In Search of America's Best Brewery

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

Beer is America’s drink of choice. The French have wine, the Russians have vodka, but Americans will always have beer. When it comes to where the best beer comes from, the response is always mixed. The best American beer isn’t found at your local super market or liquor store, great American beer is found through lots of trial and error. Here are some of the best places in the country to pour a pint of your favorite beer. These microbreweries give you a chance to look in on the process and try some limited edition, eclectic and fantastic beer.

Capital Brewery — Rated the best brewery in the country by the Beverage Tasting Institute, Capital Brewery in Middleton, Wisconsin, is home to arguably the best beer in the country. Located just outside of Madison, Capital Brewery is known for their Blonde Doppelbock, a beer rated as the best in America for three of the last eight years. While visiting the brewery during the summer months, be sure to enjoy the Bier Garten, where you can grab a great beer and just relax.

New Glarus Brewing Co. — The search for America’s best beer is likely to take you off the beaten path. New Glarus Brewing Co. is 100 miles from Milwaukee, but well worth the drive. Their Raspberry Tart beer is a rush of flavor, made from organically grown Raspberries from Oregon and locally grown wheat and hops. Be sure to try their locally grown Wisconsin Belgian Red as well. New Glarus focuses on making beers from local, organic ingredients, making their beer especially flavorful and fresh.

Goose Island Brewing Co. — Located in Chicago, Goose Island Brewing has one of the best assortments of beers in the nation. Unlike Capital, Goose Island has multiple Platinum award winning beers that will dazzle your mind and your taste buds. Their best beer is the Bourbon County Stout, the darkest of dark beers. Black enough to pass for Saudi Arabian Crude, this beer has a deep dark flavor that coats your mouth. For those who prefer something a bit lighter, Goose Island offers many lighter seasonal beers like “Summer Time,” a sunshine colored beer with clean traditional flavor.

Deschutes Brewery — In the forests of Oregon, Deschutes began as a brewpub in downtown Bend. Now it is a brewery that distributes its artisan beers all over the west coast. This year, Deschutes turns 21, and since its finally old enough to drink the tasty drinks it makes, it has pulled out all the stops in order to celebrate. Deschutes introduced Black Butte XXI, a dark flavorful reserve beer to celebrate 21 years of success. A visit to the brewery will let you get an inside look at how it all happens, what makes good beer, and of course, lots of free samples.

The Lost Abbey — According to Lost Abbey, the crusade for great beer is a battle of Good vs. Evil. Out there, there are good beers and there are evil beers, and the Lost Abbey, in San Marcos, California, is working on bringing illumination to those stuck in the dredges of bad beer. In addition to brewing some really great traditional Belgian beer, the Lost Abbey also offers great community events for beer lovers and their families. Be sure to try some of their seasonal beers and some of their old time favorites like the “Avant Garde” or “Devotion.”

John Harvard’s Brew House — Is our nation’s oldest university a front for a brewery? Maybe. Do they make really great beer? Definitely. John Harvard’s in Harvard Square is home to students and tourists alike, where everyone can get some great beer in America’s self proclaimed beer capital. John Harvard’s has won countless awards for its brews; so don’t be afraid to try something totally different from your typical drink. Having a few good drinks should be the least of your worries at John Harvard’s.

Russian River Brewing Co. — In the heart of Sonoma County's wine country, there is a lone brewery for all those who would prefer a bit of barley and hops rather than grapes. Russian River's beers are made in the California and Belgian styles, blending old European traditions and some west coast ingenuity. A long time favorite on the west coast, Russian River produces many year round ales and beers, including "Pliny the Elder", "Damnation" and "Blind Pig" Indian Pale Ale. Russian River's brewpub also plays host to great musical talent from all over the country and is a great place to just sit back, drink some great beer and enjoy the music.


Photo credit: flickr cc Sashafatcat