The Best Craft Brewery in Every State

Best in the state according to this expert.

"If you have a beer in your hand, life is probably good. And if you have the best beer brewed in your state, life is even better. But with more than 6,000 breweries in the US, which beers are truly the best?

We've assembled a crack team of experts to lay on the superlatives. How are we defining "best brewery" here? Obviously, making fantastic beer is a must. Does size matter? To a degree; if two breweries we like are pretty close in quality and one of them is providing beer to many more people, that could tip the scale in its favor, but we might also go with the smaller place that's inspiring fans to drive hours for its beers. Regardless, we feel that the 50 breweries below represent the best in show in every state (including the Show-Me State).

About that panel: We’ve divided the country into four sections and selected our favorite experts for each. In the Northeast, we have longtime Thrillist writer and owner of Alphabet City Beer Co. Zach Mack. Taking reins in the South is legendary beer scribe and journalist Ale Sharpton. The Midwest is in the able hands of former editor at DRAFT Magazine and current staff writer for The Takeout, Kate Bernot. And bringing up the west is Ezra Johnson-Greenough, founder of Portland Beer Week and The New School beer blog. Thrillist editors Matt Lynch and Andy Kryza got in on the action for real, because FOMO is a lifelong affliction."





































Louisiana
Bayou Teche Brewing
Arnaudville
Do you know how to reap the claim as the best brewery in Louisiana? By crafting ales and lagers strategically brewed to pair perfectly with its globally renowned fare rooted from their indigenous Creole and Cajun ancestry. Since 2009, the three Knott brothers have mastered the skills of culinary matrimony at their rustic railroad-car-turned-farmhouse brewery complete with a tap room and beer garden to fully embrace the local culture. To further realize their mission and educate consumers, Teche’s website dutifully lists which beers pair perfectly with local dining favorites; the LA 31 Bière Noire dark French Saison alongside a plate of blackened red-fish is on my wish list. (Trying more brews from Gnarley Barley Brewing in Hammond is on there, too.) -- AS

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