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December 18, 2006
Rankings:
Midwest Brewery Power Rankings
The Beer Dorks’ very first power rankings find Three Floyds on top by a hair.by Eddie Glick
Welcome to the Beer Dorks’ very first Power Rankings for Midwest craft brewers! I've debated with many a fellow Dork about what brewery was the best in the Midwest, and I thought I'd make my arguments public. I can’t guarantee how often rankings will be released, but I do welcome comments and, yes, criticism. So let me have it, fellow Beer Dorks. Tell me why I’m an idiot. Or, more likely, a genius. And be a dear and let me know if I missed any glaringly awesome breweries in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan (the UP counts!), Indiana or Ohio. Now, on with the list!
1. Three Floyds Brewing
Munster, IN
Riding hops to the top.
2. Founders Brewing Co.
Grand Rapids, MI
Despite an embarassment of riches, just barely edged out by FFF.
3. New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, WI
Limited distribution keeps Dan Carey and company out of the number-one spot.
4. Bell’s Brewery, Inc.
Galesburg, MI
Fourth only by a hair. A very thin hair.
5. Capital Brewery
Middleton, WI
Mystifies this Beer Dork why we don’t see their stuff everywhere.
6. Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Cleveland, OH
Ohio’s best brewery coming on strong.
7. Two Brothers Brewing Company
Warrenville, IL
Big, new beers show major promise.
8. Goose Island Beer Co.
Chicago, IL
Hurt by association with the devil. By proxy.
9. Sprecher Brewing Co.
Glendale, WI
More innovative beers needed.
10. Summit Brewing Company
St. Paul, MN
Edges out a bevy of others.
The Criteria
Innovation: The American craft brewing movement was built upon innovation, and it’s that quality that is keeping the industry dynamic and alive. Possibly the most important criteria.
Overall Quality: Not just the number of good beers a brewer produces, but the consistency of the entire line up.
Availability: The only criteria not direcly tied to the brewers’ art, but important nonetheless. You could brew the greatest beers on Earth, but what good would it do if no one had the chance to drink them?
Monsterism: Beer Dorks like big beers. You know what they like more than big beers? Monstrously big beers.
Integrity and Attitude: How does the brewer approach the business of beer-making? Is the beer always first? It should be.