Top 10 Beers of the Year
Jester King Gin Barrel–Aged Nocturn Chrysalis (Austin) Fruited American wild ales can easily become nautical hull solvent—but when done flawlessly, they achieve new levels of juicy nuance. The blackberries here aren’t so jammy; instead, they manifest more as a tannic, drying, brackish pop of pomegranate and syrah that melds seamlessly with the Aperol-and-eucalyptus gin-barrel character. It’s an incredible accomplishment, and those goat rustlers in Hill Country crushed it.
Revolution Double Barrel VSOJ (Chicago) In the world of bourbon gimmicks, secondary casking often props up immature or flawed product. This is the exact opposite, taking what is already the pinnacle of barrel-aged barleywine and pushing its limits in quality and complexity. The second racking adds layers of baklava, Heath bar, and Luxardo cherry underpinned by velvety spirit. It’s almost impossible to improve upon VSOJ, but Marty and the boys pulled it off amiably.
White Bay Sequoia Country (Sydney) The IPA boat got lost on its way to India, and this tremendous offering from Sydney hop masters White Bay Beer shows that clear, resinous, pine water still has a valid presence worldwide. Aserose and tangelo join forces for this Comet-Mosaic-Citra offering that is concurrently pith, sap, and clementine. Australia is staying bitter for the better.