The United States is a mix of old and new when it comes to beer. It has both big-name beers and more minor, creative ones. There are over 9,700 breweries in the U.S., which gives people choices from a wide variety of top 10 domestic beers. America’s love for beer is evident, as it drinks around 6.5 billion gallons yearly. Now, we explore the top 10 beers in USA.
Understanding America’s Beer Culture and Popularity
America’s love for beer mixes history and new trends to create what we see today. Beers have evolved from the old days to the many types we enjoy now. Looking at this change, we learn how beer has become a big part of American life.
The Rise of Craft Beer and Macro-Brews
In the 1800s, German immigrants brought their lager style to America, making it a hit. This kickstarted the rise of craft beers and big-name breweries alike. After prohibition, big beer companies held most of the market until the 1970s, when craft beers started becoming popular.
Now, craft brewers are up against giants like Budweiser and Coors Light. They stand out with unique tastes and high quality, which has made them beloved by many despite the big brands’ hold for years.
America’s Beer Consumption Statistics
The U.S. boasts over 9,700 breweries and drinks around 6.5 billion gallons of beer yearly. Up to 71% of that beer comes from large companies, but craft beers are gaining ground, making up about 12%.
This shows that Americans are turning to more unique, quality beers. They are choosing these over the more standard drinks. It marks a trend towards valuing skill and variety.
Exploring Top 10 Beers in USA
When it comes to beer, the United States is home to an incredible craft beer scene. With so many breweries and styles to select from, it can be difficult to decide which beers to sample. To make your decision easier, we have compiled a list of the top 10 beers in the USA.
1. Corona
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Corona Extra, a pale lager from Mexico, has gained international recognition and is easily identifiable by its clear bottle and the customary lime wedge that accompanies it. Its mild, crisp taste pairs exceptionally well with warm weather and beach settings, making it a favorite among light beer drinkers. This beer stands out for its refreshing and smooth flavor profile, which features subtle malt and hop notes. Its global popularity hinges on its image as a summertime beer, often marketed in association with sandy beaches and sunny days.
2. Guinness
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Guinness is iconic as a brand and a symbol of Irish brewing tradition. Guinness Stout, recognized for its characteristic dark color and creamy head, is brewed in more than 50 countries and consumed in around 150. This stout has a thick, creamy mouthfeel because to the use of nitrogen instead of carbon dioxide. Its flavor profile is complex, with hints of coffee, chocolate, and bitterness from the roasted barley, giving it a deep, dark color.
Guinness often involves a ritual in its pouring, typically requiring about 119.5 seconds for a perfect pint, known as the “two-part pour.” This procedure provides the perfect density of the creamy head, which is an essential part of the Guinness drinking experience. The beer’s legacy includes its unique taste and presentation and its rich history that dates back to 1759 when Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease on the brewery at St. James’s Gate in Dublin.
3. Heineken
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Heineken, a global beer powerhouse, originates from the Netherlands and has been prominent in the international beer market since 1873. Its green bottle and red star logo, symbols of its Dutch heritage and quality assurance, distinguish Heineken. As a pale lager, Heineken brews using a formula that includes purified water, malted barley, hops, and a unique strain of yeast known as Heineken A-yeast, which has been used since the beer’s inception.
The crisp and somewhat fruity undertones with a mild bitterness characterize the flavor of Heineken, a profile that has made it exceptionally popular across various continents. The brewing process includes horizontal fermentation, which helps create its bright clarity and balanced flavor, making it refreshing and easy to drink.
4. Samuel Adams
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The Boston Beer Company launched Samuel Adams, a brand often credited with being a trailblazer in the American craft beer movement. Jim Koch founded it in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1984, naming the brand after Samuel Adams, a Founding Father and a brewer. Its most famous offering, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, set the stage for the craft beer revolution in the United States by offering a more flavorful alternative to the light lagers that dominated the market then.
5. Modelo
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Grupo Modelo, formally known as Modelo, is a prominent Mexican beer brand that has captured national and international markets with its range of lagers. Established in 1925, Modelo is best known for two significant beers: Modelo Especial and Negra Modelo. Each offers a unique flavor profile catering to diverse palates, and they have become synonymous with Mexican beer quality globally.
Modelo Especial is a pilsner-style lager with a clear, golden appearance and a light, refreshing taste with touches of grassy and citrus hops. It offers a smooth, well-balanced flavor that pairs wonderfully with a lime wedge and complements spicy food, making it a favorite in casual and festive settings.
Negra Modelo, on the other hand, is a Munich-style Dunkel lager that presents a darker amber hue and a slightly richer flavor. It boasts a blend of sweet caramel and chocolate malt flavors with a mild bitterness, creating a robust yet smooth profile. This beer often gains recognition for its versatility in pairing with various foods, including grilled meats and hearty dishes.
6. Stella Artois
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Stella Artois is a Belgian pilsner among the world’s most prestigious and globally recognized beer brands. Initially brewed in the city of Leuven in 1366, the brand’s name, “Stella Artois,” derives from the Latin word for star (“Stella”) and the name of the brewer, Sebastian Artois, who became the master brewer in 1708. This heritage adds a historical richness to its brand identity, symbolizing centuries of European brewing traditions.
Stella Artois is best known for its clear, golden color and crisp, slightly malty taste, which makes it both refreshing and highly drinkable. Its mild malt sweetness is balanced by a certain hop bitterness, and floral and herbal notes come from the use of Saaz hops, a noble variety known for their delicate bitterness and aromatic qualities.
7. Miller
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Miller Brewing Company, founded in 1855 by Frederick Miller in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has grown into one of the leading beer brands in the United States. It is known for its range of light and lager beers. Its most popular offerings are Miller Lite and Miller High Life, each playing a distinct role in America’s beer culture.
Miller Lite, introduced in 1975, was one of the first successful light beers in the United States and remains a staple among consumers who prefer a beer that’s lower in calories and carbohydrates but still want the flavor of a classic American lager. Its taste is crisp, with a mild hop bitterness and a refreshing finish. It’s often associated with sports and social gatherings, catering to a demographic looking for a lighter beer option without sacrificing taste.
8. Blue Moon
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Blue Moon is a popular Belgian-style wheat ale first brewed in 1995 by Keith Villa at the Sandlot Brewery of Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. Officially marketed under Blue Moon Brewing Co., this beer has gained a significant following for its unique style and flavorful profile.
Blue Moon Belgian White is the flagship product and is distinguished by its cloudy appearance with a bright, pale orange color resulting from being unfiltered. The flavor is complex yet approachable, characterized by a smooth, creamy body with subtle hints of orange peel and coriander. It finishes with a light, spicy wheat aroma. The addition of oats during brewing gives it a silky texture. At the same time, using orange peel instead of the more traditional lemon zest used in many Belgian beers adds a distinctively sweet, citrusy note.
9. Budweiser
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Budweiser, often called “The King of Beers,” is a flagship American-style lager produced by Anheuser-Busch, part of A.B. InBev. Since its introduction in 1876 by Adolphus Busch and Carl Conrad, Budweiser has become one of the largest-selling beers in the United States and is globally recognized for its consistent, crisp, and clean taste.
Budweiser is brewed using a blend of barley malt, rice, hops, and water. The process includes a unique practice known as krausening, which involves adding fresh yeast and wort at an early stage. This results in natural carbonation and helps achieve a balanced flavor. The beer’s profile is mild and approachable, with a slight malty sweetness and a clean finish, making it widely popular among a broad audience.
10. Michelob Ultra
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Michelob Ultra, introduced by Anheuser-Busch in 2002, has rapidly increased prominence, particularly among health-conscious consumers seeking a lower-calorie and lower-carbohydrate option in their alcoholic beverages. It stands out in the crowded light beer market for its ultra-low calorie and carbohydrate content, making it a preferred choice for athletes and those leading an active lifestyle who still wish to enjoy a beer without compromising their dietary goals.
Conclusion
The top 10 beers in the USA are just the tip of the iceberg when exploring the country’s beer offerings. Each beer on this list is a gateway to understanding the broader culture and community of American brewing. Whether sampling a rich stout or a crisp pale ale, you’re experiencing a piece of America’s passion for craft beer.
Disclaimer
The images used in this blog are not owned by Schooner Brewing Seattle, the copyrights of those images belong to the respective owners only.
