In this article, we are going to discuss the 5 highest quality beers in the US. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the economic impact of the American beer industry, the largest beer company in the world, and the new player in the beer market, head to 20 Highest Quality Beers in the US.
5. KBS
Insider Monkey Score: 9
Produced by the Founders Brewing Company, KBS is an imperial stout brewed with a massive amount of coffee and chocolates, then cave-aged in oak Bourbon barrels for an entire year to make sure the wonderful Bourbon undertones come through in the finish.
Grand Rapids-based Founders Brewing Company, once one of the city’s most recognized locally owned businesses, is now officially under the ownership of Madrid-based Mahou-San Miguel Group. In December 2014, Mahou purchased a 30% stake in Founders Brewing Co. By 2019, the Spanish company had increased its stake to 90%.
KBS is placed among the Top 5 Beers in the U.S. in 2024.
4. Bourbon County Brand Stout
Insider Monkey Score: 10
Barrel-aged for a year to develop the complexity that only time can provide, Bourbon County Stout boasts a unique blend of flavors such as fudge, vanilla, and caramel.
Anheuser-Busch acquired the Chicago-based Goose Island in 2011, in a deal worth $39 million. Since then, the beer giant has invested aggressively to establish a chain of Goose Island brewpubs in America, as well as internationally.
3. Pliny the Elder
Insider Monkey Score: 12
Brewed by the Russian River Brewing Company, Pliny the Elder is a Highly Rated American Beer brewed with Amarillo, Centennial, CTZ, and Simcoe hops. Made in a very limited supply, this 8% ABV Imperial IPA is well-balanced with malt, hops, and alcohol.
Russian River Brewing Company was established in 1997 by Korbel Champagne Cellars among the majestic redwoods in West Sonoma County. After 6 years, Korbel decided to get out of the beer business and agreed to transfer the brand and all recipes to their head brewer, Vinnie Cilurzo.
2. Heady Topper
Insider Monkey Score: 13
Heady Topper is an American double IPA by the Vermont-based The Alchemist. This beer is not intended to be the biggest or most bitter. It is meant to give you wave after wave of hoppy goodness on your palate.
The Alchemist is a family-run brewery specializing in fresh, unfiltered IPAs. Today, The Alchemist operates two breweries in Waterbury and Stowe and distributes Heady Topper throughout the state, with the occasional out-of-state shipment.
Heady Topper easily ranks among the Top 3 Beers in the US.
1. Two Hearted IPA
Insider Monkey Score: 16
Bell’s helped put Michigan on the craft map back in 1985 and since then, has produced some of the best craft beers in the US. Their beloved flagship American-style IPA takes 100% Centennial hops from the Pacific Northwest and rounds them out with the fruitiness of the brewery’s house yeast, resulting in a brew that’s not too bitter and not too sweet.
The Michigan-based Bell’s Brewery was acquired by Kirin-owned Lion World Beverages for an undisclosed amount in 2021. The deal brought Bell’s into the same portfolio of fellow craft beer pioneer New Belgium Brewing Co.
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