Birmingham's The J. Clyde took home the honors in the Best Beer Bar category. (Source: AL.com)
Birmingham’s The J. Clyde took home the honors in the Best Beer Bar category. (Source: AL.com)

Despite the claims of many on social media, 2016 was actually a pretty good year…when it comes to Alabama beer.

Not only did several new brewpubs, breweries and bottle shops come on board, craft breweries were finally able to sell its product on site to go. Of course, that was not without its own set of controversies, but at least it was progress.

Over the last couple of weeks we ran a survey asking for your input on the Best of Alabama Beer for 2016.  The results are in, and we’re excited to share them with you.

An unfortunate side note… We required a Google login on our survey in an effort to combat people voting multiple times.  Unfortunately, some folks are just determined to get around these things.  Where we were almost certain votes were manipulated we threw those votes out and reported results without that data.

Best Alabama IPA

  1. Big Beach Brewing Hundred Daze IPA
  2. Avondale Warning Shot

Note: Good People Brewing’s Snakehandler IPA actually got the most votes. But this was for the best NEW IPA, which Snakehandler was not. However, it’s definitely tasty.

Best Alabama Wild/Sour Ale

  1. Trim Tab Brewing Paradise Now Raspberry Berliner Weiss
  2. Blue Pants Brewery Dry Hopped Citra
  3. Good People Brewing Funk Farm series

Note: “None” or “We’re not there yet” garnered a lot of votes as well. While Alabama’s sour/wild programs are developing, it seems as though there are still better days to come. However, all three of the above are great beers. Also, shout out to the write in vote for “My dad’s illegal brew.” We’ll be up there to sample that shortly.

Trim Tab's Paradise Now Raspberry Berliner Weiss made its canned debut in 2016. (photo courtesy AL.com)
Trim Tab’s Paradise Now Raspberry Berliner Weiss made its canned debut in 2016. (photo courtesy AL.com)

Best Alabama Stout/Imperial Stout

  1. Fairhope Brewing Company Kingslayer
  2. Big Beach Brewing Better Watch Out Stout

Note: Again, like the IPA vote, Good People’s El Gordo was the hands down winner here. But it was not a new release and was not eligible.

Best NEW Alabama Brewery/Brewpub

  1. Big Beach Brewing
  2. Green Bus Brewing

Props to Big Beach and their fans, who definitely worked hard to make their names known on this survey! Also, a shout out to the voter who put down Founders Brewing in this category.

Big Beach Brewing is generating a lot of fans in coastal Alabama. (Photo courtesy Big Beach Brewing Company)
Big Beach Brewing is generating a lot of fans in coastal Alabama. (Photo courtesy Big Beach Brewing Company)

Best Alabama Beer Fest

  1. Magic City Brewfest
  2. Rocket City Brewfest
  3. Top of the Hops

The “Hey, nice try” award goes to the voter who wrote in Bud Light for every category.

Best Alabama Brewery

  1. Good People Brewing
  2. Straight to Ale
  3. Fairhope Brewing

Best Alabama Brewpub

  1. Below the Radar
  2. Railyard Brewing
  3. Chattahoochee Brewing Company

Best Alabama Beer Bar

  1. The J. Clyde
  2. Luna’s Eat and Drink
  3. Old Town Beer Exchange

 

Best Alabama Bottle Shop

  1. Hop City Birmingham
  2. Loosa Brews
  3. Maggie’s Bottle and Tail

Apparently, we need to get to Tuscaloosa more. The Target in that city got one vote.

Best Alabama Craft Beer Radio Show That Broadcasts Every Saturday at 1:00 PM on WEKI/WTKI and is Also Available Streaming and On-Demand

  1. Totally Beer Guys Radio
  2. Beer Guys Radio
  3. Beer Guys Radio

So maybe we rigged that one a little bit. Still, it’s been an awesome year, and thank you for being part of it! Have a great New Year’s celebration, and don’t forget to DRINK LOCAL. Cheers!

https://beerguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Best-in-Alabama-Beer-2016-1024x1024.pnghttps://beerguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Best-in-Alabama-Beer-2016-150x150.pngAaron WilliamsAlabama Beer EventsBeer BarsBeer FestBeer ReviewBeer TravelContestsEventsNewsBest Alabama Beer,best alabama ipa,best alabama stout,best beer,best beer bars in alabama,best ipa,best stoutDespite the claims of many on social media, 2016 was actually a pretty good year...when it comes to Alabama beer. Not only did several new brewpubs, breweries and bottle shops come on board, craft breweries were finally able to sell its product on site to go. Of course, that was...Cold beer, hot conversations, stupid jokes.