Finding the perfect craft beer is every beer lover’s dream. But with craft breweries accounting for 98% of the breweries in the United States, sometimes it can feel like searching for a bottle cap in a proverbial haystack.
There are so many options to choose from and such an array of styles and flavors. To help you out a bit, we have compiled a list of the four best craft beers that you have to try before you buy. Four seems like a doable number, doesn’t it?
Read on to find out which brews made the tap.
What Makes a Good Craft Beer?
Best is a very subjective word. So how do people decide what is good and what isn’t? Experience shows that the best craft beers tend to have a few things in common.
- Unique flavor
- Brewed with care
- Great backstory
- Quality ingredients
Of the 150 different styles in existence, all the best craft beers in America seem to uphold these four principles.
Coconut Hiwa Porter
Do you like chocolate? How about coconut? This craft beer brings those two flavors together in perfect harmony.
The Coconut Hiwa Porter from Maui Brewing Co. boasts robust notes of chocolate, toasted coconut, and coffee. This dark malt brew takes a traditional dessert beer and gives it a tropical twist.
B-Bomb the Winter Ale
Batten down the hatches and prepare yourself for this barrel-aged beauty. This imperial winter ale, formerly known as Bourbon Abominable, has a whopping 12.8% ABV. With notes of whiskey, dark sugar, and dried fruit, it has a bitter flavor with a sweet aftertaste.
The aged American Oak bourbon barrels used by Fremont Brewing contribute to the unique flavors of this craft beer. It is a great beer for whiskey aficionados and those with a palate that appreciates subtly.
WYD Sour Ale
Looking for something with a bit more pop? This sour ale is one of the best craft beers for those who live on the wild side. Produced by Five Threads Brewing Co. in California, this beer includes notes of vanilla and cherry for a burst of flavor and a clean finish.
Pop open a can to enjoy on a hot summer day. Or bring a case to share at a party, along with some of these other great gift ideas for beer lovers.
Chili Pepper Pale Ale
For our next top pick, we are heading back to the birthplace of craft beer, Colorado. The Broken Compass Brewing Co. has left no stone unturned with their Chili Pepper Pale Ale. Or should we say, no chili unpicked?
This 5.9% ABV pale ale is brewed with five different types of chilis, giving it a subtle burst of fire at the end of each sip. Try this craft beer on a chilly evening after a long day of hitting the slopes.
Best Craft Beers
With so many beers to choose from, finding the best craft beers in America can feel like a challenge. Of all the best craft beers out there, these are four that you don’t want to miss.
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