RATEBEER TOP HONORS

For the winners of 2O11 RateBeer Best competition, 13O,OOO beers from over 1O,OOO brewers worldwide were tallied. A particular emphasis was placed on tastings from the last year’s performance. Additionally, brewpubs, bottle shops, restaurants, and bars from around the world were awarded prizes. The panel of critics includes nine master beer tasters with over 1O,OOO documented beer ratings. Unlike other beer contests, the emphasis was largely placed on tasting commercial samples – not special batches prepared for festivals. A full list can be found at ratebeer.com.

The top 1O
1 Närke Kaggen Stormaktsporter
Närke Kulturbryggeri Brewery, Sweden
2 Westvleteren 12
Westvleteren Abdij St. Sixtus Brewery, Belgium
3 Russian River Pliny the Younger
Russian River Brewing, California
4 Cigar City Zhukov’s Final Push
Cigar City Brewing, Florida
5 Goose Island Rare Bourbon County Stout
Goose Island Beer Company, Illinois
6 AleSmith Speedway Stout
AleSmith Brewing Company, California
7 Three Floyds Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout
Three Floyds Brewing Company, Indiana
8 Russian River Pliny the Elder
Russian River Brewing, California
9 Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS) Founders Brewing Company, Michigan
1O AleSmith Barrel Aged Speedway Stout AleSmith Brewing Company, California.