20 Brewers Share Their Top New Beer Picks for 2024

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Discover the best new beers of 2024, featuring innovative brews and traditional styles that showcase creativity in craft brewing. Cheers to new flavors!

The Best New Beers of 2024: A Brewer’s Roundup

As we bid farewell to another year, the craft beer scene continues to flourish with creativity and innovation. For enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike, identifying standout brews can be a delightful yet daunting task. We turned to industry experts—brewers and sommeliers—to share their favorite beers from 2024. Their selections reveal a tapestry of flavors, ingredients, and styles that showcase the vibrancy of the craft beer community.

A Year of Innovation in Brewing

In 2024, breweries pushed the boundaries of traditional beer-making, experimenting with unique ingredients and techniques that tell a story with every sip. From smoked dark lagers to beet saisons, the emphasis on local sourcing and sustainability has taken center stage.

• Secret Secret Czech Dark Lager by Wayfinder Beer stands out as a masterclass in lager production. With rich notes of dark fruits complemented by subtle chocolate undertones, this brew captures the essence of its Czech heritage while introducing a modern twist.
• Smoked Dark Lager from Sacred Profane Brewery highlights how traditional recipes can be revitalized through innovation. By incorporating alder-wood-smoked pilsner malt into their classic Czech Tmavy recipe, they’ve created a complex flavor profile that marries smoke with sweet burnt sugar notes.

As Lara Hargrave, lead production brewer at Great Notion Brewing, remarked about Secret Secret: “The roastiness is present but delicately restrained… it makes this a complex beverage while being super crushable.” Such insights illuminate how thoughtful brewing can elevate even the most familiar styles.

Hops Take Center Stage

Hops continue to play an integral role in defining contemporary beer flavors, with brewers across the nation crafting unique hop-forward offerings that are both bold and nuanced.

• Fresh Hop Pilsner from Gigantic Brewing exemplifies this trend beautifully. Utilizing fresh hops from Oregon’s Willamette Valley during harvest season, this pilsner delivers vibrant herbaceousness paired with bright citrus notes.
• Another standout is Skyfinder Fresh Hop Hazy IPA from Single Hill Brewing. This IPA features Strata hops grown at Roy Farms and Simcoe hops sourced locally, reflecting not just regional pride but also a dedication to quality ingredients.

Jeffrey Stuffings of Jester King Brewery recalls enjoying Gigantic’s creation at Crosby Hops: “The delicate herbaceousness… paired beautifully with the stunning early fall Oregon afternoon.” It’s moments like these that highlight how context enriches our drinking experiences.

Celebrating Traditional Styles

While innovation reigns supreme in many corners of the craft beer world, several brewers have returned to traditional styles that have stood the test of time—reminding us why we fell in love with beer in the first place.

• St. Bernardus Abt 12, a Belgian Quadrupel revered worldwide for its complexity and smoothness, continues to capture hearts year after year.
• Additionally, Cold School Pils from Künstler Brewing offers an exceptional take on West Coast pilsners. Its sharpness and refreshing qualities have made it a go-to for those seeking something classic yet invigorating.

Alex McDonald, owner of Earth Eagle Brewings, emphasizes St. Bernardus Abt 12’s timeless appeal: “Full-bodied… silky… are understatements for this classic brew.” This reverence for tradition serves as both an anchor and inspiration within today’s ever-evolving landscape.

Unique Ingredients Fueling Creativity

One notable trend in recent years is the incorporation of unconventional ingredients—transforming ordinary beers into extraordinary experiences.

• Wayward Lane Brewing’s Supernature Saison, brewed with 120 pounds of roasted beets, invites adventurous palates to explore new dimensions in flavor.
• Rooster Street Brewing’s Candy Cap Cantrip, featuring lightly smoked malt combined with candy cap mushrooms, delights drinkers with its maple syrup essence reminiscent of childhood breakfasts by the fire.

David D’Angelo from Sidereal Farm Brewery reflects on Candy Cap Cantrip: “In a world of palate fatigue… this beer really inspired me to get creative again.” Such quotes encapsulate how innovative brewing not only excites consumers but also reinvigorates creativity within breweries themselves.

The Future is Bright for Craft Beer

As we reflect on 2024’s best new beers through insights provided by expert brewers and industry insiders alike, one thing becomes clear: The future is undeniably bright for craft beer enthusiasts. With continued experimentation using unique ingredients coupled with a commitment to quality brewing practices, there’s no shortage of remarkable beverages awaiting discovery.

From lagers infused with local grains to IPAs bursting with fresh hop character—every beer tells a story deeply rooted in community and tradition while paving the way for future innovations. As we step into another year filled with promise and potential within the craft brewing landscape, let us raise our glasses to all that has been accomplished—and all that still lies ahead!

Photo by Jarritos Mexican Soda on Unsplash