Your Top 3 Most Influential Breweries

Bell's introduced me to craft beer and St. George got me drinking local when I lived in Virginia. And oddly enough Lindeman's; my mom has always really liked their framboise and that led me to discovering gueuzes.

 

1. Stone
2. Firestone Walker
3. The Bruery

 

Goose Island, Sierra Nevada, and Stone.

 

Sam Adams and Sierra Nevada are tied for getting me into craft beer.
New England Brewing Company for showing the how great local beer can be.
Stone Brewing for really paving a new path for the diversity of craft beer and the abundance of hops that truly can be used.

 

#1: I have to say that my most influential brewery was located around where I went to college. Sweetwater led the charge in this area; I mean how could Sweetwater 420 not appeal to the college crowd. Great marketing schwag and creativity really helped me to get captivated by the craft beer scene. I love me some Sweetwater Festive, and have old college buddies mail it up every year.
#2: I could go any number of directions with this one, but I'd have to say Sloop because it introduced me into the world of nanobreweries. I remember when their shit was only available at dinky farmer's markets. The fashionability of drinking locally sourced beer has taken me by storm.
#3: Juxtaposing my second most would be Aecht Schlenkera because it opened me up to the depth of flavors in beer that brewers in the U.S. just haven't mastered or adhere themselves to. Loved going here when I studied abroad in Europe.
Honorable mention is to whoever makes Natty Light because they brought fun to my late adolescence.

 

Sierra
Stone
RR

 

Sierra navada- craft beer gateway
Stone- developed my appreciation for tremendous hop character
Sixpoint- Changed the way i viewed canned beers

 

Sam Adams - My introduction to craft beer.
Firestone Walker - Got me started with DBA and Union Jack, then moved me into barrel aged deliciousness.
The Bruery - Sour In The Rye opened my eyes to sours.

 

Sam Adams- Got me into craft beer, and introduced me to tons of different styles.
Stone- Got me hooked on hops and imperial stouts.
Firestone Walker- Showed me how complex barrel aging and blending can make a beer.

 

1 - Lagunitas
2 - Deschutes
3 - Firestone Walker

Runners up - North Coast, Anderson Valley, and Dogfish Head

 

I'm going to look at this from a foundational point of view, so I am thinking back to the 80s with these:

Dinkel Acker- for the longest time their Pils and Dunkel were 'the good stuff', and helped me cut my teeth on more flavorful beers.
Samuel Smith's- the Taddy Porter was the first beer I actively searched out. They also helped open the door to the world of beers beyond 'light' and 'dark'.

Sierra Nevada- the first time I had one of their beers I 'got it', and couldn't wait to see what was coming down the road from there.

 

In no particular order:

St. Bernardus--For exposing me to Belgian styles and flavors.
New Belgium--For exposing me to sours (thanks, La Folie)
Big Sky/Rock Bottom--For supplying me with beer while in college.

 

Avery for bigger beers.
Great Divide for hoppy beers (Hercules and Titan were two of my first favorite IPA/DIPA's).
JK for wilder beers.

Boulevard gets honorable mention for consistently flavorful beers.

 

Like some Sam Adams was my intro into craft beer. Founders was first true craft beers that enjoyed. Than Greenbush was the brewery that became my favorite.

 

Sierra Nevada/Bells. Torpedo and Two Hearted opened up and paved the way for my beer love when I was younger.
Stone because they broadened my beer horizon I will always love Arrogant Bastard and their IPA.
FFF because I enjoy almost everything they make.

 

Pete's Wicked Ale - Taught me there was something other than the macros.
Sam Adams - Taught me there was a unique beer, other than the macros, that was better than Pete's Wicked Ale.
Stone - Taught me there was a unique beer, other than the macros, that was better than Pete's Wicked Ale and Sam Adams.

 

Sierra Nevada, stone, and lagunitas

 

You cheated I had a hard enough time with three. Ballast point , founders, and bells were hard to leave out. Good job!

 

In no particular order...

Goose Island-->From their simple, classic Honkers Ale, to affordable, high-quality Belgian styles (Matilda, Pere Jacques, Sofie, Pepe Nero, etc) to their rare, barrel-aged, and now sour stuff. Absolute class, across the board.

Black Sheep-->This IS what English real ale can, and should be. Knock-your-socks-off good, yet done in an understated, 'don't notice me' sort of way.

Boulevard/Schlafly-->This is a newer add, as it's something I've (re)discovered lately. Between their 'everyday'/standard brews, which range from ok to great, to their one-off and special release varieties, some of which are stellar, these two breweries have reminded me that I don't have to track down Hillstead/RR/Alchemist/etc/etc/etc...I spent a lot of time worrying about trying all the 'best' beers...turns out, there's a few truly life-changing quaffables out there, and a whole lot of hype. There's a crap-ton of delicious, high-quality beer sitting in your own back-yard. Life's too short to be constantly running after fads. Enjoy what you have, and toast the moment!

Honorable mentions: St. Bernardus, Chimay, and FW...yo stuff be good enough to make a grown man cry...

 

Firestone walker made me love ba beers.....that's mostly what I drink......stone for having a plethora of great ales and founders for most of my stouts......KBS and breakfast stout