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Summer time’s in full swing, and lots of a younger man’s thoughts turns to beer if for no different cause than to chill down a bit. Our fourth annual Prime 10 Beers of the 12 months checklist is right here that can assist you make sense of an more and more crowded market with a take a look at 10 prime brews that made an impression on us right here at Drinkhacker during the last 12 months. (For extra enjoyable, see our 2021, 2020, and 2019 lists.)
As with all of our prime 10s, this collaboration displays votes and commentary from the Drinkhacker employees. Particular person writeups are denoted with the initials of every author.
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1. Goose Island Brand Fourteen Stout (Illinois) – Goose Island was nipping at Firestone Walker’s heels final 12 months for prime honors with their Kentucky Fog Imperial Stout, however this 12 months, they pulled out a win with the return of Model Fourteen Stout, beforehand launched in 2014 solely to the Chicago space. Introduced out of the vault for 2021, this beer was a knockout from first sip to final. It’s a singular brew, even by Goose Island’s requirements, with rye within the stout mashbill and rye barrel-aged with, amongst different delectable fine details, coconut water. The aroma showcases chocolate-covered macaroons for days whereas the palate is all Almond Pleasure, cacao, and molasses cookies. Right here’s hoping we don’t have to attend seven extra years for the subsequent one. 13.2% -DB [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]
2. Lawson’s Finest Liquids Triple Sunshine (Vermont) – One other big IPA – this one a triple – that drinks extra like a decadent, boozy dessert. Creamy with tropical notes and greater than a bit candy on the end, it is a boozy monster that delights from begin to end (offered that’s what you’re within the temper for). 10.5% abv. -CN [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]
3. Firestone Walker XXV Anniversary Ale (California) – Lightning virtually struck twice for Firestone Walker, winner of our prime spot final 12 months. The sixteenth launch from the brewery’s annual celebratory blend-fest was, as soon as once more, deftly constructed and scrumptious to the final drop, however the taste profile was fairly completely different from earlier releases on this lengthy sequence. What begins as a basic, barrel-aged aroma shortly turns uniquely fruity and a bit inexperienced. So too on the palate which showcases agave-kissed sweetness, citrus, and grape notes that add a memorable distinction to this brew’s extra conventional chocolate and malt-driven notes. 11.5% abv. -DB [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]
4. Troegs LolliHop (Pennsylvania) – This newest double IPA from Troegs places the richness of a DIPA via the hazy filter, with wheat and oats within the mash giving the physique further heft. Loaded with fruit, piney resin, and toasty caramel, it’s a powerhouse of a beer that has nearly all the things an IPA fan may need. 8.2% abv. -CN [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]
5. Bell’s Uberon (Michigan) – This barrel-aged model of Bell’s basic Oberon wheat beer may solely be discovered right here and there at festivals and faucet occasions till late final summer time, when the Michigan micro-brewer launched it into wider distribution simply forward of the winter season. It’s undoubtedly a boozy providing, described as Bell’s “with a shot of bourbon dropped in,” however the beefed up abv doesn’t distract from the intense citrus and crisp malt of the summery wheat beer at its core. It merely provides a syrupy layer of vanilla and baking spice, paying homage to French Toast. And who doesn’t like French Toast? 11.3% abv. -DB [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]
6. 10 Barrel Brewing Rock Hop Cold IPA (Oregon) – Chilly IPA is that this 12 months’s kooky brewing development, and in 10 Barrel’s Rock Hop, the type – which makes use of “chilly” lager yeasts however at increased temperatures, then dry hops the beer afterward – is a giant success. A number of citrus and hops, however clear on the end and flippantly malty like a beer. Heaps extra complexity than I anticipated. 7.1% abv. -CN [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]
7. SLO Brew Holidaze IPA (California) – Winter is generally a time for hearty stouts and porters, however California’s SLO Brew makes a case for the west coast IPA with this beer, infused with spruce suggestions and orange peel, making it festive and wintry. Huge, foamy, and juicy, there’s loads of custom right here in a beer that by no means turns into gimmicky. 7% abv. -CN
8. Firestone Walker Gold Rider (California) – Like a number of different breweries which have taken cues from the latest ready-to-drink craze, Firestone Walker has begun including cocktail-inspired brews to its lineup. Old Man Hattan and a number of other agave-inspired ales had been an excellent begin, but it surely appears to have actually hit its stride with the latest providing, a tackle the basic Sidecar aged in cognac and orange bitters barrels. It’s a refreshing beer that also has loads of wealthy, malty physique, brilliant and juicy with a barleywine-styled palate full of huge raisin, toffee, and citrus notes. A lower above even among the finest canned cocktails on the market. 11% abv. -DB
9. Baird / Ishii / Stone Japanese Green Tea IPA (California/Japan/Guam) – This complex-sounding collaboration is definitely fairly easy, an IPA made with Warrior, Crystal, Helga, Aramis, and Sorachi Ace hops — and, in fact, inexperienced tea. The outcomes give the piney IPA a observe of matcha powder that helps to mood a bruising alcohol stage by imbuing the bitterness with a candy and natural observe. Enjoyable. 10.1% abv. -CN
10. Sun King Brewery Muckin’ Around the Xmas Tree (Indiana) – Let’s wrap issues up with this barrel-aged Scottish wee heavy, brewed with candied fruit and pecans. Actually finest if you find yourself certainly muckin’ across the Christmas tree. Share this ultra-high abv providing with a trusted buddy. 12.7% abv. -CN
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