The recent discussion regarding Westy being the best beer in the world had me thinking. What would the BA rankings look like if the very scarce and low distribution beers were removed? Then what beers would be at the top?
I can only speak for myself but Founders Breakfast would be my #1 if I didn't have access to rare brews (or trading). That kind of body and smoothness in such a widely distributed beer is tough to find.
this shouldn't be particularly difficult to determine. it would be different for different individuals though (depending most obviously on geographic location, but also influenced by other factors effecting availability such as your relationship with the staff at your local bottle shop, trading partners, etc.). You could go through the top 250 list though and pull beers that are unavailable or difficult to obtain to come up with your own list of the best, widely distributed beers though. I feel that the more intriguing question is regarding the role wider distribution of otherwise difficult to obtain beers would have on hype, and what the rankings would look like if hype were eliminated so that the beers at the top of the list were reviewed and ranked solely on their objective attributes. I think wide availability is the most realistic means of correcting for ranking inflation due to hype, though this is impossible as well due to practical constraints. Food for thought. I know I'm definitely susceptible to hype and allowing such to influence my drinking experience.
Of the top 100 there are only 3 I could walk into a store and buy today. # 45,#52,and #80. #45 is a beer I don't care for Founders breakfast Stout.
Only 4 are reasonably for me to get, although 2 would have to involve a trip to the nearby brewery to get and to probably stand in a line (which I've done once for each beer and I won't do it again).
Of the top 250 I found three that I know I can get here in Alberta. There may be more than I know of that are available here but not many. 52. Trappistes Rochefort 10 (not had yet) 80. St. Bernardus Abt 12 (had it and loved it) 200. Lagunitas Sucks (I love this beer)
Oh man. I'm not going to get much love for this one, but maybe Weihenstephaner Hefe. Rochefort 10, Jai Alai, and Serpent's Stout running up. I could agree with FBS as well
Good post. This is probably one of the greatest frustrations for us beer advocates and having access to social media. Sometimes ignorance is bliss, but seeing a list of 250 of the best beers of the world and only having access to 2-3 (and they probably aren't even in the top 100), can be demoralizing.
