BEER BUCKET LIST: 25 BEERS YOU MUST TRY
Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 9:55 pm[quote]We’re not going to say these are the 25 best beers in the world. That’s something very, very subjective. We will say that these are 25 beers that are seriously worth trying at some point in your life, however. Some you may have had already, seen at your local liquor store, or noticed on tap somewhere. Others you’ll have to scout out and hunt down. They’re presented in no particular order. To make it easy for you to keep track of how you’re doing, we’ve included a printable checklist for your wallet. Drink up.
1. HEADY TOPPER (THE ALCHEMIST)
Perhaps the best IPA you’ll ever taste in a country that has adopted the IPA as its own. This Imperial/Double IPA from The Alchemist in Vermont is actually recommended to be consumed right out of the can. Like a lot on this list, you may have to travel to get it. Alchemist Beer
2. DARK LORD (THREE FLOYDS)
When a beer has its own holiday (so to speak) you know it’s special. Dark Lord is available one day a year in April (Dark Lord Day) at Three Floyds Brewery in Indiana. It’s an amazing stout you’ll have to plan a trip around. 3Floyds
3. SCHNEIDER WEISSE UNSER AVENTINUS
Few beers on this list are as approachable as this Weizenbock. The German beer – always a plus when it comes to wheat beers both dark and light – is full of flavor (banana bread, clove, raisin) and is highly drinkable. Schneider Weisse
4. WESTVLETEREN XII
Often labeled as the world’s best beer, this Belgian Quad is one of Westvleteren’s three different brews. Tracking some down is not easy since the monks only make enough to support the monastery regardless of the insane demand. It was on sale one day last year in the US and got beer fans in a tizzy. Saint Sixtus
5. THE ABYSS (DESCHUTES BREWERY)
The hints of molasses and licorice give this super dark stout serious flavor. It’s balanced but complex and is one of the best Imperial Stouts out there in our book. Deschutes Brewery
6. PLINY THE ELDER (RUSSIAN RIVER BREWING CO.)
Probably the most adored and revered IPA (even more so than Heady Topper) in the US, Pliny the Elder is a seriously delicious and perfectly balanced brew. Russian River Brewing Co.
7. PLINY THE YOUNGER (RUSSIAN RIVER BREWING CO.)
Oh, Pliny the Elder is too easy for you to get your hands on (a great problem to have), well go hunt down some Pliny the Younger. The Triple IPA is another amazing beer from Russian River that’s harder to obtain. Russian River Brewing Co.
8. TRAPPISTES ROCHEFORT 10
This Belgian Quad packs a punch at over 11% ABV. It’s like port but for beer fans. Abbaye Rochefort
9. ROGUE CHIPOTLE ALE
Rogue’s Chipotle Ale makes the list for its basic interestingness. It’s an amber ale kicked up with some smoked chipotle chile peppers that’s worth trying for the experience alone. It’s also the only beer we’d follow with a glass of milk. Rogue
10. DOGFISH HEAD 120 MINUTE IPA
You could eat straight hop pellets, or you could drink a 120 Minute IPA from Dogfish Head. While it might be better to relax in front of the TV with a bottle of 60 Minute or 90 Minute, the high alcohol and IBUs are worth the headache the next morning. Dogfish Head
11. FOUNDERS CANADIAN BREAKFAST STOUT
Founders is one of those breweries you can always rely on for consistently good beers. Their CBS (not to be confused with the also awesome, KBS) may be their finest. It’s sweet and frothy and hyped for good reason. Founders Brewing
12. SAISON DUPONT
Saisons have been hot for a bit, and if you want to try the gold standard, you’d be wise to get your palms on some from the Dupont brewery. It’s easy drinking after a day of working in the fields. Brasserie Dupont
13. AECHT SCHLENKERLA RAUCHBIER MARZEN
Because you’ve always wanted to drink the smell of your grill, there’s this smoked beer from Germany. While it’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea (or pint of lager), it is something you should swig at least once. Besides, who wouldn’t want to drink bacon?? Schlenkerla
14. ALESMITH SPEEDWAY STOUT
If you’re the kinda guy who seriously enjoys his espresso, Speedway Stout from AleSmith in San Diego is right up your alley. It sports an incredible coffee profile that any coffee and beer fan will enjoy. AleSmith
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15. LIPS OF FAITH – LA FOLIE (NEW BELGIUM BREWING)
If you want to ease into sour beers, this is not the place to start. It’s super sour, but – at least in our book – super delicious. New Belgium
16. BELL’S TWO HEARTED ALE
An incredible IPA that you don’t have to hit the lottery to get in your fridge. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale boasts a hefty hop aroma with the perfect amount of sweetness. You can’t go wrong with this or Bell’s Hopslam or actually most of their beers for that matter. Bell’s Beer
17. DARKNESS (SURLY BREWING CO.)
You want big flavor, you got big flavor. Surly’s Darkness is not a Russian Imperial Stout to mess around with. It’s chocolatey with a bunch of nuances that any beer fan would appreciate. Surly Brewing
18. CANTILLON LOU PEPE KRIEK
Lambics are not often considered the manliest of beers, but you can’t hide deliciousness. This Kriek lambic from Cantillon won’t win you many points with frat bros, but you’ll be laughing to the bottom of each cherry flavored glass. Cantillon
19. WEIHENSTEPHANER HEFEWEISSBIER
If you don’t speak German, just point at the bottle or tap and hide your pride at the door. It’s worth it. This is the classic German Hefe which all others should be measured against. Weihenstephaner
20. CABLE CAR (THE LOST ABBEY)
A funktastic American wild that packs a sour punch. If you’re the kind of guy who bites into straight grapefruit, this is a beer worth storing in your collection. Lost Abbey
21. GREAT LAKES EDMUND FITZGERALD PORTER
As far as porters go, you could do far, far worse than this brew from Great Lakes. It’s ridiculously smooth and our pick for the best porter around. Best of all, it’s most likely not a beer you have to go hunting for. Great Lakes Brewing
22. BIGFOOT BARLEYWINE STYLE ALE (SIERRA NEVADA)
On a cold winter night, this is the beer we reach for. It’s exactly what you want in a robust brew. Sierra Nevada
23. PECHE MORTEL (DIEU DU CIEL)
Another one for the coffee nuts. Peche Mortel (French for “Mortal Sin”) is an Imperial Stout that acquires a lot of its flavor from the fair-trade coffee it’s infused with. Dieu Du Ciel
24. SAM ADAMS UTOPIAS
Who is ready to get wrecked? If you raised your hand, save up and search out Sam Adams Utopias. At 27% ABV it’s more like a light bourbon. Of course, that’s part of the fun. Samuel Adams
25. ZOMBIE DUST (THREE FLOYDS)
A just flat-out great pale ale from Three Floyds. It’s hoppy, fruity, and should be a summertime staple if you can get it. 3 Floyds
