Zymurgy’s Best Beers in America” Poll Results Announced”

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Hops captivate homebrewers’ hearts

Boulder, CO • June 27, 2012—A record number of 16,445 votes were tallied in Zymurgy magazine‘s “Best Commercial Beers in America” poll, and the message is loud and clear: American Homebrewers Association (AHA) members love hoppy beers! Eight of the top 10 vote getters were IPAs, double IPAs or pale ales, and for the fourth straight year, Russian River Brewing Co.’s Pliny the Elder, a double IPA brewed in Santa Rosa, Calif., was named the “Best Commercial Beer in America.”

In its 10th year, Zymurgy’s annual survey saw increased participation, with readers voting online for their 20 favorite beers that are commercially available in the United States. Votes were received from some 1,500 Zymurgy readers around the world.

With a fierce field of hopped-up beers, Russian River’s Vinnie Cilurzo was very pleased to win a fourth accolade: “When we started brewing Pliny the Elder in 1999, there were almost no double IPAs on the market. Present day, there are so many great hoppy beers, it’s hard to put to words how honored we are.”

Just like last year, the second and third rankings were rounded out by Bell’s Two Hearted Ale (Kalamazoo, Mich.), and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery’s 90-Minute IPA (Milton, Del.) The only beers in the top 10 that didn’t fit into the categories of IPA, pale ale or double/imperial IPA were Stone Brewing Co.’s Arrogant Bastard (American strong ale) in fifth and North Coast’s Old Rasputin (Russian imperial stout) in 10th.

With more than 2,000 breweries now in the U.S. and more than 1,100 breweries in planning, according to statistics compiled by the Brewers Association, there are more choices than ever for beer lovers to explore, according to Jill Redding, editor of Zymurgy. “The Zymurgy readers’ poll grows in numbers and prestige each year,” said Redding. “As homebrewers and beer lovers, our readers have some of the most sophisticated and knowledgeable palates on the planet.”

Learn more about Zymurgy magazine on the AHA website.

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The American Homebrewers Association has worked on behalf of the homebrewing community since 1978 and celebrates a membership of more than 30,000 homebrewers. The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) organizes events including the National Homebrewers Conference and National Homebrew Competition. The AHA also publishes Zymurgy magazine. The AHA is part of the Brewers Association, whose Brewers Publications division is the largest publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers and homebrewers.

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