For the last fourteen years, the American Homebrewers Association has run an online poll asking its members to vote for up to 20 of their favorite commercial beers. Zymurgy, the journal of the AHA, has just released the results – and in case you don’t get the mag, we’ve got all the relevant news bytes for you…

Vinnie Wins Again

Russian River was once again the big winner. Their legendary IPA, Pliny the Elder was named “Best Commercial Beer in America” by AHA members. This was the eighth year in a row that “The Elder” took the top honor and we’re sure there was much celebration in Santa Rosa.

“We just don’t expect this each year, especially in this age of great beer and new breweries,” said Russian River’s Vinnie Cilurzo. “We know we have to earn our customers’ loyalty and busi­ness. We are very thankful for everyone who spends their hard-earned money on our beer.”

IPAs Continue to Rule

To the surprise of quite possibly no one, IPAs and Double IPAs dominated this year’s poll as they have in the past. Eight of this year’s top-ranked beers were IPAs and those exceptions were both stouts (which probably shouldn’t be a surprise either).

Top-Ranked Beers

1. Russian River Pliny the Elder
2. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
3. The Alchemist Heady Topper
4. Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
5. Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin
6. Founders Breakfast Stout
7. Three Floyds Zombie Dust
8. Bell’s Hopslam
9. Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout
10. 1(Tie) Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA & Stone Enjoy By IPA

Top-Ranked Breweries

1. Russian River Brewing, Santa Rosa, CA
2. Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids, MI
3. Bell’s Brewery, Kalamazoo, MI.
4. Stone Brewing, Escondido, CA
5. Sierra Nevada Brewing, Chico, CA & Mills River, NC
6. Firestone Walker Brewing, Paso Robles, Calif
7. Ballast Point Brewing, San Diego, CA
8. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE
9. Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma, CA & Chicago, Ill.
10. Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore.

Top-Ranked Beer Portfolios (T indicates Tie)

1. Stone Brewing, 67 beers
2. (T) Bell’s Brewery, 47 beers
3. (T) Sierra Nevada Brewing, 47 beers
4. Avery Brewing, 42 beers
5. New Belgium Brewing, 41 beers
6. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, 39 beers
7. (T) Firestone Walker Brewing, 38 beers
8. (T) The Bruery, 38 beers
9. Boulevard Brewing, 37 beers
10. Founders Brewing, 33 beers

Why This Poll Matters

“Homebrewers love to try all different types of beer, which is easy given the plethora of varieties offered by today’s small and independent brewers. So, to be selected by homebrewers nationwide and named among the best beers in America is a tremendous honor,” said Gary Glass, director, American Homebrewers Association. “The consistency with which some of the beers in the poll win is a testament to the value of quality over hype.”

The complete list of Zymurgy‘s “Best Beers in America” is available at HomebrewersAssociation.org.