Top 10 Beers Of All Time?

[Tyler]

I apologize if this has been done before but I could not find it in the search. I am a youngster and just turned 21 last year so I only have experience with the mass produced domestic beers, Coors, Budweiser, etc. and looking to explore the world of beers.

I have noticed A LOT of different brands and was wondering what your top 10 were? They can be any type of beer as I am looking to explore all different kinds.

Please number in order and feel free to add a description or notes if you wish:

1. Beer # 1
2. Beer # 2
3. Beer # 3
Etc.

[druturn]

Although I am newbie to beer as well(I turned 21 two weeks ago) I did live in Germany for four months a year ago, during which I was of legal age to drink. So, without further adieu, my top 10 list(not in a particular order):

1. Franziskaner Heffeweizen Dunkel
2. Spaten Optimator
3. Kostritzer Schwarzbier
4. Ur-Krostitzer Schwarzbier
5. Leipziger Gose(any brewpub's version)
6. Guinness(only on tap)
7. Shiner Bock
8. Stone Imperial Russian Stout
9. Arrogant Bastard Ale
10. Big Bear Black Stout

[Tyler]

Although I am newbie to beer as well(I turned 21 two weeks ago) I did live in Germany for four months a year ago, during which I was of legal age to drink. So, without further adieu, my top 10 list(not in a particular order):

1. Franziskaner Heffeweizen Dunkel
2. Spaten Optimator
3. Kostritzer Schwarzbier
4. Ur-Krostitzer Schwarzbier
5. Leipziger Gose(any brewpub's version)
6. Guinness(only on tap)
7. Shiner Bock
8. Stone Imperial Russian Stout
9. Arrogant Bastard Ale
10. Big Bear Black Stout

The only two I have heard of are Shiner Bock and Arrogant Bastard Ale. I have yet to try the ABA but I had a Shiner Bock today and really enjoyed it. I picked up their variety pack of 6 different beers and so far have had the original Shiner Bock and the Hefeweizen (I think I spelled that right?) and really enjoyed them both. I believe they make the Hefeweizen with orange and lemon peels and honey. I followed the pour directions on the bottle and garnished with a lemon slice. Very good brew. Have you had a chance to taste it?

[pektel]

1. Busch Light


/thread
Posted via Mobile Device

[benedic08]

Although I am newbie to beer as well(I turned 21 two weeks ago) I did live in Germany for four months a year ago, during which I was of legal age to drink. So, without further adieu, my top 10 list(not in a particular order):

1. Franziskaner Heffeweizen Dunkel


We have the same taste! I love Franziskaner Heffeweizen! I prefer the non Dunkel but I love them both! :tu

Here's my List:
1.Red Horse Beer (I grew up on this. Beer from the Philippines)
2.)San Miguel Pilsen (Also from the Philippines)
3.)Franziskaner Heffeweizen (Dunkel and not dunkel)
4.)Asahi Super Dry (Japan)
5.)Yebisu (Japan. Made by Sapporo)
6.)Sierra Nevada Tumbler
7.)Tiger
8.)Fat Tire
9.)Stella Artois
10.)New Castle Brown Ale

[Skywalker]

We have the same taste! I love Franziskaner Heffeweizen! I prefer the non Dunkel but I love them both! :tu

Here's my List:
1.Red Horse Beer (I grew up on this. Beer from the Philippines)
2.)San Miguel Pilsen (Also from the Philippines)
3.)Franziskaner Heffeweizen (Dunkel and not dunkel)
4.)Asahi Super Dry (Japan)
5.)Yebisu (Japan. Made by Sapporo)
6.)Sierra Nevada Tumbler
7.)Tiger
8.)Fat Tire
9.)Stella Artois
10.)New Castle Brown Ale

:tu

[Coach Deg]

Not going to argue with any of the ones mentioned. I try a lot of beers, but maybe not the best but a very solid top 10 for me would be Sam Adams octoberfest.

[yachties23]

1) Guinness Stout
2) New Castle Brown ale
3) Brooklyn pennant ale
4) Blue Point Toasted Lager
5) Sam Adams Winter
6) Harpoon Winter Warmer
7) Rogue Deadguy
8) Sierra Nevada IPA
9) Sam Adams Chocolate Bock
10) Brooklyn Double Chocolate stout

[icehog3]

Like cigars, for me these lists are ever changing and evolving. These are my thoughts on March 28th, 2011.

1. Guinness (in Ireland)
2. Three Floyds Dark Lord
3. Founders KBS
3. Goose Island Bourbon Coffee Stout
4. Goose Island Bourbon Vanilla Stout
5. Guinness
6. Three Floyd's Gumballhead
7. Founders Breakfast Stout
8. Brainblasta Stout
9. Goose Island Matilda
10. Anchor Steam Porter

[replicant_argent]

Drink what you like, like what you drink. ;)

[CoreyD]

1. Guiness
2. Bells Kalamazoo Stout
3. New Glarus UFDA
4. New Glarus Spotted Cow
5. Sierra Nevada Pale ale
6. New Castle Brown ale
7. Wisconsin Belgian Red
8. St Bernardus darks< hard to get for this wisco boy>
9.Corona
10.Double Diamond

one of my favorites that I have tasted was Gulden Draak
My cousin makes all sort of Belgium and other origin dark beer similarities that since taking up sobriety 9 years ago I can't taste his fruits of labor 16 years later of his start

[pnoon]

My cousin makes all sort of Belgium and other origin dark beer similarities that since taking up sobriety 9 years ago I can't taste his fruits of labor 16 years later of his start
:confused: Say what?

My recommendation to the OP is to just try wha looks interesting to you and is within your budget. Until you develop your tastes, suggestions won't mean much. For example, if after a broad experimentation you decide you like stouts then the suggestions here will have more value.
:2
Posted via Mobile Device

[pektel]

I don't think I have 10 favorite beers. The ones I normally buy:

Bell's Two Hearted
Fat Tire
Guinness (Foreign Extra Stout is my favorite)
Summit EPA
Rogue Dead Guy Ale <-- rather expensive, so I don't buy this often
Bud Light <-- when I am at a festival, I need something that goes down like water, and rather low in alcohol content, because we drink all day.

When I was 21, I drank a TON of Busch Light, Keystone, Miller High Life, PBR. Whatever was cheapest.

[awsmith4]

:confused: Say what?

My recommendation to the OP is to just try wha looks interesting to you and is within your budget. Until you develop your tastes, suggestions won't mean much. For example, if after a broad experimentation you decide you like stouts then the suggestions here will have more value.
:2
Posted via Mobile Device

:tpd:

That's the way I started. I would go and buy a few different singles and the ones I liked I would look up what the style was and try more of that style. Beer Advocate and Rate Beer have big review databases that can help you get info when you can't find any on the bottle. Take the reviews with a grain of salt.

[kaisersozei]

I'd have a top 10 list in each beer style, so my recommendations would go on for pages. For the OP, I'd suggest stopping by one of the other beer threads ("beer hauls" and "what beers are you enjoying?") for more discussion and suggestions of beers that fit a profile you like.

[Coach Deg]

:confused: Say what?

My recommendation to the OP is to just try wha looks interesting to you and is within your budget. Until you develop your tastes, suggestions won't mean much. For example, if after a broad experimentation you decide you like stouts then the suggestions here will have more value.
:2
Posted via Mobile Device

I agree. Try it all!!!

[shilala]

Grizzly. Best. Beer. Evar.
They don't make it anymore, it was a Canadian Lager. I loved that stuff like a man loves a woman.

[ninjavanish]

Ohhh, this looks like a fun game.

Ok I'll play:

1)Guinness Stout (Tap)
2)Stella Artois (Tap)
3)Bavik Belgian Pilsner (Tap)
4)Avery Ellie's Brown (Tap)
5)Belhaven Scottish Ale (Tap)
6)Leffe Blonde (Bottle)
7)La Fin du Monde (Bottle)
8)Corsendonk Abbey Brown (Bottle)
9)Delirium Nocturnum (Bottle)
10)Miller High Life (7oz Ponies) - Yes Seriously... it tastes better.

[BeerAdvocate]

In Order:

1: St Bernardus Abt 12
2: Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
3: Rochefort 10

I Cant decide the order for the remaining 7:

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot
Lagunitas Gnarlywine
Lagunitas PaleAle
Lagunitas Lil Sumpin Sumpin
Boulevard Saison Brett
Bells TwoHearted Ale
Goose Island Matilda

[potlimit]

Not sure I have a top 10 but Three Philosophers would certainly be in it.

[BlindedByScience]

I can't list ten "world class" beers, but I can tell you that no top ten list is accurate if Deschutes "The Abyss" gets left off:

http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/brews/reserve-series/the-abyss/default.aspx

http://beeradvocate.com/lists/popular

(Beer Advocate has it at #11 - what do I know....:D)

Be it cigars, bourbon, food, wine, beer, whatever.....what interests me and holds my attention is complexity of taste. There is no doubt in my mind that The Abyss is hands down the most complex beer I've ever tasted. And, living in the microbrew beervana that the Pacific Northwest is, I've been lucky to taste quite a few of them. Hard to impossible to find (I have my two cases stashed away), but completely unforgettable once you've had it.

It would top my "10 Best" list, without hesitatioin.

[Coach Deg]

In Order:

2: Goose Island Bourbon County Stout






Where can I find this? Sounds good!

[smelly4tay]

1. Stone 12th Anni Bitter chocolate oatmeal stout
2. Alpine Duet
3. Alpine Nelson
4. Pliny the Younger
5. Alpine Bad Boy
6. Stone 8th Anni
7. Widmer Brrr!
8. Alpine Pure Hoppiness
9. Alesmith Decadence Imperial Porter
10. Deschutes Mirror Mirror

The Abyss and Pliny Elder are honorable mentions

[awsmith4]

Where can I find this? Sounds good!

It doesn't get down South yet but they were just partially acquired by Anhauser-Busch so we may see it in the near future.

[Sauer Grapes]

Part of the fun is trying different beers, figuring out what you like, and then having that change over time as your palate develops you begin liking more extreme beers (highly hopped, high alcohol, etc).

Just start the way all of us did and start drinking Sam Adams, Guinness, Stella, etc after you're tired of American macro brews. You'll gradually begin to like craft brews and you'll figure out what you like.

No need to skip growing up.

[icehog3]

Grizzly. Best. Beer. Evar.
They don't make it anymore, it was a Canadian Lager. I loved that stuff like a man loves a woman.

Hope it didn't come in the "vortex" bottle, Scott. ;)

[Tyler]

Thanks for all of the lists and advice thus far. I have tried most every American macro brews and am interested in trying the craft or micro brews. I would love to have enough money to just start sampling but I don't. So that is why I am asking for top ten lists so I can start to try those. I could wade through the other forums like what are you Sri king and such but I find it more useful to have you guys make lists that I and others can look at. Thanks thus far and I look forward to drinking these brews.

[awsmith4]

Thanks for all of the lists and advice thus far. I have tried most every American macro brews and am interested in trying the craft or micro brews. I would love to have enough money to just start sampling but I don't. So that is why I am asking for top ten lists so I can start to try those. I could wade through the other forums like what are you Sri king and such but I find it more useful to have you guys make lists that I and others can look at. Thanks thus far and I look forward to drinking these brews.

Another thing to keep costs down is to find a store that has mix and match six packs or sells singles. I assume you are in Arkansas so I looked up stores near Bentonville on Beer Advocate's "Places" page. nothing has been reviewed there but has been in Fayetteville

http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/list.php?&c_id=US&s_id=AR&city=Fayetteville&sort=name&sort=rating

It appears there is a good store called Liquor World

http://www.liquor-world.com/

[druturn]

The only two I have heard of are Shiner Bock and Arrogant Bastard Ale. I have yet to try the ABA but I had a Shiner Bock today and really enjoyed it. I picked up their variety pack of 6 different beers and so far have had the original Shiner Bock and the Hefeweizen (I think I spelled that right?) and really enjoyed them both. I believe they make the Hefeweizen with orange and lemon peels and honey. I followed the pour directions on the bottle and garnished with a lemon slice. Very good brew. Have you had a chance to taste it?
I have indeed actually! I tried that exact sampler just the other week and was thoroughly surprised at how good the different beers were! To be honest, I didn't even know that Shiner even made different styles of beer other than their Bock! Now I REALLY need to make a trip down to the brewery in Shiner considering I am only a few hours from the brewery!

We have the same taste! I love Franziskaner Heffeweizen! I prefer the non Dunkel but I love them both! :tu

You are speaking my language!! In case you were wondering, the opposite of "dunkel" is "helles," the two meaning "dark" and "light" in German.

[bobarian]

Word has it that some of the BC batches of Sumerian brew were quite good. :chr

[BlindedByScience]

.....
10. Deschutes Mirror Mirror

The Abyss and Pliny Elder are honorable mentions
Respectfully, I disagree...I think the Abyss and Mirror Mirror are on different levels altogether....and the Abyss is a far superior brew. Like many things in life, YMMV....

[Bill86]

:confused: Say what?

My recommendation to the OP is to just try wha looks interesting to you and is within your budget. Until you develop your tastes, suggestions won't mean much. For example, if after a broad experimentation you decide you like stouts then the suggestions here will have more value.
:2
Posted via Mobile Device


Truth but I'll play the game for a bit

1. Three Floyds Dreadnaught
2. DFH World Wide Stout
3. Rochefort Trappistes 10
4. Aventinus
5. Stones Double Bastard
6. Three Floyds Robert the Bruce
7. Stones Russian Imperial Stout
8. Stones Vertical Epic 10.10.10
9. DFH 120 Minute IPA
10. DFH Palo Santo

Pretty much anything Stones, Three Floyds or DFH.

[smelly4tay]

Respectfully, I disagree...I think the Abyss and Mirror Mirror are on different levels altogether....and the Abyss is a far superior brew. Like many things in life, YMMV....

That is part of what makes beer, and cigars so enjoyable. Some of the beers I listed I drink on a regular basis and some of those I have only tried a few times, but perhaps it is where I was and who I was with when enjoying them that put them on my list....much like cigars at a herf.

Mirror Mirror on the first day of SD Beer Week 09, on my first trip to the Stone Brewery, eating boar ribs and talking beer/cigars with the headbrewmasters of Stone and Green Flash. That Mirror Mirror straight from the tap was better, to me, than the 2 Abyss I drank at my brothers house at Xmas time.

I read the title of the thread and gave my top 10. Anyone who says that they have a definitive list of the "best ever" or an absolute top 10 is full of creosote. ;) :xxx

:2

[smelly4tay]

sorry if that came off as snippy. I am horrible at saying what i mean when typing. :confused:

[BlindedByScience]

sorry if that came off as snippy. I am horrible at saying what i mean when typing. :confused:
Didn't sound "snippy" and there's no worries on this side of the keyboard; differences in taste are what make these types of discussions interesting.

....but I still like The Abyss WAY better.....:D

Have fun - N.F.H.

[Salvelinus]

One of the biggest things I notice about the lists here is how regional many of them are. Many of the breweries listed on the lists of others are beers I haven't had access to at this point. For many people a better question might be What are the ten best beers distributed in MY STATE HERE?

I see nothing by Allagash, a great farmhouse style brewery in Maine that doesn't travel too far. Kate the Great ought to make someones list but again, that gets carried by hand out of New Hampshire. It's hard to get your hands on Hill Farmstead even in Vermont, but the beers coming out of Greensboro are amazing.

That said I like beer too much to pick 10, you'd probably just get the last 10 beers I drank. I might be able to do it if we limited it by style. And, I like reading the lists of others because at least it lets me know what I should look to get my hands on when I do travel.

[pnoon]

One of the biggest things I notice about the lists here is how regional many of them are. Many of the breweries listed on the lists of others are beers I haven't had access to at this point. For many people a better question might be What are the ten best beers distributed in MY STATE HERE?

I see nothing by Allagash, a great farmhouse style brewery in Maine that doesn't travel too far. Kate the Great ought to make someones list but again, that gets carried by hand out of New Hampshire. It's hard to get your hands on Hill Farmstead even in Vermont, but the beers coming out of Greensboro are amazing.

That said I like beer too much to pick 10, you'd probably just get the last 10 beers I drank. I might be able to do it if we limited it by style. And, I like reading the lists of others because at least it lets me know what I should look to get my hands on when I do travel.

Excellent point.
fwiw - we have a decent variety of Allagash available here in San Diego.

[Skywalker]

One of the biggest things I notice about the lists here is how regional many of them are. Many of the breweries listed on the lists of others are beers I haven't had access to at this point. For many people a better question might be What are the ten best beers distributed in MY STATE HERE?

I see nothing by Allagash, a great farmhouse style brewery in Maine that doesn't travel too far. Kate the Great ought to make someones list but again, that gets carried by hand out of New Hampshire. It's hard to get your hands on Hill Farmstead even in Vermont, but the beers coming out of Greensboro are amazing.

That said I like beer too much to pick 10, you'd probably just get the last 10 beers I drank. I might be able to do it if we limited it by style. And, I like reading the lists of others because at least it lets me know what I should look to get my hands on when I do travel.

Excellent point.
fwiw - we have a decent variety of Allagash available here in San Diego.

Case in point - When I have traveled to other parts of the country and asked for what kind of Sierra Nevada beers the bar/restaurant carry.
I'm usually told, "The only kind... Pale Ale!"

For you who think SN Pale Ale is the sh!t... It is not their best by a long shot!

At any given time Sierra Nevada has 7 to 8 bottled beers out!

BTW - I don't drink Pale Ale unless I'm traveling!

[smelly4tay]

One of the biggest things I notice about the lists here is how regional many of them are. Many of the breweries listed on the lists of others are beers I haven't had access to at this point. For many people a better question might be What are the ten best beers distributed in MY STATE HERE?

I see nothing by Allagash, a great farmhouse style brewery in Maine that doesn't travel too far. Kate the Great ought to make someones list but again, that gets carried by hand out of New Hampshire. It's hard to get your hands on Hill Farmstead even in Vermont, but the beers coming out of Greensboro are amazing.

That said I like beer too much to pick 10, you'd probably just get the last 10 beers I drank. I might be able to do it if we limited it by style. And, I like reading the lists of others because at least it lets me know what I should look to get my hands on when I do travel.


well said!

I grew up in Seattle (Red Hook, Pyramid) and now live in SDiego and haven't traveled too far from the westcoast, so my list is definitely from a certain region.

[Salvelinus]

Excellent point.
fwiw - we have a decent variety of Allagash available here in San Diego.

Had no idea. I've visited San Diego a bunch of times and never noticed it. I figured it was only the east coast that got it. Much like the Sierra Pale don't judge Allagash by the white.