2023 was a tough year for the American brewing industry, with overall beer production and imports down 5 percent year-over-year. But despite the doom and gloom surrounding the future of beer, Americans are still drinking their fair share of the stuff. According to beer shipment data and U.S. Census population statistics, stateside drinkers of legal age purchased an estimated 24 gallons of beer, malt-based beverages, and cider per person in 2023. And in terms of consumption, Americans take down an average of 6.5 billion gallons of beer per year.
With so many brews available for purchase — and the craft segment increasing its share of the overall market — residents of each state are sure to demonstrate some favoritism. So, we consulted Beer Advocate’s list of top-rated beers from breweries in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., to find out what some of these favorites are. As a baseline, the only beers that were considered were those with over 100 ratings on the platform.
In what will likely come as no surprise, IPAs — the most popular craft beer style — claim the top spot in 21 states. Stouts aren’t far behind, though, with 19 states claiming the style as their highest-rated brew. Beyond the styles most preferred by drinkers, this list illuminates Americans’ tendency to lean into boozier brews: 25 of the 51 best beers are brewed at imperial strength.
Curious to see what beer is most preferred in your neck of the woods? Read on to discover the highest-rated beer in each state, according to Beer Advocate.
Ed. Note: The ratings cutoff was based on data from each state’s Top-Rated Beer page and not the beer’s profile page, which may be lower, in some cases.
State
Beer
Alabama
Hitchhiker
Good People Brewing Company
IPA – American | 7.40%
Alaska
Blessed
Anchorage Brewing Company
Stout – American Imperial | 15.50%
Arizona
White Russian Imperial Stout
Sun Up Brewing Co.
Stout – American Imperial | 9.20%
Arkansas
BDCS
Ozark Beer Co.
Stout – Sweet / Milk | 10.20%
California
Pliny The Younger
Russian River Brewing Company
IPA – Imperial | 10.25%
Colorado
Leaner
Casey Brewing & Blending and Barrel Cellar
Saison | 8.00%
Connecticut
Locust Reign
New England Brewing Co.
IPA – New England | 8.20%
Delaware
World Wide Stout – Utopias Barrel-Aged
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Stout – American Imperial | 17.30%
District of Columbia
On The Wings Of Armageddon
DC Brau Brewing Co.
IPA – Imperial | 9.20%
Florida
Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout – Double Barrel Aged
Cigar City Brewing
Stout – American Imperial | 11.00%
Georgia
Tropicália
Creature Comforts
IPA – American | 6.60%
Hawaii
Imperial Coconut Porter
Maui Brewing Co.
Porter – Imperial | 9.40%
Idaho
5 O’Clock Shadow – Spring
Grand Teton Brewing Co.
Schwarzbier | 7.60%
Illinois
Double Barrel V.S.O.J.
Revolution Brewing
Barleywine – English | 16.80%
Indiana
Marshmallow Handjee
3 Floyds Brewing Co.
Stout – Russian Imperial | 15.00%
Iowa
Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout
Toppling Goliath Brewing Company
Stout – American Imperial | 12.00%
Kansas
Old Backus Barleywine
Free State Brewing Co.
Barleywine – American | 10.50%
Kentucky
70K
Against the Grain Brewery & Smokehouse
Stout – Sweet / Milk | 13.00%
Louisiana
Ghost In The Machine – Double Dry-Hopped
Parish Brewing Company
IPA – New England | 8.50%
Maine
Dinner
Maine Beer Company
IPA – Imperial | 8.20%
Maryland
Hyde
RAR Brewing (Real Ale Revival)
IPA – New England | 6.40%
Massachusetts
King Julius
Tree House Brewing Company
IPA – New England | 8.20%
Michigan
CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout)
Founders Brewing Company
Stout – American Imperial | 11.70%
Minnesota
Nillerzzzzz
Forager Brewing Company
Stout – American Imperial | 14.00%
Mississippi
Crowd Control
Southern Prohibition Brewing
IPA – Imperial | 8.00%
Missouri
Abraxas – Barrel-Aged
Perennial Artisan Ales
Stout – American Imperial | 12.80%
Montana
Ivan the Terrible Imperial Stout – Barrel-Aged
Big Sky Brewing Company
Stout – Russian Imperial | 11.60%
Nebraska
Melange A Trois – Reserve Series Aged In French Oak Chardonnay Barrels
Nebraska Brewing Company Production Brewery & Tap Room
Strong Ale – Belgian Pale | 11.30%
Nevada
Disco Ninja
Revision Brewing Company
IPA – New England | 7.00%
New Hampshire
IPA
Stoneface Brewing Co.
IPA – American | 7.20%
New Jersey
Sunday Brunch
Kane Brewing Company
Porter – Imperial | 9.20%
New Mexico
Project Dank
La Cumbre Brewing Co.
IPA – American | 7.50%
New York
4th Anniversary
Other Half Brewing Company
IPA – New England | 10.00%
North Carolina
Citraquench’l
Heist Brewery
IPA – New England | 7.10%
North Dakota
Freak Parade
Drekker Brewing Company
IPA – New England | 8.20%
Ohio
Appervation
Jackie O’s Brewpub
Stout – American Imperial | 15.00%
Oklahoma
Bourbon Paradise
Prairie Artisan Ales
Stout – American Imperial | 13.70%
Oregon
Nectarine Premiere
de Garde Brewing
Saison | 7.10%
Pennsylvania
Grande Negro Voodoo Papi – Bourbon Barrel-Aged
Voodoo Brewing Company
Stout – American Imperial | 12.00%
Rhode Island
The Chosen One
Tilted Barn Brewery
IPA – New England | 8.50%
South Carolina
Mexican Coffee Cake
Westbrook Brewing Co.
Stout – American Imperial | 10.50%
South Dakota
Pile O’ Dirt Porter
Crow Peak Brewing
Porter – Robust | 6.00%
Tennessee
Astronaut Status
Wiseacre Brewing – Broad Ave OG
Stout – American Imperial | 12.20%
Texas
Atrial Rubicite
Jester King Brewery
Wild Ale | 5.00%
Utah
Big Bad Baptista
Epic Brewing Company
Stout – American Imperial | 11.70%
Vermont
Heady Topper
The Alchemist
IPA – Imperial | 8.00%
Virginia
Double Orange Starfish
Aslin Beer Company
IPA – New England | 8.30%
Washington
Coffee Cinnamon B-Bomb
Fremont Brewing Company
Strong Ale – American | 13.00%
West Virginia
Devil Anse IPA
Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company
IPA – American | 6.90%
Wisconsin
Black Gold
Central Waters Brewing Co.
Stout – American Imperial | 14.00%
Wyoming
2×4 DIPA
Melvin Brewing
IPA – Imperial | 9.90%
*Image retrieved from anaumenko via stock.adobe.com
The article The Highest-Rated Beer in Every State (2024) [MAP] appeared first on VinePair.