Top Ten Microbreweries in America

In recent years there has been a proliferation of microbreweries in the United States. With so many different beers to chose from, it may be difficult to make a choice. After consuming glass after glass of beer we have been able to to put together a list of the top ten microbreweries in America.

10

Barrio Brewing Co

Tuscon, Arizona

Barrio Brewing Co offers 10 to 12 very unique microbrews depending on the season. The list of their regular beers include: Tuscon Blonde, Barrio IPA, Taylor Jane’s Raspberry Ale, Oatmeal Stout, Red Cat Amber, Nolan’s Porter,  Hefeweizen, Copperhead Pale Ale, and Nut Brown.

9

Sin City Brewing Co.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Founded by long-time Gordon Biersch Director of Brewing Operations, Richard Johnson, Sin City Brewing Co. is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. When developing the beers for Sin City Brewing Co. Richard Johnson sought to accentuate the indulgent nature of Las Vegas within each of his brews. Sin City Brewing Co. also follows traditional methods including a strict adherence to the 1516 German beer purity law. Their beers include: Weisse Is Nice, Never Pass Up A Blonde, Say Hello To Amber, and The Dark Side of Sin.

8

Kettlehouse Brewing Company

Missoula, Montana

Kettlehouse Brewing Company was opened in 1991 by a gentleman named Tim O’Leary. While living in Boulder, Colorado Tim O’Leary was heavily influenced by the lively microbrew scene and decided to move back to his home state of Montana and open up his own pub. Some of the more notable beers; include: Cold Smoke Scotch Ale, Double Haul IPA, Eddy Out Pale Ale, Lake Missoula Amber, Ginseng Pale Ale, and Zula Stout.

7

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Chico, California

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company was established by Ken Grossman and Paul Carmusi in 1980. Last year the brewery produced over 760,000 barrels of beer, making it currently the sixth-largest brewing company in the United States. In addition to its great tasting beer, it was voted the Green Business of the Year in 2010 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for its sustainable practices.  They are currently building a second facility expected to open in early 2014 to help support its demand.  Their best known beers are: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Porter, Stout, Torpedo Extra IPA, and Kellerweis Hefeweizen.

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6

Left Hand Brewing Company

Longmont, Colorado

Left Hand Brewery opened doors for business January 22, 1994. Later that same year, the brewery one two medals at the Great American Beer Festival. They now produce over 35,000 barrels of beer per year, distribute to 27 states, and have accumulated fifteen medals and one honorable mention at the Great American Beer Festival, as well as eight medals at the World Beer Cup. Their most noteworthy beers include: Sawtooth Ale, Milk Stout, 400 Pound Monkey, Polestar Pilsner, Black Jack Porter, Stranger Pale Ale, and Wake Up Dead Stout.

5

Boulder Beer Company

Boulder, Colorado

The Boulder Beer Company was the first microbrewery in Colorado. It was founded by Alvin Nelson and Randolf Ware, physics professors at the University of Colorado, who were hobbyist home brewers. Over the years Boulder Beer Company has won five medals at the World Beer Cup, a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival, and three medals at the World Beer Championships. Their most notorious beers include: Buffalo Gold, Hazed & Infused, Planet Porter, Never Summer Ale, Sundance Amber Ale, and Singletrack Copper Ale.

4

Oskar Blues Brewery

Longmont, Colorado

Oskar Blues Brew and Grill first opened in 1997. At the time they were the only American Craft Brewery to both brew and can their own beer. Last year they produced more than 59,000 barrels of beer. Not only are they famous for their beer, they also have a great restaurant serving Cajun, Creole, and Southern-style comfort foods with beer pairings. Their beers include: Dale’s Pale Ale, Old Chub Scotch Ale, G’Knight, Ten FIDY, Mama’s Little Yella Pills, and Gubna.

3

Dry Dock Brewing Company

Aurora, Colorado

Founded recently in 2005, Dry Dock Brewing Company has already established a name for themselves. They have already expanded their facilities in 2009, and plan on doing so again in the near future. This small brewery focuses on quality over quantity. They are also known for their very unique brews. Their home fleet of brews consists of: H.M.S Victory ESB, USS Enterprise, Paragon Apricot Blonde, Urca Vanilla Porter, H.M.S Bounty Old Ale, Breakwater Pale Ale, U-Boat Hefeweizen, and Seven Seas Double IPA.

2

Brooklyn Brewery

Brooklyn, New York

Founded in 1987 by Steve Hindy and Tom Potter, Brooklyn Brewery continually earns high marks for their beers. Rather uniquely, co-founder Steve Hindy first learned to brew beer during his 6 year stay in Middle Eastern countries. This year Esquire magazine selected the Brooklyn Lager as one of the “Best Canned Beers to Drink Now”. Their beer list includes: Brooklyn Lager, Brooklyn Brown Ale, Brooklyn East IPA, Brooklyn Pilsner, and the baseball-themed Brooklyn Pennant Ale.

1

New Belgium Brewing Company

Fort Collins, Colorado

By now, nearly everyone has heard of New Belgium Brewing Company. Founded in 1991 by Jeff Lebesch, New Belgium Brewing Company now produces more than 582,000 barrels of beer. Fat Tire is the company’s flagship beer and is their claim to fame. New Belgium Beer is now distributed in more than 15 states and has tested distribution in many more. Every year New Belgium Brewery hosts a bicycle parade called Tour de Fat that attracts thousands of participants and spectators. Their beers include: Fat Tire, 1554, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle, Shift, Ranger IPA, Tripplet, Belgo IPA, Lounger, Peach Porch, and Bretta Beer.

 

 

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