In case you didn’t know, a period of prohibition (production and sale of alcoholic beverages illegal)  took place in the United States between the years of 1920 and 1933.  This wasn’t just some common law, it was an amendment to the constitution (the 18th).  During the Great Depression prohibition become increasingly unpopular (as you might imagine), so FDR led a reform movement and the government eventually repealed it in 1933 with the 21st amendment.  Few breweries survived this period and did so by rapidly converting their beverages into non-alcoholic malt drinks.  These were the large commercial breweries, many of which are around today.

Microbrewing in America really didn’t begin until 1979 when a law was passed legalizing the home brewing of beer and a new craft was born.  But enough history, let’s get to the list.

These beers that are mentioned here are my favorite beverages in any season.  I’m not separating these out by type (lager, bock, pale ale, etc…) – that post might come later on.  I am also trying to keep this list to beers that are “fairly accessible” nationally, though there will be some that may be only available on either coast or in the middle.  I’m also not limiting this to ‘year round’ beers…there may be a few that are only available seasonally.  If you agree or disagree let me know, I welcome any input!  Here goes:  (ABV = Alcohol content)

For Part 2 (the top 10), please click here

**Bonus Beer!!!** Pabst Blue Ribbon Pabst Brewing Company, Milwaukee, WI

PBR is here because it is hands down the best light American-style lager on the market (and has been for years).  Though it’s recently been brewed on a contract basis by the Miller Corporation, its classic balance of full body and ever present bready, grainy flavor brings it to the top of the heap of lite beers that are produced in America today.  When it’s time to bust out the beruit balls or beer die, Pabst is the go to choice.  ABV: 4.74%
Food Pairing: Burgers, sausage, pulled pork…anything that gets near a grill

Now down to business:

20. Anderson Valley Boont Amber Ale Anderson Valley Brewing, Boonville, CA

Crisp and refreshing, the Boonville Amber is quite possibly the best amber on the market today.  In my opinion, blowing away other popular ambers such as Fat Tire from New Belgium.  Slightly fruity with a great balance of hops (not too overpowering) and not as toasty as some ambers out there.  This beer almost appears like a brown ale, rather than overly red.  I’m not usually a huge fan of amber ales, but this one rules. ABV: 5.8%
Food Pairing: Grilled fish (salmon or swordfish)

19. Harpoon IPA Harpoon Brewery, Boston, MA

The flagship beer of the Harpoon lineup, this beer is classic Boston and you can surely find it on draft in almost any bar across northern New England.  Harpoon’s take on the IPA is not quite as hoppy or bitter as some of the other IPA’s that you will find, but it’s medium body and light, floral finish make it very easy to drink.  A great ‘entry-level’ IPA and a great brewery in general.  Harpoon makes some other very good beers, especially their UFO Hefeweizen and Winter Warmer. ABV: 5.9%
Food Pairing: Spicy chili, Thai or Chinese noodles and curries

18. New Belgium 2 Below New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO

New Belgium is known by most beer connoisseurs for it’s infamous Fat Tire Amber, but after trying many of their ales, I believe that the 2 Below is the best beer coming out of Fort Collins.  Only available during the winter, the 2 Below is incredibly comforting and warming, with a great toasty aroma, hints of coffee and a great sweetness with a clean finish. The 2 Below isn’t as hoppy as an IPA, but not quite as dark as a porter or stout. It’s also not as fruity as some winter lagers you’ll find.  ABV: 6.6%
Food Pairing: Winter vegetable soup, braised duck and chicken legs

17. Shipyard Old Thumper ESA Shipyard Brewing Company, Portland, ME

Old Thumper served as my introduction to darker beer.  It’s brewed at the restaurant I used to cook at – Federal Jack’s in Kennebunkport, ME. and mass produced by the Shipyard Brewery in Portland, ME.  Thumper is akin to a traditional English style pub ale, though it’s taste has sweetness and depth of flavor.  It’s mildly carbonated and perfect on a crisp autumn day.  Best beer Shipyard produces.  ABV: 5.9%
Food Pairing: Try it with fish and chips – It won’t disappoint.

16. Anchor Porter Anchor Brewing, San Francisco, CA

Anchor is another American classic and a San Francisco icon.  Their Porter is perhaps less known than their flagship Anchor Steam lager, though I’m usually able to find it in any larger sized liquor store.  It’s certainly my favorite of the Anchor varieties as well.  The Anchor Porter has all of what you’re looking for in a Porter – sweet, smoky flavor that is reminiscent of coffee and caramel.  This stuff doesn’t get old.  ABV: 5.6%
Food Pairing: Try it with braised beef short ribs (and use it to braise them in too!)

15. Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale Smuttynose Brewing Company, Portsmouth, NH

Recently rated the best brown ale in the northeast, the old brown dog ale is a great example of a British brown from America.  Don’t compare it to Newcastle, because it’s depth of flavor far exceeds it.  The old brown dog is fairly complex, roasty malt, light caramel flavor with a clean aftertaste, mild on the hops – just as a brown ale should be.  ABV: 5.7%
Food Pairing: Shepherd’s Pie (made the real way with Lamb)

14. Brooklyn Lager Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, NY

If I had to describe Brooklyn Lager to someone who had never tried it, I’d definitely say that it’s extremely drinkable.  This beer is so mild and mellow that you almost forget it’s beer at all.  Mellow hops, smooth all the way around and very little aftertaste, Brooklyn Lager has to be one of the best beers to just chill with.  Definitely in rotation in my fridge.  ABV: 5.2%
Food Pairing: Go out to your favorite taqueria, grab yourself a burrito and a Brooklyn Lager and you’ll have a great meal.

13. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA

Perhaps the most widely available brew on this list (aside from PBR), Sierra Nevada is probably one of the first great beers I gained appreciation for.  It’s got a lot of hops for a pale ale, and because of this it almost resembles an IPA.  The hoppiness is classic west coast, and you’d be crazy not to get one on draft the next time you’re in San Francisco.  Flavor has lots of citrus and pine notes…is there any wonder why it’s one of the most popular beers out there?  ABV: 5.6%
Food Pairing: Smoked Chicken or Pork

12. Pliny the Elder Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa, CA

Going from perhaps the most popular and widely available craft brew on this list to perhaps the least…this beer is here because it’s simply awesome.  If you LOVE hops (not just like, but love), then you’ll dig this beer.  We used to be able to get it on tap at Ben and Nicks and Barclay’s in Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood, but you may find it in some gourmet beer and wine stores around the country.  If you find it, give it a shot.  It’s a double IPA with lots of awesome floral flavor.  A classic.  ABV: 8%
Food Pairing: Cuban Sandwich (what I used to order with it)

11. Black Butte Porter Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR

This Porter is the beer I tried from the Dechutes Brewery in Bend, and it immediately became a favorite of mine.  The brew is dark and comforting, with subtle coffee and chocolate flavors.  What sets this porter apart though is the slight level of hoppiness that you find.  Most porters are don’t have any of that classic bitterness, but this one has a little.  On another note, Oregon is my favorite beer producing state in the country, perhaps because I find them so fresh (many, many breweries in this country use Cascade hops from the mountains in the Pacific NW – so Oregon breweries get the freshest hops in their beers).  This is not the last Oregon brew you will find on this list.  ABV: 5.5%
Food Pairing: Good desert beer – order it with a cheese plate.

Part 2 (10-1) coming soon!