Men’s Journal’s Top 25 Beers in America

Men’s Journal has updated their “25 Best Beers in America” list after a two-year hiatus. Dethroner favorite “60 Minute IPA” from Dogfish Head takes a well-deserved second-place slot, which makes me all the more curious to try the number one selection, “Walker Pale Ale” from Firestone.

Brewed with gentle British bittering hops and finished with American cascade hops (the same stuff that makes Sierra Nevada smell like pinecones), Firestone Walker combines the subtlety of a British ale with the fragrant bite that Americans weaned on microbrews have come to expect. The Burton Union oak barrel system, a Rube Goldbergian row of linked barrels that churn the fermenting brew through wood while it’s coming of age

A sample of the list, from first to fifth: Firestone “Walker Pale Ale”; Dogfish Head “60 Minute IPA”; Stoudt’s eponymous “Pils”; Russian River “Temptation Ale”; and Avery “Mephistopheles’ Stout.” I’ve been hearing so much good stuff about Russian River, but I still haven’t had a chance to sample any. I’m getting set in my beer ways, which means it’s time to get out there and try some new stuff. I’ll be in San Francisco for a day next week; perhaps Toronado has some of these West Coast standouts on tap.

25 Best Beers in America [MensJournal.com] (Thanks to everyone who sent this in!)