I mean going to do a quick shout out to my favorite beer drunk this month, then dive into my Best of the entire year, so buckle up opinions ahead.
As is often the case, recent memory shines brightest but I think the beer that “won” December is clearly my personal winner for all of 2020. Cutting to the chase, Barrel-Aged Peanut Butter Cup Narwhal from Sierra Nevada was flat out great. And it had to climb a mountain to get there. I am not a fan of gimmicky versions of solid beers because either the gimmick ingredient either doesn’t work with the base beer or there is too little/too much of it. But this beer had layers. You got the bourbon, you got the peanut butter and you got chocolate in even amounts. Not syrupy sweet either which is amazing.
Here are the remaining favorites from the year:
2. Bearded Iris – Homestyle IPA
3. Crux Fermentation – Battlestar IPA
4. Wayfinder – Terrifica Italian Pils
5. Ambitious Ales – Ambiturner DIPA
6. Lagunitas – The Waldo’s Special Ale
7. Fort George – Atomic Jukebox Milkshake IPA
8. Fieldwork – Canopy Pale Ale
9. Pocock – Emma’s Clown Car Hefeweizen
10. Firestone Walker – Cherry Barrel Blossom