Best Beer Cities? (2 Viewers)

[Joe Bryant]

Interesting list. What do you think they missed or got right?

I did like the breakdown between Old and New School.

The Actual Best Beer Cities in the United States

Many towns claim to be "Beer City, U.S.A.," but which ones actually deserve the title?

www.insidehook.com

 

[titusbramble]

Did you mean to include a list?

 

[Joe Bryant]

Did you mean to include a list?

sorry.

Updated first post.

 

[Ilov80s]

I am surprised Grand Rapids didn't get a mention. It wins the award from USA Today every year. It's been known as Beer City USA for probably 15 years. Not saying it has the best or most but it's been around for maybe the longest with that moniker and it's own beer tourism industry.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Did you mean to include a list?

You'll have to forgive Joe, he's new around here.

 

[JohnnyU]

I don't know about now, but I live an hour away from LaCrosse, WI and I remember back in the 70s it was known as a beer city. Probably should have been on the old school list.

 

[Zow]

San Diego and Minneapolis are my two top spots that I’ve been to.

Phoenix metro got pretty good as I was phasing out of my beer drinking.*


* My stomach can’t handle the hops anymore and my favorite beer is a hoppy ipa so I’ve had to cut way back and am not really into the beer scene anymore.

 

[ChiefD]

Wisconsin

 

[Zow]

Wisconsin

Love New Glarus and Leinenkugels (for the nostalgia) but no.

 

[Don Quixote]

Like the Richmond mention. Scott’s Addition is a great neighborhood with lots of breweries.

Albuquerque did not make the list, but another underrated one.

 

[Snoopy]

Wisconsin

The city of Wisconsin is somehow missing.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Asheville is pretty awesome, as is San Diego. Also agree that Novare Res is the best beer bar I have visited.

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

Given Stone and Ballast Point, I lean San Diego.

But with Almanac and Fieldwork, never mind Drake's, Epidemic Ales and the cool story of standing up Trumer in Berkeley, I think the East Bay should get some love.

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

RIchmond is by far my #1 on that list and I've visited most. 2nd best beer bar on the planet is in a strip mall Vietnamese joint (Mekong). Go for the soft shelled crab and stay for the insane taplist in the back bar. Stumble next door to their Brewpub called the Answer. Thank me later.

Love Chicago (Revolution for barrel aged beers and Goose Island for nostalgia) as well and San Diego (Modern Times, Alesmith, and Pure Project)is great. McIllheney up in the mountains is fantastic as well. It's the old head brewer from Alpine from before they sold a conglomerate. He's back in the old, old Alpine location and up to his usual hoppy gold.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

RIchmond is by far my #1 on that list and I've visited most. 2nd best beer bar on the planet is in a strip mall Vietnamese joint (Mekong). Go for the soft shelled crab and stay for the insane taplist in the back bar. Stumble next door to their Brewpub called the Answer. Thank me later.

Love Chicago (Revolution for barrel aged beers and Goose Island for nostalgia) as well and San Diego (Modern Times, Alesmith, and Pure Project)is great. McIllheney up in the mountains is fantastic as well. It's the old head brewer from Alpine from before they sold a conglomerate. He's back in the old, old Alpine location and up to his usual hoppy gold.

Yes, should have mentioned Richmond as well. Some fantastic places. Loved Triple Crossing.

 

[zamboni]

Asheville and Portland, ME were the first cities I thought of before opening the link - glad they’re well represented.

ETA: a few college towns deserve honorable mentions IMO: Burlington, Vermont and Charlottesville, Virginia

 

[titusbramble]

One thing I did notice in the article Joe posted is that it seemed rabidly obsessed with the number of places that make beer, not necessarily the number of places where I can drink good beer. Random town on random state having more per capita breweries means nothing if they are all brewing crap and can't serve anything properly

 

[3C's]

Two I've been to most are Richmond (work) and Pittsburgh (family). Both are way up the list.

 

[JohnnyU]

Making your own beer was a thing not too many years ago. Does anyone do this? Then you can be classified as a city.

 

[Ridgeback]

I'm biased, but hard to beat Portland, Oregon overall, and for diversity of varieties.

 

[bcat01]

Cincinnati should be on that list.

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

Making your own beer was a thing not too many years ago. Does anyone do this? Then you can be classified as a city.

Brewing is fun, but back in the day you really couldn't get great beer at the store. Nowadays, you can't throw a rock without hitting 2 or 3 great cans/bottles of beer. It's almost pointless to brew unless you just really love the process.

 

[Drunken knight]

Off the top of my head Denver, Portland, and San Diego stand out to me.

 

[BassNBrew]

I hear that Denver has had numerous breweries close. Blue Moon for example close a location. Is the trend coming to an end?

My 30 yo son says the young 20s aren't going out to have a beer.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I am surprised Grand Rapids didn't get a mention. It wins the award from USA Today every year. It's been known as Beer City USA for probably 15 years. Not saying it has the best or most but it's been around for maybe the longest with that moniker and it's own beer tourism industry.

Yeah went with some buddies a few years ago and hit a bunch of breweries. Great beer town

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

I hear that Denver has had numerous breweries close. Blue Moon for example close a location. Is the trend coming to an end?

My 30 yo son says the young 20s aren't going out to have a beer.

Lots of breweries are closing or contracting. Many overextended just before or just after covid. Business slowed a ton just after and hasn't really rebounded. These things tend to be cyclical and beer is currently on a downturn. I'd expect cocktail bars will be the rage now and in the near future.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I hear that Denver has had numerous breweries close. Blue Moon for example close a location. Is the trend coming to an end?

My 30 yo son says the young 20s aren't going out to have a beer.

I definitely see less enthusiasm for all types of alcohol.

 

[BassNBrew]

I hear that Denver has had numerous breweries close. Blue Moon for example close a location. Is the trend coming to an end?

My 30 yo son says the young 20s aren't going out to have a beer.

Lots of breweries are closing or contracting. Many overextended just before or just after covid. Business slowed a ton just after and hasn't really rebounded. These things tend to be cyclical and beer is currently on a downturn. I'd expect cocktail bars will be the rage now and in the near future.

Waht's interesting is that I see "breweries" in the middle of nowhere in the country. Check out this location. https://www.google.com/maps/place/6...try=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgwNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

 

[Ilov80s]

I hear that Denver has had numerous breweries close. Blue Moon for example close a location. Is the trend coming to an end?

My 30 yo son says the young 20s aren't going out to have a beer.

Lots of breweries are closing or contracting. Many overextended just before or just after covid. Business slowed a ton just after and hasn't really rebounded. These things tend to be cyclical and beer is currently on a downturn. I'd expect cocktail bars will be the rage now and in the near future.

Market oversaturation hit the industry hard. The cocktail scene is already nearing oversaturation now, at least around here. I would bet on wine to make a nice surge soon. Beer and cocktails have been so dominat the last 20 years.

 

[FairWarning]

I hear that Denver has had numerous breweries close. Blue Moon for example close a location. Is the trend coming to an end?

My 30 yo son says the young 20s aren't going out to have a beer.

I definitely see less enthusiasm for all types of alcohol.

States with legal cannabis have really cut into the alcohol market.

I know Denver should be on the list, but have never found one I really cared for. Don’t know if it’s the altitude affecting the brewing process or what.

Personally I’m going Portland, San Diego, Chicago. Grand Rapids should be in the rankings also.

 

[GennyScreamers]

Not one city necessarily, but the combined Rochester, Buffalo, and Finger Lakes region has endless breweries and wineries that are very worth visiting.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Interesting list. What do you think they missed or got right?

I did like the breakdown between Old and New School.

The Actual Best Beer Cities in the United States

Many towns claim to be "Beer City, U.S.A.," but which ones actually deserve the title?

www.insidehook.com

I love Denver. I was in heaven beer-wise last time I was there. Just leave me in HiLo. But I’ll throw in a city that should be on this list - Albuquerque. Lots of breweries, lots, & good selections. Easy town to navigate & the surrounding food which naturally is traditional American-Mexican is typically great.

 

[JohnnyU]

Interesting list. What do you think they missed or got right?

I did like the breakdown between Old and New School.

The Actual Best Beer Cities in the United States

Many towns claim to be "Beer City, U.S.A.," but which ones actually deserve the title?

www.insidehook.com

I love Denver. I was in heaven beer-wise last time I was there. Just leave me in HiLo. But I’ll throw in a city that should be on this list - Albuquerque. Lots of breweries, lots, & good selections. Easy town to navigate & the surrounding food which naturally is traditional American-Mexican is typically great.

I loved El Pinto restaurant when I lived in Albuquerque.

 

[Hawks64]

I hear that Denver has had numerous breweries close. Blue Moon for example close a location. Is the trend coming to an end?

My 30 yo son says the young 20s aren't going out to have a beer.

It's happening a ton in the Chicago burbs. Places that don't have good food and/or cocktails and mocktails aren't going to be around for much longer IMO.

 

[Hawks64]

I hear that Denver has had numerous breweries close. Blue Moon for example close a location. Is the trend coming to an end?

My 30 yo son says the young 20s aren't going out to have a beer.

I definitely see less enthusiasm for all types of alcohol.

States with legal cannabis have really cut into the alcohol market.

I know Denver should be on the list, but have never found one I really cared for. Don’t know if it’s the altitude affecting the brewing process or what.

Personally I’m going Portland, San Diego, Chicago. Grand Rapids should be in the rankings also.

Interesting, because cannabis is running into the same thing. Dispensaries in IL have closed, and one of the larger growers is pulling out of Michigan.

 

[FairWarning]

I hear that Denver has had numerous breweries close. Blue Moon for example close a location. Is the trend coming to an end?

My 30 yo son says the young 20s aren't going out to have a beer.

I definitely see less enthusiasm for all types of alcohol.

States with legal cannabis have really cut into the alcohol market.

I know Denver should be on the list, but have never found one I really cared for. Don’t know if it’s the altitude affecting the brewing process or what.

Personally I’m going Portland, San Diego, Chicago. Grand Rapids should be in the rankings also.

Interesting, because cannabis is running into the same thing. Dispensaries in IL have closed, and one of the larger growers is pulling out of Michigan.

The grower is national. They were making money in Michigan, but not what they thought.

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

Wisconsin

Love New Glarus and Leinenkugels (for the nostalgia) but no.

This topic is obviously going to be subjective. If we're talking beer CITIES, I can't argue with anyone that's going down the path of best, trendiest brewery scenes.

If we're talking beer culture, I would say anywhere from the Great Lakes to North Dakota is the region, with Wisconsin as the epicenter. Engrained in their culture. Kids being served alcohol in bars and restaurants in the presence of guardians is common. Bottling and distribution background from cities small and large, Chippewa Falls, New Glarus, to Milwaukee. Doesn't hurt that there's not a whole lot else to do during the long, cold winters.

When I think passion for beer, I think northwoods Wisconsin supper clubs or drinking on a frozen lake with friends under the guise of fishing (might be a little more of a MN thing, but WI too). Or actually having a career in brewing. Best city in Wisconsin with a brewery scene. Probably Madison? Doesn't hurt that it's a college town, but I'm not sure it's anything out of this world for its weight class. If you're going to make me pick a city in Wisconsin for passionate and consistent beer consumption, I'll nominate Appleton with honorable mention to Sheboygan. For the same reasoning, I won't argue with any of these:

Fargo, ND
Grand Forks, ND
Buffalo
Cleveland
Detroit
Grand Rapids, MI
Chicago
Marquette, MI
Duluth, MN
New Ulm, MN

...or anywhere in between.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Not one city necessarily, but the combined Rochester, Buffalo, and Finger Lakes region has endless breweries and wineries that are very worth visiting.

User Name checks out

 

[berndog]

Not one city necessarily, but the combined Rochester, Buffalo, and Finger Lakes region has endless breweries and wineries that are very worth visiting.

What are your favorites?
Temporarily living in Rochester and every trip to Wegmans is a guessing game. I definitely guessed right with industrial arts and other half.

 

[zamboni]

Not one city necessarily, but the combined Rochester, Buffalo, and Finger Lakes region has endless breweries and wineries that are very worth visiting.

User Name checks out

Drank a ton of Genesee going to college in upstate New York.

 

[IrishTwinkie]

Not one city necessarily, but the combined Rochester, Buffalo, and Finger Lakes region has endless breweries and wineries that are very worth visiting.

What are your favorites?
Temporarily living in Rochester and every trip to Wegmans is a guessing game. I definitely guessed right with industrial arts and other half.

Mortalis is awesome. Big Ditch is good too, but I haven't had a lot of their stuff. K2 Brewing is also good.


I should add Southern Tier is also very good. I've liked what Ellicottville has put out in the past, but haven't had any recently. I've enjoyed 42 North. I've heard good things about Froth, but haven't tried them out yet.

Industrial Arts is more Hudson Valley than WNY. Other Half is NYC.

 

[GennyScreamers]

Not one city necessarily, but the combined Rochester, Buffalo, and Finger Lakes region has endless breweries and wineries that are very worth visiting.

What are your favorites?
Temporarily living in Rochester and every trip to Wegmans is a guessing game. I definitely guessed right with industrial arts and other half.

Genesee
Strangebird
Mortalis
Frequentem
Rising Storm
Swiftwater
Other Half
Fifth Frame

Not all of these will necessarily be in Wegmans, but all are worth stopping at to check out.

 

[shuke]

Cincinnati should be on that list.

If you are talking history and current climate combined, absolutely.

 

[The Z Machine]

Just pick a Portland and be done with it.

 

[zamboni]

Industrial Arts is more Hudson Valley than WNY. Other Half is NYC.

Industrial Arts isn't too far from me and distribute pretty widely. They make some good beers - their flagship Wrench is quite good.

 

[playin4beer]

I am surprised Grand Rapids didn't get a mention. It wins the award from USA Today every year. It's been known as Beer City USA for probably 15 years. Not saying it has the best or most but it's been around for maybe the longest with that moniker and it's own beer tourism industry.

Thought for sure they'd be on the list..

 

[beer 30]

Wisconsin

Everywhere else is just jockeying for 2nd place

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Asheville is undoubtedly king on this list and should be.

Happy to see Pittsburgh represent.

 

[Wooderson]

If you looking for a small town where you can walk or uber to different breweries I highly recommend Bend Oregon. Chill vibe and good times.

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

If you looking for a small town where you can walk or uber to different breweries I highly recommend Bend Oregon. Chill vibe and good times.

Bend is fantastic. Ale Apothecary is one of my all time favorite breweries.