Craft beer has been all the buzz in the past several years and there are many good reasons for this. If you are tired of the taste of the regular super-market lager and you would like to try out something new and with a real kick, then the answer really lies with craft beer. It is an acquired taste for some, but the simple fact of the matter is that once you get hooked up on craft beer, you will never be able to look at a can of Budweiser ever again.
Let’s take a look at some of the best craft beers that are currently being sold on the US market.
The Canadian… and the arrogant ones
One of the first names that comes to mind is actually a Canadian brand. Unibroue La Fin Du Monde literally means “the end of the world” and it is among the top sellers in many states – and has been such for quite some time now. The balanced taste of this golden ale makes it the perfect choice for beginners in the wide and rich world of craft beers. After you down one of those, you will literally not mind waiting for the doomsday.
One of the best things about small craft beer breweries is that they are rarely subject to the strict marketing rules that apply to big international companies. This is particularly easy to spot when it comes to the names of certain beers. Heineken for example will never be able to release a product that is called Stone Brewing Co. Arrogant Bastard Ale. In addition to its bad-ass name, this particular Ale comes with a real kick that will appeal to seasoned beer drinkers who have the taste for the finer things in life.
Pictured: Stone Brewing Co. Arrogant Bastard Ale is a craft beer with character
And the fruity ones
If you are looking to taste something interesting and definitely not available with commercial brands, then you should definitely give Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin IPA a try. The grapefruit taste is particularly appealing to the ladies, but drinking this fine IPA does not make you less manly in any way either. The only case in which you will have to avoid it is if you are not particularly fond of high levels of bitterness.
In the past couple of years the city of Boston has distinguished itself as one of the national centers for craft beer production. The flagship among the brands that come out of Boston is for sure the Harpoon IPA. Now, this one is definitely much fruitier in taste than any other beer that we will be talking about here, but that does not mean it is not among the strongest and finest among them too. To make things even better, it is made entirely from ingredients that come from the US, which means that it can easily be described as the ultimate “all-American” craft beer. What more can one want?
Table: Craft beer production in the US in million barrels
| Year | Amount |
| 2009 | 9.1 |
| 2010 | 10.1 |
| 2011 | 11.5 |
| 2012 | 13.2 |
| 2013 | 15.6 |
| 2014 | 22.1 |
| 2015 | 24.3 |
| 2016 | 24.6 |
Those that will rival any commercial brand
The India Pale Ale is a real classic in the world of craft beers and as far as its production is concerned, California is definitely a leader in it. One of the best India Pale Ales that are to be found on the market today is the Lagunitas IPA India Pale Ale, which has become the cornerstone product of this already classic brewing company.
Pictured: Lagunitas, an IPA you cannot go wrong with
There is a very popular misconception that craft beers do not hold a candle in terms of strength when they are compared to some classical recipes such as Guinness. Well, if you are one of those people who believe such things, you are entitled to your own opinion, but at least wait until you try the powerful Sierra Nevada Stout before you carve it in stone. It has a very gentle carbonation much like Guinness, and a pitch-black color that just add up to the feeling of power that emanates from every bottle of Sierra Nevada. The distinct smokiness in the tastes, matched with hints of chocolate and coffee add a touch of class to this powerful formula which is deservingly omni-present at top positions on all lists of best craft beers being produced in the US.
We cannot miss the local brands either
Naturally, we cannot afford to talk about craft beers without mentioning at least a couple of options that you have coming from our home, Philadelphia. If you think that Philly does not offer much options to the beer lovers, apart from those being imported from other states, you cannot be further away from the truth.
Until recently, the crowned king of the Philadelphia based craft beers was definitely the Philadelphia Pale Ale, produced by the Yards Brewing Company. At 4.6% this pale ale is indeed one of the best craft beers that you are going to try this year, and if you have already did – you know what we are talking about. It’s hoppy without being overly bitter and comes with a touch of grapefruit aroma and a crisp finish that make it the preferred craft beer of choice for many Philadelphia residents.
Pictured: The Philadelphia Pale Ale by Yards Brewing Company is one of the finest beers in Philly
The only true rival that the classical Philadelphia Pale Ale really has is the Mad Rex red rye IPA. This special craft beer which to this moment was being produced exclusively for the first and only post-apocalyptic themed bar in Fishtown, Philadelphia by the local Blueprint Brewing Co. has already become the favorite to all patrons of the Mad Rex bar. With its pending release on the local market – to individuals and bars alike – has all the potential of turning it into the best loved craft beer in Philly and there are good reasons for it. Blueprint Brewery Co. brews everything from IPAs to Stouts and has never disappointed. Drop by Mad Rex if you want to give the new IPA a try and participate in the experience of one of the best and most interesting bars in Fishtown today.