The Best Craft Beer In Every US State

Anton Vierietin/Shutterstock

The craft beer scene in the United States is competitive, so, unsurprisingly, a whole slew of breweries have unfortunately closed in 2025. However, that doesn't stop brewers from chasing new heights and vying for the title of best craft beer in their state. In fact, that competitiveness is probably what keeps the creative spirit alive. From big city brew pubs to small town tap rooms, this list honors the beers that make each state's craft beer scene worth talking about.

The best craft beer doesn't just come from experimental brewing alone. It comes from extreme passion and consistent dedication to the trade. So even if you're someone who, like Anthony Bourdain, was never really a fan of craft beer in the first place, it's hard not to respect the pure imagination and commitment that go into these brews. 

Our picks for the best craft beer in each state are based on a mix of industry awards and accolades, national popularity and followings, imaginative innovation, and exclusivity. Check out the methodology slide at the end for more information on how we chose these brews. These standout beers prove that American craft beer can be bold and inventive, while still being drinkable and unforgettable.

In the heart of Birmingham, Alabama, one highly rated beer has both local and national recognition. Paradise Now is a Raspberry Berliner Weisse from TrimTab Brewing Company that stands out for its drinkability. With its bold fruit flavor, it took home a Bronze medal at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF). Paradise Now is so beloved that locals who've moved away stock up on six-packs whenever they're in town.

trimtabbrewing.com

(205) 374-8749

2721 5th Ave S, Birmingham, Alabama 35233

When it comes to craft beer in Alaska, Anchorage Brewing Company doesn't just brew beer — it creates pure chaos around its release. A Deal With the Devil is a barrel-aged barleywine with such a cult following that its 2020 release practically broke Tavour, an online beer store. Ranked as one of the top 20 among over 400,000 beers on BeerAdvocate, A Deal With the Devil has redefined good beer.

anchoragebrewing.company

(907) 677-2739

148 W 91st Ave, Anchorage, AK, 99515

Wren House Brewing Co. in Phoenix brews the best craft beer in Arizona. Spellbinder is a triple-hopped New England IPA with the perfect balance of tropical hop notes and creamy malt flavors. Batches tend to sell out quickly, so fans make sure to always have a four-pack on hand. It's claimed by many as their favorite IPA, and it's even been awarded a gold medal by the GABF.

wrenhousebrewing.com

(602) 244-9184

2125 N 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008

The best craft beer in Arkansas is Ozark Beer Company's Bourbon Double Cream Stout, a highly anticipated, limited-release brew that sells out quickly. This barrel-aged imperial stout is known for its blend of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, caramel, and vanilla flavors. It even received a 99/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine's blind tasting panel, earning significant respect in the craft beer community nationwide.

ozarkbeercompany.com

(479) 636-2337

109 N Arkansas St, Rogers, AR 72756

One sip of The Lost Abbey's Duck Duck Gooze and you'll understand why this American Gueuze-style wild ale is the best craft beer in California. It consists of a blend of three different sour ales aged in oak barrels and has a silver medal from the GABF. Due to its limited release, Duck Duck Gooze is one of those beers you can't find on any store shelf, so being ready for the next drop is critical.

lostabbeybrewing.com

Multiple locations

Dale's Pale Ale from Oskar Blues Brewery changed the game for craft brewing in Colorado,  featuring citrusy hops and caramel malt. As the first North American beer to be canned in a 22-ounce tall boy, it revolutionized how craft beer could be shared and consumed. Recently, Dale's Pale Ale won a gold medal in the English Ale category at the 2025 GABF.

oskarblues.com

(303) 776-1914

1640 S Sunset St, Longmont, CO 80501

Passing through Connecticut isn't complete without stopping at Counter Weight Brewing Co. for the latest batch of Modern Classic, a series of beer collabs with Modern Apizza in New Haven. Modern Classic IV is a crushable pilsner that took home a gold from the GABF. Each version is available on draft and in cans for a limited time following its release.

counterweightbrewing.com

(203) 806-1477

7 Diana Ct, Cheshire, CT 06410

Few breweries have a chokehold on an entire state like Dogfish Head has on Delaware, which is why it's one of those breweries you need to visit at least once. But one beer rules the roost: the 90 Minute Imperial IPA. As the first beer to be continuously hopped, this beer set a new standard that changed the trajectory of the craft beer world for the better. 

dogfish.com

(302) 684-1000

6 Cannery Village Center, Milton, DE 19968

Next on the beer tour is a bourbon barrel-aged pastry stout from Angry Chair Brewing, a brewery that has truly set the standard for innovative dessert brews. Its Barrel-Aged Imperial German Chocolate Cupcake Stout has earned high praise for authentically reflecting the flavors of a German chocolate cake. This sought-after beer consistently gets high ratings and positive reviews in the craft beer community.

angrychairbrewing.com

(813) 238-1122

4101 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33603

Beer lovers in Georgia rave about Terrapin Beer Co.'s Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout. This highly-rated brew is made with coffee beans crafted by Athens-based Jittery Joe's Coffee. Despite its high ABV, the alcohol is masked with a bold coffee flavor, making it highly drinkable. As one of Terrapin's popular and long-standing seasonal offerings, Wake-n-Bake has a strong, loyal following.

terrapinbeer.com

(706) 549-3377

265 Newton Bridge Road, Athens, GA 30607

Local ingredients are the foundation for Big Island Brewhaus' Red Sea of Cacao. This imperial red ale is brewed with cacao nibs, pink Hawaiian sea salt, and pink peppercorns, offering a layered flavor that you can't find anywhere else. With a heavy focus on regional offerings — from the live music to the flavors — Big Island Brewhaus truly embodies everything craft beer should be about.

bigislandbrewhaus.com

(808) 887-1717

64-1066 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd, Waimea, HI 96743

Attempted Murder is a rich and decadent imperial stout from Bombastic Brewing known for its velvety body and prominent notes of Madagascar vanilla and cinnamon. Reviewers often comment on its fudgy mouthfeel and a slow-building intensity that's dangerously smooth. With multiple awards from the North American Beer Awards, Attempted Murder embodies the creativity and experimentation in craft beer brewing, earning it the title of the best craft beer in Idaho.

bombasticbrewing.com

11100 N Airport Rd, Hayden, ID 83835

Illinois doesn't fall short when it comes to innovative craft breweries. Cruz Blanca is a standout brewery in the Windy City that made a name for itself with Tepache Cowboy, a Mexican lager that's aged in añejo mezcal barrels with fermented pineapple and spices. Receiving a gold medal at the 2025 GABF solidifies its reputation of being Illinois' best craft beer.

cruzblanca.com

(312) 733-1975

904 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

Zombie Dust from 3 Floyds Brewing Co. has developed a well-deserved cult following. This highly coveted American Pale Ale was first released in 2010 and was difficult to find outside of its local area, creating a huge hype around the brew while also branding it the holy grail of hop-forward American ales. To this day, it still holds a perfect score on BeerAdvocate.

3floyds.com

(219) 238-6815

9750 Indiana Pkwy, Munster, IN 46321

Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout may be one of the most expensive beers you can buy, but its dessert-like characteristics make it worth every penny. Currently voted as the #1 beer on BeerAdvocate, this imperial stout is pure decadence in a bottle. Between its flavor complexity and its highly enjoyable sensory experience, Toppling Goliath Brewing Company's Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout is near flawless.

tgbrews.com

(563) 387-6700

1600 Prosperity Rd, Decorah, IA 52101

Beer connoisseurs in Kansas swear by a west coast double IPA from Fields & Ivy Brewery that appeals to hopheads nationwide. Kaw River Roller is hop-forward with prominent notes of lemon, orange zest, pine, and spice, making it a memorable IPA in a competitive market. It regularly gets high ratings on public forums and is a crowd favorite at local beer events and festivals.

fieldsandivy.com

(785) 274-8429

706 E 23rd St, Lawrence, KS 66046

Coming from a brewery that helped kickstart Kentucky's craft beer movement, West Sixth IPA is now a cornerstone of the Bluegrass State's brewing scene. This American IPA has a piney bitterness and bright hop flavor, and stands out for being bold but not overpowering. Described as one of the best-selling IPAs in the state, West Sixth IPA deserves its title as Kentucky's best craft beer.

westsixth.com

(859) 705-0915

501 W 6th St, Lexington, KY 40508

One of the most unique craft beers on this list comes from Louisiana's Miel Brewery & Taproom. Flor De Jamaica is a kettle sour gose brewed with hibiscus flowers, cinnamon bark, and Himalayan pink sea salt. This refreshing brew earned the coveted gold at 2025's GABF in the American Sour Ale category, receiving high praise from industry professionals and making it a sought-after sour in the South.

mielbrewery.com

(504) 372-4260

405 6th St, New Orleans, LA 70115

The best craft beer in Maine is Allagash Brewing Company's Coolship Resurgam. As one of the best sour beers, this Wild Ale gets both its name and its distinctive flavor from the coolship it's spontaneously fermented in. Due to this meticulous brewing process, Coolship Resurgam is produced in small quantities. With a Silver medal from the GABF, this beer alone is worth a trip to Maine.

allagash.com

(800) 330-5385

50 Industrial Way, Portland, ME 04103

Burley Oak Brewing Co. brews some of the most successful sour ales in the country, and one in particular from its J.R.E.A.M. (Just Rules Everything Around Me) is the best craft beer in Maryland. J.R.E.A.M. Blueberry Cobbler is a fruited sour ale praised for its authentic replication of the nostalgic dessert, and regularly receives high scores on BeerAdvocate.

burleyoak.com

(443) 513-4647

10016 Old Ocean City Blvd, Berlin, MD 21811

Tree House Brewing Company dominates the craft beer scene in Massachusetts, and its flagship hazy IPA, Julius, is proof. With a perfect score on BeerAdvocate and frequent recognition from top industry experts, crowds regularly flock to one of Tree House's six New England-based locations to get their hands on a four-pack.

treehousebrew.com

Multiple locations

Mortal Bloom proves why Founders Brewing Company remains a powerhouse brewery in Michigan. This hazy IPA became one of the top-selling IPAs nationwide within months of its release. With bright tropical notes, Mortal Bloom captures everything good about an IPA. And its growing lineup of variants shows that Founders hasn't lost its touch when it comes to innovation.

foundersbrewing.com

(616) 776-1195

235 Cesar E Chavez Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

A trip to Minnesota isn't complete without grabbing a pack of Surly Brewing Co.'s Axe Man. With a score of 98 on BeerAdvocate and over 230,000 Untappd check-ins, this West Coast IPA is a flavor bomb of pineapple and grapefruit. Axe Man also won Best in Show and first place for American IPAs at the 2024 Minnesota Brewers Cup.

surlybrewing.com

Multiple locations

Next stop on America's best craft beer tour is at Southern Prohibition Brewing Co. in Mississippi, where Paradise Lost is proof that hop-forward brews are still setting the standard for beer nationwide. With high ratings on both BeerAdvocate and Untappd, this double dry-hopped IPA appeared in Zymurgy's Best Beers in America by State in 2020.

soprobrewing.com

(601) 602-4871

301 Mobile St, Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Perennial Artisan Ales put Missouri's craft beer scene on the map with a brew so good that RateBeer.com claimed it one of the 20 best beers in the world. And with an average rating of 4.62 on BeerAdvocate, the public couldn't agree more. BA Abraxas is a barrel-aged imperial stout brewed with ancho chili peppers, cacao nibs, and cinnamon.

perennialbeer.com

8125 Michigan Ave, St. Louis, MO 63111

Ivan the Terrible is a barrel-aged imperial stout from Big Sky Brewing Company that won gold at the North American Beer Awards and bronze at the Montana Brewers Association Awards. With over 29,000 check-ins on Untappd, Ivan the Terrible appeals to beer enthusiasts just as much as it does to industry heavyweights.

bigskybrew.com 

(406) 549-2777

5417 Trumpeter Way, Missoula, MT 59808

Ask any Nebraska beer lover what their state's best brew is, and Fairy Nectar is sure to come up. This Kros Strain Brewing Company hazy IPA earned a silver at the Great American Beer Festival and has an above-average rating on BeerAdvocate. With multiple variations, Fairy Nectar is proof that Kros Strain Brewing is leading the beer scene in Nebraska with flavor-first innovation.

krosstrainbrewing.com

Multiple locations

Sparks, Nevada is home to the Silver State's best craft beer. Disco Ninja is a hazy IPA brewed at Revision Brewing Company that essentially swept the 2020 USA Beer Ratings — winning Beer of the Year, Best Beer by Quality, and Best in Show by Country.

revisionbeer.com

(775) 331-2739

380 S Rock Blvd, Sparks, NV 89431

Deep in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Schilling Beer Co. has an unpretentious Czech-style dark lager that's a masterclass in flavor nuance. Karlův 13° is described as a blend of chocolate chip cookies, pumpernickel, and licorice, and its cold-conditioned variant won a gold in the Untappd Community Awards.

schillingbeer.com

(603) 444-4800

18 Mill St, Littleton, NH 03561

Among all the iconic New Jersey bites you need to try at least once, there's one sip that belongs right beside them. Bourbon Barrel-Aged Mexican Brunch is an imperial milk porter with an Untappd rating of 4.53. This limited release from Kane Brewing Company is aged for nearly two years in bourbon barrels and then conditioned on cinnamon, coffee, cacao, and ancho chilis.

kanebrewing.com

(732) 922-8600

1750 Bloomsbury Ave, Ocean, NJ 07712

New Mexico's La Cumbre Brewing Co. brews an American IPA that's legendary among hop heads. Project Dank is brewed with double the hops of most double IPAs, making it unapologetically bitter. With a 4.09 on Untappd and a 4.4 on BeerAdvocate, this hop-heavy beer is more than just a fan favorite — it's a state icon.

lacumbrebrewing.com

(505) 872-0225

3313 Girard Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107

Lambo Door is just one example of why Grimm is considered one of New York's most innovative breweries. This double IPA is a hop-loaded fruit bomb bursting with mango, peach, and citrus flavors, and was ranked first in a blind tasting of 115 double IPAs by Paste Magazine.

grimmales.com

(718) 564-9767

990 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

North Carolina's Outer Banks is home to the state's best craft brew. Jimmy Buffett Ruined My Life is a highly-rated imperial IPA from Swells'a Brewing that won a gold medal in the juicy or hazy imperial IPA category at the 2024 World Beer Cup.

swellsabrewing.com

(252) 715-3044

1802 S Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

One brewery in North Dakota is single-handedly setting the standard for smoothie sours. The Braaaaaaaains series from Drekker Brewing Company has chart-topping reviews and is regularly highlighted in local media. From the strawberry and guava drop to the blackberry, plum, and raspberry variant, Braaaaaaaains makes you rethink what a craft beer can even be.

drekkerbrewing.com

(701) 532-0506

1666 1st Ave N, Fargo, ND 58102

Fat Head's Brewery & Saloon's Head Hunter is Ohio's golden child when it comes to craft beer — winning golds at both the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival. It was also named one of the best 20 beers in America by Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine. With over 320,000 ratings on Untappd, Head Hunter is easily considered one of the most decorated IPAs in the country.

fatheads.com

Multiple locations

A visit to Oklahoma isn't complete without having a beer from Prairie Artisan Ales — and one beer in particular proves why this Oklahoma City-based brewery is a master of pushing the boundaries when it comes to barrel-aged flavor. Bourbon Paradise is a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout conditioned with coconut and vanilla, with a perfect score on BeerAdvocate.

prairieales.com

(405) 602-0894

3 NE 8th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104

High ratings on Untappd prove why The Sixth Peach: Cognac Barrel Cuvée put the town of Tillamook, Oregon on the map for something other than Tillamook Creamery's top-ranking ice cream flavors. This spontaneous wild ale is aged in oak cognac barrels with white Saturn peaches and is proof that de Garde Brewing knows what it's doing when it comes to barrel-aged fruit sours.

degardebrewing.com

(503) 815-1635

114 Ivy Ave, Tillamook, OR 97141

Voodoo Brewing Co. first opened in Meadville, Pennsylvania in 2005, and its expansion across the country has transformed the barrel-aged beer scene for the better. Its cult-favorite Black Magick is an imperial stout best known for its ultra-limited drops from the Barrel Room Collection, where every new barrel-aged brew pushes the boundaries and earns high praise.

voodoobrewery.com

Multiple locations

Understanding Rhode Island's craft beer scene starts at Tilted Barn Brewery, where a double New England IPA is highly regarded by beer drinkers across all states. The Chosen One has consistent above-average ratings on BeerAdvocate, and one fan on Reddit even called it "among the best DIPAs I've ever had."

tiltedbarnbrewery.com

(401) 500-6765

One Hemsley Place, Exeter, RI 02822

Westbrook Brewing Co.'s Key Lime Pie Gose is a dessert-like twist on the traditional sour wheat beer that's brewed with Key lime, sea salt, coriander, vanilla, and cinnamon. With over 73,000 ratings on Untappd, this gose is perfect for a day at the beach — and even better for making a boozy fruit salad.

westbrookbrewing.com

(843) 654-9114

510 Ridge Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

South Dakota holds its own when it comes to IPAs — and Lost Cabin Beer Co.'s SoDank IPA is proof. This West Coast IPA stands out for its piney profile and truly embodies the pungent flavors and aromas one would expect from an IPA. With a bronze medal from the U.S. Open Beer Championship, SoDank is more than just a local favorite — it's nationally recognized.

lostcabin.beer

(605) 718-5678

1401 W Omaha Street, Suite #3, Rapid City, SD 57701

With a silver medal from the 2025 Great American Beer Festival, Wiseacre Brewing Co.'s Tiny Bomb is a literal explosion of flavor that's far from small. With 50 pounds of local honey in every batch, this pilsner has a refreshing sweetness. Tiny Bomb is the perfect example of a craft brew that's accessible, while still embodying the innovation of Tennessee's craft beer scene.

wiseacrebrew.com

Multiple locations

Yellow Rose is a single-malt, single-hop IPA from Lone Pint Brewery that delivers a bold burst of stone fruit. It's unapologetically vibrant and has an unmistakable hoppy punch. With a world-class rating on BeerAdvocate and over 160,000 check-ins on Untappd, Yellow Rose is a brew worth traveling to Texas for.

lonepint.com

(713) 304-5069 

507 Commerce St, Magnolia, TX 77355

In downtown Salt Lake City, you'll find the best craft beer in Utah. Full Suspension Pale Ale is an unfiltered and dry-hopped Northwest-style pale ale brewed at Squatters. With two Great American Beer Festival gold medals and a perfectly balanced blend of hops and malt, this beer is evidence that approachable beers can still bring home the win.

squatterspubbrewery.com

(801) 363-2739

147 W Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

A few miles north of downtown Stowe, you'll find The Alchemist brewing Vermont's best craft brew. Focal Banger is an American IPA with more than 400,000 check-ins on Untappd. You can also find Focal Banger on best-of lists, including Zymurgy's Best Beers and Breweries in America.

alchemistbeer.com

(802) 253-6708

100 Cottage Club Rd, Stowe, VT 05672

Brewed with 100% Virginia-grown wheat, Port City Brewing Company's Optimal Wit isn't just Virginia's best craft beer — it's an ode to the state's agricultural identity. This Belgian-style witbier earned gold at the World Beer Cup and has multiple medals from the Great American Beer Festival in the Belgian-style Witbier category.

portcitybrewing.com

(703) 797-2739

3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304

Three Ryes Men from Reuben's Brews hits every hallmark of a top-tier craft beer. This full-bodied barleywine earned bronze and gold at the Great American Beer Festival, scored World Beer Cup wins in 2023 and 2024, and even landed a spot on Craft Beer & Brewing's Top 20 Beers of 2020.

reubensbrews.com

Multiple locations

In the small logging town of Elkins, Big Timber Brewing Company is brewing West Virginia's best craft beer. Big Timber Porter is an American porter that made history in 2022 as the first beer in the state to bring home a medal from the Great American Beer Festival. It also brought home back-to-back wins at the World Beer Cup in 2023 and 2024.

bigtimberbrewing.com

(304) 637-5008

2 Davis Ave, Elkins, WV 26241

New Glarus' R&D series is a line of experimental, limited-release beers that use unique techniques like spontaneous fermentation and barrel aging. And beer fans go wild for them. The series consistently earns some of the highest ratings possible on BeerAdvocate, and because the bottles are only sold on-site, they've become highly sought-after among collectors.

newglarusbrewing.com

(608) 527-5850

218 Hoesly Dr, New Glarus, WI 53574

Wyoming's craft beer scene shouldn't be underestimated — and Black Tooth Brewing's 1314 is why. This bourbon-barrel-aged English strong ale has brought home major medals from a long list of nationally recognized beer competitions, including the Great American Beer Festival, the World Beer Cup, and the U.S. Open Beer Championship.

blacktoothbrewingcompany.com

Multiple locations

WS-Studio/Shutterstock

Our picks for the best craft beer in every U.S. state are backed by more than just hype — they're substantiated by expert reviews, industry-recognized wins, and public demand. We looked at the beers that have consistently high ratings and scores on BeerAdvocate and Untappd, the ones decorated with major medals from the GABF, the World Beer Cup, and other national competitions, and the brews that generate exciting buzz in the craft beer community.

The innovation of the brewing process mattered just as much as the beer's reputation. Beers that pushed the boundaries when it came to technique and ingredients stood out over others. Limited drops, cult followings, and trade value played a role as well.