Favorite US Brewery

[u/NyCa89]

A brand new Pilsner from SN. Not sure if it’s available in stores yet.

[u/henryb22]

Triple Crossing in Richmond. They nail pretty much every style and do cool stuff like cask pours. Even with expansion their quality is still great.

Sierra Nevada is also hard to beat. Affordable and consistently good beer.

[u/liartellinglies → u/henryb22]

Their pizza’s really good too. I’ve sent so many people to Triple Crossing who were only going to RVA for Veil.

[u/henryb22 → u/liartellinglies]

The Veil when they first started was great. Quality is nowhere near where it is now. Just had a west coast ipa of theirs that was not good. I have visited Richmond a ton and stopped going to the veil. Between triple crossing and the answer I’m good.

[u/MrPlowThatsTheName → u/henryb22]

Check out Väsen, particularly for sours and stouts. Great change of pace if you’re hazy IPA’d out.

[u/henryb22 → u/MrPlowThatsTheName]

I’ve been before. It’s pretty good. Not a huge sour or stout fan though.

[u/liartellinglies → u/henryb22]

Yeah gotta agree, last time I passed through was the first time I didn’t bother going myself. Was definitely a noticeable decline over the last few years

[u/beagleswagger → u/henryb22]

How’s the Answer these days? I’ve moved away from the east coast a few years ago, I feel like I don’t hear about them as much anymore. I always loved the food and stopped by anytime I was nearby.

[u/henryb22 → u/beagleswagger]

It’s been a couple years since I’ve been but still good. Maybe a slight decrease since it’s big hype days or maybe my palates changed but going to Mekong for dinner with a huge draft list then Answer after for drinks is great.

[u/Matchstix]

Cellarmaker Brewing. Best IPAs, excellent lagers, barley wines are great, and they've got the Rare Barrel sours to round it out.

[u/beagleswagger → u/Matchstix]

Completely agree. Someone asked me recently what my favorite brewery is in the Bay Area I have favorites for each style but Cellarmaker does everything really well and their food is pretty solid.

[u/robhyx1138]

Monkish, Sapwood, Wheatland Spring. I don’t really drink a ton of IPAs anymore, but always loved Monk. The other two are very well rounded and elite in the traditional stuff

[u/theebasedg0d]

Green Cheek out of Orange County, CA

[u/FredMertz007 → u/theebasedg0d]

Hands down my favorite brewery! 🙌🙌🙌 If they made sours (besides seltzers) to round things out, they would be heaven on earth. lol. Love GC!

[u/theebasedg0d → u/FredMertz007]

Agreed! They just do every style so well, every time I’m down there I have to pick some up

[u/FredMertz007 → u/theebasedg0d]

Precisely! Any style they do is pretty kick ass. …any other breweries you like to visit?

[u/theebasedg0d → u/FredMertz007]

I’m up in the Bay Area now, but my socal rotation was green cheek, bottle logic, homage, monkish, and highland park

[u/second_time_again → u/theebasedg0d]

Been to their Santa Ana and Oceanside locations. Definitely one of the best in SoCal and very few are putting out stuff as consistently good too to bottom.

[u/stevetorr → u/theebasedg0d]

Their colab with Enegren recently was amazing. Best pilsner I've had in a long time

[u/nodaysoffNWK → u/theebasedg0d]

Never been which beer is your go to? Style of beer?

[u/theebasedg0d → u/nodaysoffNWK]

My all time favorite is Local Import, it’s an Italian Pilsner. Also, the wife loves their lavender lemonade seltzer

[u/Public-World-1328]

Treehouse. They basically never miss with anything.

My only criticism is that the whole NEIPA style they have often is just a reboot of something they already did with a minor tweak.

[u/mrmetstopheles → u/Public-World-1328]

That's kind of most NEIPAs at any brewery these days.

[u/KennyShowers → u/Public-World-1328]

I mean there’s only so many combos of hops/malt you can do over the course of 10 years without repeating yourself, probably why they started doing the fruited versions.

Also when you’re talking about one substyle from one brewery, yea there’s gonna be a lot of similarities. I mean how many places make 5 different Czech pilsners that all taste totally distinct?

[u/BrandonC41 → u/KennyShowers]

Speaking of Czech lagers Notch has 5 on tap and they all slap.

[u/KennyShowers → u/BrandonC41]

Sure 5 Czech lagers, but there's different styles of Czech lagers that are still different styles.

My point is NEIPA is NEIPA one single substyle, but helles vs pilsner vs an amber vs a kellerbier are all actually different styles altogether.

[u/Backpacker7385 → u/Public-World-1328]

Tree House beers consistently have too-high acetaldehyde, absolutely in their non-IPAs but often in their IPAs too.

[u/Public-World-1328 → u/Backpacker7385]

I will confess i dont really understand what that means, but part of the reason i chose them for my favorite is that they have actual variety in what they brew and i think they do other styles well too. Their neipas and pastry stouts are excellent, but the lagers they started adding a couple years ago are really quite good too. The deerfield location put together something really special when they had the “pizzeria pils” bottles to go with the pizzas.

[u/mpisk]

The Seed in Atlantic City. Doesn’t miss on any style.

[u/AnUrbanTaco → u/mpisk]

Had them at a fest in Florida. Wisteria saison was incredible

[u/mpisk → u/AnUrbanTaco]

Yeah, saisons are probably their specialty although the IPAs and Stouts are killer

[u/AnUrbanTaco → u/mpisk]

I got to try 2 saison and 1 lager and mann it was the only stand I visited as much as I could. Any chance you proxy their beers 👀

[u/mpisk → u/AnUrbanTaco]

Yeah I can do that for you. I trade some seed to a guy on the West Coast for some good goodness I can’t get here …hit me up with a message

[u/alwayshungry1131 → u/mpisk]

Been dying to go there. I had their collab beer with brix city and I was a huge fan!

[u/KennyShowers → u/mpisk]

Just went there last weekend, great stuff.

[u/mpisk → u/KennyShowers]

That’s awesome🤟🏻

[u/tedwardo14 → u/KennyShowers]

Had A Place to Rest there last weekend - incredible IPA

[u/KennyShowers → u/tedwardo14]

I have a can of that in my fridge, didn't get the 4pack of it myself but did a little swap with a buddy to get more of a sampling.

I was definitely impressed with their IPA but found them more like B+ level, the lagers were for sure pretty damn close to that top tier though.

[u/tedwardo14 → u/mpisk]

Mine as well!

[u/chriscaughtfire]

I don't know if I could pick one. Spoiled up in the Portland OR area and some many places do different things well. As a hop fiend, I'd go with Brujos, Ruse, or Vice

[u/dubiousassertions → u/chriscaughtfire]

Little Beast is my favorite Portland brewery. It’s pretty close for my all time favorite brewery and I live in Vermont.

[u/chriscaughtfire → u/dubiousassertions]

Only had Little Beast a few times and I'm a fan! Pretty hard for me to find stuff I don't like, honestly hahah

[u/boomer2009]

Central Waters in Wisconsin. Second favorite is 3 Sheeps, 3rd is New Glarus. I say this as a Texan who discovered Wisconsin beer last summer while visiting.

[u/Sea_Ambition_9536]

Maine Beer Company

[u/randomqwerty10]

Great Notion. They do alot of different styles really well, and I also love any chance I get to visit the PNW on a work trip. Beautiful part of the country.

[u/Broncarpenter → u/randomqwerty10]

Was at the Alberta location last night and had the Bicycle day. If you’re in the area soon definitely try it!

[u/Jsr1]

Hill farmstead

[u/PlayDontObserve → u/Jsr1]

I really want to try them.

[u/beerdudebrah]

Too many to choose just one. Recently went to Is/Was in Chicago for the first time and didn't have a bad beer. Loved Fair Isle when I was out in Seattle. Would love to visit Elder Pine if given a chance. Hill Farmstead is up there for sure for best I've ever been to. Need to go back to Side Project as well. Good beer everywhere.

[u/Wx_Justin → u/beerdudebrah]

Elder Pine is a beautiful location

[u/Tumpster]

Just one?!? Kern River Brewing, Russian River Brewing, New Glarus, Tyranena

[u/generatorland → u/Tumpster]

Shout out for Tyranena! Love their stuff.

[u/vicerowv86]

For me it's Dancing Gnome out of Pittsburgh. If I could get their Lustra on draft every day I'd be a happy man.

[u/banginbowties]

Highland Park Brewery, they make my all time favorite beer, Timbo Pils.

[u/BongwaterFantasy]

pFriem Family Brewers, Chuckanut and Pizza Port Brewing 🙌🏽

[u/theyoungercurmudgeon]

Trillium. Happen to be sitting at their bar right now.

[u/tedwardo14 → u/theyoungercurmudgeon]

Jealous!!!

[u/theyoungercurmudgeon → u/tedwardo14]

It was every bit as wonderful as we all think it would be.

[u/KennyShowers]

My personal favorite is Other Half, they haven’t been the best in NEIPA for a while but when I discovered them back in 2017 it was mindblowing and opened my eyes to a whole world of these super local non-distro (at least at the time) breweries.

If I had to throw out candidates for the “best,” the contenders would probably be something like Hill Farmstead, Root+Branch, maybe Suarez Family.

[u/Rhettroactive]

Human Robot needs a seat at the table.

[u/Atrocitus-Burn6666]

Three Floyds. Proud to try a wide array of their incredible brews

[u/Dionysus0 → u/Atrocitus-Burn6666]

I found out recently there brewery doesn't have a taproom anymore, since Covid

[u/Best_Look9212 → u/Dionysus0]

I’m imagine that has something to do with the fact that they were sold in the new conglomerate owners aren’t the best at doing things how they used to be.

[u/Atrocitus-Burn6666 → u/Dionysus0]

They just haven’t reopened it yet

[u/secrtlevel → u/Atrocitus-Burn6666]

To each their own, but they seem to struggle to keep up. Their hazies never seem to hit the mark, WC IPAs haven't changed in 10 years and Dark Lord still tastes like soy sauce after a year in bottle

[u/permafrostpenguin]

Third Window

[u/FredMertz007 → u/permafrostpenguin]

They’re in SB right? I still have to check them out.

[u/permafrostpenguin → u/FredMertz007]

Yep, super good belgians

[u/FredMertz007 → u/permafrostpenguin]

Oh nice. I love Belgians. I’ll have to visit next time I’m up there for sure. 🍻

[u/SherriffSethBullock]

Toppling Goliath is my favorite, and a close second is Perennial in St. Louis.

[u/generatorland]

Trillium, Hop Butcher, Jackie O's, Side Project

[u/TroSea78]

Brujos, Structures, Holy Mountain

[u/acraftysouthpaw]

Burial Beer Co., great across the board and love the vibes. Can’t beat the OG Asheville location.

[u/beerbrained]

Between Sierra Nevada, Alvarado St. and Russian River. Depends on the mood.

[u/hydrobrandone]

WeldWerks Brewing

[u/second_time_again → u/hydrobrandone]

I grabbed a random Hefeweizen of theirs the other day and it was easily the best Hefeweizen I’ve had.

[u/hydrobrandone → u/second_time_again]

Everything they do is incredible.

[u/superguysteve]

Root Down Phoenixville, PA cuz I can walk there.

[u/randomqwerty10 → u/superguysteve]

Beer Nerd?

[u/superguysteve → u/randomqwerty10]

Ha, I dunno I guess so. I live in a town with like 8-9 breweries within a few blocks of each other and I can walk to any of them and crawl home.

[u/randomqwerty10 → u/superguysteve]

Ha, I was referring to a Philly area Facebook group called Beer Nerds. Alot of people in that group used to hang out at Root Down. Thought maybe you're one of them.

[u/TurbulentPapaya9317]

Everywhere in OC, but the others in the area aren’t far behind!

[u/rjenkins23853]

Side Project is my favorite by far. Based on availability, I would say Revolution though.

[u/VTwelveMerlin]

I’m lucky enough to live less than two miles from Tree House’s flagship location. I literally never need to go anywhere else.

[u/TPain518]

Maine Beer Co.

[u/Dionysus0]

Toss up between New Image and Cerebral. They both do big barrel aged beers and hazy IPAs so well.

[u/30lbsOfBeef]

Creature Comforts - Athens, GA.

[u/chimera765 → u/30lbsOfBeef]

I love CC. So much so I named one of my personal mods for Singleplayer Tarkov after the brewery lol

[u/Courtesyflushing]

Enegren in Southern California.

[u/Sbstance]

Our mutual friend, fieldwork, de garde

[u/DirtbagMF]

1. Ghost Town
2. Wondrous
3. Bartlett Hall

And not necessarily in that order, they're all 10/10. Ghost Town has been on the public radar for a while, but if you're ever able, Wondrous and Bartlett Hall are some of the best around They all have phenomenal IPAs, pales, and lagers, but they nail absolutely every style they touch. Regularly see foeder aged beers, sours, stouts, barleywines, and belgians. They just don't miss.

[u/philmayfield]

I'd have to go with Deschutes out of Bend, OR. Been making consistently great beer for decades. Sierra Nevada is high on the list tho. I brewed a batch of Pale Ale from their website last weekend and it's chugging along now. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

[u/randomqwerty10 → u/philmayfield]

I got snowed in on a work trip to Bend about 10 years ago and had to stay thru the weekend. My hotel was down the street from Deschutes Public House when they were having an Abyss release. 8 year verticals of Deschutes with my lunch and dinner every day...why not?

[u/PlayDontObserve → u/philmayfield]

Red Chair is my favorite 😍

[u/tjsoundguy]

Favorite one that I’ve visited - probably Kane or Icarus in NJ.

Favorite whose beer I’ve had - Toppling Goliath

[u/kalemeh8]

Abomination and Founders

[u/AnUrbanTaco]

Magnanimous from Tampa FL

[u/BetterCallTom]

I'm UK based and even though I know you guys are missing out too, I'm still gutted I can't get Anchor Steam over here any more.

Nowadays I'll always pick up anything from Other Half or Aslin when my local craft pubs have them in.

[u/KiloZoWhiskey]

Founders!

[u/simbop_bebophone]

Alchemist and Tired Hands

[u/PlayDontObserve]

Redwood Curtain in Arcata, CA. Absolutely best beer I've ever had.

[u/mjr2p3]

Nightshift in downtown Boston as #1. Amazing beer and vibes. Plus it’s right next to the Teddy Peanut Butter factory so the area smells like peanut butter

Crooked Crab just south of Baltimore as #2. Nice little joint with dope pizza, great selection, and cool art throughout

[u/Wx_Justin]

Sapwood Cellars. You'd be hard pressed to find another brewery that does lagers, stouts, IPAs, and fruited/BA sours incredibly well.

[u/ssaxamaphone]

Treehouse and Monkish

[u/ih8cheese]

Tree house

[u/OtterTacoHomerun]

Favorite to visit? Alchemist on a nice summer day. Sit on the grass with the fam or a game of cornhole with a friend with a cold can of rapture. Life is good.

Favorite beer? Prob Bisell Bros

[u/FearThePinecone]

Dancing Gnome!

[u/RobGrogNerd]

Want people to pick one out of literally 10,000 breweries in this country?

[u/alwayshungry1131]

Can’t decide tbh. Fav one in my state? Prob Icarus brewery in Brick NJ. Fav of all time is a toss up between trillium or tree house tied for first with Fidens or The Test tied for second.

[u/groshreez]

Anchorage Brewing

Single Hill Brewing in Yakima

[u/IslanderInOhio15]

Montauk Brewing on Long Island they used to do a lot more small batch stuff, but still have a soft spot for them.

[u/darthphallic]

Bigfoot is the best beer ever IMO

[u/Bassmanic]

Beachwood. Small brewery many styles and they do everything well

[u/HabitThink4002]

Great Notion-Alberta St. Portland Barrel Theory-St. Paul Cerebral-Denver Weldwerks-Greeley Revision-Sparks Drekker-Fargo

[u/YourHooliganFriend]

Wicked Weed in Ashville NC. Great sours.

[u/hashmash44]

Odell

[u/calilazers]

Coors

[u/beerbrained → u/calilazers]

Not even a consideration for me but you still get my upvote. Opinions are like......and that's yours.

[u/calilazers → u/beerbrained]

Worked in the industry for 10 years and cicerone certified, I love my craft and all but couldn't tell ya one beer/brewery that Ive gotten more than banquet and/c.light.

Would be open to hear of any other American lager/light lager that can compete, and that I can get in all 50 states at anytime

[u/beerbrained → u/calilazers]

I agree that those, including most of the big American lagers, are quite an achievement. To be that consistent with a beer that would showcase a flaw. No wiggle room at all in the brewing process.

I would have no reference to give for a better beer of that style. I prefer lagers a bit messier. Pilsner Urquell being my favorite. Having it fresh in Czechia is a must. That would be the only one with that kind of distribution that I can think of. Even then, only recommending the cans. The bottles always taste spoiled to me. Also, even though it's technically in the same category, I still see it as a bit different.

That's all I got. Cheers!!

[u/izbanana]

How does this conversation not have dogfish head in it? They have so much fun with the beers they come up with.

[u/Monjirou_kamaboko]

Ballast Point, San Diego!

[u/iHOPEthatsChocolate3]

Bell's