The new brews that our wonderful micros keep inventing make make this list
shift amazingly fast--and in sudden, new directions. Here's my current top
10 (highly influenced by local distribution, travel habits, and exciting
new beers; the list definitely trends more to the zesty, strong, and/or
golden side than to the dark and roasted side, which might yield a second
list) and, of course, your abv may vary!!!:

1) Westvleteren 12 -- O.K., only managed to buy it in twice, but each time
it was creamy, rich, full & resplendent; hits every high spot; best of all
possible worlds--or is it the rarity that makes it such the holy grail?

2) Victory Hop Wallop -- Has shot to the top because it is like (one of my
absolutel favorites) Jever Pils, on STEROIDS; a light, clean frame with
this potent and brilliant wave of floral hops that dominates the palate
anytime, anywhere, after anything else.

3) Capital Eisphyre -- A limited release that is an 'eisbocked' version of
their already searingly rich, mellow, and potent Autumnal Fire; a zesty,
potent brew that asserts itself brilliantly anytime, no matter what the
palate has already endured.

4) Bells Hopslam -- Like #2 it is a floral hopjungle, though with a bit
more heft and substance; citrus and pine in heaping, overwhelming glory.
Boffo.

5) Bells Sparkling Ale -- Like some of my favorite tripels but richer and
more dynamic on the palate, with a nice streak of hops.

6) Piraat 10.5% -- Plenty similar to #5 above, it might rank higher if I
could get it more easily cheaper; big, rich, golden, lustrous, and deeply
hoppy too; much better than the Piraat 9%.

7) Koenig Ludwig Hefe Weizen -- On tap (Hamburg) this hefeweizen is so
potently yeasty/cloudy/banana-esther-fruity that it is utterly satisfying;
as hefes go it is massive--the real deal; on the right day, with the
summer sun at the right angle, it rises right to the top of the list.

8) Tyranena Hop Whore Imperial IPA -- This is a regional specialty/ueber
brew (i.e., sold in a 4-pack) but it is simply immensely satisfying; next
to some Victory things, Stone IPA, and a whole raft of other gothic-IPA's in
the fridge it somehow is the one the hand reaches for when it isn't slapped
down by the other hand; a bright, gigantic, boldl but smooth hopmonster;
I'm normally suspciously/self-derogatingly biased AGAINST local beers
figuring that they can't be as good as the legacy, unobtainable things that
get great write-ups, but this is a sumptious product.

9) Bear Republic Racer 5 -- The IPA in the big bottle that is sold here
locally starts out pleasant but restrained, starts to get big and tasty, and
winds up sublime with wave after wave of satisfying complexity; not
complaining!

10) Jever Pilsner -- Stunning, max-hopped north German pils; when fresh
it is so clean & beautiful--true class; see #2 above.

11) Stone Arrogant ******* -- The title says it all, including the
audacity of finagling its way into #11 on a top-ten list; it is like
Fullers ESB -- but ON ARROGANT ******* STEROIDS!!!