What's your most RESPECTED brewery?

I really want to meet you now and bitch slap you...interested?

 

For me in no particular order.
Sierra Nevada. Large and successful
The Bruery. Experiment and create magic
Founders. Best lineup top to bottom

 

I would have to say Russian River. Highest level of quality and not interested in making gazillions of dollars but losing control of the balance they've found lifestyle-wise.

 

lol all I said was the truth, you need a hug? Someone seems a little on edge today.

 

Respect? Sierra Nevada. Why?

http://www.sierranevada.com/brewery/about-us/sustainability

 

COAST Brewing

 

3 Floyds

 

I was just there last weekend. Why do you say that? I'm not doubting you - just ignorant.

 

Yuengling. That's right I said it.

 

They do so much for SC craft beer scene. Also, it's husband and wife team that do most of the work there. And everything except their hops is certified organic.

 

Agree on COAST. I would be hard pressed to name a beer they make that I don't like. Had The Boy King again last night. My favorite DIPA in SC, probably top 5 for me nationwide.

 

Firestone
Founders
Avery

 

I'd have to go with Dogfish Head. I don't think they brew the best beer in any one class, but they consistently put out progressive and aggressive beers that introduced me to a lot of new styles over the years. I constantly try new beers, generally around 5 to 10 new brews every two weeks, and find myself always gravitating to whatever Dogfish is offering. I respect Sam Calagione and all he does for the craft beer scene.

 

Three Floyds

 

Firestone Walker

Fremont

 

Yuengling

 

Ballast Point
Deschutes
SweetWater

 

Founders
Olde Hickory Brewery

 

Maybe because some of us don't have just one that we respect so much. Not to pick a fight, but why does it bother you so much that some of us are listing more than one and sometimes more than one?

Anyway, for me I have several that I respect the hell out of:

First and formost, Anchor, specifically Fritz Maytag, for being a visionary and believing that there could and should be better, more flavorful beer than was produced at the time by "big beer", and unbeknownst to him, kickstarting this whole craft beer movement. Besides, their beer (for the most part) is awesome!

Next, and even though I've never had the privilege of trying their beer, New Albion and Jack McAuliffe, who after seeing what Anchor was doing, and being completely uninspired by "big beer" and missing the beers from the UK, believed that he too could brew better beer and as such became a "Founding Father" of this craft beer movement.

Third, Ken Grossman and Sierra Nevada, who was inspired by both Anchor and New Albion gave the world the first American Pale Ale, the proginator of the hoppy American-style IPA, which even though I'm not the target audience for those beers, are extremely popular and has defined American craft beer. And I love Mr. Grossman's gift to the world in Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale, and Sierra Nevada's Porter, Stout, Vienna Lager, Oktoberfest, Tumbler, etc.

Next I have mad props (is that what the kids say nowadays?) for The Boston Beer Company and Jim Koch, for taking on "big beer". I know that BBC is looked down upon by many here on BA, but I respect the company and Jim Koch for his dogged determination, especially in his early days, of selling his much better beer and growing not only the Sam Adams brand but craft beer in general.

I also have mad respect for New Belgium. They have several beers that I love, Fat Tire is one of my favorite beers and I love 1554 and Abby, as well as their Oktoberfest and Portage. I love that the brewery is employee-owned, they're incredibly environmentally and socially conscience, and that they put out consistently great product, at least to my taste. Further, their brewery tour is hands down, the best brewery tour I've been on, and I've been on many brewery tours.

I also have a ton of respect for The Brooklyn Brewery and Garret Oliver. I love a lot of his/their beers and he's such a vocal proponent of pairing beer with food. Every year my buddies and I host a beer dinner for friends and family where we cook a several course dinner, with a beer or two paired with each course. Oliver's book The Brewmaster's Table is practically a bible for us as we plan our menus. He's even personally responded to a e-mail or two on Facebook when we contacted him with a question or two. Great guy, for that!

I have to give my respect to Dogfish Head and Sam Caligione too, for all of the reasons already given in this thread and the fact that I love many of their beers, I live their creative, independent, original and fearless spirit. Respect and love as well as to Greg Koch and the brewers of Stone for all of the reasons already mentioned in this thread and for their reative, independent, original and fearless spirit. I see them as kindred spirits blazing similar paths with a middle finger to "big beer"!

Finally, I totally respect Ommegang, Founders, Great Lakes, Oskar Blues, Avery, Left Hand, Weyerbacher, AleSmith, Lost Abbey, Deschutes, Alaskan, The Bruery, Allegash, Great Divide, Southern Tier, Flying Dog, DuClaw, Firestone Walker, Stillwater, Yards, Heavy Seas, Boulevard, Schafley, Tommyknocker, New Holland, and the hundreds more breweries, world class to recent start-ups, here in the New World and those from the Old World, all trying to chase their dreams of brewing beer, blazing new paths and making this time, the best time to be a beer drinker.

Cheers to brewers everywhere! I raise my glass to you!