Homebrewers On The Best US Craft Beers That Money Can Buy

For the last seventeen years, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) has been asking its homebrewing members, who clearly know their beer, to vote for up to five of their favorite commercial beers.

Zymurgy, (the official journal of the AHA), recently announced its 2019 results. And just in case you don’t get the magazine…we’ve some of the highlights for you.

Bell’s Two Hearted Ale Takes #1 For the Third Consecutive Year

For nearly a decade Russian River’s legendary Pliny the Elder has owned the prized #1 slot. But in 2017 Pliny came in at number #2 behind Bell’s Two Hearted Ale and it has retained the #1 position for the third year in a row!

And Bell’s Brewery’s John Mallet was understandably ecstatic about it…

“It is an honor to once again be awarded the top-ranking spots among so many great breweries and beers. Only the best Centennial hops, a commitment to quality by the entire Bell’s team, and the splendor of our home state are all part of the beauty of Two Hearted Ale. There is one other vital component, the beer lover”.

“We are truly humbled to be recognized by the finest palates in homebrewing.”

There were a number beer ties in both the ‘Top Ranked Beers’ category as well as in the Top Ranked Breweries listing that are designated as such with a T. And the asterisk (*) indicates the brewery meets the independent craft brewer seal the definition and certification.

Top Ranked Beers

1. Bell’s Brewery, Two Hearted Ale*
2. Russian River Brewing Co., Pliny the Elder*
3. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Pale Ale*
4. Founders Brewing Co., KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout)
5. The Alchemist, Heady Topper*
6. Founders Brewing Co., CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout)
7. T7. Founders Brewing Co., All Day IPA
8. T7. Bell’s Brewery, Hopslam*
9. T9. Founders Brewing Co., Breakfast Stout
10. T9. WeldWerks Brewing Co., Juicy Bits*

Top Ranked Breweries

1. Bell’s Brewery, Inc., Comstock, Mich.*
2. Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.
3. Russian River Brewing Co., Santa Rosa and Windsor, Calif.*
4. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, Calif. and Mills River, N.C.*
5. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, Del.*
6. Tree House Brewing Co., Charlton, Mass.*
7. The Alchemist, Stowe, Vt.*
8. Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore.*
9. Odell Brewing Co., Fort Collins, Colo.*
10. T10. Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles, Calif.*
11. T10. Stone Brewing, Escondido, Calif.*

Congratulations to all this year’s winners…Live long and prosper.

The complete list of “Zymurgy’s Best Beers in America,” top ranked breweries, and results by state is available at HomebrewersAssociation.org.