As Brooklyn Brewery put it, “adult journalists find it so easy to whip up a top 10 list for just about anything the closer we come to January,” so why can’t we? Thus, I’ve decided to put together my top beers of 2009 list! And, in part, I didn’t fully agree with Village Voice’s top beer lists. However, please keep in mind that this list is totally subjective and opinionated, but isn’t that the beauty of beer? If some people can swear that Bud Light is good, then everyone must be entitled to their own opinion (however narrow minded or un-beer-educated they may be).
10. Kasteel Rouge
This may be more of a recent adoration, but this beer caught me by surprise. Although this beer may not be for every one, it stood out as one of my favorites. Why? Well, I love Cheerwine, and this was pretty much the same thing in beer form! Kasteel Rouge was very flavorful with tart cherries, both in aroma and taste. Perhaps it was a touch sweet, but that’s what made it taste like Cheerwine—it was a bit like a sweeter version of a Belgian kriek.
9. Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale
For a while I loved Brooklyn’s Post Road Pumpkin and Dogfish Head’s Punkin (both fantastic Pumpkin Ales), but this one was newer and more intense to me. I thought that the spice was well balanced, and the fact that it was so perfectly balanced with the higher gravity made this pumpkin ale taste more like pumpkin to me.
8. Duck-Rabbit Märzen
Duck-Rabbit is one of the best breweries in NC. They make the best Milk Stout, in my opinion. So, it’s no surprise that this Oktoberfest-style lager is the richest and most flavorful märzen’s out there. This beer is well rounded with tons of caramel and German malts!
7. Smuttynose Farmhouse Ale
Smuttynose Brewery is a new addition to the Triangle. Frankly, I’m real excited about the new, booming beer market in North Carolina! We can now look forward to great beers from all kinds of awesome craft breweries like Smuttynose—who are now one of my favorite breweries. So, I just had to list their version of one of my favorite types of beer: the saison/farmhouse. This beer is good.
6. Brooklyn Sorachi Ace
Garrett Oliver, at Brooklyn Brewery makes some awesome beer. My all time favorite is still Brooklyn Brown. But, ever since then, I’ve been hooked on trying whatever new beer comes from Brooklyn. Sorachi Ace is a perfectly balanced hop ale/saison. Brewed in the fashion of a saison with lots of hoppy aroma and taste (without being really bitter) that brings out the best of this wonderful hop, Sorachi Ace. Brooklyn Brewery simply allowed the hop to speak for itself. This beer is a must drink for hop lovers.
5. Hitachino Nest White Ale
The Japanese seem to have this ability to perfect their craft. I mean, they produced the Sorachi Ace hop! Hitachino Nest White from Kiuchi Brewery is a great example of a Japanese masterpiece. Maybe it’s blasphemy, but I feel that this Belgian white is better than any white made in Belgium. Their touch of nutmeg is just awesome. Not to mention that their packaging is the best I’ve seen.
4. Ommegang Inauguration Ale (Obamagang)
When Obamagang made its way to Busy Bee Cafe, I just had to get a pint. And, I was very pleased. The so-called stout was actually closer to a porter to me. It was lighter and had nice chocolate and coffee notes, rather than the bitter black malts of typical of stouts. And, it was nicely blended with a Belgian kriek, so it had subtle cherry notes in the background. Hopefully Ommegang will find a way to make this tenured.
3. Brooklyn Intensified Coffee Stout
I love porters and stouts, especially when they involve coffee or chocolate. Most of the time they’re quite strong or bitter. However, Brooklyn’s Intensified Coffee Stout is smooth and intensely coffee. It’s very easy to drink and nothing about this beer is overwhelming. I could drink this anytime of the day!
2. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
In my opinion, Bell’s is one of the best brewery in, well, the world. They don’t usually mess around with frills. Their beers are straight forward and drinkable. And, this beer is, hands-down, the best IPA available. The Centennial hops are clean, crisp, and citrusy. It’s just plain good. Especially if you’re a hop-head!
1. Founders Breakfast Stout
The first time I tried this beer I was in love. This beer is so good, you could drink it for breakfast and not feel bad. Founders essentially found a way to put breakfast in a pint glass. It’s rich with coffee, chocolate, and malt. And, I’m not sure if they used oats too, but it even has hints of creamy oatmeal. This beer is world-class.
Honorable Mentions
A few home brewed beers came to mind, like our friend Ron’s American Robust Porter (which has got to be one of my favorite porters I’ve ever had) and our Oak City IPA, but I decided to keep this list to strictly commercially available beers. After all, it’s only fair if everyone has the chance to taste the beers on the list, eh?
I also thought of so many good beers I’ve had in the past—some of my all-time favorites. For instance, Brooklyn Brown, Leffe Brune, Black Oak Pale Ale, Green Flash Le Freak, and Unibroue La Fin du Monde. But, I wanted to keep this list fresh and from my new experiences this year.
What are your favorites? Which beers am I missing out on?
