Beer Advocate's Top 20

[LasciviousXXX]

So I'm perusing Beer Advocate's Top 100 List (http://beeradvocate.com/lists/popular) and it occurs to me that I haven't tried any of their Top 20 listed beers. Blasphemy! I've tried a few in the 20-40 list but was wondering what beers in the Top 20 you've tried. And what did you think of them?

A thread for us to share and drool. Did I mention pics? Yeah pics would help too :D







Edit - and if anyone has any easy availability to any in the Top 20 shoot me a PM.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

I've had all but 3 in the top ten. Cbs and vanilla bean Dark Lord make my top ten list easy, but a few like westy 12 and heady should not be there imo. That's just me though. Pm if you really want something in the top 20, I have a lot on the list in my cellar...
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[icehog3]

All I have had in the Top 20 are Founders KBS and Goose Island Bourbon County Coffee Stout, Týr, and they are probably 2 of the Top 5 I have ever had.

I can't stand IPAs so that knock a bunch off my "want to try" list.

Founders CBS, Vanilla Bean Dark Lord Stout, Portsmouth Kate The Great, Kaggen Stormaktsporter and The Abyss would all be ones I would love to find.

[LasciviousXXX]

Some are just flat out super-hard to find but the descriptions on them really catch my interest.

I appreciate the offer kind sir but I'm looking for maybe someone who's close to one of the breweries or a store that stocks them. Not looking to raid anyone's cellar :D Thank you though!

Not a fan of the IPA's Tom?

[deadrise]

wow I had 0 out of 100 ahh the perks of living at the end of nowhere they do sound good tho

[icehog3]

Not a fan of the IPA's Tom?

Took me long enough to figure out I hate them all....they all taste like pine to me. :pu

[Bill86]

24, 41, 43, 57, 74, 81, 100

Damn. TN distribution really sucks. Especially because I think that only 2 of those top 100 are available here :td

I'm with Tom, all those delicious looking stouts :dr

Someday I'll try them I'm sure.

[Jbailey]

I've had the chance to try half of the top 20. Can'r wait to crack a GI King Henry.

My favorites have been GI Bourbon Coffee Stout, Dark Lord Vanilla Bean and KBS.

[Zeuceone]

Will definately not miss my chance to try Pliny the Younger this time.

[newcigarz]

17 out of 100, time to get drinking

Just had #7 last night
http://www.fototime.com/9DA8992DB9CE314/orig.jpg

[Salvelinus]

I've had all but 3 in the top ten. Cbs and vanilla bean Dark Lord make my top ten list easy, but a few like westy 12 and heady should not be there imo. That's just me though. Pm if you really want something in the top 20, I have a lot on the list in my cellar...
Posted via Mobile Device

Blasphemy! Kidding, drink what you like. I've had 4 of the top 20, with only 1 regularly available to me. I'd like to see the ratings bump beers get just for being rare and largely unavailable. If you're from the east and you trade your rare beers to get a pliny I doubt you're going to allow yourself to decide it sucks.

[ktblunden]

Out of the top 20 I've had:
Abyss - Awesome, I have to grab a few every year.
Pliny the Elder - One of the best I've had, I'm sad I've only had 2 bottles of it and have no more.
Supplication - Not bad, but not fantastic.
Trappist 12 & 8 - Ehh, not a fan at all.

[replicant_argent]

none of the top 20 are local to me, but if 34, 44, 50, 54,81, or 98 appeal to you, those are local to me.

[Skywalker]

So many beers so little time!!!:bh

Beer I have had from the Top Five:
Pliny The Younger
Pliny The Elder

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3672/screenshot20120106at848.png
Picture of Pliny The Elder for Týr:D

[Wanger]

I've had all the Surly's on the list, with my favorite being Darkness (had it on tap). I've had KBS and Breakfast Stout. Have some Abyss and Stone Imperial that we haven't tried yet. And have had Bell's Hopslam. We tend towards stouts, and there's plenty on the list that I'd LOVE to try. :)

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Some are just flat out super-hard to find but the descriptions on them really catch my interest.

I appreciate the offer kind sir but I'm looking for maybe someone who's close to one of the breweries or a store that stocks them. Not looking to raid anyone's cellar :D Thank you though!

Not a fan of the IPA's Tom?

I know you aren't looking to raid anyones cellar, Týr. I do have a lot of beers though and always like sharing. PM sent bro

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Blasphemy! Kidding, drink what you like. I've had 4 of the top 20, with only 1 regularly available to me. I'd like to see the ratings bump beers get just for being rare and largely unavailable. If you're from the east and you trade your rare beers to get a pliny I doubt you're going to allow yourself to decide it sucks.

I loved the beer, I just wouldn't put it on my list. There are a bunch of other Double IPA's I would put ahead of it, mainly beers from Three Floyds, Bells and founders.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

There's a couple beers in the top 20 that are tap only, just so everyone knows. You'll have to go to RR to get Younger on tap, same thing with vanilla bean dark lord, you'll have to go to Three Floyds brewpub. I had it on tap last year at Dark Lord Day, and it still is my favorite beer of all time. Simply amazing.

[LasciviousXXX]

Thanks for the info Nate :tu
PM coming back at ya!

I am often envious of some of the east coast guys and their access to some killer breweries.

[ktblunden]

There's a couple beers in the top 20 that are tap only, just so everyone knows. You'll have to go to RR to get Younger on tap, same thing with vanilla bean dark lord, you'll have to go to Three Floyds brewpub. I had it on tap last year at Dark Lord Day, and it still is my favorite beer of all time. Simply amazing.

Yeah, one of these days I'll plan a trip to make the 8 hour drive up to Santa Rosa to hit up Russian River. I think they don't do growlers of Younger anymore though, due to demand.

[MNSmoker]

I've only had two out of the top 20. Pliny the Elder and The Abyss. Both were absolutely fantastic beers. Browsing through the Top 100, I've had about 15 on that list. A lot of beers on that list are seasonal or limited offerings, but some are readily available year-round beers that are easy to come by. I'd love to try every beer on that list, but I don't have the time or money to make that a reality.

[kaisersozei]

Interesting list, not a single Dogfish Head or Sierra Nevada brew in the Top 100, but 5 from Russian River. :sh

I've had 2 in the Top 10 (Westvleteren 12 & Pliny the Elder,) and about a dozen more in the Top 100. Nothing that seems to be routinely available, however.

[Skywalker]

Interesting list, not a single Dogfish Head or Sierra Nevada brew in the Top 100, but 5 from Russian River. :sh


Right?! :sh

[Bill86]

Interesting list, not a single Dogfish Head or Sierra Nevada brew in the Top 100, but 5 from Russian River. :sh

I've had 2 in the Top 10 (Westvleteren 12 & Pliny the Elder,) and about a dozen more in the Top 100. Nothing that seems to be routinely available, however.

I agree, no Dogfish head is ridiculous!

Love almost all of the Dogfish Head brews. World Wide Stout really needs to be on there.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Dogfish just doesn't make any beers that are that outstanding to me. I'll give them credit for Palo, WWS, 60 and 90 min., but nothing else stands out to me. They do push the limits with beer though, which is good I guess, but their one off beers have never done it for me.
Sierra Nevada is a great brewery, putting out very good, affordable everyday beers. I buy a ton of beer from Sierra Nevada, they know what they're doing. However, again, nothing over the top must have beers for me. I think if they start to put some Imperial Stouts and Barleywines in bourbon casks, then you'll see some of their stuff break into top 100. (they are doing Bigfoot in bourbon barrels soon I think, I'd love to get some:dr)
Beer is like cigars, wine, ect. It's a very subjective thing.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Number 3 on BA. It's in my top 5 beers I've ever had, AMAZING beer, seek it out if you like stouts.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7ERtDpUZOU/Tv-E7Bq6qpI/AAAAAAAAA-M/OLjMHpMntLY/s1600/CBS.jpg
^not my picture

[MNSmoker]

Number 3 on BA. It's in my top 5 beers I've ever had, AMAZING beer, seek it out if you like stouts.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7ERtDpUZOU/Tv-E7Bq6qpI/AAAAAAAAA-M/OLjMHpMntLY/s1600/CBS.jpg
^not my picture

ISO: CBS :dr

[icehog3]

Number 3 on BA. It's in my top 5 beers I've ever had, AMAZING beer, seek it out if you like stouts.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7ERtDpUZOU/Tv-E7Bq6qpI/AAAAAAAAA-M/OLjMHpMntLY/s1600/CBS.jpg
^not my picture

My Binnys got 8 bottles. Needless to say, it was gone when I arrived. :lr

[Bill86]

That CBS looks great :dr

[replicant_argent]

Number 3 on BA. It's in my top 5 beers I've ever had, AMAZING beer, seek it out if you like stouts.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7ERtDpUZOU/Tv-E7Bq6qpI/AAAAAAAAA-M/OLjMHpMntLY/s1600/CBS.jpg
^not my picture

good timing, this was mine tonight.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

good timing, this was mine tonight.

I love Founders Imperial Stout. So much better with about a year on them. Last years are drinking great! I want to buy a case of this years release, which I think is about to hit stores soon..

[icehog3]

I love Founders Imperial Stout. So much better with about a year on them. Last years are drinking great! I want to buy a case of this years release, which I think is about to hit stores soon..

Maybe I can be more timely on that one....had a couple Breakfast Stouts Saturday and they were great.

[replicant_argent]

Maybe I can be more timely on that one....had a couple Breakfast Stouts Saturday and they were great.

Excellent.



So, what was for lunch?

[icehog3]

Excellent.



So, what was for lunch?

Uncontrollable sobbing again.

[replicant_argent]

Uncontrollable sobbing again.

I have had months like that.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Maybe I can be more timely on that one....had a couple Breakfast Stouts Saturday and they were great.

You should be fine to pick up some Imperial Stout, Tom. It's FAR less rare than CBS. If you like Breakfast Stout, you'll love Imperial Stout. I actually like Imperial better than breakfast stout.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Have you had KBS Tom?

[icehog3]

You should be fine to pick up some Imperial Stout, Tom. It's FAR less rare than CBS. If you like Breakfast Stout, you'll love Imperial Stout. I actually like Imperial better than breakfast stout.

Excellent...if you see it out, please post here so I can run out to Binnys, Nate. :tu

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Excellent...if you see it out, please post here so I can run out to Binnys, Nate. :tu

Will do bro:tu

[yourchoice]

Hmm... from this top 100 I've had: 8, 31, 41, 42, 57, 58, and 92.

The 100 from this (http://beeradvocate.com/lists/fame) list (top 100 with 1000+ reviews) are generally much more attainible and a fun list to check out. I've had 44/100 from this list. Almost half way! :noon

[Bill86]

Hmm... from this top 100 I've had: 8, 31, 41, 42, 57, 58, and 92.

The 100 from this (http://beeradvocate.com/lists/fame) list (top 100 with 1000+ reviews) are generally much more attainible and a fun list to check out. I've had 44/100 from this list. Almost half way! :noon

Nice, now that list I can already tell I'm off to a better start :r

[SD Beerman]

I've had 18 of these, only 2 in the top ten.:dr

[T.G]

Have to take all of these user/member generated lists with a grain of salt. One beer site will give a beer an 82, the other a 98. Hardly authoritative, but always an interesting read, because after reading the lists, usually you want to go out and try at least a few beers that you haven't experienced yet, and sometimes, you read it and realize that a beer that has been right under your nose, but you've been overlooking or ignoring, is on there (even though some other website might rate it somewhere between stagnant pond water and carbonated mule piss).

[cort]

Only ones I have had in the top 10 are the 2 Plinys. No damn Founders in CA. Bullchit!

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Only ones I have had in the top 10 are the 2 Plinys. No damn Founders in CA. Bullchit!

What did you think of Younger?

[BnBTobacco]

wow I had 0 out of 100 ahh the perks of living at the end of nowhere they do sound good tho

We're on the same plight brother! :)

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

We're on the same plight brother! :)

D.C. is pretty good area for craft beer. The city has some good gastropubs from what I hear.

[icehog3]

Have you had KBS Tom?

Several, think I have one left....wonderful beer, Nate! :tu

[ktblunden]

I really wish Founders would expand to the western U.S.

[landhoney]

Missing 7 of the top 20, where are you CBS?!? Surprised King Henry is so high, will have to try that one as well. Dirty Horse is next to impossible to find, I've had a couple of Darklord treatments but not the straight vanilla, and still yet to have Pliny the Younger or Citra :td

Rare D.O.S with only 33 rates, gimme a break :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Missing 7 of the top 20, where are you CBS?!? Surprised King Henry is so high, will have to try that one as well. Dirty Horse is next to impossible to find, I've had a couple of Darklord treatments but not the straight vanilla, and still yet to have Pliny the Younger or Citra :td

Rare D.O.S with only 33 rates, gimme a break :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Find any Cantillons yet?

[landhoney]

Find any Cantillons yet?

Not yet, everywhere is sold out and/or not carrying them anymore.

[GreekGodX]

I got to have CBS on tap at Founders the day it was released, that is after I got 2 bottles :) Loved KBS as well, going to this years release.

Need to do some major drinking. Although I can also mark off the IPA's. I've never met one I like.

[icehog3]

Need to do some major drinking. Although I can also mark off the IPA's. I've never met one I like.


We have similar tastes, Son, no love for any IPA I have ever tried.

[kaisersozei]

We have similar tastes, Son, no love for any IPA I have ever tried.

Blasphemy! :D

[ktblunden]

We have similar tastes, Son, no love for any IPA I have ever tried.

I didn't like IPAs for a long time and then it's like something just clicked for me and now I love them. I can definitely see not being into it though. Especially when so many companies are just stuffing more hops in to say they have the hoppiest, most bitter IPA out there. To each their own.

[newcigarz]

Rare D.O.S with only 33 rates, gimme a break :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:


maybe we can find out for ourselves in March?:D

[landhoney]

maybe we can find out for ourselves in March?:D

Doubtful unfortunately, they only have it very rarely apparently. You'd think with the thousands (scary number) of people at Hunahpu that would potentially run over there they'd schedule to have it ready then, but I'm not holding my breath for that.