Currently, more than 9,000 breweries of all sizes operate in the US. That’s an awful lot of IPAs, stouts, and lagers to choose from. Some states are more saturated with breweries (per capita) than others. This includes places like Vermont, Colorado, Maine, Oregon, and, of course, California. While I could take a deep dive into all the biggest beer-producing states, today is all about The Golden State.
I have a special affinity for California beer, and it’s because of one style in particular. Sure, you can find a beer style to fit every palate in the state, but in California, the IPA reigns supreme. In fact, if you look at almost any list ranking the best beers in the state, it will be littered with IPA options. While I often imbibe pilsners and other lagers (as well as wheat beers and other lighter beers) in the summer as well as stouts and porters (and other dark beers) in the winter, I always go back to the classic West Coast IPA.
If you know anything about beer, you know that the heart, soul, and center of the proverbial IPA universe is California.
What makes California beer special?
As I mentioned already, California is an IPA-lover’s dream state. It’s home to some of the most well-known IPA-centric breweries in the country, including Russian River, Lagunitas, Stone, Ballast Point, Sierra Nevada, Firestone Walker, and more. But the state is more than just IPAs. There’s a beer for every palate available from Eureka to Escondido (and everywhere in between). It’s a haven for fans of stouts, porters, ales, and more. This is because California is home to over 900 breweries. That’s more than any other state.
How I picked the best California beers
First and foremost, the beers on this list must be brewed in California. After that, I look for well-balanced, flavorful beers that I’d go back to again and again. If I try a beer and it’s some wacky flavor, I might try it once and be glad I did, but I might never buy it again. Beers on this list are stocked in my refrigerator in perpetuity.
The best beers from California you can buy anywhere
Now that you’ve learned a little about the appeal of California beers and how I select mine, it’s time to let you in on my list of California beers. While the IPA is king of the West, I added other beer styles as well to make this list well-rounded. Each and every one of these beers has a permanent spot in my fridge. Keep scrolling to see them all. And while there are some highly coveted, hard-to-find brews crafted in California, I’ve only included beers you can get at most grocery or beer stores. Why would you want to read a list about beers you’ll never have a chance to try, right?
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
No California beer list is complete without Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. If this beer hadn’t been created in 1980, we wouldn’t have any of the West Coast IPAs we know and love. Sure, it’s a pale ale, but it started a hop-fueled beer revolution. It’s brewed with two-row Pale malt, Caramel malt, ale yeast, and a smattering of Cascade hops. This creates a well-balanced, 5.6% ABV pale ale that opens with aromas of citrus peels, floral notes, and dank pine needles. Sipping it reveals hints of ripe grapefruit, tangerine, caramel malts, and resinous piney hops. The finish is clean and dry, ending with a pleasant floral, piney bitterness that leaves you craving one more.
Societe The Pupil
If you’ve never tried Societe The Pupil, now is your cue to go buy some. This 7.5% ABV West Coast IPA is brewed with two-row Pale malt, malted wheat, Carapils malt, and California ale yeast. It gets its hop presence from Nelson Sauvin, Citra, and Centennial hops. This results in a multi-layered, sublimely balanced IPA that starts with scents of grapefruit, orange peels, mango, pineapple, floral hints, and dank pine. The palate is centered on notes of ripe mango, guava, juicy grapefruit, lemon, wet grass, caramel malts, and resinous pine. The finish is dry, memorable, and ends with a gentle kick of bitter pine.
Alesmith Speedway Stout
If stouts are more your thing, you can’t miss the iconic Alesmith Speedway Stout. Well-known for its IPAs, Alesmith also makes one of the best stouts in America. This 12% ABV imperial stout is brewed with malted barley, select hops, proprietary yeast, and locally sourced coffee beans. This award-winning beer begins with aromas of roasted malt, dark chocolate, dried fruits, caramel, and freshly brewed coffee. Drinking it brings notes of treacle, dark chocolate, and a lot of rich, lightly bitter coffee. The finish is long and ends with more roasted malts and pleasant coffee bitterness.
Firestone Walker Pivo Pils
If pilsners are more your thing, you can’t go wrong with a crisp, refreshing Firestone Walker Pivo Pils. This 5.3% pilsner is brewed with 100% German Pilsner malt and house lager yeast. It’s kettle-hopped with Hallertau Magnum and Spalter Select hops and dry-hopped with German-grown Saphir hops. This creates an epic, summery beer that begins with a nose of grass, lemon peels, floral notes, bready malts, and floral, earthy, herbal hops. The palate is loaded with flavors including biscuit malts, citrus peels, honey, tropical fruits, and piney, floral noble hops. The finish is crisp and dry, and ends with citrus and floral hops.
North Coast Old Rasputin
I wasn’t kidding when I said that California is a great state for stouts. North Coast Old Rasputin is one of my favorite stouts. This 9% ABV Russian imperial stout is brewed with a secret recipe of select malts, hops, and yeast. This popular beer is known for its aromas of molasses cookies, dried fruits, dark chocolate, roasted malts, and a wallop of freshly brewed coffee. Sipping it reveals flavors of roasted malts, bitter chocolate, caramelized sugar, coffee, and just a hint of piney hops. The finish is dry and bursting with roasted malts and bitter dark chocolate.
