If you hadn’t noticed, there’s an ocean of craft beer out there. More than two new craft breweries are opening every day, introducing thousands of beers to thirsty drinkers. While very few of those beers will ever see regional or something approximating national distribution, there are dozens of new beers that do break through every year. As you’ll see below, most of the best-selling craft beers — based on IRI’s tracking of supermarket sales in 2015 — come from familiar breweries, in the most popular styles.
#1 – Coney Island Hard Root Beer
Description: “Coney Island Hard Root Beer is a new twist on an old favorite. With hints of vanilla, licorice and birch, this root beer will bring you back to the boardwalk.”
Producer: Coney Island Brewing Company / Alchemy & Science / Boston Beer Co.
#2 – Sierra Nevada Hop Hunter IPA
Description: “Hop Hunter IPA harnesses
the complex flavors of just-picked hops through an all-new method of steam distilling wet hops before they even leave the fields. This revolutionary technique captures and intensifies the natural flavors, creating a unique and intensely aromatic beer. Our custom process gathers pure hop oil which, when combined with traditional whole-cone hops in the brew kettle, makes for an incredible IPA experience.”
Producer: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
#3 – Sierra Nevada Nooner Pilsner
Description: “Gather your friends, pack the gear, and head out to wherever the day may take you. A midday go-to, Nooner is our take on the classic German-style pilsner—one of the original session beers. Nooner is easy drinking yet packed with the big flavor of spicy and floral whole-cone hops. Its brilliant golden color begs you to take a sip and sink your taste buds into an extremely welcoming beer, full of flavor and balanced by a crisp, dry finish.”
Producer: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
#4 – New Belgium Slow Ride Session IPA
Description: “Kicking back and relaxing with a session beer requires little more than a couch, some free time, and a few pals. SLOW RIDE SESSION IPA is up for this easy-going challenge, starting with a pour of sheened gold and plenty of fluffy, white foam. A blend of eight hop varieties, led by exotic Mosaic and Nelson Sauvin, twist together brilliant tropical scents of melon, peach, lime and grapefruit for a vividly fruity aroma. The flavor mirrors the aroma, while balancing a malty-sweet yet clean start and hoppy bitterness in the back. Light bodied and extra quaffable, this sessionable India Pale Ale brings the finish line to you.”
Producer: New Belgium Brewing Company
#5 – Samuel Adams Rebel Rouser Double IPA
Description: “Bold, citrusy, and piney, our double IPA isn’t just a bigger version of Rebel IPA. Instead we explored a different balance of hop character, including Bravo & Galaxy hops, and upped the ante on their flavor and expression for a brew that’s intense yet enjoyable through every sip.”
Producer: Boston Beer Co.
#6 – Samuel Adams Rebel Rider Session IPA
Description: “Bursting with bright citrus and tropical fruit notes of apricot and tangerine, with hints of pine and a slight resinous character, this brew brings a lighter-bodied sibling to our Rebel family of IPAs. This IPA finishes with just enough subtle bitterness to bring you back for another sip.”
Producer: Boston Beer Co.
Description: Session IPA
#7 – Deschutes Pinedrops IPA
Description: “This lively IPA delivers a crisp and light malt body with ample citrus and pine notes from Chinook and Equinox hops. Inspired by the aromas and silence we experience when exploring the scenic pine forests just up the road from our brewhouse.”
Producer: Deschutes Brewery
Description: IPA
#8 – Oskar Blues Pinner Throwback IPA
Description: “How do you cram as much hop & malt flavor and aroma as possible into a beer but make it crushable too? That’s the challenge we answered with PINNER Throwback IPA. At 4.9% ABV and 35 IBUs, this drinkable IPA uses several varieties of hops to target the ever-evolving flavor. With tropical fruits, citrus juices, pineapple and spice berry up front in the aroma and flavor, the biscuit & toasted bread at the back balance out all the hops and make a great finish to go on to your next can of PINNER. It’s the perfect beer for a little sip, sip, give.”
Producer: Oskar Blues Brewery
Description: Session IPA
#9 – Southern Tier Imperial Pumpking
Description: “All Hallows Eve is a time of the year when spirits can make contact with the physical world, and when magic is most potent. It is thought that we harness this magic to brew our powerful pumpkin ale. Not so, but it is with great respect to the magic of their trade that our brewers produce this fine beer. Take a whiff of this complex ale and your journey has just begun. At first sip, a magical spell will bewitch your taste buds, yet anther victim enraptured by the Pumking.”
Producer: Southern Tier Brewing Company
#10 – Full Sail Session IPA
Description: “IPAs are insanely popular these days. But let’s face it, sometimes it feels like there’s a hops arms race going on. That’s why we came up with Session IPA. It’s a premium pale ale that thinks for itself. Session IPA pours a deep gold color with aromas of orange and spice that lead to a light malty body with a crisp hoppy finish. Not too hoppy. Not too bitter. Not too malty. Just right. Have a good Session!”
Producer: Full Sail Brewing Company
Description: Session IPA
