Zymurgy, the premier magazine dedicated to the hobby and science of homebrewing, has announced the winners in its 14th annual Best Commercial Beers in America poll. And much to the expectations of many, Russian River’s popular double IPA, Pliny the Elder, took top honors.
The annual poll was open to members of the American Homebrewers Association (AHA), the organization that publishes Zymurgy magazine. Members went online and cast votes, selecting up to 20 of their favorite commercial beers available for purchase in the United States. More than 18,000 votes were cast and AHA director Gary Glass says the votes are a strong indicator of which beers are truly the finest in the land.
“The members of the American Homebrewers Association, made up of experienced homebrewers who participate in this annual poll, are among the most knowledgeable craft beer drinkers in the nation,” said Glass. “It is no surprise that the beers and breweries they select as the best in their opinion reflect the highest quality beers available from the best brewers out there. The consistency with which some of the beers in the poll win is a testament to the value of quality over hype.”
Russian River brewing co- owner and brewmaster Vinnie Cilurzo was thrilled yet also humbled by Pliny’s selection as the best beer in the USA.
“We just don’t expect this each year, especially in this age of great beer and new breweries,” said 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.”
Here is a full list of the top ten vote- getters across three categories:
Top-Ranked Beers (T indicates Tie):
- Russian River Pliny the Elder
- Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
- The Alchemist Heady Topper
- Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
- Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin
- Founders Breakfast Stout
- Three Floyds Zombie Dust
- Bell’s Hopslam
- Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout
T10. Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA
T10. Stone Enjoy By IPA
Top-Ranked Breweries:
- Russian River Brewing Co., Santa Rosa, Calif.
- Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.
- Bell’s Brewery, Inc., Kalamazoo, Mich.
- Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, Calif.
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, Calif. and Mills River, N.C.
- Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Paso Robles, Calif.
- Ballast Point Brewing, San Diego, Calif.
- Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, Del.
- Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma, Calif. and Chicago, Ill.
- Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore.
Top-Ranked Beer Portfolios (T indicates Tie):
- Stone Brewing Co., 67 beers
T2. Bell’s Brewery, Inc., 47 beers
T2. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., 47 beers
- Avery Brewing Co., 42 beers
- New Belgium Brewing, 41 beers
- Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, 39 beers
T7. Firestone Walker Brewing Company, 38 beers
T7. The Bruery, 38 beers
- Boulevard Brewing Co., 37 beers
- Founders Brewing Co., 33 beers
To see a full list of Zymurgy’s Best Beers in America , be sure to visit HomebrewersAssociation.org. To learn more about the magazine publication, visit online at Zymurgy and be sure to follow AHA via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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