Home Brew Bloggers on June 25, 2020 0 Comments Brewed beverages have been a staple in American homes since the Pilgrims first landed in the New World. Richly brewed ales and beers of many types were brewed and served at roadhouses and at home tables across the land. When Prohibition was declared in 1920, the craft beer industry virtually disappeared in the United States. After Prohibition was lifted in 1933, the quality of beers sold often reflected the more watered-down versions that Prohibition forced onto those willing to break the law and visit a speakeasy or get beer elsewhere. Craft Beers Regain Prominence The devastation felt by the nation’s brewing industry enabled Budweiser to create its pale lager, becoming the self-proclaimed “king of beers” for a number of years. National distribution and lots of advertising helped to promote Budweiser and similar large-scale brewery versions of the quality craft beers that used to slake American’s collective thirst. In 2019, craft beers accounted for nearly one-fourth of the nation’s $111 billion beer market, and they keep growing in popularity. A wide variety of craft beers have risen in popularity in recent decades and firmly established themselves among the top brewers in America. While they might not quite rival Budweiser and other more commonly known beer brands, the following are some of the top craft beers to consider for your recreational enjoyment. Top-Ranked Craft Beers for 2020 You likely will not need to go far to find ample supplies of the best craft beers brewed in the United States. Zymurgy magazine, the publication of the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) recently declared the following craft beers to be the 10 best craft brews in America: Two Hearted Ale by Bell’s Brewery in Comstock, Michigan. Pliny the Elder by the Russian River Brewing Co. in Windsor and Santa Rosa, California. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale by the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico, California, and Mills River, N.C. Kentucky Breakfast Stout by Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Heady Topper by The Alchemist brewery in Stow, Vermont. Canadian Breakfast Stout by Founders Brewing. All Day IPA by Founders Brewing. Hopslam by Bell’s Brewery. Breakfast Stout by Founders Brewing. Juicy Bits by WeldWerks The list affirms Americans love pale ales and stouts, with ales holding the upper hand among the top-ranked craft brews. That is a big departure from the mostly lager and pilsner beers sold by the likes of Budweiser, Miller, Coors, and other big-name brewing companies in the United States. The top craft brews are made by what mostly began as local and then regionally popular craft breweries that eventually expanded production and distributions. Most are located either on the coasts or near water in places like Michigan and Colorado. Outdoor Kegerators Ensure Perfect Pours The top-ranked craft brews are just a small sample of the many fantastic varieties available at your local well-stocked store. Whether you go to dedicated beer stores for high-quality brews or just want to buy some on your next grocery shopping trip for variety and to entertain guests, you likely can find many excellent craft beers of many types. An outdoor kegerator can keep barrels of craft beer at ideal serving temperatures at all times. You can connect between one and three kegs, depending on the number of taps it has. You also can buy bottled craft beers to enhance the variety and always have the absolutely best outdoor beverage service around. An outdoor beverage refrigerator can be compact and still hold a good quantity of bottled beer, wine, soft drinks, juices, and other beverages. You also can keep garnishes and other complementary items that need refrigeration. If you haven’t tried one of the best beers in America, add it to your list of brews to research and enjoy!
