10 Best American Beers

• Bud Light. While beer connoisseurs tend look down on this brew, it can't be argued that Bud Light sells. It is the top selling beer in America as well as the rest of the world. And who is the second best selling beer in the United States as well as in the world? Bud Light's heavier brother, Budweiser.
• Samuel Adams Boston Lager. This beer won multiple international awards back in 2005. This did not stop the company from entering the lager in later competitions. That was a good call, as Samuel Adams Boston Lager has won more awards than any beer in history.
• Miller Light. America's third best selling beer cannot be ignored. Not only does its sales skyrocket, Miller Lite has won the Gold World Beer Cup award for the American-Style Light Lager category four times. All these awards are packed into a mere 96 calories per bottle.
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale has won distinguished beer awards since 1987 including several gold medals from the Great American Beer Festival and international beer awards held in Europe.
• Redhook ESB. Redhook ESB was influenced by the bitter brews that can be ordered from British pubs. This bitter beer brought home a gold medal from the 2009 Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal. One taste of its mixture of bitter and sweet will have you agreeing with the judges.
• Pyramid Hefeweizen. This is a true champion with three awards from the World Beer Cup and a gold medal for the American-Style Hefeweizen category during the 2004 Great American Beer Festival. Pyramid Hefeweizen is available all over the United States and is Pyramid's best selling product.
• Corona Extra. Here comes in the fourth best-selling beer in America, the pale lager Corona Extra. Sure, it is from Mexico and not the United States. However it is only fair to include Corona Extra on the list of best American beers. After all, Corona is the number one imported beer in America and this beer is ridiculously hard to miss at parties across the country. And any American old enough to drink knows it is mandatory to serve this beer with lime like ketchup with french fries.
• Pliny The Younger. Pliny The Younger, from the Russian River Brewing Company based in California, takes the top spot for best American beer, according to beer lovers around the world. Almost 500 beer connoisseurs gave this great American brew an almost perfect rating.
• Coors Light. Love or hate this well-known American brand, this is the fourth best selling beer in the United States. Its makers, Coors Brewing Company, won the Large Brewing Company Of The Year award during the 2009 Great American Beer Festival. A commercial success from an award-winning brewery, Coors Light is worthy of this list.
• Sweetgrass IPA. Grand Teton Brewing Company from Idaho brought home the gold medal for their hoppy Sweetgrass IPA. The beer won under the most entered American-style category, American Pale Ale.

While not everyone will agree with some or even all of the items on this list, the judges and the American public have spoken. Taste bud's do vary so it is up to you to decide between the opinions of the masses or the beer connoisseurs should discrepancies between the choices arise. Either way, drink moderately and enjoy the best American beers.


Sources:

World Beer Cup

Great American Beer Festival

Home Brewers Associate