Beer Bucket List: 25 Beers You Must Try

[buffdaddy]

Great blurb on Coolmaterial about 25 beers that you should add to your bucket list. Was wondering if any of you have tried some of these (do they belong on their bucket list)?

Also, what beers do you think should also go on this bucket list?


We’re not going to say these are the 25 best beers in the world. That’s something very, very subjective. We will say that these are 25 beers that are seriously worth trying at some point in your life, however. Some you may have had already, seen at your local liquor store, or noticed on tap somewhere. Others you’ll have to scout out and hunt down. They’re presented in no particular order.

1. Heady Topper (The Alchemist)

Perhaps the best IPA you’ll ever taste in a country that has adopted the IPA as its own. This Imperial/Double IPA from The Alchemist in Vermont is actually recommended to be consumed right out of the can. Like a lot on this list, you may have to travel to get it. Alchemist Beer

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

2. Dark Lord (Three Floyds)

When a beer has its own holiday (so to speak) you know it’s special. Dark Lord is available one day a year in April (Dark Lord Day) at Three Floyds Brewery in Indiana. It’s an amazing stout you’ll have to plan a trip around. 3Floyds

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

3. Schneider Weisse Unser Aventinus

Few beers on this list are as approachable as this Weizenbock. The German beer – always a plus when it comes to wheat beers both dark and light – is full of flavor (banana bread, clove, raisin) and is highly drinkable. Schneider Weisse

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

4. Westvleteren XII

Often labeled as the world’s best beer, this Belgian Quad is one of Westvleteren’s three different brews. Tracking some down is not easy since the monks only make enough to support the monastery regardless of the insane demand. It was on sale one day last year in the US and got beer fans in a tizzy. Saint Sixtus

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

5. The Abyss (Deschutes Brewery)

The hints of molasses and licorice give this super dark stout serious flavor. It’s balanced but complex and is one of the best Imperial Stouts out there in our book. Deschutes Brewery

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

6. Pliny the Elder (Russian River Brewing Co.)

Probably the most adored and revered IPA (even more so than Heady Topper) in the US, Pliny the Elder is a seriously delicious and perfectly balanced brew. Russian River Brewing Co.

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

7. Pliny the Younger (Russian River Brewing Co.)

Oh, Pliny the Elder is too easy for you to get your hands on (a great problem to have), well go hunt down some Pliny the Younger. The Triple IPA is another amazing beer from Russian River that’s harder to obtain. Russian River Brewing Co.

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

8. Trappistes Rochefort 10

This Belgian Quad packs a punch at over 11% ABV. It’s like port but for beer fans. Abbaye Rochefort

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

9. Rogue Chipotle Ale

Rogue’s Chipotle Ale makes the list for its basic interestingness. It’s an amber ale kicked up with some smoked chipotle chile peppers that’s worth trying for the experience alone. It’s also the only beer we’d follow with a glass of milk. Rogue

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

10. Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA

You could eat straight hop pellets, or you could drink a 120 Minute IPA from Dogfish Head. While it might be better to relax in front of the TV with a bottle of 60 Minute or 90 Minute, the high alcohol and IBUs are worth the headache the next morning. Dogfish Head

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

11. Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout

Founders is one of those breweries you can always rely on for consistently good beers. Their CBS (not to be confused with the also awesome, KBS) may be their finest. It’s sweet and frothy and hyped for good reason. Founders Brewing

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

12. Saison Dupont

Saisons have been hot for a bit, and if you want to try the gold standard, you’d be wise to get your palms on some from the Dupont brewery. It’s easy drinking after a day of working in the fields. Brasserie Dupont

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

13. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen

Because you’ve always wanted to drink the smell of your grill, there’s this smoked beer from Germany. While it’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea (or pint of lager), it is something you should swig at least once. Besides, who wouldn’t want to drink bacon?? Schlenkerla

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

14. AleSmith Speedway Stout

If you’re the kinda guy who seriously enjoys his espresso, Speedway Stout from AleSmith in San Diego is right up your alley. It sports an incredible coffee profile that any coffee and beer fan will enjoy. AleSmith

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

15. Lips of Faith – La Folie (New Belgium Brewing)

If you want to ease into sour beers, this is not the place to start. It’s super sour, but – at least in our book – super delicious. New Belgium

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

16. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale

An incredible IPA that you don’t have to hit the lottery to get in your fridge. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale boasts a hefty hop aroma with the perfect amount of sweetness. You can’t go wrong with this or Bell’s Hopslam or actually most of their beers for that matter. Bell’s Beer

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

17. Darkness (Surly Brewing Co.)

You want big flavor, you got big flavor. Surly’s Darkness is not a Russian Imperial Stout to mess around with. It’s chocolatey with a bunch of nuances that any beer fan would appreciate. Surly Brewing

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

18. Cantillon Lou Pepe Kriek

Lambics are not often considered the manliest of beers, but you can’t hide deliciousness. This Kriek lambic from Cantillon won’t win you many points with frat bros, but you’ll be laughing to the bottom of each cherry flavored glass. Cantillon

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

19. Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier

If you don’t speak German, just point at the bottle or tap and hide your pride at the door. It’s worth it. This is the classic German Hefe which all others should be measured against. Weihenstephaner

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

20. Cable Car (The Lost Abbey)

A funktastic American wild that packs a sour punch. If you’re the kind of guy who bites into straight grapefruit, this is a beer worth storing in your collection. Lost Abbey

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

21. Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter

As far as porters go, you could do far, far worse than this brew from Great Lakes. It’s ridiculously smooth and our pick for the best porter around. Best of all, it’s most likely not a beer you have to go hunting for. Great Lakes Brewing

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

22. Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale (Sierra Nevada)

On a cold winter night, this is the beer we reach for. It’s exactly what you want in a robust brew. Sierra Nevada

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

23. Peche Mortel (Dieu du Ciel)

Another one for the coffee nuts. Peche Mortel (French for “Mortal Sin&#8221 is an Imperial Stout that acquires a lot of its flavor from the fair-trade coffee it’s infused with. Dieu Du Ciel

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

24. Sam Adams Utopias

Who is ready to get wrecked? If you raised your hand, save up and search out Sam Adams Utopias. At 27% ABV it’s more like a light bourbon. Of course, that’s part of the fun. Samuel Adams

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter

25. Zombie Dust (Three Floyds)

A just flat-out great pale ale from Three Floyds. It’s hoppy, fruity, and should be a summertime staple if you can get it. 3 Floyds

Tried it? Recommend it on Twitter




http://coolmaterial.com/feature/beer-bucket-list/

 

[lindyhop66]

I have heard of Russian River Pliny the Younger, but like most of these on the 25 list, I can't get them in North Carolina and the beer makers can't ship them. (1) Dogfish Head Raison d'Etre is a wonderful balanced beer made with green raisins. (2) Southern Tier 2X and 4X are wonderful double IPAs.

 

[the_edski]

Oh man, I feel like a newb after this list. I've only had two on the whole list. IMO, I thought Edmund Fitzgerald was rubbish (admittedly, I was in my cups when I tried it, me and my friend agreed that it tasted like it "was brewed with the tears of the mourning"), but the other, Zombie Dust is a fantastic beer!

 

[jrward2]

Oh man, I feel like a newb after this list. I've only had two on the whole list. IMO, I thought Edmund Fitzgerald was rubbish (admittedly, I was in my cups when I tried it, me and my friend agreed that it tasted like it "was brewed with the tears of the mourning"), but the other, Zombie Dust is a fantastic beer!

Better than not having any the list like this guy

 

[macdude357]

When I saw the title, I was wondering if Speedway Stout would be on the list. I love that stuff. They make a barrel aged version that sells out very quickly and is very pricey (I think it's around $25 or $30 per 750ml bottle, vs. $11 for the regular).

 

[Techichi]

Oh man, I feel like a newb after this list. I've only had two on the whole list. IMO, I thought Edmund Fitzgerald was rubbish (admittedly, I was in my cups when I tried it, me and my friend agreed that it tasted like it "was brewed with the tears of the mourning"), but the other, Zombie Dust is a fantastic beer!

Don't feel bad. There are some on that list that are kind of hard to acquire, and there are plenty of good alternatives to their styles. I've only had 9 myself, and while I agree they are a "must try", I kind of wish I never did try a few of them.

 

[DogHair]

Pretty good list. I've never been able to enjoy sour or smoked beers but I keep trying when the opportunity arises. Once you work through these check out the top beers at a couple beer geek sites. There's a lot of beer out there to try.

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[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

Yeah, a lot of those are highly regional. Great beers that many people from all over try to get and other drive or travel a long way to get them. Three Floyds Brewing Dark Lord Day comes to mind... Tickets for that sell out as fast as they post them.

 

[buffdaddy]

Oh man, I feel like a newb after this list. I've only had two on the whole list. IMO, I thought Edmund Fitzgerald was rubbish (admittedly, I was in my cups when I tried it, me and my friend agreed that it tasted like it "was brewed with the tears of the mourning"), but the other, Zombie Dust is a fantastic beer!

Well I've only tried the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Zombie Dust so I'm in the same boat as you. I guess if I could add something to the bucket list it would be Goose Islands's Matilda Begium style Pale Ale.

 

[ShaveYourSoul]

I can scratch at least half of these of my list as I am not a fan of IPA.