When you see the list of 2019’s Best Beers in America, two things are very clear: all hail Michigan beer and long live the IPA beer style.
Each year, readers of “Zymurgy” magazine, our sister publication from the American Homebrewers Association, vote for the Best Beer in America. For the third year in a row, Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, an India Pale Ale beer, has claimed the title of “Best Beer in America.”
“We are truly humbled to be recognized by the finest palates in homebrewing,” says John Mallett, director of operations at Bell’s Brewery. ”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.”
The Michigan beer has held onto the top slot since 2017 when it made a big splash unseating Pliny the Elder’s long reign as “best beer.”
(READ: Thor and an IPA: How Craft Beer Caught Marvel’s Attention)
If you love Two Hearted, then brace yourself for this news: Bell’s plans to release Double Two-Hearted in August 2019. It’ll be interesting to see if Bell’s can outdo itself in the 2020 poll. Bell’s Hopslam, the brewery’s widely popular triple IPA that’s released each winter, also makes the top 10 beers in the 2019 poll.
Double Two Hearted release update: With so many different brews in the works, we had to move its release to August. On the bright side, we'll be releasing 6-packs instead of 4-packs. #twohearted #bellsbeer #inspiredbrewing #ipa pic.twitter.com/lwzwMDbecx
— Bell's Brewery (@BellsBrewery) May 30, 2019
IPAs dominate the list, with six of the top 10 “best beers” being IPAs. Six of the top 10 beers are also made by Michigan breweries. (Shameless plug: If you’re planning a summer beercation in Michigan, check out our Craft Beer Road Trip along Michigan’s I-94.)
The top 10 “best beers” in the 2019 poll are listed below. The asterisk (*) indicates the brewery meets the independent craft brewer seal definition and certification.
- 1: Bell’s Two Hearted Ale*
- 2: Russian River Pliny the Elder*
- 3: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale*
- 4: Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout)
- 5: The Alchemist Heady Topper*
- 6: Founders CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout)
- 7 (Tie): Founders All Day IPA
- 7 (Tie): Bell’s Hopslam*
- 9 (Tie): Founders Breakfast Stout
- 9 (Tie): WeldWerks Juicy Bits*
You can see the full list of Best Beers in America as well as the top-ranked breweries at HomebrewersAssociation.org.
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