Hard to say. I think one that I just keep coming back to (and loving even more) is Allagash Black. Two that are close to it are Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (not to be confused with that bland regular Guinness, or the mediocre Guinness Extra Stout), and Bar Harbor Cadillac Mountain Stout. None of these are quite the "perfect" beer for me. But they come so darn close. Guinness FES needs a little more "oomph", and and Cadillac Mountain needs just a bit more softness" and I'm not exactly sure what Allagash Black needs. Maybe a bit more bite? Anyways, those three are my number one rated.
Mine was King Henry until last night when I cracked open and reviewed a CCB Cognac Aged Church on a Hill. Honestly not sure which of the two I prefer, but Church received a higher rating by virtue of a slightly better appearance score.
Out of my nearly 1000 full reviews, my 3 highest-rated are: Founders Imperial Stout Alesmith Yulesmith (Summer) Old Rasputin (nitro-tap) I've been reviewing beers here on BA for 7 years now, so some beers that I reviewed early would likely get different scores now, and on a different day, those 3 might not get my highest ratings. But there you have it.
So far for me it's too close to call between KBS and Stone Enjoy By, but there's still so many top rated beers for me to try (including Heady Topper which I should be trying in about a week and a half!). Still if I only had those 2 beers to drink the rest of my life I would be a very happy man! =)
Top Had: Jackie O's Ice Oil of Aphrodite (my only perfect 5, though if I reviewed it I'd imagine it'd be slightly lower) Top Review: PvW Dark Lord (4.83) Honorable Mention: Alpine Nelson (4.78)
All those who think I'm prejudiced against top-fermented beer will be surprised; mine is a tie between Sam Smith's Oatmeal Stout and Weihenstephaner Korbinian.
Based on the very little amount of beers ive been able to try I I would have to say Pliny is at the top of my list.
Bells black note, kbs, or westy 12 for me. Surly wet and goose island Dominique would follow closely.
Zombie Dust is my closest to a perfect 5.0. And contrary to what many on here think, it's not the artwork or the name that does it for me.
2006 Abbaye St. Bon-Chien, 100% Pinot barrel aged. This one's a sleeper out of the BFM line, arguably the only reason why I buy his beers: in hope that he might one day re-create this beer.
As of now, it's Pliny the Elder. Supplication a bit below, though I spy my lone KBS and perhaps BCBS Cherry-Rye potentially claiming the thrown once I partake of them.
don't write official reviews, but hands down: CHERRY RYE I have an emotional relationship w/ this beer. It's love I tell you, love.
