I debate this with friends often. I tend to think California wins based on how many excellent breweries they have. That said, I think a "per capita" approach should be taken to this conversation, which is when (in order) I think Michigan, Oregon and Colorado join the conversation.
My personal favorites might surprise..with some breweries I've had the good fortune to enjoy.. 1) Indiana -- Three Floyds, Sun King, Figure 8, Upland, Triton, Flat 12... 2) Michigan -- Greenbush, Bell's, Founders, Short's, Dark Horse... 3) Illinois -- Flossmoor Station, Two Brothers, Half Acre...
Overall, I'd say Cali. Firestone Walker + Stone + Lost Abbey + Green Flash + Russian River + Alesmith + The Bruery + Ballast Point + + +... Just so many choices for quality brews regardless of style preference. Honorable mentions go to Michigan (Bell's + Founders + Dark Horse + + +) and Indiana (I'm biased, 3 Floyds was my first craft and still retains several spots on my top beers list).
California The bruery Alpine Stone Ale smith Lost abbey Green flash Lagunitas Russian river North coast 50/50 Just to name a few
One of these questions again......Let me play! Cali, CO, VT, OR duhhhhhhhhh My home state massachusetts its solid with good variety. Founders (and bells) is good enough to put michigan in discussion by itself.
No one has said Pennsylvania yet so I'll be that guy even though they can't beat California. Troegs Victory Weyerbacher Yards Slyfox Voodoo
Logsdon, The Ale Apothecary, Caldera, Hopworks, Laurelwood, Upright, Rogue (don't deny it), Oakshire...
California is obvious, PA is up there for me too BUT I'm going to throw New York into the Mix Southern Tier Ommegang Captain Lawrence Brooklyn Southampton I really enjoy a lot of offerings from all of these brewing companies.
WI, IL, and MI are all on pretty level playing field and trumps pretty much anywhere else. This is however like asking which city has the best sports team most people are gonna say the one they grew up with in their home city.
California due to the plethora of quality breweries. Stone, Alpine, Lost Abbey/Port, Ballast Point, Alesmith, The Bruery, Drakes, Firestone, Bear Republic, Russian River, Knee Deep, Fifty Fifty, Lagunitas, North Coast and oh so much more!!
Surprised? More like shocked. I live in Bloomington and Upland is not that good unless you're basing them on lambics which I don't drink.
Boston was just deemed the drunkest city in the proud country we Bostonians call "America!" The list is pretty funny here is your link -> http://www.thedailybeast.com/galler...ont.html#0a4c906c-4885-4f15-b035-df218a31bb19 This being said, I am a bit disappointed that MA has not yet received popular support as the greatest brewery (let alone sports) city of all states. Below are a number of my very favorite beer companies and projects from Mass: Jack's Abby! Mystic Pretty Things Cambridge Brewing Co Berkshire Brewing Co Mayflower Cisco Ipswich (Mercury Brewing Co) Harpoon Sam Adams Clown Shoes High and Mighty Idle Hands Cody Brewing Co Wachusett Wormtown Boston Beer Co These breweries are as crafty as the Celtics. It's not necessarily in order of preference but Jack's Abby is the greatest dedication to lagering I could ever imagine. Love that Kiwi!
I'm not surprised MA hasn't received support as the greatest brewery city, seeing as how it's not a city.
Which ever states that have breweries that will distribute to Northeast Arkansas or Southeast Missouri and Memphis.
What about the two Falstaff breweries - in Galveston and El Paso. EDIT - Closed! Oh, OK, the Schlitz brewery in Longview then.
California by a large margin with Michigan and Pennsylvania following. Gotta throw in a shout-out for the awesome breweries in my home state of Georgia: Terrapin, Sweetwater, Wild Heaven, and Red Brick
