Best Craft Beer Of 2021: A Monthly List Of Amazing Beer

Join me in my journey as I document the best craft beer of 2021 . . . or at least of the beer I get to drink.

While I’d love to try every beer made, that’s just not possible. But I do get to try lots of different beers from lots of different places. After each month, this page will be updated with a handful of the best beers I drank that past month. They will be organized in a simple slideshow showing off the picture I took of it. I’ll also add in some honorable mentions because there are too many great beers out there.

I’ve been tracking my favorite beers for a few years and it is easily my favorite thing to do. It is worth noting that I tend to only list a beer if it is the first time I had it. Other than that, I simply put my favorites on this list and then get back to trying more great beer.

To keep up with what I’m drinking throughout the month, connect with me on social media (Instagram, Twitter, Untappd). And once we are connected, tag me when posting about the best craft beer you’re enjoying.

Want to see more of the amazing beers I’ve enjoyed?

Check out the best craft beer of 2020 and 2019!



January

January is deep in stout season and while I enjoyed plenty of stouts, it was actually barrel-aged beers that stole the show!

  • Best Craft Beer of 2021 - West Side Brewing
  • Best Craft Beer - Ecliptic
  • Best Beer of 2021 - Lupulin Brewing
  • Beers of 2021 - Ecliptic
  • Best Craft Beer - Harpoon
  • Beer of 2021 - Harpoon
  • Best Craft Beer of 2021 - Third Eye

Links: Tart Cherry Farmhouse Ale, Pinot Noir Barrel-Aged Belgian-Style Golden Ale, Chocolate Orange Laterlus, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Orange Giant, From Nova Scotia With Love, The Bock Hog, Holiday Munchies

Honorable Mentions: Brink Knob Creek Barrel-aged Kelly’s CandyLupulin Black LagerSonder Birthday Cake FrostedStreetside S’Mores DemogorgonThird Eye Cosmic ClashTemperance Root DownTemperance Splash of RedTemperance The BrumeWest Side Barleywine 2021  


February

In most of the country, it was cold. In Cincinnati, we were buried under snow more most of the month which means snow shoveling became my favorite hobby but I still found time to try some amazing craft beer.

Links: Ecliptic Barrel-Aged OortPerrin Roeselare 2020Rogue 2021 Rolling ThunderTemperance Might Meets Right 2020Troegs Joyous IPAWest Side Barrel-aged Imperial StoutWild Leap Truck Chaser – Creamsicle Double IPA 

Honorable Mentions: Ecliptic Oort Imperial Stout – Linzer TorteHarpoon Mike Pastry Barrel Aged Cannoli StoutOskar Blues Death by King CakePerrin Reserve 2020Rogue Double Chocolate StoutTemperance Might Meets Right La SopresaUntitled Art Chocolate Banana Imperial StoutWooden Cask Maple Corruption  


March

It only took a hint of warmer weather for me to quickly start diving into craft beer made for summer. Lots of great IPAs made my list this month but I can almost always guarantee a barrel-aged beer and/or a sour will also make the list.

Links: Ecliptic Cold IPAEcliptic Vega IPA #10Perrin Grapefruit IPAStreetside Tiramisu DemogorgonVictory Brotherly Love IPAWild Leap LMN ADE 

Honorable Mentions: Brink Kelly’s Candy No WaterDeep Ellum Cadilac BanditoMoerlein BronzerPerrin 59-10Perrin Double Pay IPASam Adams Just the HazeTemperance Might Meets Right Bramble 


April

This may be my monthly list with the most variety ever: session & high ABV, hoppy & malty, fruited & barrel-aged. And even among the barrel-aged beers I have a coconut rum barrel-aged ale. Variety is what makes craft beer amazing and April was a great month for beer.

  • Best Craft Beer 2021
  • Founders Best Craft Beer 2021
  • Best Craft Beer - Oskar Blues
  • Blackbeard's Vacation Beer Drank At Sam Adams OTR in Cincinnati, Ohio

Links: Ecliptic Blackberry Meyer Lemon Ale, Founders All Day Vacay, Lupulin DDH Straight Hash Homie, Oskar Blues BA21 Vol 5, Sam Adams Blackbeard’s Vacation, Troegs Troegenator Doublebock, Wild Leap Too Pure To Be Pink  

Honorable Mentions: Duclaw The PastryArchy Oatmeal Cream Pie, Fibonacci BA Polar Vortex, Founders Panther Cub, Harpoon Big League, Hoof Hearted Did we just become best buddy buddy?, Sam Adams Wicked Hazy, Sonder Blanc, Sonder Mocha Latte Frosted, Shofferhofer Passion Fruit, Troegs Field Study IPA  


May

Despite being relatively cold this month, my drinking shifted towards lighter “summer” styles. I still had my fair share of dark, heavy beers but lighter/lower ABV beers are creeping into my rotation. This leads me to believe it will be a great summer full of relaxing with friends with a beer in hand. 

  • Best Craft Beer - Madtree Phantom Forest
  • Best Craft Beer - March First Heller Bock
  • Best Craft Beer - Streetside Double Dare
  • Best Craft Beer - Third Eye Summer Grooze
  • Best Craft Beer - Wooden Cask Great Scot!

Links: MadTree Phantom ForestMarch First Heller BockStreetside Double Dare, Third Eye Summer GroveWooden Cask Great Scot!   

Honorable Mentions: Bearded Iris Wavelength, Bourbon County Brand Special #4 StoutHoof Hearted If You Can’t Be Good, Be BaldListermann Ohh A Piece Of CandySam Adams Wicked EasyStreetside BeachsideStreetside Plague Doctor   


June

This past month started to feel more “normal” than it has for over a year. Being around more people and going more places means trying more new beer. June’s favorites are a great mix of styles and flavors. Enjoy!

Links: Ecliptic Cosmos Coconut & Vanilla Hazy IPA, Ecliptic Vega #11, Founder’s Skyshift, Streetside Cinnamon Whiskey Demogorgon, Taft’s Maverick  

Honorable Mentions: Ecliptic Pyxis, Lupulin American Pils, Platform Sun Surfer, Third Eye Jelly Brain v1, Third Eye Kandy v2 


July

What normally is a really hot month that is great for outdoor activities, July this year was really rainy. Which means there wasn’t a lot of opportunities for outdoor beer drinking but that didn’t stop me from getting my hands on some tasty beer. My picks this month reflect a lighter selection for summertime but I always sneak in some heavy hitters too.

Links: Cigar City Fancy PapersLupulin Vanilla DreamsSam Adams American Crafted , Schulz Brau Bourbon Barrel Aged MaibockThree Weavers Cloud City 

Honorable Mentions: Bell’s Tequila Barrel-Aged Flamingo Fruit Flight Deep Ellum Maniac ConfidenceHarpoon Team Mew-S-AHeavy Seas World FamousRoak Brewing French Toast Devil DogSonder Nocturnal 


August

It’s that time of year, Oktoberfest beers have begun to hit shelves and I haven’t wasted any time drinking them. I’ve only included one in this month’s list but this style was undoubtedly the most consumed style I had. Still lots of other amazing beers were enjoyed as the hottest days of summer are hopefully now past us.

  • Best Craft Beer 2021

Links: Deep Ellum Hop Seeker, Heavy Seas Snoball – Tiger’s BloodListermann The Blackberries Taste Like BlackberriesLupulin Sticky PuddlesSam Adams OktoberfestSouthern Tier Nitro Smores 

Honorable Mentions: Braxton Dark Charge Affogato (2020)Listermann Peep This , R Shea Twitchy On Pumpkin Spice, Coffee Beans, & HabaneroSonder Illumanati Double Oaked StoutSouthern Tier Nitro Coconut Truffle 


September

From fresh to aged for 6 years, this month had quite the variety. I’m continually impressed with the diversity, complexity, and range of flavor that is found in craft beer. And, of course, many of these were enjoyed with other craft beer fans . . . which always makes it taste even better.

Links: Ecliptic Altair Fresh Hop Pale AleEcliptic Pineapple GoseLupulin Key Lime HypezigRivertown Lambic (2015)Wooden Robot Good Morning Vietnam

Honorable Mentions: Ecliptic Cloud Core Hazy Pale AleFirestone Walker Stickee Monkee (2016)Heavy Seas Joose Cannon Mai TaiNine Giant Heavy Metal DrummerSonder BruderTaft’s UDF Milkshake IPAThird Eye Magic Dream


October

This might be my most eclectic group of styles yet. A little bit of everything made this month quite tasty. Barrel-aged, milkshake IPAs, rye IPAs, regular IPAs, stouts, cocktail-inspired beers, and much more. But there is a common theme among all of these . . . big, bold flavors that prove beer can fit any situation and any mood.

Links: Deep Ellum IPALupulin Campfire MunchiesPerrin Beer City Rye IPARochester Mills Orange WhipSam Adams BrewjitoWolf’s Ridge VIII: Anniversary Blend  

Honorable Mentions: Fat Head’s Hop JujuRochester Mills Mango KissStreetside Situation NormalTroegs Master of PumpkinsWallenpaupack DunkelweizenWallenpaupack Kettle Wrecker 


November

This month I tried a few breweries for the first time; most notable Big Timber and New Image. Not only did I enjoy these immensely but they also made the Best Craft Beer 2021 list for November. As always, I kept the styles varied from dark to fruity to hoppy. I haven’t had many Christmas beers yet but I think December will remedy that.

  • Best Craft Beer 2021 - Big Timber Porter
  • 2021 Best Craft Beer - Ecliptic Vega
  • Lupulin Sticky Puddles - Best Craft Beer 2021
  • Sam Adams OTR Bocktopias

Links: Big Timber PorterEcliptic Vega IPA #12Lupulin Sticky Puddle – Triple Berry,

New Image Double Double – CitraSam Adams Chocolate Bocktopias 

Honorable Mentions: Clown Shoes Advent Party CrasherClown Shoes GalacticakeEcliptic Eighth OrbitEighty Eight Night GalleryHarpoon Winter WarmerLupulin Hero Hazy IPANew Image East Coast Transplant – CitraSam Adams Utopias 2021West Side Red Rye IPAWest Side Schwarbier 


December

What a way to end another great year in beer! I enjoyed some heavy hitters this month and many found their way onto the Best Craft Beer list. Gatherings with family & friends created many reasons to break out brews that are best shared. Sharing the best beer I have each month continues to be one of my favorite things to do; looking forward to 2022!

  • Imperial Harpoon IPA
  • Moozie & Otto
  • Streetside Socially Influence Imperial Pastry Brown Ale
  • Mad Elf Grand Cru

Links: Brink Bourbon Barrel Aged MoozieHarpoon Imperial Harpoon IPANew Image Red Light, Black LightSonder Bourbon Barrel Aged OttoStreetside Socially InfluencedTroegs Mad Elf Grand Cru 

Honorable Mentions: Bellwoods Jelly KingBraxton Dark Charge Coconut Cream PuffColumbus BodhiEcliptic Bourbon Barrel Aged Orange GiantEcliptic IoHarpoon Big LeagueLupulin Lateralus Chocolate MaltNew Image Cozy Vibes 


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What Would Make Your List Of The Best Craft Beer Of 2021?