The Most Popular Craft Beer in America, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the craft beer you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:34
Craft beer enthusiasts often find themselves at a crossroads, trying to decide which new brew to try next. With the burgeoning number of small and independent breweries exploding across the country, the choice can certainly feel overwhelming. A dynamic list that ranks craft beers based on popular opinion could serve as a useful guide for both newcomers and seasoned aficionados.
Having a ranking system allows users to see which beers have garnered the most votes and what might suit their unique tastes. This not only enhances the user's experience by informing choice but also encourages broader participation in the selection process. As more enthusiasts share their preferences, the accuracy of the rankings improves, reflecting current trends and tastes in the craft beer community.
What Is the Most Popular Craft Beer in America?
-
126votes
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.This beer is one of the most iconic and best-selling craft beers in America. It has a well-balanced hop flavor and a crisp finish that appeals to a wide range of beer drinkers.Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a highly regarded American pale ale known for its vibrant hop aroma and exceptional balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness. It pours a rich amber color with a creamy off-white head. This beer features a pronounced citrusy and floral hop flavor, backed by a slightly caramel malt backbone. It has a medium body and a crisp, refreshing finish.- Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5.6%
- Hop Variety: Cascade
- Malt Variety: Two-row Pale, Caramel
- Color: Amber
- Bitterness (IBU): 38
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular ale
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular beer in America
-
236votes
Sam Adams Boston Lager
Jim KochThis beer is brewed by the Boston Beer Company and is one of the most popular craft beers in America. It has a full-bodied, malty flavor with a slightly bitter finish, making it a favorite among beer enthusiasts.Sam Adams Boston Lager is a renowned American beer that is brewed by the Boston Beer Company. It is a amber-colored beer with a distinct hoppy and malt flavor, offering a balanced and full-bodied taste. This lager has gained immense popularity across the United States.- Brewery: Boston Beer Company
- Style: Amber Lager
- ABV: 4.9%
- IBU: 30
- Color: Amber
Sam Adams Boston Lager in other rankings- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular beer in America
-
316votes
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
Dogfish Head Craft BreweryThis IPA is a popular choice for those who love hoppy, bitter beers. It has a citrusy flavor with a slightly bitter finish that makes it a great beer to pair with spicy foods.Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA is a popular India Pale Ale (IPA) known for its hop-forward flavor and citrusy aroma. It is brewed by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, located in Milton, Delaware, United States.- Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
- Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.0%
- International Bitterness Units (IBU): 60
- Hops: Amarillo, Simcoe, Warrior
- Malts: Pilsner, Crystal
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular ale
-
44votes
Stone IPA
Stone BrewingThis beer is brewed by Stone Brewing Company and is known for its bold, hoppy flavor. It has a citrusy taste with a slightly bitter finish, making it a great choice for those who love strong, flavorful beer.Stone IPA is a highly regarded craft beer known for its bold, hop-forward flavor profile and balanced bitterness. It is an American India Pale Ale (IPA) that has gained considerable popularity among beer enthusiasts. With a rich amber color, this beer showcases an enticing aroma of citrus, pine, and resin from the hops. The flavor is characterized by a prominent hop bitterness, complemented by a malty backbone that provides a slight sweetness. Stone IPA is medium-bodied with a crisp finish, making it a refreshing choice for IPA lovers.- ABV: 6.9%
- IBU: 77
- Hops: Magnum, Chinook, Centennial, Azacca, Calypso, Motueka, Ella, Vic Secret, and Galaxy
- Malts: Pale Ale, Munich, and Crystal
- Yeast: California Ale
-
517votes
Lagunitas IPA
Lagunitas Brewing CompanyThis IPA is brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company and is a favorite among beer enthusiasts. It has a fruity, hoppy flavor with a slightly bitter finish that makes it a great beer to pair with grilled meats and spicy foods.Lagunitas IPA is a popular beer in Chicago known for its hoppy and flavorful characteristics. It is an American India Pale Ale (IPA) style beer that is brewed with a combination of selected malted barley and hops, giving it a distinct taste and aroma. Lagunitas IPA is a medium-bodied beer with a balanced yet noticeable bitterness, making it a go-to choice for hop lovers. It pours a clear amber color with a frothy white head. The creator of Lagunitas IPA is Lagunitas Brewing Company, an American craft brewery located in Petaluma, California. The brewery was founded in 1993 by Tony Magee. Here are ten important specifications of Lagunitas IPA:- Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
- ABV (Alcohol By Volume): 6.2%
- IBU (International Bitterness Units): 45
- Color: Amber
- Body: Medium
Lagunitas IPA in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular beer in Chicago
-
615votes
Bell's Two Hearted Ale
Bell's BreweryThis beer is brewed by Bell's Brewery and is known for its hoppy, floral flavor. It has a well-balanced taste with a slightly bitter finish, making it a great beer to pair with seafood and other light dishes.Bell's Two Hearted Ale is a highly acclaimed American-style India Pale Ale (IPA) originated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is known for its intense hop aromas and well-balanced flavor profile, making it a favorite among beer enthusiasts.- Style: American-style India Pale Ale (IPA)
- ABV: 7%
- IBU: 55
- Color: Copper
- Hops: Centennial hop variety
Bell's Two Hearted Ale in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular beer in Michigan
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular beer in Chicago
-
713votes
Founders All Day IPA
Founders Brewing Co.This beer is a session IPA that is perfect for those who want a flavorful beer without the high alcohol content. It has a citrusy, hoppy flavor with a slightly bitter finish, making it a great beer to pair with lighter dishes.Founders All Day IPA is a sessionable India Pale Ale, known for its easy-drinking characteristic. It offers a balanced combination of hop flavors, malt sweetness, and a clean finish, making it a popular choice for beer enthusiasts in Michigan.- ABV: 4.7%
- IBU: 42
- Color: Golden amber
- Aroma: Citrus, pine, and floral notes
- Taste: Balanced bitterness with hints of grapefruit and resin
Founders All Day IPA in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular beer in Michigan
-
80votes
New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale
New Belgium Brewing CompanyThis beer is brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company and is known for its malty, caramel flavor. It has a well-balanced taste with a slightly sweet finish, making it a great beer to pair with hearty dishes.New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale is a renowned craft beer that has become a staple in the American beer scene. It is characterized by its balanced and approachable flavor profile, making it a favorite among beer enthusiasts of all levels. The beer features a rich amber color and a smooth, medium-bodied texture.- ABV: 5.2%
- IBU: 22
- Color: Amber
- Malts: Pale, C-80, Munich
- Hops: Willamette, Goldings, Nugget
-
95votes
Goose Island IPA
Goose Island Beer Co.This IPA is brewed by Goose Island Beer Company and is a favorite among beer enthusiasts. It has a hoppy, citrusy flavor with a slightly bitter finish, making it a great beer to pair with spicy foods.Goose Island IPA is a highly popular craft beer with a distinct hoppy flavor profile and a strong presence of citrus and floral notes. It is considered a classic representation of the American India Pale Ale style. The beer has a balanced malt backbone that provides a slight caramel sweetness to complement the bold hop bitterness.- ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 5.9%
- IBU (International Bitterness Units): 55
- Color: Amber
- Hops: Cascade, Amarillo, Centennial, and Simcoe
- Malts: Pale, Caramel
Goose Island IPA in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular beer in Chicago
-
104votes
Victory Prima Pils
Victory Brewing CompanyThis pilsner is brewed by Victory Brewing Company and is known for its crisp, clean flavor. It has a slightly hoppy taste with a refreshing finish, making it a great beer to pair with grilled meats and other hearty dishes.Victory Prima Pils is a traditional German Pilsner style craft beer known for its crisp and clean taste. It is brewed with a blend of German malts and hops to create a balanced flavor profile and a refreshing finish.- Beer Style: German Pilsner
- ABV (Alcohol By Volume): 5.3%
- IBU (International Bitterness Units): 44
- Color: Pale Gold
- Malts: Pilsner Malt
Missing your favorite craft beer?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular craft beer
-
Sales volumeThe number of barrels or units sold in a given time period indicates the popularity and demand for a particular craft beer.
-
Market shareThe proportion of the craft beer market that a specific beer or brewery holds, measured as a percentage of total sales, can also give a good indication of popularity.
-
Geographic distributionThe availability and reach of a craft beer across different states or regions in the US can be a significant factor in its popularity.
-
Consumer ratings and reviewsPublic opinion, as reflected by consumer ratings and reviews on platforms like Untappd, BeerAdvocate, and RateBeer, provide insight into the perceived quality and taste of craft beers.
-
Awards and recognitionsBeers that have won awards at major beer competitions, such as the Great American Beer Festival or the World Beer Cup, may be more popular among craft beer enthusiasts.
-
Brand recognitionThe reputation and visibility of a craft beer brand among consumers can play a role in its popularity. This can include factors like the label's design and marketing efforts.
-
Social media presenceA craft beer's popularity on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can also be an indication of its overall popularity among consumers.
-
Collaboration with other breweries or establishmentsBeers that have been created in collaboration with other popular breweries or bars may gain added popularity due to the association with other well-known entities in the industry.
-
Seasonal availabilitySome craft beers are released as limited or seasonal offerings, which can create hype and increase their popularity among consumers.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular craft beer in America. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or beer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2066 views
- 137 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each beer once every 24 hours. The rank of each beer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular craft beer in america
Craft beer has been on the rise in the United States for several years, with more and more people opting for unique, locally brewed beers over mass-produced, big-name brands. As a result, the craft beer industry has exploded, with new breweries popping up all over the country. With so many options available, it can be hard to determine which craft beer is the most popular in America. That's where StrawPoll comes in. By hosting polls and rankings on various topics, we can get a better sense of what the people are drinking and which craft beers are the most beloved across the country. So, what is the most popular craft beer in America? Let's find out.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
