Every State’s Best Craft Brewery, According To American Homebrewers

Regions have a lot of pride in their hometown breweries. But with so many craft breweries in the country (more than 5,000 now), picking a favorite or must-visit brewery can be hard. Nevertheless, Zymurgy, a publication run by the American Homebrewers Association, asked their readers to vote on the top brewery and the top beer in each state.

Now the results are in, except for North Dakota (we suggest checking out Fargo Brewing Company) and West Virginia (key an eye out for Morgantown Brewing Company), which didn’t have enough data.

The results are interesting, and provide a blueprint for a terrific road trip through every state. In Colorado, for instance, the top beer was Left Hand Brewing’s Nitro Milk Stout and the top brewery was Odell Brewing Co. In Illinois and Hawaii, respectively, the top breweries were Goose Island Beer Co. and Kona Brewing Co.

Zymurgy also asked its readers what the best beers overall are. And not only do the homebrewers nominate the best beer and brewery per state, but also the best beer period. Two Hearted Ale from Bell’s Brewery won that poll, dethroning Russian River Brewing Company’s Pliny the Elder for the first time in eight years.

See the full list of top breweries below, and check out Zymurgy for the full list of top beers.

Alabama: Yellowhammer Brewery

Alaska: Alaskan Brewing Co.

Arizona: Prescott Brewing Co.

Arkansas: Diamond Bear Brewing Co. and Ozark Beer Co.

California: Russian River Brewing Co.

Colorado: Odell Brewing Co.

Connecticut: New England Brewing Co.

Delaware: Dogfish Head Craft Brewing

D.C.: DC Brau Brewing Co.

Florida: Cigar City Brewing Co.

Georgia: Terrapin Beer Co. and Creature Comforts Brewing Co.

Hawaii: Kona Brewing Co.

Idaho: Barbarian Brewing, Grand Teton Brewing Co. and RAM Restaurant and BRewery

Illinois: Goose Island Beer Co.

Indiana: Three Floyds Brewing Co.

Iowa: Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.

Kansas: Tallgrass Brewing Co.

Kentucky: West Sixth Brewing

Louisiana: Bayou Teche Brewing

Maine: Maine Beer Co.

Maryland: Flying Dog Brewery

Massachusetts: Tree House Brewing Co.

Michigan: Bell’s Brewery

Minnesota: Surly Brewing Co.

Mississippi: Lazy Magnolia Brewing Co.

Missouri: Boulevard Brewing Co.

Montana: Big Sky Brewing

Nebraska: Nebraska Brewing Co.

Nevada: The Brewer’s Cabinet

New Hampshire: Moonlight Meadery

New Jersey: Carton Brewing Co.

New Mexico: La Cumbre Brewing Co.

New York: Southern Tier Brewing Co.

North Carolina: Wicked Weed Brewing Co.

Ohio: Great Lakes Brewing Co.

Oklahoma: Prairie Artisan Ales

Oregon: Deschutes Brewery

Pennsylvania: Victory Brewing Co.

Rhode Island: Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island

South Carolina: Palmetto Brewing Co.

South Dakota: Firehouse Brewing Co. and Miner Brewing Co.

Tennessee: Yazoo Brewing Co.

Texas: Peticolas Brewing Co.

Utah: EPIC Brewing Co.

Vermont: The Alchemist

Virginia: Port City Brewing Co.

Washington: Fremont Brewing

Wisconsin: New Glarus Brewing Co.

Wyoming: Melvin Brewing