Portland, Denver, San Francisco, Seattle, and Milwaukee might be the U.S.鈥檚 most widely acknowledged beer cities, but don鈥檛 discount the underdogs. Here are five unexpected brewery towns worth rooting for.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
With two dozen breweries in this southwestern hub of just more than 500,000 residents, Albuquerque is set to become a heavy hitter on the craft scene. In 2011, the Duke City鈥檚 took home top honors from the for its Elevated IPA. New Mexico is high on hops, with breweries facing off each summer in the state鈥檚 IPA Challenge. Other acclaimed taprooms include and .
Anchorage, Alaska
The glasses are always frosted at the eight great breweries in this chilly state鈥檚 metropolis. boasts the seasonal Big Woody, a Great American Beer Festival (GABF) gold-medal barleywine; fruity IPAs and oak-aged Imperial Blondes are also on the menu there. You鈥檒l find 鈥檚 craft creations on tap in top bars throughout Alaska鈥攊n particular, the 20-inch Oosik Amber Ale, a German-style altbier named after a prominent protuberance of the male walrus.
Asheville, North Carolina
This southern town is too genteel to call attention to its accolades, which include being named 2010 BeerCity USA by Examiner.com readers. Asheville鈥檚 brewery acclaim began in 1994, with the ascent of the , whose operation was built almost entirely from retrofitted dairy equipment. Highland鈥檚 Black Mocha Stout has taken home awards from the GABF and the . For a neighborhood brewery, grab a barstool at in the River Arts District.
Burlington, Vermont
Vermont might be a small state, but with the highest number of breweries per capita, it鈥檚 marinating in stouts and ales. Burlington鈥檚 granddaddy establishment, , has three award-winners on tap: the Karlswalde Russian Imperial Stout, known for its warm finish; the Forbidden Fruit, blended with raspberries; and the caramel Burly Irish Ale. , one of the largest microbreweries in the U.S., is also based in Burlington.
Tampa, Florida
Counting 24 breweries in its greater metropolitan area, this burg is Florida鈥檚 beertopia. is the state鈥檚 oldest continuously operated brewery. It has a stable of solid taps, as well as seasonal hits such as Leonard Croon鈥檚 Old Mean Stout. Cigar City Brewing crafts a variety of ales perfect for sipping in the Florida heat, including the Jai Alai and Humidor Series IPAs. makes traditional Belgian-style ales, adding local ingredients such as Palmetto berries and hibiscus flowers.