It’s easy to get lost in the sea of suds that are available to American consumers. From classic European staples to domestic craft-beer unicorns, the options are virtually endless, and often overwhelming—especially when considering wall after wall of fun labels, clever names and all-around tasty-looking selections. Thankfully, our annual list of the Top 25 Beers is here to guide your next tasting adventure. This list is not the top 25 beers of all time, but rather represents the most exciting brews reviewed this year, sure to please proud beer fans and curious cross-drinkers alike. They exhibit extraordinary craftsmanship, innovation and quality at affordable prices. Within the limits of what was tasted throughout the past year, we’ve tried to include beers that not only represent different countries and regions, but also a variety of styles and price points. We had some killer categories this year (wild ales, IPA and barleywine, to name a few) that racked up some truly outstanding scores. But not all of those top-scoring beers will appear in this list in the interest of fairly representing the beer world’s diversity. Some of these beers are available from coast to coast, while others might not be easily obtained in your area or are extremely limited in production. But one thing’s for sure: They’re all treasures well worth the hunt.
So raise a pint to the best this year’s reviews had to offer.