What's Your Favorite Microbrew?

by elguapo
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December 30, 2008
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What your favorite microbrewery in America? Beer snobs in the Pacific Northwest will tell you that you can't get a good microbrew east of Oregon, but that's simply not true. I have lived in a bunch of different places like LA, Atlanta, DC and Chicago and have had the opportunity to try out some awesome regional beers over the years. And while I don't claim to be any sort of beer expert (PBR = my beer of choice) here are a few of my favorites that you should try if you're ever in these areas. If you have a favorite regional gem or even a nationally distributed microbrew that you really like, by all means please share it with the rest of us.

Full Sail Brewing Company

This awesome employee-owned brewery in Hood River, Oregon makes one of the best West Coast Style pale ales in the world. In fact, they just won the gold medal for their pale ale at the 2008 Great American Beer Fest.

They also make a great Amber Ale.

You can find full sail at Trader Joe’s on the West Coast or check out their site to see if they distribute to your neck of the woods.

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Full Sail Brewing Company

506 Columbia St, Hood River, OR 97031

Go Directly to the source. Sample some beers and hang out with the 47 workers/owners/hippies that run this place. Brewery tours followed by weekly ultimate Frisbee games every Wednesday throughout the year.

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Flying Dog Brewery

“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.”

Brewed in Frederick, MD, the Gonzo dudes who brew this stuff were good buds with Hunter S. Thompson. And while Dr. Gonzo has since passed on, Flying Dog still use Thompson’s friend, Ralph Steadman to do all their artwork.

That in itself is cool as shit, but Flying Dog also happens to make some of the best beer in America.

I like their Road Dog Porter and their Doggy Style Classic Pale Ale but you should also check out their Dogtoberfest ale, which won a gold medal this year at the 2008 Great American Beer Festival.

They’re pretty big as far as microbreweries go. So you can find them just about anywhere, as they distribute in 46 states. Sorry Alabama, South Dakota, Iowa and Alaska.

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Dogfish Head

Brewed in Milton, Delaware, the company’s original slogan was “good beer for weirdos” Brewery but they decided to go instead with “off-centered stuff for off-centered people”.

Try their 90 Minute I.P.A.

Made with lots of malt, Esquire Magazine calls it., “perhaps the best I.P.A. in America.” And at 9% alcohol by volume, it’ll get you drunk.

Check out their site; where you’ll also be able to learn about such treats as the Golden Shower Imperial Pilsner — a real wicked pissah of a beer.

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Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Inc

703 Chestnut St, Milton, DE 19968

DelaWhere? Beside paying ridiculous toll road fees, what the f*ck do you do when you’re in Delaware?

Obviously you go visit the Dogfish Head Brewery. They brew the beer in Milton, but your best bet is to visit their brewpub in Rehoboth Beach.

DelaWhere? Beside paying ridiculous toll road fees, what the f*ck do you do when you’re in Delaware?

Obviously you go visit the Dogfish Head Brewery. They brew the beer in Milton, but your best bet is to visit their brewpub in Rehoboth Beach.

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Sweetwater Brewing Company

Sweetwater is my favorite microbrewery hands down.

From their very popular West Coast style 420 Pale Ale to their super-hard-to-get-your-hands-on, knock-you-on-your-ass, 8.6% alcohol, Festive Ale (available Oct-Dec) every beer in their collection is awesome and worth trying!

Why you’ve never heard of them: They’re based in Atlanta and distribute only in the Southeast.

Why you should check them out: They’re the only brewery east of the Mississippi to win small brewery of the year in the 25 year history of the Great American Beer Festival, AKA the “Super Bowl of Brewing”

What you should do:

Step 1: Go to their facebook page and request that they begin distribution in your hood

Step 2: Have your taste buds send me a thank you note.

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Sweetwater Brewing Co

Atlanta, GA 30303

Best Brewery Tour EVER!!! Screw the Coke Museum, the High Museum or the new aquarium. If you’re in Atlanta for one day and one day only, go here. You won’t be disappointed.

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Unibroue

This microbrewery is ‘American’ in that it’s ‘North American’…basically, what I’m trying to say here is that it’s…well it’s…Canadian. Other than Leffe, (a Belgian brewery) my personal favorite brew is Fin du Monde by Unibroue. If you can drink two of these without hallucinating, you deserve a badge in my book.

added by aubreeWYATTsmith 12/30/2008

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Whale's Tale Pale Ale

Brewed by Cisco Brewers in Nantucket, this beer is “An amber English-style ale that has a nice balance between hops and malt. It’s the most popular of our beers and the most versatile in terms of pairing with food or people.”

My idea of the perfect day is taking the high-speed ferry to Nantucket, bellying up immediately at the bar at The Tavern, and ordering one of these on draft.

added by mswen 12/30/2008

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Flying Dog Brewery Offices

2401 Blake St Unit 2, Denver, CO 80205

Brewery is in MD, but the corporate offices are in Denver. Don’t be shy. Bring a six pack (and maybe a sheet of acid) with you and go visit the friendly “suits” that run this joint. Bueno!

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