The Best Brewery in Each State for 2020

It's a great time to be a beer lover as the craft beer revolution has well-and-truly reached every corner of the country. From sea to shining sea, breweries are cranking out amazing beer for their customers, and the following are the best of the best.

A note about how we picked our selections: we used a combination of rankings on respected beer review websites, reputation, history and personal knowledge and while not a requirement, it shouldn't be a surprise that the overwhelming majority are independent breweries.

Tip of the cap to Trim Trab for their tremendous brews, but the fine folks at Good People are still our pick for the Yellowhammer State. We are just as infatuated with their Snake Handler Double IPA (pine, citrus and grassiness aromas with caramel and biscuit base) as we were the first time we sipped it, with other standouts being the Coffee Oatmeal Stout and the seasonal Christmas gift that keeps giving: El Gordo russian imperial stout.

Steadfastly dedicated to making the world of beer a more compelling place, Anchorage Brewing Company and its eclectic range of wild-yeasted and barrel-aged beers are gaining quite the reputation. Seemingly every new double IPA, imperial stout or sour release picks up more props than the last while their double oak-aged version of A Deal With A Devil barleywine is beloved by beer fans the world over.

Combining a passion for the great outdoors and the art of craft brewing, Arizona Wilderness has blossomed into the Grand Canyon State's finest. Love for local ingredients and sustainable practices can be found in everything they brew (and do) at their pub in Gilbert or beer garden in downtown Phoenix.

They're all about hard work and honest beer at Ozark and there's no reason to look anywhere else in the state for your craft fix. Their signature year-rounder is the awesome Onyx Coffee Stout, which features french-roasted, cold extracted coffee from local legends Onyx Coffee Labs. While that beer is perfect for autumn, winter and spring, turn to their Ozark Lager and the new range of Ozark Hard Waters for summer sipping sessions.

Russian River is responsible for what is arguably the most lauded American beer of this century, but this brewery is so much more than a one tricky "Pliny". While the Centennial, CTZ, Amarillo and Simcoe hop-based Pliny the Elder Double IPA is legendary, it's the range of other Belgian-inspired ales and barrel-aged beauties that currently make it the king of the Golden State.

Competition is stiff in Colorado and at any given moment there are ten breweries hanging in the "elite" category. Left Hand's marvelous milk stout has been dubbed "America's Stout" for a while now and that fact plus their current offerings gets them over the line in 2020. Their range of nitros are stellar as are the seasonals (mmm, peach radler) while the tasting room always has a few surprises up their sleeve.

They may be new-ish on the scene, but NebCo is most certainly not messing around. Their Fuzzy Baby Ducks IPA is already a local legend as is their Sea Hag IPA, with a handful more of Hall of Famers undoubtedly to follow.

Was this state ever really in doubt? Nope, because after all these years, Dogfish Head is still dominating the game in this neck of the woods. Their 90 Minute IPA is one of the most iconic brews in the history of craft beer and their roster includes the seasonal favorite Punkin, which they've been making long before putting pumpkin in everything was cool.

The competition has certainly stepped up its game in the Sunshine State (most prominently Angry Chair & J. Wakefield ), but we still can't kick these guys off the top spot. How can you? Their flagship Jai Alai IPA is arguably the most popular craft beer in the state (and has inspired an assortment of aged spinoffs) while Hunahpu's Imperial Stout with its cinnamon, cacao nib, vanilla and chili pepper loveliness is as perfect as ever.

Things have only gotten better in Athens since the last time we checked in on the brewing masters at Creature Comforts. Their ultra-refreshing Athena berliner weisse has blossomed into a family of sun-soaked limited releases while the juicy Tropicália IPA train is still rolling strong. Seasonal brews and the Subtle Alchemy line of creations from the cellar are also helping to keep this brewery on top of the Peach State pile.

At one point in time, it would have seemed crazy to not crown Kona Brewing the king of Hawaiian brewing, but Maui has made its move and isn't looking back. Their Coconut Hiwa offers just the right touch of toasted coconut while Maui Gold pineapples permeate the refreshing Pineapple Mana Wheat.

Grand Teton has been crafting great beer since 1988, with their brews having long become the go-to sipper for those exploring the splendor of the breathtaking nearby national parks. Introduce yourself to the brewery by enjoying a 208, which is a session ale that features all Idaho ingredients before moving to their other core beers and seasonals like the Teton Range IPA and Mountain Berry Sour Ale.

Okay, we know what you are thinking, but you know what, when a brewery reaches the point where its beer is synonymous with the city (and state) it's brewed in, then you have to pay respect. Goose Island's 312 is as Chicago as deep-dish pizza as it gets and even the most stuffy beer snob has respect for their groundbreaking barrelhouse, which brought us the iconic Bourbon Country Brand Stout and all its marvelous variations.

They are one of the originators in the Midwest craft beer game-and have dominated the rankings in the state for years-but this brewery based out of Munster never rests on its laurels. Their Zombie Dust APA has long reached iconic status while their Permanent Funeral pale ale packs a punch and a fistful of flavors and aromas. This is so say nothing about the dark rainbow of seasonals, collabs and barrel-aged beauties.

While we may never know the identity of the behemoth that this brewery got into business in order to knock down a peg, we're fairly certain he's been defeated. Toppling Goliath has won fans with their flagship Pseudo Sue pale ale, Kentucky Branch Brand Stout and an assortment of rotational and limited releases, while their "on draft at the taproom only" specials have made their brewery in Decorah a destination in itself.

We certainly have to give a shoutout to Defiance Brewing Company in Hays, but we're sticking with this Lawrence mainstay. They've been pouring great beer at their home base on Massachusetts Avenue since 1989, with their flagship Ad Astra Amber Ale & Stormchaser IPA being two of their most beloved brews. The small-batch Old Backus Barleywine Ale has a dedicated following while their Garden Party-a thirst-quenching lager with cucumber, juniper berries and basil-and Blood Orange Radler are both perfect summer sippers.

January can certainly be a downer, but at least Kentuckians have the release of Snake Eyes Imperial Stout from West Sixth to pull them through. This smooth, caramel-laced stout has inspired a series of barrel-aged variations worth seeking out, while the year-round roster of cans and bottles is also stellar.

Abita is always going to be the beer that takes us back to Louisiana with one sip, but Parish is certainly doing enough great things to earn the title. Their Ghost in the Machine Double IPA has become a legend as has their Rêve Coffee Stout, which is made with specialty beans from local rockstars Rêve Coffee Roasters.

Inspired by the techniques and flavors of Belgian brewing, this Portland outfit has been cranking out superior beer since the 90s. Their refreshing Allagash White has become their signature, but you'll find a variety of classic continental styles and unique interpretations in their range like the River Trip session ale and Coolship line of spontaneously-fermented brews.

As if you needed another reason to visit Berlin-one of the most charming small towns on the East Coast-Burley Oak is making waves in the craft beer game while also keeping one eye on sustainable practices. Their line of fruited Sour Ales (J.R.E.A.M and all its variations) are sought after by aficionados as are their Sorry Chicky Sour and selections from the cellar.

While there's certainly no shortage of big guns vying for the Bay State's brewing crown, Trillium and their farmhouse-inspired ales win by a nose. From their base in Canton, they are flooding the state with stellar brews like their Congress Street IPA and Fort Point pale ale and a bounty of wild and sour beers.

You know it's summertime in Michigan the Oberon wheat ale hits the shelves and that's just the tip of the iceberg of the fine beer flowing from Bell's. The Two Hearted Ale and its low-calorie version Light Hearted Ale are both special and their Lager of the Lakes has quickly become a year-round favorite. This is to say nothing of Hopslam, a decadent Double IPA brewed with honey which is arguably their most anticipated annual release.

While their rockstar annual russian imperial stout Darkness continues to revel in accolades alongside their awesome Abrasive double IPA, they are just the start of the fun at Surly.

It didn't take long for SoPro to ascend to the top of the mountain in the Magnolia State, and they look set to reign for a while. And with winners like the malty Crowd Control Imperial IPA and the seasonal Paradise Lost Double Dry-Hopped IPA with hints of tropical fruit and pine, why wouldn't they?

While a taste of a Boulevard's Tank 7 or O'Fallon Wheach will always remind us of the Show-Me State, Missouri is essentially a two-horse race between two St. Louis breweries: Perennial and Side Project. Perennial keeps the crown for its continued excellence with Saison de Lis saison & Abraxas imperial stout and the dazzling ingenuity of their brewery-only releases.

What started as a mild obsession with Moose Drool Brown Ale has turned into a passion for all things Big Sky Brewing for Montana beer lovers. While we won't deny that Lewis & Clark Brewing is nipping at their heels, each new release of barrel-aged Ivan the Terrible helps keep them at bay for another year.

They burst on the scene with their Fairy Nectar IPA and that's still the best way to introduce your taste buds to the wonder of Kros Strain Brewing. Then, move on to Krossteiner Czech Pilsner, which has just the perfect amount of haze, and if the sun is out, grab a can of Tan Limes-a Mexican-style lager laced with lime.

Yes, they've only been around three years, but in their short time brewing in Sparks near Reno, they have made a huge impression on Silver State sippers. Fans go wild for the low-impact bitterness of their award-winning Revision IPA as well as its cousin the Disco Ninja northeast-style, hazy IPA.

They are named after the Old Man of the Mountain (gone too soon) and their slogan is "live free, drink craft", so yeah, it doesn't get much more Granite State than that. As far as the beer is concerned, the hop-forward IPAs (Full Clip is a standout), pales and eclectic lagers will have you coming back for more.

Inspired by a beer-centic trip to Europe that saw the founder quaff many quality continental brews, Kane Brewing is now king of the Garden State. You don't have to look further than their hoppy Head High IPA, Sneakbox Pale Ale or A Night To End All Dawns stout for confirmation of their skills, but you'll have a great time if you do.

It's been a decade now of dominance in the New Mexico craft game for La Cumbre, and that shows no signs of slowing down. And how could it, when they are still cranking out the legendary Elevated IPA alongside winners like Project Dank IPA and A Slice of Hefe wheat beer?

Their tagline is "mastery knows no shortcuts" and that dedication to the art of brewing the right way comes through in everything they do. Start out with Softly Spoken Magic Spells IPA to get a sense of their skills before moving on to their hibiscus-hued sour lager KIM, Jan alpine white and 18-Watt IPA.

It takes a special type of brewery to ascend to the top of the rankings in craft beer mecca like Asheville, but that's what Wicked Weed has managed to pull off. Both Black Angel (black sour ale aged with cherries in a bourbon barrel) and Golden Angel (apricot-kissed barrel-aged sour) are heavenly as is the Freak of Nature Double IPA.

North Dakota residents are said to sip more beer per capita than any other state and now thanks to Fargo Brewing Company they've got some quality suds to quaff. And not just at the brewery either, as cans of Wood Chipper IPA or Fargo Original Lager have become the official drink of picnics and sunset watch parties all across the region.

We already know that Athens is one of the coolest college towns in the country, but this brewery is also making it a must-visit for beer lovers too. From stunning russian imperial stouts like Appervation to bourbon barrel-aged stouts and porters (Bourbon Barrel Black Maple & Bourbon Barrel Oro Negro immediately jump to mind), mixed fermentation wonders and the rockstar Razz Wheat wheat ale, Jackie O's is all a craft brewery should be.

Oklahoma craft beer lovers have been spoiled with Prairie since 2012, but word is starting to get out around the nation. Look no further than their renowned year-round Bomb-aged imperial stout with a kiss of chocolate, coffee, and chilies-and Rainbow Sherbert-sour ale with the flavors of creamy rainbow sherbert-for an idea of their prowess.

One of the reasons behind the sour beer renaissance-and an originator of Northwest Sour Ale-Cascade is consistently raising the bar when it comes to barrel-aged and pleasantly pucker-ish beer in PDX.

If Troegs keeps up this level of excellence, Hershey will soon be known for beer instead of chocolate. Think that's a stretch? Try some seasonal Mad Elf-their famous Christmas beer-Nugget Nectar-imperial amber ale with mango and pine-or their year-round Perpetual IPA and then get back to us.

No matter where you are in the state when you take a sip of Grey Sail, you'll be transported to the coast. Their flagship cream ale, conveniently called Flagship is the perfect introduction before moving on to the hop-heavy Captain's Daughter IPA.

Whether you crack open a can of refreshingly sour Gose or Southeast Asian-spice-inspired White Thai wheat beer or stop by the taproom for some barrel-aged Mexican Cake stout, you're bound to fall in love with Westbrook.

They've been bringing great beer to the Black Hills and beyond for 13 years now and Crow Peak shows no signs of slowing down. Year-round staples include the 11th Hour IPA (brewed with Cascade and Centennial hops) and Canyon Cream Ale with seasonal and small-batch releases always on tap at the brewpub.

Make for the countryside around Maryville to find this wonderful farm-based destination brewery. Belgian-inspired beers like their signature Saison and farm ales are their sweet spot but they also make a mean Vienna-inspired Mountain Lager.

Saint Arnold lays claim to being the Lone Star State's longest-standing craft brewery, and who are we to argue with a saint. Try their 5 O'Clock Pils Lager-a refreshing beer inspired by the brewers' trips to the Czech Republic-before moving on to the refreshing Lawnmower kolsch or Orange Show-a blond ale with blood orange.

The best introduction to Uinta is probably their Hop Nosh IPA, which features a baby-bit of bitterness alongside grapefruit, lime and pine. It's so popular that there's both a hazed and grapefruit version now too.

They've been making sought-after beer in the hills of Vermont for 10 years now, and along the way, Hill Farmstead has blossomed into the definition of a destination American brewery.

It's not all about excellent beer at Hardywood, as they take just as much pride in their ethical business practices as they do their ridiculously-tasty brews, but let's just focus on the beer for now. Any craft lover worth their salt knows about the Gingerbread Stout and Christmas Morning seasonal stouts, but we also love the Peach Tripel and their Richmond Lager-the latter bottled in a super-cool retro bottle. Oh, and their barrel-aged selections and collabs and yeah, we could go on for a while.

The Interurban India Pale Ale is the perfect first Fremont Brewing experience as it has just the right amount of bitterness, which is balanced out by a touch of sweetness. From there, proceed to the wonderland that is their seasonal, barrel-aged and small-batch Black Heron Project masterpieces.

The competition is heating up in the Mountain State, but Big Timber clinging to the top of the hill. Look to their Porter, which is stuffed with coffee and chocolate flavor to taste their best.

Is there anything more quintessentially Wisconsin than having a cold Spotted Cow by the lake on a summer day? No, no there is not. Don't look past New Glarus' line of fruit-forward selections though, because they are also solid.

You don't have to be a little off-center to get down with the madness of Melvin Brewing, but it helps. Their 2x4 Double IPA is still hitting like "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, the Heyzeus Mexican-style lager is taking sippers South of the Border while their recently released Back In Da Haze hazy IPA is destined to be a star.