Top 10 Best Beers in the United States for 2012

The craft beer has arrived! With increasing commercial appeal every year, microbreweries across the country are winning respect of the beverage industry as a whole. RateBeer -- a widely-recognized source for beer information -- recently wrapped up its annual competition just in time for your Super Bowl party. With more than 140,000 beers from over 12,000 brewers worldwide, the 2012 RateBeer Best was the largest beer competition in the world. Only countries with statistically adequate representation were recognized. With the U.S. being one of those countries, here's a look at the 10 Best Beers of the United States for 2012.

Kicking off the countdown at No. 10 is Three Floyds Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout, made by Three Floyds Brewing Company. Brewed in Munster, Indiana, this imperial stout is presented with a dark colored bottle to match the beverage inside, which carries a coffee, vanilla and molasses flavor. With an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 15%, you might want to beer careful drinking this devilish brew.

At No. 9, with an ABV of 10.5, hailing from Kalamazoo, Michigan, is Bells Expedition Stout. This imperial stout is available from October-March and is the darkest beer that Bells Brewery makes. With its complex character and reputable rating on the Best Beers list, consider yourself lucky to even know that this beer exists.

The Imperial Stouts are taking over! Cigar City Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout (11% ABV) is a luxurious beverage from start to finish. With its body resembling that of a champagne bottle, and a flavor that conjures vanilla, cinnamon and cocoa nibs, this stout will have you feeling like a king. Brewed in Tampa, Florida, Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout fills the No. 8 spot with a regal presence.

The Abyss, by Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon comes in at No. 7. Another imperial stout, this special reserve brew is only offered December-February, and for good reason. It’s dark, deep, mysterious and not to be messed with. With an ABV of 11%, The Abyss is brewed with licorice and molasses and aged in French Oak and Bourbon barrels. It’s rich, complex and delicious. There’s so much going on in this beer that it’s no wonder why they call it The Abyss.

Making a timely entrance onto the Best Beer list at No. 6 is Speedway Stout, made by the AleSmith Brewing Company. Appropriately named for its content, this imperial stout is huge in coffee flavor as pounds of it are added during its conditioning. Brewed in limited quantity, it’s available in a 750 ml. champagne bottle and comes as a jet black color with a toast-brown head. Its flavor is influenced by a strong coffee and chocolate sensation and is accompanied by a fresh brewed java aroma. With an ABV of 12%, be sure not mistaken this stout for your morning cup of Joe!

Rounding out the top five is another Cigar City brew – Pilot Series Passionfruit and Dragonfruit Berliner Weisse. This fruity brew comes with a nice level of tartness and sweet tropical fruits. A natural freshness accompanies this Berliner Weisse, which is what makes it very special. Like a fruity drink from your local bar, we don’t know the exact ABV. So be careful taking in this rich brew.

Packaged in a manly growler-style bottle, Pliny the Younger comes in at No. 4. A West Coast brew from Santa Rose, CA, this triple IPA by Russian River Brewing is hopped three times more than your standard IPA (Imperial Pale Ale). Because it’s so expensive to make, this brew is only available on pub draft in very limited quantities. Distributed locally, Pliny the Younger comes with an ABV of 10.5% and is available the first Friday of ever February for two weeks only. If you’re ever in Santa Rose, make sure to grab a pint of this specialty beverage.

At No. 3, Bells Brewery did a slam dunk with their double IPA, Hopslam. Six different hop varieties give this best beer a most complex aroma. Along with a blend of grapefruit, stone fruit, and floral notes, the body of the brew is filled with a generous serving of malt and a solid dollop of honey. Yes, there is an ABV of 10%. But from the description, this stuff sounds more like candy.

Wake up! It’s time for breakfast – Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout is at the No. 2 spot. Although you probably shouldn’t drink this stuff before noon, its creamy tan head and fine dark body carry a ground espresso and dark chocolate aroma with maple undertones. Brewed by Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, its taste is rich with vanilla, maple, carmel and coffee with some licorice to balance the sweetness. This brew is limited and pricy at $18 a bottle with a strict limit of two bottles per person. No wonder it’s so high up on the list.

Founders Brewing Company really hit a home run by claiming the No. 1 spot with its Kentucky Breakfast Stout. This strong Imperial Stout is brewed with a hint of coffee and vanilla then aged in oak bourbon barrels. Founders’ brewing process ensures that strong bourbon undertones come through in the finish. They suggest that you enjoy this beverage in a brandy snifter. And why shouldn’t you? If you’re going to drink the best beer in the United States, you might as well look classy while you do it.