Top 10 Best American Breweries

1. Dogfish Head
Location: Milton, Delaware

In the brewery business for almost two decades, Dogfish Head is one of the most popular breweries in the country. It was Delaware’s first brewpub, and when it opened in 1995, it was the smallest commercial brewery in America. Now operating out of a 100,000-square-foot converted cannery, Dogfish Head sells its beer, including the original 60 Minute IPA, to more than 25 states. Under the direction of Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head continues to be a gamechanger in the world of craft beer. "When I think of 'craft beer,' Dogfish Head is the first brewery that pops into my head," says Jason Morgan, founding partner of Craft Beer Business.

2. Stone Brewing Company
Location: Escondido, California

Stone Brewing Company has earned more than enough accolades and recognition. If topping the 2008 list of All-Time Top Breweries on Planet Earth by Beer Advocate isn’t enough, consider this: Stone is the 10th largest brewery in the United States, with a 99 rating on Beer Advocate, earning it "World Class" status. "I love Stone's attitude as much as I love their beer," says Jason Morgan of Craft Beer Business. "Big and bold, their craft beer always sticks with you long after the six-pack is gone."

3. Boulevard Brewing Company
Location: Kansas City, Missouri

Boulevard Brewing Company is not only the second largest brewery in Missouri but also one of the largest specialty brewers in the Midwest. Founded in 1989, Boulevard’s mission is to produce fresh, flavorful beers using the finest traditional ingredients. "What really sets Boulevard apart for me is the Smokestack Series," says Tom Rotunno of CNBC. "I haven’t had one I haven’t liked. They constantly surprise with a great variety of styles, and each is as good as the last."

4. Founders Brewing Company
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Founders set out to make "complex, in-your-face ales, with huge aromatics, bigger body, and tons of flavor" — and they’ve succeeded. Founders' beers are for renegades and rebels. "I've probably drunk gallons of Red's Rye PA and Centennial IPA," says Mike Sweeney of St. Louis Hops. "And don’t even get me started on Breakfast Stout and its bigger brother KBS. Founders Porter is easily the best porter in the world."

5. Cigar City Brewing Company
Location: Tampa, Florida

Cigar City Brewing started with two goals: to "make the world's best beer" and to share Tampa’s fascinating culture. Their self-proclaimed "world’s best beer" is made in a 6,600-square-foot warehouse, including a public tasting room. "Cigar City is currently making some of the best beer out there, many of which you can't find outside of the tasting room," says Gerard Walen, beer traveler and Florida beer expert.

6. New Belgium Brewing Company
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado

Started in 1989 with the founder delivering beers on his bike, New Belgium quickly grew into one of the most respected breweries in the country. They offer free tours of their facility, which produces Fat Tire, the iconic beer transported by bike over 20 years ago. "New Belgium has a huge lineup of beers and is best known for their Fat Tire Amber Ale," says Dave Butler, Colorado beer blogger. "I love their Lips of Faith series, especially La Folie Sour Brown Ale."

7. Lagunitas Brewing Company
Location: Petaluma, California

Founded in 1993, Lagunitas Brewing Company is dedicated to creating consistently good beer. Their philosophy: "capable of making beer out of goat’s milk, brambles, and asphalt on the surface of the moon, if need be." "I don’t think I’ve ever had a Lagunitas beer I didn’t like," says Liz Garibay of Tales, Taverns, & Towns. Lagunitas recently announced a 250,000-barrel-a-year facility in Chicago to meet demand from the Eastern U.S.

8. Bell's Brewery
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Bell’s Brewery believes in brewing flavorful, unfiltered, quality craft beers. With over 20 brews for distribution, Bell’s offers a deep and consistently excellent roster. "No matter what style you're in the mood for, Bell's has a great take on it," says Chris Van Orden, co-founder of DC Beer. Bell’s also operates The Eccentric Café, Michigan’s first brewery to serve beer by the glass.

9. Russian River Brewing Company
Location: Santa Rosa, California

Russian River Brewing Company focuses on "traditional aggressively hopped California-style" ales, Belgians, and barrel-aged beers. Founder Vinnie Cilurzo is credited with pioneering the "hopped-out-of-its-mind" West Coast Imperial. "The Plinys, Elder and Younger, are stunning achievements, but don’t overlook Russian River’s superb lineup of barrel-aged sour ales," says Peter Rowe of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

10. Sierra Nevada
Location: Chico, California

Sierra Nevada beers mimic the mountains for which they are named: "bold, wild, and unwavering." Using only the best ingredients and traditional techniques, Sierra Nevada is known for its Hop Torpedo, a unique way of adding hop aroma without extra bitterness. "Sierra Nevada gets credit for putting hoppy pale ale on the map for American craft beer drinkers," says Lucy Saunders, author of five craft beer cookbooks.