http://buyingguide.winemag.com/toplists/2012/beers/20-16#/toplists/2012/beers Some interesting beers on here. Nice to see New Glarus represented at #16!
Not a bad list but I can't agree with Stone 10th anniverary being on there, Enjoy By is a much better beer imo.
Worth noting is this response Lauren Buzzeo (great last name, btw) gave in the comments on WE website concerning some beer exclusions - "Thanks for the feedback, everyone! While I have to agree that FW makes some amazing stuff, certainly including Parabola and Sucaba, unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to formally review those beers in 2012. Per the article's intro, the list is culled from all beers submitted and reviewed throughout the editorial year, and unfortunately, FW wasn't included in those. I have been in contact with them recently, however, so I'm sure we'll see some reviews for their beers in 2013 and, possibly, included in next year's list! Cheers!"
Agree. While it is a fine list its still pretty subjective. This time of year you get all the 'best of insert year here' lists in everything. Picking the best beer of an ENTIRE year is like picking the greatest pitcher of all time or the greatest actor. Totally subjective to you tastes. The best beer I had all year was the one in my hand I was drinking.
I had a snifter of Bolt Cutter this past weekend. I also thought it was not good. Maybe it would get ‘better’ with age? Cheers!
Ehh...while I don't subscribe too much to top lists for something as subjective as beer, I at least like that they made some effort and found beers that don't fall under the "hype" banner. Port City Wit being a strong example. I don't know many people even in the MD/VA/DC area that have heard of that brewery and they make strong examples of classic styles.
Completely agree. I've drunk an awful lot of it over the years and at the moment in terms of structure, core strength and complexity its probably never been better. At a recent home tasting it blew away Old Chubb, Scotty Karate and Skullsplitter (three beers I really do like) like Bruce Lee whooping the Power Rangers.
I could see a wine enthusiast really going for Weyerbacher Insanity - their bourbon barrel-aged barley wine.
To all of those writing off this list because it's from Wine Enthusiast, be aware that they review wine, beer, and spirits. It's not like all they know about is wine but once a year just hamfistedly stumble into a beer store and try random stuff. The lady who made this list reviews beers in addition to wine.
Tongue and cheek mostly on my part. On a more serious note that list looks like she was trying a little too hard not to be cool, yet still came off a bit too cool for school.
Hop Trip was pretty good but top 5 is a bit of a stretch. Top 5 wet hopped beers of the year, still a bit of a stretch.
Amazes me that Bolt Cutter makes the list when it has only been out for a matter of a month or so. Their wine-ratings are half-rate as well.
What surprised me was that they listed some beers pretty high up on the list that I hadn't even heard of, plus getting into geeky territory with Bolt Cutter and then throwing in Utopias (nothing new and so expensive) towards the very top and right next to polestar pils (not that great of a pils)...
Wow! two Michigan beers on the list! Congrats Jolly Pumpkin and Founders. I know alot of people here in Michigan who take great beer for granted, I just think we are lucky to have so many excellent breweries in our state...
Pretty diverse list, but without a single Russian River beer on there makes it hard to take seriously. Both Row 2 Hill 56 and Framboise for a cure should be on there.
A good list of some beers with which I'm not familar. I take it with a grain of salt since it is a list developed by WE for wine snobs (not derogitory). Trying to help snobs venture out but ultimately wanting beer geeks to visit their website & read their mag.
There's nothing fundamentally wrong with this list, it's just one person's opinion. But, it does strike me as trying a little too hard to be edgy without having the knowledge to do so successfully. i.e. he probably tried 50 new beers this year and picked 25 of them.
