Current Highest Rated Feature High-Proof Brews
(The Beer Advocate ratings are used to create this ranking. Anything with a rating of Excellent (A-) or better makes this list.)

1. Crispin Honey Crisp Artisanal Reserve Cider $6.49/22 ounce bottle

Origin: California.

Style: N/A.

Alcohol Content: 6.5%.

Rating: Not rated.

Crispin Honey Crisp Artisanal Reserve is a small batch, hand crafted, super-premium hard apple cider smoothed with real organic honey for a rich, creamy, full-bodied crisp taste. Smooth over ice. For the discerning drinker, Honey Crisp's artisanal style is embodied in our unique Cloudy Filtration process, using racked unfiltered apple wine that leaves residual natural apple wine sediment in the bottle. Every bottle should receive a full Bottoms-Up! tilt and swirl before opening and enjoying. Naturally fermented using a premium apple juice blend, not from apple juice concentrate, with no added malt, spirit or grape alcohol. Honey Crisp is smoothed with pure organic honey, with no added sugar, colorants or sorbate or benzoate preservatives. Honey Crisp's apple juice is a fresh pressed blend of 3 to 5 different apples. We do not use the Honeycrisp apple, a very fine dessert eating apple, but in our experience and in our opinion, not a fine base for apple wine.

2. Crispin Cho-tokkyu Artisanal Reserve Cider $6.49/22 ounce bottle

Origin: California.

Style: N/A.

Alcohol Content: 6.5%.

Rating: Not rated.

Brewery notes: "Naturally fermented with authentic Sake yeast using a premium blend of fresh pressed apple juice, not from concentrate, with no added malt, spirit, or grape alcohol. A racy, high-speed cider that remains crisp and well balanced. Cloudy and straw colored with an exotic polished complexity. Cho-tokkyu is clean, vibrant with an authentic dry sake nish and a distinctive apple backbone. Cho-tokkyu Artisanal Reserve cloudy hard cider is unfitered and uses racked apple wine smoothed with pure organic, gluten free, rice syrup. No added colorants, sorbate or benzoate preservatives. Best served cool to cold. As with all our Artisanal Reserves, give a full bottoms-up tilt and swirl to disperse unfiltered apple-wine sediment evenly."

3. Fox Barrel Rhubarb and Elderberry Cidery Pear Reserve $6.49/22 ounce bottle

Origin: California.

Style: N/A.

Alcohol Content: 6.5%.

Rating: Not rated.

Brewery notes: "Pearfectly sharp. A vinous, tart, plum colored pear cider infused with Rhubarb and Elderberry juices and organic honey. Poured Appearance: Deep haze. Color: Black cherry; raspberry. Aroma: Heavy sweet notes of elderberry and plum. Flavor: A sweet/tart fruit forward flavor balanced with elderberry on the front, rolling into soft pear that complements the rhubarb tartness in the finish, with elderberry still lingering at the back. 6.5% ABV."

4. Fox Barrel Ginger and Blackcurrant Cidery Pear Reserve $6.49/22 ounce bottle

Origin: California.

Style: N/A.

Alcohol Content: 6.5%.

Rating: Not rated.

Brewery notes: "A bold, spicy red-headed pear cider infused with Natural Ginger extract, Blackcurrant juice and organic honey. Poured Appearance: Mildly Cloudy. Color: Rich deep rose. Aroma: Soft notes of black currants and delicate pear aromas upfront, followed with a snappy, spicy ginger nose. Flavor: Rich round berry upfront lending to a crisp snappy ginger mid-palate and a clean, dry finish. Just enough refreshing ginger bite without a heavy burn. 6.5% ABV."

5. Innis & Gunn Molasses Porter Winter 2012 $13.99/4-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: Scotland.

Style: English Porter.

Alcohol Content: 7.4%.

Rating: Not rated.

Brewery notes: "This is the first time we have brewed and oak matured a Porter, which has been imparted with great depth of flavor thanks to the addition of some roasted wheat, crystal malt and molasses (rich dark treacle). These flavor packed ingredients, along with our long, slow signature approach to maturation, have created a sublime beer that is perfect for cold, dark, winter nights."

6. Straight To Ale Laika Russian Imperial Stout $9.99/22 ounce bottle

Origin: Alabama.

Style: Russian Imperial Stout.

Alcohol Content: 9.8%.

Rating: Not rated.

Brewery notes: "Named for the Russian space dog, Laika is a huge, chewy beast of a beer. Dark, rich and robust, it has a wonderful body and a flavor that has notes of chocolate, coffee and toffee. It is a fantastic dessert beer. It is part of our Right to Brew series, which we make in conjunction with local home brewers, scaling up their recipes and producing them to help bring attention to the ongoing fight to legalize home brewing in Alabama. IBU-74."

7. Straight To Ale Liberation Barleywine Ale $9.99/22 ounce bottle

Origin: Alabama.

Style: American Barleywine.

Alcohol Content: 9.0%.

Rating: Not rated.

Tasting notes: "Three Huntsville breweries teamed up to make four beers in celebration of the state's newly liberalized liquor laws. Liberation Barleywine Ale is brewed in the English style and weighing in at 9% ABV. Be the first to try it."

8. Straight To Ale Vern's Wheat Wine Ale $9.99/22 ounce bottle

Origin: Alabama.

Style: Wheatwine.

Alcohol Content: 11.0%.

Rating: Not rated.

Tasting notes: "Nice caramel nutty aroma. Sweetness. Appearance is thick. Light head ring around the pour. Taste is alcohol with a bit of nuttiness. Very easy on the palate. Not as spicy as many wheat wines. But still somewhat spicy. Worth trying again."

9. Straight to Ale Intimidator Dopplebock $9.99/22 ounce bottle

Origin: Alabama.

Style: Doppelbock.

Alcohol Content: 9.0%.

Rating: Not rated.

Brewery notes: "Our Intimidator Doppelbock is a traditional German style lager with a big malt presence. Rich and smooth with a little alcohol warmth and just a slight hint of bitterness in the sweet finish. It is brewed once a year and this year we are releasing it both on draft and in 22 oz. bombers."

10. Trappistes Rochefort 10 Belgian Ale $6.99/330 ml. bottle

Origin: Belgium.

Style: Quadrupel (Quad).

Alcohol Content: 11.3%.

Rating: World Class (A+).

Brewery notes: "The top product from the Rochefort Trappist brewery. Dark color, full and very impressive taste. Strong plum, raisin, and black currant palate, with ascending notes of vinousness and other complexities."

11. Duvel $16.39/4-pack 330 ml. bottles

Origin: Belgium.

Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale.

Alcohol Content: 8.5%.

Rating: Outstanding (A).

Brewery notes: "Duvel has the complexity and depth of an ale, with the ease and refreshing nature of a Pilsner. Duvel is fermented 3 times - twice at the brewery and the final time in the bottle." Jason Alström (Beer Advocate co-founder) notes: "A top shelf brew, this one does it for me and then some. Pretty much sex in a bottle and the devil told me to drink it. Duvel is close to dry champagne but so much more. Between the bitterness and the sheer crispness, this beer is what I expect from the Belgian strong pale ale style." Also available in 22 ounce bottles for $8.99, and occasionally in a 1.5 Liter bottle.

12. Unibroue La Fin Du Monde $9.99/4-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: Quebec.

Style: Tripel.

Alcohol Content: 9.0%.

Rating: Outstanding (A).

First introduced in 1994, La Fin Du Monde ("The End of the World"), is blond and golden. The taste is descibed by the brewery as "Smooth, slightly tart with the balanced flavors of wild spices, malt and hops." The brewery notes go on: "Expect subtlety and strength, with a chorus of fruit, spice and hop notes. Pair with aged cheeses and succulent cuisine like scallops, filet mignon, duck confit and desserts."

13. Stone Brewing IPA $4.99/22 ounce bottle

Origin: California.

Style: American IPA.

Alcohol Content: 6.9%.

Rating: Outstanding (A).

Brewery notes: "Stone India Pale Ale is true to style with a huge hop aroma, flavor and bitterness throughout. Expect medium malt character with a heavy dose of over the top hops." Appearance: Rich golden amber. Hop aromas dominate and might turn away those who aren't "hop heads". Flavorwise, it's very bitter but with just enough malty character to balance. The 6-pack of 12 ounce bottles is available for $12.99.

14. Stone Brewing Ruination IPA $6.49/22 ounce bottle

Origin: California.

Style: American Double/Imperial IPA.

Alcohol Content: 7.7%.

Rating: Outstanding (A).

Brewery notes: "So called because of the 'ruinous' effect on your palate! This massive hop monster has a wonderfully delicious and intensely bitter flavor on a refreshing malt base." Stone calls this brew, "a liquid poem to the glory of the hop."

15. North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout $10.99/4-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: California.

Style: Russian Imperial Stout.

Alcohol Content: 9.0%.

Rating: Outstanding (A).

Brewery notes: "Color: Black. Old Rasputin a rich, intense brew with big complex flavors and a warming finish. 75 IBU's." Beer Advocate Todd Alström notes: "Black as night, with a brown chunky head that seems to crawl, rather than stick, to the pint glass. A very impressive cascading effect when poured. Highly roasted malt aromas and alcoholic to the nose. Smooth, potent and espresso like with a high burnt malt and hop bitterness that finishes on the sweet side to say the least. Not a beer for the faint of heart, but rather barley wine lovers and chocolate fanatics."

16. Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout $10.99/4-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: New York.

Style: Russian Imperial Stout.

Alcohol Content: 10.0%.

Rating: Outstanding (A).

Brewery notes: "Available from October through March, Brooklyn Beer Chocolate Stout is an award winning rendition of the Imperial Stout style, once made exclusively for Catherine the Great. They use three mashes to brew each batch of this beer, achieving a luscious deep chocolate flavor through a blend of specially roasted malts. It is brewed every year for the winter season. It is delicious when newly bottled, but also ages beautifully for years." Beer Advocate 92 points. Ratebeer 100 points!

17. Victory Brewing Storm King Imperial Stout $12.99/6-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: Pennsylvania. Style: Russian Imperial Stout. Alcohol Content: 9.1%.
Rating: Outstanding (A). Victory Brewing has stormed into Frugal MacDoogal's in a big way. Victory Brewing is gets a very rare Beer Advocate overall A rating for all the brews it makes. Brewery notes: "With a huge, Pacific Northwest hop aroma and character upfront, Storm King subsides into massive, roast malt complexity. More flavor than mere words can adequately describe. Rich and substantial, it will warm your heart."

18. Green Flash Brewing West Coast IPA $10.99/4-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: California.

Style: American IPA.

Alcohol Content: 7.3%.

Rating: Outstanding (A).

Brewery notes: "A menagerie of hops is layered throughout the brewing process: Simcoe for unique fruitiness and grapefruit zest, Columbus for strong hop pungency, Centennial for pine and citrus notes and Cascade for floral aroma. A multi-dimensional hop experience. IBU-95."

19. Trappistes Rochefort 8 Belgian Ale $5.69/330 ml. bottle

Origin: Belgium.

Style: Dubbel.

Alcohol Content: 9.2%.

Rating: Outstanding (A).

Brewery notes: "The lower gravity cousin to Rochefort 10." Tasting notes: "Deep brown color; the flavor is vigorous and complex, with firm body to support the strength. The aroma has elusive notes of fresh fruit, spice, leather, and figs."

20. Trappistes Rochefort 6 Belgian Ale $5.69/330 ml. bottle

Origin: Belgium.

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale.

Alcohol Content: 7.5%.

Rating: Outstanding (A).

Tasting notes: "Reddish-brown color with amber-gold highlights; soft body leads to earthy flavors and an herbal character. Refined, soft spiciness in the bouquet finishes with a bit of caramel. Bottle-conditioned for soft natural carbonation."

21. Harviestoun Ola Dubh Special Reserve 12 Ale $8.99/330 ml. bottle

Origin: Scotland.

Style: Old Ale.

Alcohol Content: 8.0%.

Rating: Outstanding (A).

Brewery notes: "Ola Dubh (or Black Oil) is a collaboration between Harviestoun Brewery and Highland Park, Distiller of the Year. It is based on Harviestoun's award-winning Old Engine Oil. With more than a stylistic nod to the classic Imperial Porters (and Stouts) of the nineteenth century, this deliciously rich, dark beer is the first ale to be aged in malt whisky casks from a named distillery and, with traceable casks and numbered bottles, the rest with genuine provenance. Ola Dubh will initially be available in three different expressions; the initial release will be of small batches aged in casks formerly used to mature Highland Park 12 Year Old, Highland Park 16 Year Old and Highland Park 30 Year Old. Further variants are planned for the future."

22. Lagunitas Hop Stoopid Ale $4.49/22 ounce bottle

Origin: California.

Style: American Double/Imperial IPA.

Alcohol Content: 8.0%.

Rating: Outstanding (A).

Brewery notes: "For those mornings when you have to cut right to the chase, this is the one. Sure to blast through just about anything still lingering from the night before, this mouthful of Hops and huge rich Malt has a guarantee built right into the name!" Ratebeer 100. Beer Advocate 94.

23. Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Ale $11.99/6-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: California.

Style: American Pale Wheat Ale.

Alcohol Content: 7.5%.

Rating: Outstanding (A).

Brewery notes: "Way smooth and silky with a nice wheaty-esque-ish-ness. Just the little sampan' sampan' we all need to kick Summer into full swing! Ingredients: Hops, Malt, Hops, Hops, Yeast, Hops, Water, and Hops." Ratebeer 99. Beer Advocate 95.

24. Straight to Ale Unobtanium Old Ale $11.99/22 ounce bottle

Origin: Alabama.

Style: Old Ale.

Alcohol Content: 11.5%.

Rating: Outstanding (A).

Brewery notes: "Unobtanium is a barrel-aged English-style Old Ale that ages for six months in a bourbon barrel, soaking up all sorts of amazing whiskey character as well as hints of oak and vanilla. The name was taken from an old aerospace/engineering term for a specific material or object (often imaginary, impossible or highly improbable to obtain) needed to complete any given project. And, before you ask, we did not take the name from the elusive metal in Avatar. James Cameron reportedly named the substance as an inside joke to his fellow techie/gear-heads. Our version is much tastier, though. IBU-68." Beer Advocate 93, Ratebeer 92.

25. Lips of Faith 2013 La Folie Sour Brown Ale $14.99/22 ounce bottle

Origin: Colorado.

Style: Flanders Oud Bruin.

Alcohol Content: 6.0%.

Rating: Outstanding (A).

Brewery notes: "La Folie Wood-Aged Biere, is our original wood-conditioned beer, resting in French Oak barrels between one and three years before being bottled. Peter Bouckaert, came to us from Rodenbach home of the fabled sour red. Our La Folie emulates the spontaneous fermentation beers of Peter s beloved Flanders with sour apple notes, a dry effervescence, and earthy undertones. IBU-18." Beer Advocate 95, Ratebeer 100.

26. Chimay Grand Réserve Blue Label Trappist Ale $12.99/750 ml.

Origin: Belgium.

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale.

Alcohol Content: 9.0%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Chimay notes: "This is a beer whose fragrance of fresh yeast with a light, flowery rosy touch is especially pleasant. Its flavor, noticed when tasting it, only accentuates the pleasant sensations perceived in the aroma, while revealing a light but pleasant touch of roasted malt. This top fermented Trappist beer, refermented in the bottle, is not pasteurized." The pictured 330 ml. (11 ounce) bottle is $4.99.

27. Chimay Première Red Label Trappist Ale $11.29/750 ml.

Origin: Belgium.

Style: Dubbel.

Alcohol Content: 7.0%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Chimay notes: "it is noted for its coppery color which makes it particularly attractive. Topped with a creamy head, it gives off a light, fruity apricot aroma produced by the fermentation. The taste perceived in the mouth is a balance confirming the fruity nuances noticed in the fragrance. Its taste, which imparts a silky sensation to the tongue, is made refreshing by a light touch of bitterness. To the palate, the taster perceives a pleasant astringency which complements the flavor qualities of this beer very harmoniously. This top fermented Trappist beer, refermented in the bottle, is not pasteurized." The pictured 330 ml. (11 ounce) bottle is $4.49.

28. Chimay Cinq Cents Triple White Label Trappist Ale $11.69/750 ml.

Origin: Belgium.

Style: Tripel.

Alcohol Content: 8.0%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Chimay notes: "This beer with its typical golden color, its slightly hazy appearance and its fine head is especially characterised by its aroma which results from an agreeable combination of fresh hops and yeast. The beer's flavor, as sensed in the mouth, comes from the smell of hops: above all it is the fruity notes of muscat and raisins that give this beer a particularly attractive aroma. The aroma complements the touch of bitterness. There is no acidity, but an after-bitterness which melts in the mouth. This top fermented Trappist beer, refermented in the bottle, is not pasteurized." The pictured 330 ml. (11 ounce) bottle is available for $4.99.

29. Corsendonk Abbey Brown Ale $9.99/750 ml.

Origin: Belgium.

Style: Dubbel.

Alcohol Content: 7.5%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Corsendonk notes: "Corsendonk Pater is brewed with roasted malt, hence its deep dark reddish brown color. It is a mellow, dark, top-fermenter beer, refermented and matured in the bottle to obtain a lively, bubbly beer with a rich head." The pictured 12 ounce bottle is available for $4.29.

30. Lion Stout $13.99/6-pack 330 ml. bottles

Origin: Sri Lanka.

Style: Foreign Stout.

Alcohol Content: 8.0%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Jason Alström, Beer Advocate, comments: "Full bodied with a moderate carbonation. Smooth and creamy without a doubt, coffee and unsweetened chocolate come to mind at the first taste. Fruity twang in the middle of black currants, this twang doubles with a roasted grain flavour that is perfectly balanced. Hints of charcoal and earth run middle to end as the alcohol as kicks in with a warming estery character. Finishes slightly sweet with vague remnants of roastedness. "

31. Stone Brewing Arrogant Bastard Ale $5.29/22 ounce bottle

Origin: California.

Style: American Strong Ale.

Alcohol Content: 7.2%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

First introduced in November, 1997, this is an aggressive beer. Hugely complex, deep reddish brown, frothy and stick, there's a lot going on between the hops and malt in this brew. Beer Advocate Todd Alström says, "Medium bodied, yet rich, full and complex. Smooth, especially as it warms. Big malty sweetness with caramel, chocolate and toasted/roasted flavours. Alcohol prickliness teases the palate then the brew kicks its ass with an assertive hop profile. It's raw, coarse, a bit prickly itself, mildly rind-like. Helps to balance the huge malt flavours. Finishes with a lingering sweetness, caramel, roasted coffee. A bit grain/dry too."

32. Delirium Tremens Ale $4.99/330 ml. bottle

Origin: Belgium.

Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale.

Alcohol Content: 9.0%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Pale yellow-gold hue. Spicy and lightly fruity aromas follow through on a moderately full-bodied palate with candied palate malt flavors and a dry finish where subtle hop flavors emerge.

33. Oskar Blues Old Chub Scottish Style Ale $9.99/6-pack 12 oz. cans

Origin: Colorado.

Style: Scottish Ale.

Alcohol Content: 8.0%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery notes: " Old Chub is brewed with hearty amounts of seven different malts, including crystal and chocolate malts, and a smidge of US and UK hops. Old Chub also gets a dash of beechwood-smoked grains imported from Bamburg, Germany, home of the world's greatest smoked beers. Old Chub takes care of our deep affections for malt.The cola-colored beer (almost black) features a tan head, a creamy, skim-milk mouthfeel, and rich, semi-sweet flavors of caramel and chocolate throughout. The addition of smoked grains gives Old Chub a delicate kiss of smoke on the finish. Here is the beer equivalent of a lightly smoked single malt scotch, or your favorite dark chocolate." Amazing, you can get this quality ale in a can!

34. Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale $18.99/6-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: California.

Style: American Strong Ale.

Alcohol Content: 7.2%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Todd Alström, Beer Advocate review: "A dark brown beer with a creamy off-white head; good retention. Aroma was incredible with a complex floral, herbal, citrus and woody nose. At first taste: creamy and smooth in the mouthfeel. Then strong mint, followed by strong hoppy/pine-y herbal flavor and juicy citrus (grapefruit!!); big hop bite. Oak anchors the big malty sweet flavors and carries thru to the dry finish with strong notes of wood. The aging added a whole other depth of complexity and smoothness to the beer."

35. Unibroue Trois Pistoles Ale $9.99/4-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: Quebec.

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale.

Alcohol Content: 9.0%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery description: "Trois Pistoles has a dark brown color topped with a rich foam mousse. Its slightly sweet taste is enhanced by accents of roasted malt, cocoa, ripe fruit and dark spices with a smooth finish like an old port." Beer Advocate Jason Alström says, "Another spectacular brew from one of the best breweries from Canada. Big enough to pair up with the most robust meals or just to sip the cold winter months away. Packed with complex flavors and deviously drinkable at 9% alcohol."

36. Tripel Karmeliet $11.99/750 ml. bottle

Origin: Belgium.

Style: Tripel.

Alcohol Content: 8.4%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Back in stock! Beer Advocate Jason Alström says, "Appearance: Slightly hazed pale amber with a thinnish white lace. Smell: Touch of honey like sweetness, soft vanilla and medicinal phenols that are a little herbal. Malt is evident and yeast gives an earthy character to the aroma. Notes: Quite the alcoholic brew, big boisterous and complex. Perhaps over the top but still a brew to reckon with. A good cheese pairing would be with a nice creamy Danish Blue and some rye crackers."

37. Gulden Draak $4.99/330 ml. bottle

Origin: Belgium.

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale.

Alcohol Content: 10.5%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery notes: "Gulden Draak is a dark heavy beer that undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle. It is a beer that is so rich, so glowing, so full of its very own characteristic flavor, that it reminds some who try it of chocolate and others of coffee." Todd Alström of Beer Advocate calls it, "a classic amongst Belgian beers", giving it an A+ rating. Also available in the 750 ml. bottle for $12.99.

38. Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA $9.99/6-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: California.

Style: American IPA.

Alcohol Content: 7.2%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery notes: "Sierra Nevada Torpedo Ale is a big American IPA; bold, assertive and full of flavor and aromas highlighting the complex citrus, pine and herbal character of whole-cone American hops. 70 IBU's." This is a new addition to Sierra Nevada's year-around lineup.

39. Victory Brewing Hop Wallop Ale $12.99/6-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: Pennsylvania.

Style: American Double/Imperial IPA.

Alcohol Content: 8.5%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Victory Brewing has stormed into Frugal MacDoogal's in a big way. Jason Alström of Beer Advocate says "Absolutely amazing!", giving it a rare A+. Victory Brewing is also gets a very rare overall A rating for all the brews it makes. Brewery notes: "As our annual homage to the hop harvest, expect loads of aromatic splendor and bitter beauty." Staff Pick: Web Lackey Jerry Hall's current favorite beer.

40. Victory Brewing Hop Devil Ale $9.99/6-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: Pennsylvania.

Style: American IPA.

Alcohol Content: 6.7%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Victory Brewing has stormed into Frugal MacDoogal's in a big way. Victory Brewing is gets a very rare Beer Advocate overall A rating for all the brews it makes. Brewery notes: "Menacingly delicious, with the powerful, aromatic punch of whole flower American hops backed up by rich, German malts. HopDevil Ale offers a roller coaster ride of flavor, coasting to a smooth finish that satisfies fully."

41. Schlafly Tripel Ale $13.99/750 ml. bottle

Origin: Missouri.

Style: Tripel.

Alcohol Content: 10.0%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

This is one of the bottle-conditioned brews from Schlafly. Brewery notes: "Hearty with a golden hue and rich, fruity character. While this ale is light in color, it is fuller bodied than many darker ales. These characteristics make it a great after-dinner drink and a perfect complement to aged cheese and fruity desserts."

42. Brooklyn Brewery Local 1 $9.99/750 ml. bottle

Origin: New York.

Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale.

Alcohol Content: 9.0%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery notes: "While we've never come right out and said that Brooklyn Local 1 is our version of the Belgian Saison, we're certainly not going to argue with America's cocktail expert David Wondrich. And certainly not while he's saying things like "(Local 1) could be the most elegant beer ever made." In Williamsburg, Brooklyn, we forge barley malt and hops from Germany, aromatic raw sugar from Mauritius and yeast from Belgium into Brooklyn Local 1. Behind the full golden color you'll find an alluring aroma, a dynamic complex of flavors. Belgian flair, Brooklyn fortitude and a dusting of our special yeast. To create this beer, we use the old technique of 100% bottle re-fermentation, a practice now rare even in Europe. It gives this beer a palate of unusual depth."

43. Brooklyn Brewery Local 2 $9.99/750 ml. bottle

Origin: New York.

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale.

Alcohol Content: 9.0%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

"Styled after dark Belgian ale, this domestic craft beer from Brooklyn Brewery is made with European malts and hops, brown sugar, wildflower honey and orange zest. It is bottled in an impressively sculpted, Champagne-like cork-and-wire-cage-adorned 750 ml. bottle. Belgian-style ales are meant to savor and share. The Local 2 goes great with roasted vegetables and seasonal braised game. It’s available year-round, but this is the season that it shines the brightest. In the glass: Deep reddish mahogany color with a tan head. Aromas of caramel on buttered dark toast, honey and orange peel follow through on a round, foamy entry to a fruity yet dry, medium to full body with tangy apple skin, dried citrus and toffee notes. Finishes with a nice, grassy hop and pepper-accented fade. A rock solid food beer." - Chicago Tribune.

44. Stoudt's Fat Dog Imperial Oatmeal Stout $13.99/6-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: Pennsylvania.

Style: American Double/Imperial Stout.

Alcohol Content: 9.0%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery notes: "This unique ale merges the smooth and complex richness of an Oatmeal Stout with the assertive hoppiness of Imperial Stout. Fat Dog has an inviting silky-black color, a prominent roasted malt character, and a chocolatey, coffee-like finish. 55 IBUs."

45. New Belgium Abbey Belgian Style Ale $9.99/6-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: Colorado.

Style: Dubbel.

Alcohol Content: 7.0%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery notes: "Winner of four World Beer Cup medals and eight medals at the Great American Beer Fest, Abbey Belgian Ale is the Mark Spitz of New Belgium's lineup - but it didn't start out that way. When Jeff and Kim first sampled the beer at the Lyons Folks Fest, reviews were mixed at best. One of founder Jeff's first two Belgian style homebrews (along with Fat Tire), Abbey is a Belgian dubbel (or double) brewed with six different malts and an authentic Belgian yeast strain. Abbey is bottle-conditioned, weighs in at 7.0% alcohol by volume, and pairs well with chocolate (or boldly served by itself) for dessert. IBU-20. Calories: 200."

46. Green Flash Brewing Hop Head Red IPA $10.99/4-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: California.

Style: American Amber / Red Ale.

Alcohol Content: 7.0%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery notes: "Resinous hop characteristics emerge from an enormous hopping with Columbus, Nugget and Amarillo overtaking the rich caramel malt base. To add luscious hop flavors and enticingly floral hop aromas, we dry-hop the brew with bucket loads of Amarillo hops. Welcome to the world of Red IPA. IBU-70."

47. Green Flash Brewing Double Stout Black Ale $10.99/4-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: California.

Style: American Double/Imperial Stout.

Alcohol Content: 8.8%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery notes: "Golden naked oats mashed with dark crystal and robust roasted malts create a luscious black brew with satin smooth finish. An old-world style, done the Green Flash way. Big, bold, flavorful and complex. IBU-45."

48. Southern Tier Brewing 2XIPA $11.99/6-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: New York.

Style: American Double/Imperial IPA.

Alcohol Content: 8.2%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery notes: "This double IPA, brewed since 2010, is a fermentation of ale yeast, four types of hops, and three types of malts. Deep gold color; generous carbonation, thirst-quenching. NOSE: Citrus, floral hops, a bit piney. FLAVOR: Grapefruit, bitter lemon, doughy sweetness. BITTERNESS: Medium-high. BODY: Medium bodied and smooth, resinous."

49. Red Brick Porter $11.99/4-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: Georgia.

Style: American Porter.

Alcohol Content: 7.7%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery notes: "Intense dark copper color with a thick, intense foam with some brown color effects. Rich aromas of treated coffee of good persistence, very straight forward beer on the nose. Attack in the mouth shows some bitterness with a moderate acidity. Aromatic characters of roasted coffee beans with delicate spices. Finish is long on intense bitter cacao flavors. IBU-20." Ratebeer 89. Beer Advocate 89.

50. Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout $4.49/22 ounce bottle

Origin: California.

Style: American Double / Imperial Stout.

Alcohol Content: 9.2%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery notes: "Our Original Stout, brewed with real Hardcore Coffee from Sebastopol." Ratebeer 96. Beer Advocate 87/96.

51. Lagunitas Maximus IPA $11.99/6-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: California.

Style: American Double/Imperial IPA.

Alcohol Content: 8.2%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery notes: "At the height of the heat in the heart of the summer, we felt that the only cure was a raging mouthful of fresh hops and malt. Caution: May remove enamel from teeth. This is Lagunitas IPA pumped up by about 30%!" Ratebeer 98. Beer Advocate 89/90.

52. Stone Brewing 2013 Old Guardian Oak Smoked Ale $6.99/22 ounce bottle

Origin: California.

Style: American Barleywine.

Alcohol Content: 11.4%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery notes: "Barley wines are traditionally hefty brews, but ours is downright excessive. Our "Odd Beers for Odd Years" program has afforded us the happy opportunity to experiment beyond our customary annual recipe tweaks and unleash a second version of this tasty brew in tandem with the classic release. We added a substantial dose of German oak-smoked malt to this year's odd year brew, enveloping it in a generous smokiness that complements its rich malt character and slightly dry finish without diminishing the vivid hop flavors and bitterness. IBU-70." Beer Advocate 92, Ratebeer 92.

53. Lagunitas Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale $11.99/6-pack 12 oz. bottles

Origin: California.

Style: American Strong Ale.

Alcohol Content: 9.8%.

Rating: Excellent (A-).

Brewery notes: "Lagunitas Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale is malty and rich with a snappy hop finish that truly defies style. Imperial Mild? Uber ESB? We do know for sure that it is unforgiven and unrepentant. Ratebeer 98. Beer Advocate 90. Very seasonal, grab it now."