Reflecting back on this year, it’s evident to state that some remarkable beers have emerged from breweries of all sizes. Compiling a “best of” list always brings back the joy of recalling some of the unforgettable beer experiences of the year. At the same time, I find delight in exploring other people’s lists of top beers as it’s fascinating to discover the multitude of beers produced globally, noting that preferences do differ from person to person.

A select few of these beers I’ve picked out bring back memories of certain locations or trips, while others were simply enjoyed in the casual setting of my TV room. Indeed, beer (when consumed in moderation) has the magical ability to elevate even the most routine experiences or transport you through time and space. This is what I believe makes beer truly exceptional.

Now, without any further delay, I present to you some of the finest beers I’ve had the pleasure to taste in 2023, listed in no specific order.

Concluding a Red Sox victory on May 1, 2023 with Samuel Adams Wicked Fenway IPA (displayed on the left), was just the perfect cherry on top.

I had this beverage at Fenway Park on a rather cold evening on the Sam Adams deck in right field while the Red Sox were playing the Toronto Blue Jays (the Sox clinched victory with an Alex Verdugo walk-off home run). This hazy IPA was excellently brewed and smooth, boasting a full mouthfeel and a delightful sweetness that I find appealing in New England IPAs. What’s more, I appreciate its low ABV of just 5.5%, quite unusual for a hazy IPA.

Living in New England, I rarely have the opportunity to sample wet/fresh hop beers, a type of beer that features hops harvested and quickly added to the boiling kettle, leading to more subtle flavors than those derived from pellet/dried hops. This style is prevalent in regions like the Pacific Northwest where fresh hops are readily available. However, I was fortunate enough to be in South Africa during their hop harvesting season and had the chance to taste Soul Barrel’s rendition from Franschhoek while dining in the country’s wine lands. This beer encompassed all the traits of an ideal fresh hop beer: palatable, lively, and fresh. That beer still captivates my mind.

The most extraordinary beer drinking experience I’ve had was when I tasted this beer. 7 Vidas (which translates to “seven lives”), is a Peruvian brewery, but I had this on a river cruise in Southern Chile while a DJ was spinning 90’s hits from Fatboy Slim. The 15.8% imperial stout had been aged in bourbon barrels for 23 months before toasted coconut and vanilla were added before packaging. This kind of “pastry stout” is rather popular, and it’s fantastic to see breweries worldwide producing fine examples of this style.

The award-winning Czech dark lager from Ten Eyck, based in Maryland, is definitely worth seeking out.

I am thrilled that dark lagers are becoming popular in the United States, particularly the Czech dark lager, which reminds me of smooth version of a porter or stout. Maryland based Ten Eyck’s Czech dark lager is one of the best version I had this year and I wasn’t alone, the beer won bronze at the World Beer Cup this year, known also as the “Olympics of beer competitions.”

Oregon based pFriem is making some of the best lagers in America and if you find yourself in Hood River, the pFriem tasting room has a lovely vibe where you can watch the kite surfers along the Columbia river while you enjoy elevated pub far. Their Czech lager is a lovely version of the style and it was perfect with a hamburger and fries. If you are living in the Pacific Northwest, pFriem should be on your radar.

The Veil is known for their hazies and fruited sours but it was their west coast Double IPA that caught my attention while visiting Richmond, Virginia in March. I find that breweries that focus on hazy IPAs tend to make lackluster bitter IPAs but Flooded was bright with citrus and pine. It was nearly a damn perfect version of the style.

The smoothest 9% ABV I’ve tasted in a while, this is a great beer to help you unwind after a long … [+] day.

Oskar Blues’ Dale’s Pale Ale has made a significant impact since it was first introduced in the early 2000’s. The choice of packaging was unconventional for its time, an aluminum can. I have vivid memories of spotting these cans in a liquor store window during my days in Boston and being skeptical about the idea (I couldn’t have been more mistaken!). Oskar Blues has since expanded the Dale’s brand, including the introduction of Dale’s Double – a potent, heavy-hitting variety that might be among the smoothest double IPAs I’ve tasted in a while.

Maine’s Portland-based Austin Street Brewery is renowned for delivering some of the most enjoyable beers in the state. Whenever I find myself in Maine, I usually find myself drawn towards the Patina, Austin Street’s misty pale ale. However, during my visit last June, I decided to try their kölsch – a golden ale native to Cologne, Germany. It’s safe to say that I have never used the term “easy drinking” as frequently as I did on that warm, sunny day in their tasting room, savoring that Kolsch took me on a nostalgic journey back to Cologne.

Here’s to enjoying more fantastic beers in 2024 and beyond.