Each of these five brewers led the way on beers that landed on our list of the Best 20 Beers in 2023. We asked them to name their own favorites from 2024.
Fast Fashion Mignonette
Averie Swanson, founder and beermaker, Keeping Together in Santa Fe, New Mexico
“I honestly never thought I’d say this, but one of the most impressive beers I had this past year was a DDH IPA. I generally don’t choose this style for regular consumption, but I drank this at CBC, and it has stuck out in my mind ever since. It was so balanced, with loads of tropical-fruit character you expect from an IPA like this, but the beautiful candied-strawberry aroma and flavor top-note made it unforgettable.”
Birdsmouth Vienna Lager
Eric Tennant, founder and head brewer, Benchtop Brewing in Norfolk, Virginia
“I first tried the Vienna Lager from Birdsmouth when they brought it to our Maillard Fest last spring. On my first pass of the aroma, the rich, toasty bread notes gave me the impression that it leaned toward the heavier side—many Vienna lagers come across too sweet for my palate—but nothing could be farther from the truth. It’s toasty and bready in the best way, and still perfectly balanced with hop bitterness while light on the palate.”
Chuckanut Kölsch
Brian Rooney, cofounder, BKS Artisan Ales in Kansas City, Missouri
“This past spring we were pouring beer at the Little Beer Festival in Duluth, Georgia, across from Chuckanut. Their Kölsch was stunning. The soft minerality of the water profile, the strikingly clean and unique character of their kölsch yeast, along with the nuanced but perfectly balanced hop character, made it a favorite beer of the year for me, and one I hope to have again very soon.”
Cellador The Smoke with Peaches
Nick Pauley, wood cellar manager, Arizona Wilderness in Gilbert, Arizona
“I had the pleasure of trying several beers from Cellador while in Los Angeles over the summer, but the one that stood out the most was The Smoke with Peaches. Incredible balance, strong stone-fruit character, and not overly acidic or smoked out. Most importantly: highly drinkable. That’s something I always look for and strive for in mixed-culture sour beers.”
Halfway Crooks Whole Cone Fest Märzen
Jared Welch, cofounder and production manager, Southern Grist in Nashville, Tennessee
“I’m much more a fan of festbiers than märzens. However, when I saw Whole Cone on the menu during a recent visit, I had to try it. It showcases just how amazing whole-cone hops can be in the hands of those who use them expertly. Not too sweet, just the right pop of bright hop flavor, the perfect finish, and way lighter than a typical märzen. In a place where I normally try to order as many different beers as I can, I think I had three of these.”