Exploring the Best Craft Beers of 2024: Unforgettable Sips and Remarkable Breweries
With 2024 behind us, it’s time to reflect on the craft beer experiences that delighted our palate throughout the year. At BreweriesNearMe.us, we believe that every beer tasting embodies a distinct moment influenced by both placement and timing, shaping our appreciation for diverse brews.
This past year, we sipped everything from nuanced low-ABV table beers to robust barrel-aged stouts, sharpening our focus on standout breweries and intriguing collaborations. Here’s a celebration of our favorite beer moments of 2024 – cheers to another year of exceptional craft adventures!
Steve’s Top Pick: Windmill Brewing’s Luelle Table Beer
In the world of beer, surprises await around every corner. For Steve, this year’s unexpected discovery was Windmill Brewing’s Luelle, a table beer that carved its name into his summer beer list. Traditionally leaning towards the West Coast IPAs, the emergence of this farmhouse-style table beer caught Steve’s attention.
Crafted with notes of orange peel and grains of paradise, Luelle garnered praise from the first sip. Named in honor of Head Brewer Jake Edwards’ daughter, the sessionable 3.8% ABV beer was a lightweight powerhouse of flavor. With Windmill’s closing, there’s hope to recreate this charming brew, giving beer lovers on Chicago’s South Side something special to savor.
Eric’s Selected Brew: Goose Island’s Bourbon County Brand Stout Rare 2024
For those on a perpetual hunt for limited releases, Goose Island’s Bourbon County Brand Stout Rare 2024 stood out brilliantly for Eric this year. Unveiled during October’s Bourbon County tasting, the stout’s exceptional character owes much to its aging in esteemed King of Kentucky bourbon barrels, setting it apart in the BCBS lineup.
A revisit at the Fulton Black Friday event reaffirmed its excellence, with Eric securing prized bottles for enjoyment and trade. As whispers of this rarity spread beyond Chicago, enthusiasts find the allure compelling, marking it as a brew truly worthy of the ‘Rare’ legacy.
Ryan’s Brew of the Year: Ellison Brewery’s Tiramisu Stout
The heart of craft beer lies in the resurgence of local favorites, as exemplified by Ryan’s cherished Ellison Brewery. Known for awarding visitors with an inviting atmosphere since 2015, this Michigan brewery withstood trials through the pandemic, emerging stronger than before.
Ellison’s original stouts, particularly the Tiramisu Stout, captivated Ryan’s senses. The delicate balance of sweet, roasty flavors without overwhelming the palate cemented it as a quintessential stout. It rekindled memories of early visits and reaffirmed Ellison’s ongoing prowess in the craft beer scene.
Karl’s Unique Lager Choice: Gnosis & Knack Brewing’s Gnack Lager
Lagers have seemingly grown in innovative scope, yet Gnosis Brewing and Knack Brewing & Fermentations crafted a brew that redefines the category. Karl’s discovery of the Gnack Lager speaks to his appreciation for robust flavors in unassuming styles and his penchant for capturing beer memories through photos.
This English brown lager delivers a meticulous harmony of bittersweet and earthy tones, making it an approachable yet complex offering. In an era celebrating diverse dark lagers, the Gnack Lager’s unique profile stands out, marrying subtle dryness with nuanced flavors that haunt Karl’s taste memory, leaving him yearning for its return next May.
What were your favorite beers this year? Share your top brews in the comments or reach out to us on social media as we continue to celebrate craft beer excellence. We’ll be back to our regular updates soon!
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