Written by Michael Rood
on 

Tradition: We're Doing it Wrong

Every year AHA members vote on their favorite beers, and every year is just as predictable as the next. See if you are able to spot the patterns of the 10 most desired beers as rated by AHA members.

  1. Pliny the Elder. (8% ABV) American Double/Imperial IPA.
  2. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale. (7% ABV) American IPA.
  3. Dogfishhead 90 Minute IPA. (9% ABV) American Imperial IPA.
  4. Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout. (11.2% ABV) American Double/Imperial Stout.
  5. Bell’s Hopslam. (10% ABV) American Double/Imperial IPA.
  6. Stone Arrogant Bastard. (7.2% ABV) American Strong Ale.
  7. Sierra Nevada Celebration. (6.8% ABV) American IPA.
  8. Sierra Nevada Torpedo. (7.2% ABV) American IPA.
  9. Stone Ruination. (7.2% ABV) American Double/Imperial IPA.
  10. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. (5.6% ABV) American Pale Ale.

You can have anything you want as long as it is a high alcohol citrus hopped IPA or Imperial [fill in style here]. This is annoying for two reasons. First, this list never changes. In fact, Pliny the Elder has been at the top for 3 years running (I think). Second, only one beer comes in at a reasonable session strength. Not a single beer on that list, save Sierra Nevada Pale, I would want to drink more than one of in a sitting.

Don’t get me wrong, I love crazy beers as much as the next guy, but tradition gets no love anymore and it’s a shame. Am I the only one who wants to see the return of the Classic American Pilsner or California Common? Hell, throw a Swankey in there just for kicks. Perhaps I’m just getting old…

Below are the links for past AHA rankings if you feel like looking at the same list in a slightly different order.