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I've been thinking about that question lately and I think we are at the top of the beer chain now.
I know it's fairly subjective but the fact that the question can even be asked without being laughed off is a testament to how far we have come as a brewing nation...baby! Sure, you could argue Belgium or maybe Germany or England but none of them are at the avant gard of the craft brewery scene, while we are. How amazingly far we've come in a generation. We can actually say we are the king of beers without it just being a marketing claim (not that Bud helps our claim to that title).
So, are we the best or is it one of the rest? And which is your favorite brewery (bonus question)?
I think the Germans and Belgians have us still beat in a handful of styles but the U.S. has the best overall title.
You can't beat a good German Bock or Hefeweizen. Belgian Flanders ale and Lambics are better than any american counterpart. But I think we do Stouts, IPA, Brown ale, Porter and Barleywine better than anyone, particularly IPAs.
Right now I'd have to say my favorite brewery is Lagunitas. Followed very closely by Founders and Stone. With Bell's coming in 4th.
Hard to say. I think Belgium still takes the prize for best overall craftsmanship. But most of the innovation in styles, hop strains, and brewing processes and the sheer variety of styles available at all quality points belongs to the USA as best I can see.
It's a rare occasion that I reach for a beer that is not American anymore. Will sometimes get an English or Belgian beer to mix it up.
Big fan of hoppy IPA's and have too many favorites to mention them all. But if I can't get to my local beer store that has a huge selection and am stuck with the selection at my neighborhood grocery store these are my picks: Sierra Nevada Torpedo, Deschutes Inversion IPA and Stone IPA.
I think the Germans and Belgians have us still beat in a handful of styles but the U.S. has the best overall title.
You can't beat a good German Bock or Hefeweizen. Belgian Flanders ale and Lambics are better than any american counterpart. But I think we do Stouts, IPA, Brown ale, Porter and Barleywine better than anyone, particularly IPAs.
Right now I'd have to say my favorite brewery is Lagunitas. Followed very closely by Founders and Stone. With Bell's coming in 4th.
you hit the nail on the head.....i love hoppy brews....i've had one ipa from another country and it was just, weird....
favorite brewery? lagunitas has yet to disappoint me. everything i've had from them was great.....i've only had a few Founders, and those were good.....
Pretty good articles (although they must be from the same news source). I can't imagine how much pride these US brewers must have selling their brews in Germany. It's like selling California wines in France. It's still no surprise that most Germans, especially older ones, would still consider US beers crap but that's only because for so long they were. How things have changed...and for the better! No they to try and top us at their own game. That'll be tough. Yup. The US is for real!
In my experience a lot of what sells to the younger crowd in Europe is American image and marketing. Go to almost any bar or pub that caters to a younger crowd and you will see a lot of the customers wearing Levi's, swigging Budweiser longnecks and smoking Marlboros. So the threshold is not high.
Are there top notch beers made in the US? Yes, of course.
Are Americans leading the world in beer innovation? Absolutely
Is there any American beer on the same plane yet with the finest Europe has to offer, such as Belgian Abbey Ales? ... Don't be silly.
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