A list identifying ‘the most underrated beers’ has been made by US brewers and drinks experts to showcase the true gems within the sector.
The selection, created by culture site Uproxx, has drawn upon a raft of voices in the US beer industry to give what it has stated is a subjective view that is underpinned by beers that are neither ubiquitous or popular so much as undervalued for their quality. Here are the selections and each of the experts who contributed to the listing along with a little information about each beer.
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1, Long Trail Double Bag
ABV: 7.2%
Long Trail Brewing Double Bag, this is a malty double amber ale (hence the name) that’s sometimes hard to find. This beer practically drinks itself even at 7.2% ABV. It’s been available for decades, but still manages to fly under the radar.
Price: US$11 for a six-pack.
Chosen by: Andrew Hueston, USBG bartender at El Vez in Philadelphia.
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2, Progression Connect The Dots IPA
ABV: 7%
Progression Connect The Dots IPA is a gorgeous, underrated beer to look at. A light, bright yellow colour, hazy, of course, and with a stark, pillowy, white head. Donned with the typical creamy malt character made possible by the malted wheat and oat additions.
Price: US$16 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans.
Chosen by: Suzanne Schalow, CEO of Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont, Massachusetts.
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3, Great Lakes Eliot Ness
ABV: 6.2%
Great Lakes Eliot Ness has been available for years, but still manages to be extremely underrated. The first beer brewed by one of the country’s craft pioneers, standing strong more than 30 years later. The label of ‘amber lager’ doesn’t seem to be used very often. Similar beers are often labelled as something regional, like ‘Vienna’ or ‘Boston,’ or sometimes just lager. Ness is indeed quite amber, though, and this sets it apart from the rest.
Price: US$11 for a six-pack.
Chosen by: Joe Straitiff, brewing manager at Half Acre Brewing in Chicago.
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4, Barley Brown’s ESB
ABV: 5.8%
Barley Brown’s ESB is highly underrated because most of the world doesn’t know Barley Brown’s and therefore isn’t ‘rating’ them. Also, because the ESB has, so sadly, fallen out of favour with most consumers.
Price: Unavailable due to limited availability.
Chosen by: Ryan Schmiege, brew master at Cascade Lakes Brewing Company in Redmond, Oregon.
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5, Saison Dupont
ABV: 6.5%
Saison DuPont, hands down, is the best beer in the world. A classic example of the Belgian farmhouse style. You might not think that’s underrated, but it really is. It should be in everyone’s beer fridge. It’s that good.
Price: US$7 for a 375ml bottle.
Chosen by: Nico Freccia, co-founder at COO at 21st Amendment Brewery in San Francisco.
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6, Aecht Schlenkerla Helles Lager
ABV: 4.3%
Aecht Schlenkerla Helles Lager is an underrated pick. It’s a classic Bavarian lager with a subtle smokiness. There’s no smoked malt in this beer but it gets that character from the lager yeast that is harvested from another smoked malt beer.
Price: US$5 for a 500ml bottle.
Chosen by: Jared Williamson, lead brewer at Schlafly Brewing in St. Louis.
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7, Anchor Steam Beer
ABV: 4.9%
With the closure of Anchor Brewing, Anchor Steam Beer became the beer that was jilted at the craft brew dance, by the folks that brought it there. A victim of equal parts indifferent craft brewery take over and modern jaded craft brew taste buds.
Price: US$10 for a six-pack.
Chosen by: George Hummel, grain master of My Local Brew Works in Philadelphia.
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8, Independence Native Texan
ABV: 5.2%
This one might get my craft cred revoked, but I think pretty much every premium American Lager is underrated. I am not saying I want to go out and drink these beers all the time, but the skill and know-how that go into making clean beer with such little flavour is absolutely amazing to me. That being said, a beer like Native Texan from Independence Brewing in Austin can take that to a whole new level of crisp, clean deliciousness.
Price: US$9 for a six-pack.
Chosen by: Bryan Donaldson, brewing innovation manager at Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, California.
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9, North Coast Tart Cherry Berliner Weisse
ABV: 4.1%
After some pondering, I believe that North Coast Tart Cherry Berliner Weisse would be my pick for the most underrated beer. It is a fabulous beer that has never gotten its due.
Price: US$12 for a four-pack.
Chosen by: Fal Allen, brewmaster at Anderson Valley Brewing Co. in Boonville, California.
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10, Hop Butcher Gottaguy IPA
ABV: 6.5%
Hop Butcher’s Gottaguy IPA is a beer that everyone should be grabbing from the shelf when they see it, or they ought to make the trip to the brewery.
Price: US$17 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans.
Chosen by: Garth Beyer, certified Cicerone and owner of Garth’s Brew Bar in Madison, Wisconsin.
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