deal. Hopefully their sour program brings them back to form. And, Russian River.

 

Local:
Firestone Walker -- These guys never disappoint. I love and cellar all of their brown box beers, and their perennials are great as well.
Alpine -- Nelson is tied with Two-Hearted Ale for my favorite IPA. They also have my favorite pale ale. All of their stuff is top notch.

Out of State:
Bell's -- Although distro is somewhat limited, I love all of the beers I've had from these guys. As previously stated, THA is probably tied for my favorite IPA.
Deschutes -- These guys put out affordable, accessible beer that always tastes great. Obsidian is a cheap go-to for me.

Import:
Cantillon -- Because Cantillon
Rochefort -- Because Rochefort

 

Ironfire Brewing Co , Temecula CA

Alpine Beer Co , Alpine CA

 

Modern Times Beer
Beachwood Brewing

These guys will do wonders with time.
I love them.
Sours, barrel aged stouts, IPAs, Saisons, they pretty much do everything.

 

So many

HF/ Fat Heads/ Jack Abby's/ Trillium/ Lawson's/ GI/ Toppling Goliath.

 

Firestone Walker and Three Floyd's. Been lucky to have both.

 

Bell's
The Brew Kettle

 

1. Sierra Nevada

2. Victory Brewing

 

Pick 1 (Sierra Nevada or Deschutes)

Pick 1 (Ballast Point, Cellarmaker, Kern, or Fathead)

Group one brings diversity and consistency across the entire product line. Group two brings the hops and some other interesting offerings.

Most of the time I'd probably go Deschutes and Kern River.

 

Trillium and then after them Trillium sorry but if you're not first you're last. It's Trillium then everyone else for me.

 

Not been to many,but staying close to home just cause of the easy access.
Cigar City
Funky Buddah

 

In Florida:

For in person visits, CCB and Green Bench.
For quality, CCB and Cycle
For new breweries, Rapp and Angry Chair

 

There's so many great breweries out there, so I'll just go with the two that I seem to have in my beer fridge the most often.

Revolution Brewing Co. Chicago, IL
Lagunitas Brewing Co. Petaluma, CA

 

Toppling Goliath and Goose Island (for there Bourbon County brand)