Love your craft beer? You’re not alone.
Craft beer brewing has become one of the fastest growing industries in the United States.
According to the Brewer’s Association (www.brewersassociation.com), in the first half of 2013, approximately 7.3 million barrels of beer were sold by small and independent¹ craft brewers. This is an increase from 6.4 million barrels brewed in the first half of 2012.
Which beer and brewery are the most popular may also depend on who you ask. USA Today ranked its top 15 brewers including No. 1. Dogfish Head, Milton, Del.; No. 2. Stone Brewing Company, Escondido, Calif. and No. 3 Boulevard Brewing Company, Kansas City, Mo.
Paste Magazine has posted its Top 20 breweries of 2013 in December, listing Firestone Walker, Paso Robles, Calif. as its top choice followed by Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Fla. and Bell’s Brewery, Kalamazoo, Mich.
See Paste Magazine’s Top 20 breweries of 2013 here.
Craft beers were also ranked.
American Craft Beer took a more diplomatic approach listing “The Serious Top 50” beers in no particular order. Beers from a diversity of breweries, including Bugnutty Brewing Company, Cocoa Beach Brewery, Funky Duddah Brewery and Intracoastal Brewing Company made the list.
For the past 11 years, Zymugy Magazine, issued by the American Homebrewers Association. puts out an annual list of the best commercial beers based on readers’ suggestions. Their Top 3 Commercial Beers in America? 1. Russian River Pliny the Elder, 2. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale and No. 3. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA.
Did your favorite beer make a list? Let us know in the comments what your favorite craft beer and brewery are.
