Here is the list of my current, sixteen favorite breweries across the wonderful world of beer! I rate all of these breweries with an overall score of ‘A’ or better.
My criteria for selection includes: quality, consistency, diversity of style, the production of beers ‘true to style’, overall product value, and ‘green-ness’ (how environmentally conscientious the brewery behaves).
Without further ado, here is my TOP 16, listed in order, along with the grade I give to each:
1. Georg Schneider und Sohn (Kelheim, München, Germany) A+
2. North Coast Brewing Co (Fort Bragg, CA) A+
3. Paulaner Salvator Thomasbraeu AG (München, Germany) A+
4. Brewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, NY) A+
5. Bell’s Brewery, Inc. (Kalamazoo, MI) A+
6. Great Lakes Brewing Company (Cleveland, OH) A+
7. Brouwerij Corsendonk (Oud-Turnhout, Belgium) A+
8. Unibroue (Chambly, Quebec, Canada) A+
9. Goose Island (Chicago, IL) A
10. Brauerei Aying (Ayinger) (Aying, München, Germany) A
11. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co (Chico, CA) A
12. Fuller Smith & Turner PLC (Chiswick, London, England) A
13. Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England) A
14. Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu GmbH (München, Germany) A
15. Chimay (Abbaye Notre Dame de Scourmont) (Baileux, Chimay, Belgium) A
16. Victory Brewing Co (Downington, PA) A
Just for fun; let’s look at my top sixteen by country:
USA - 7
Germany - 4
England - 2
Belgium - 2
Canada - 1
In closing, here are a few explanatory notes:
- Since beer is fundamentally a regional product, breweries located closer to me have an advantage (particularly with respect to value and consistency).
- Breweries that specialize in just one or a few beers (like most Czech producers, and Guinness) are severely limited by my evaluation criteria.
- All of the breweries listed above are excellent. Be sure to try them all!
Prost!
-Ed
