You can't find a much better True American Story than the rise of the craft beer industry in the last several decades. From the bare handful of breweries that survived the Prohibition era, there are now over 1,700 thriving craft breweries across the country. Raise a glass and give a shout-out to your favorite local brewery and their beers this Independence Day. Here are 15 we especially enjoy.
To get the party started, here are 15 tasty brews from 15 different breweries, each representing a different corner of the country.
WEST COAST
• Torpedo American IPA from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA
• Arrogant Bastard Ale from Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, CA
• Black Butte Porter from Deschutes Brewery, Bend, ORMOUNTAINS
• 1554 Black Ale from New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO
• Moose Drool Brown Ale from Big Sky Brewing Company, Missoula, MT
• White Rascal from Avery Brewing Co., Boulder, COMIDWEST
• Alpha King from 3 Floyds, Munster, IN
• Furious from Surly Brewing Company, Brooklyn Center, MN
• Two Hearted Ale from Bell's Brewing Co., Kalamazoo, MIEAST COAST
• 120 Minute IPA from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE
• American Darling from Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project, Cambridge, MA
• Brooklyn Pennant Ale from Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, NYSOUTH
• Turbodog from Abita Brewing Co., Abita Springs, LA
• Dark Star Porter from Bluegrass Brewing Co., Louisville, KY
• Full Nelson Pale Ale from Blue Mountain Brewery, Afton, VA
Your turn! What are you drinking this 4th of July?
Related: It's No Joke! Bowser = Beer for Dogs
(Image: Flickr member betsyweber licensed under Creative Commons)
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If you ever come across cans from SanTan Brewing Co, a local brewery in Arizona, I highly recommend picking up a six-pack. The Epicenter Ale is one my favorite beers.
Rahr & Sons! It's a brewery in Fort Worth, TX that we love. Our go-to's are Ugly Pug and Blonde, but their Summer Wheat and Gravel Road are out now.
O'Fallon Brewery's Kite Tail! It's an awesome, crisp summer cream ale. Don't discount St. Louis because of the monster that is AB.
Russian River's Redemption blond ale and Deschute's Mirror Pond Pale are all time summer classics
Cigar City in Tampa has some of the best brews in the region. Their Jai Alai IPA is incredibly balanced (for an IPA), refreshing, bold and delicious.
But for me, in the summer time, I'll go for a crisp, light, funky Saison. For USA brewed, go with Saison Rue by The Bruery. Saison means "season" in french as it was brewed for the summer harvesters in Belgium. I can just taste the beer going with the sulfuric smell of fireworks!
Bell's here in K-zoo is certainly great, but I prefer the Amber or Oberon over the Two Hearted Ale.
For summer though I really like the Whitsun that comes from Arcadia Brewing Co. in Battle Creek, MI. Not right down the road like Bell's is for me, but close enough (and stocked everywhere) and such a refreshing beer in this nasty heat.
Has
@sadiepix How excited are you for Arcadia to be opening in the spring 1,000 feet from Bell's!
I don't know if 120 minute IPA (over 11% abv, I think) from Dogfish Head is a good choice for a light summer beer. Maybe their 60 or 75 minute IPA, which is much lower abv.