Best Brewery by State-2015 Edition

[Beer-lord]

Here's the updated list for best brewery in each state. For what it's worth.

[ScrewyBrewer]

New Jersey
Carton Brewing (address and info)
Atlantic Highlands
Named for the cousins who founded it and not some kind of paradigm-changing packaging scheme, Carton Brewing has quickly captured New Jersey's hearts and palates. Its Boat Beer is a session pale ale that's damn fine for drinking on boats, of course, but you'd be a fool to limit yourself to only aquatic-adjacent consumption. At the other end of the spectrum you have Regular Coffee, an understated name for a potent coffee cream ale clocking in at 12% ABV. Hmm... maybe a giant 64oz carton wouldn't be a bad thing? Oh wait, those are called growlers

I'd love to know what their criteria was for picking Carton brewing in Atlantic Highlands NJ. What ever happened to....

Triumph Brewing in Princeton NJ
Cape May Brewing in Cape may NJ
Belford Brewing in Middletown NJ
Beach Haus Brewery in Belmar NJ
Kane Brewing Company in Ocean Twsp. NJ
Little Dog Brewing in Neptune City NJ
Rinn Duin Brewing in Toms River NJ
Birravino in Red Bank NJ
Iron Hill Brewpub in Maple Shade NJ
Asbury Park Brewery in Asbury Park NJ (in the works)
Dark City Brewing Company in Asbury Park NJ (in the works)

....and these are only a few of my favorites that I've visited in 2015.

[RickBeer]

Well it is Thrillist, looks like a highly qualified publication...

[dbrowning]

First time I have agreed with the Alabama Choice
Back Forty is THE BEST in Alabama
(there is one I haven't tried (Brew Stooges, and its only 20 miles from home))
Straight to Ale is awesome, Good People makes good beer, Yellowhammer has a good beer now and then
Back Forty is consistently good to GREAT
I don't particularly like their Peach wheat, but I don't like Peach anything
Everything else is excellent
And consistant

[FedoraDave]

Never heard of Other Half Brewing, but since my daughter lives in Brooklyn, maybe they can score me some.

Still, Brooklyn Brewery, Ommegang, and a few others might want a recount.

[Crazy Climber]

I can't argue with their choices for MA and CT (Tree House and New England Brewing, respectively). Also Florida (Cigar City), Indiana (3 Floyds) and South Carolina (Westbrook).
And some of the other breweries they mention in some of those states are worthy choices, too.
So overall, I'd say the list has some merit -- based on states with which I'm most familiar.

[swenocha]

The Tennessee one is... interesting. Yazoo and Blackstone have to be considered best. Wiseacre is fine, but come on. Several people challenged them on this in the comments and they pretty much responded that they couldn't possibly visit each state. Well, then don't comment on the alleged lousy craft brew and brewery scene in the state. Sigh. At least these lists mean next to nothing.

[Kealia]

Yeah, these are always debatable and random. I do like this comment about California:

The fact is, there are literally dozens of beyond-worthy California breweries, but only one of them makes Pliny. Additionally, if anyone ever offers you a Russian River Brew ending in a "tion," just drink it and don't ask questions.

[Dawg LB Steve]

At the moment we are in Maine AND we are staying about 100 yds away from Maine Beer Co. across the street from the brewery, toured Allagash yesterday along with tastings at Shipyard, Rising Tide and Gritty McDuffs!

[Rebel_B]

Nice to see my neighbors (closest brewery to my work) make the list!

Washington
Fremont Brewing (address and info)
Seattle
Named for the famously progressive 'hood where it's located, Fremont's quickly (it only opened six yeas ago!), captured suds-heavy Seattle's attention by being really, really... conservative. Just kidding! It's totally liberal: about the environment (it uses organic hops, green energy, mostly cans instead of bottles, etc.); about the amount of alcohol it squeezes into its Abominable Winter Ale (11%), and hops it puts in its signature IPA; and even about the materials used to build its "Urban Beer Garden" -- the red leather banquettes came from a famed shuttered bar down the street -- which just so happens to be one of Seattle's best outdoor drinking destinations.