Best beers in America?

[Ed W]

Sorry, Marshall's didn't make the list.  I don't have a dog in this fight since I can't drink beer anymore.  I dream about drinking tall, cold glasses of ale, lager, and stout, but when it causes pain, it's easily avoided.

Argue amongst yourselves:

http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/community/news/show?title=2011-best-beers

1. Russian River Pliny the Elder
2. Bell's Two Hearted Ale
T3. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
T3. Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout
5. Bell's Hopslam
6. Stone Arrogant Bastard
7. Sierra Nevada Celebration
T8. Sierra Nevada Torpedo
T8. Stone Ruination
10. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
11. Stone Sublimely Self Righteous
12. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine
13. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
T14. Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
T14. Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale
T16. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
T16. New Glarus Belgian Red
18. North Coast Old Rasputin
19. Bell's Expedition Stout
T20. Deschutes The Abyss
T20. Left Hand Milk Stout
T20. Odell IPA
T20. Samuel Adams Noble Pils
T20. Surly Furious
T20. Troegs Nugget Nectar
T26. Rogue Dead Guy Ale
T26. Samuel Adams Boston Lager
28. Anchor Steam
T29. Bear Republic Racer 5
T29. Ommegang Three Philosophers
T29. Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
T29. Three Floyds Alpha King
T29. Three Floyds Dark Lord
T34. Avery Maharaja
T34. Dogfish Head Indian Brown
T34. Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
T34. Three Floyds Gumballhead
T38. Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
T38. Lost Abbey Angel's Share
T38. New Belgium La Folie
T38. New Belgium Ranger
T38. Oskar Blues Old Chub
T43. Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
T43. Great Divide Yeti
T43. New Belgium 1554
T43. Russian River Blind Pig
T43. Ska Modus Hoperandi
T48. Alesmith Speedway Stout
T48. Dark Horse Crooked Tree
T48. Green Flash West Coast IPA
T48. Summit EPA
T48. Victory Prima Pils

[Townsend]

How many of these can we try here in Oklahoma without leaving the state and sneaking it back across the border?

[Teatownclown]

T43=couple of Tulsans (Vincents) up in Colorado! Way to go!

I'll take my Stella or Heinies on tap.....

[Conan71]

Left Hand Milk Stout and Sam Adams Boston Lager are the only two on that list I've ever had.  Sam Adams making a top 50 list is suspect in my book.  How could you have all these New Belgium varieties and totally leave off Fat Tire Ale.  That's a very drinkable ale in my book.  Has anyone seen Dogfish Head in any of the area liquor stores?  They seem pretty highly regarded.

I've had varieties from some of the brewers mentioned, I'm sort of surprised that nothing from Avery makes the list.  The Beast is an amazing Grand Cru.  Also surprised Pagosa Brewery doesn't have an entry on the list, Tony Simmons, the owner and brewmaster is very well respected in the industry.

I'll take my Stella or Heinies on tap.....

Really gotta trust the attention to line and tap hygiene. 

[Hoss]

Left Hand Milk Stout and Sam Adams Boston Lager are the only two on that list I've ever had.  Sam Adams making a top 50 list is suspect in my book.  How could you have all these New Belgium varieties and totally leave off Fat Tire Ale.  That's a very drinkable ale in my book.  Has anyone seen Dogfish Head in any of the area liquor stores?  They seem pretty highly regarded.

I've had varieties from some of the brewers mentioned, I'm sort of surprised that nothing from Avery makes the list.  The Beast is an amazing Grand Cru.  Also surprised Pagosa Brewery doesn't have an entry on the list, Tony Simmons, the owner and brewmaster is very well respected in the industry.

Really gotta trust the attention to line and tap hygiene. 

Interesting.  I've had Anchor Steam MANY times (friend from San Fran introduced it to me back around 2000, when no one sold it here).  While it's a good beer, don't know that it passes the muster for a top 50.

And I've had many of the Sierra Nevada brews; essentially, they're a Boulevard on the West coast.  Nothing incredibly spectacular.

Marshall not making the list is only because he has limited his distribution area.  He's just now distributing kegs for restaurants out of state.

Oh, and here's a photo for you, C...

[Hoss]

How many of these can we try here in Oklahoma without leaving the state and sneaking it back across the border?

I know all of the Sierras are available

I get to looking at this list and wonder how much money the New Belgium brewery donated to this guy.

[Conan71]

Interesting.  I've had Anchor Steam MANY times (friend from San Fran introduced it to me back around 2000, when no one sold it here).  While it's a good beer, don't know that it passes the muster for a top 50.

And I've had many of the Sierra Nevada brews; essentially, they're a Boulevard on the West coast.  Nothing incredibly spectacular.

Marshall not making the list is only because he has limited his distribution area.  He's just now distributing kegs for restaurants out of state.

Oh, and here's a photo for you, C...

Reminds me, I need to buy a case now to enjoy after my beer lent is up after my big race in Colorado in August.

[Hoss]

Reminds me, I need to buy a case now to enjoy after my beer lent is up after my big race in Colorado in August.

Better go quick; the guy I talked with up at Ranch Acres told me that since they put that out this morning, they've already sold 5 cases.

[Conan71]

Better go quick; the guy I talked with up at Ranch Acres told me that since they put that out this morning, they've already sold 5 cases.

I can always call "God" in that case if they run out.  I'll probably go by after work.  Need wine for the weekend anyhow.

[DTowner]

I tried the Arrowhead last night as Fassler Hall.  Me like.

[sauerkraut]

I don't smoke or drink, but I always thought that "Black label" and "Stroes" Beer were some of the best beers around. Coors is over rated.

[Townsend]

I just heard one hundred palms slap faces.

[Red Arrow]

How many of these can we try here in Oklahoma without leaving the state and sneaking it back across the border?

All of the Sierra Nevada listed, Left Hand Milk Stout, many Sam Adams flavors, Rogue Dead Guy and others, Anchor Steam and others, Bear Republic Racer 5 and others, Ommegang Three Philosophers,  many Avery products but not for long (they are going to discontinue OK deliveries), Great Divide Yeti and others.

Those are the ones I've seen and/or bought in Oklahoma.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is often considered the standard for American Pale Ale.  It's different than Pale Ale from the UK, primarily by the types of hops and amount of hops.

Edit:
T43 Avery Maharaja made the list.  I don't remember buying it though.

Black Label & Stroh's, just another mass market American Lager.  Nothing special.

[Native]

I've had most of the beers on this list and pretty much agree. I'm a hop head so take it for what it's worth. Pliny the Elder by Russian River is my favorite beer by far. My last vacation I went to Portland just to have it on tap. My 2nd favorite beer sits at 29, 3 Floyd's Alpha King. Dogfish head 90 minute comes in 3rd for me. Their 60 minute is good but 90 takes it to a whole new level.
In the top 20 we can only get the Sierra Nevada, North Coast, Sam Adams & Left Hand beers. May be able to get Oskar. Have to travel for the rest which I do often for beer.
I'm a big fan of Dogfish Head & Rogue breweries. They are like mavericks in the beer world and will try anything once when it comes to beer. If you ever get a chance to visit their breweries do so, you'll be pleased.
Blame it on OK laws for not being able to get the majority of these beers. Also blame the distributors. We are so behind when it comes to alcohol. I can't get any of my top 5 favorite beers in OK but my old standby that I drink regularly is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Please OK change your beer laws.

[Red Arrow]

My eyes skipped North Coast Old Rasputin.  I don't know why, I like it.