USA TODAY 10Best
Wild Leap Brew Co. named Best New Brewery
Best New Brewery (2019)
Craft breweries are opening in record numbers in the United States, hundreds each year. USA TODAY 10Best wants to find the best new breweries in the country, ones founded in the past three years (since the beginning of 2016), so we asked a panel of beer experts to nominate their favorites. For the past four weeks, 10Best readers have been voting for their favorites, and the results are in.
The top 10 winners in the category Best New Brewery are as follows:
- Zillicoah Beer Co. - Woodfin, N.C.
- Ancillary Fermentation - Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
- Cinderlands Beer Co. - Pittsburgh
- Masthead Brewing Company - Cleveland
- Stonecloud Brewing Company - Oklahoma City
- Original Pattern Brewing Company - Oakland
- Brink Brewing Co. - Cincinnati
- Bonesaw Brewing Co. - Glassboro, N.J.
- Eagle Park Brewing Company - Milwaukee
- Wild Leap Brew Co. - LaGrange, Ga.
Photo courtesy of Sheila Mraz / Zillicoah Beer Co.
No. 10:
This new North Carolina brewery specializes in open-fermented farmhouse beers. Located just outside Asheville, the tasting room pours a range of saisons, bretts and American wild ales alongside more traditional styles.
Photo courtesy of Spencer Bland / Ancillary Fermentation
No. 9:
Ancillary Fermentation isn’t a conventional brewery; it’s a “pop-up fermentation experience” celebrating the experimental side of craft beer. Each month, the brewers host a pop-up taproom to launch a single beer in a location somewhere in the Triangle.
Photo courtesy of Joanna Warden / Cinderlands Beer Co.
No. 8:
Cinderlands Beer Company celebrates the self-made attitude of Pittsburgh in their brewery and scratch kitchen. Opened in 2017 in Lawrenceville, the brewery produces a few types of beer, including their self-proclaimed “dad beer,” the Tracks Again pilsner, as well as a pair of sours and an IPA.
Photo courtesy of Masthead Brewing Company
No. 7:
Masthead Brewing Company in Cleveland is known for their ever evolving lineup of juicy New England IPAs and an award-winning Midwest Red IPA, as well as their Neopolitan-style pizzas served in their 300-seat taproom.
Photo courtesy of Stonecloud Brewing Company
No. 6:
Stonecloud Brewing Company was founded in Oklahoma City as a way to celebrate “progressive, neo-American beer styles.” Expect to sip juicy, hop-forward beers and experimental barrel-aged sours alongside more traditional styles. Year round offerings include a pilsner, IPA, Belgian wit and an imperial coffee stout.
Photo courtesy of Original Pattern Brewing Company
No. 5:
Original Pattern, an employee-owned brewery and taproom in Oakland, California, has already pulled in awards from some of the nation’s top festivals. Beer offerings chance frequently depending on what’s brewing but might include Brightside kölsch, Saisonette Belgian saison, Haze-a-Tron hazy IPA, Sunset English brown or Devil’s Puzzle barleywine.
Photo courtesy of Innovatory Photography / Brink Brewing Co.
No. 4:
This new brewery in the College Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati brews up well over a dozen varieties of craft beer — everything from J-Boy IPA and Populace Pilsner to Berlin Wall sour and Father G’s Bees brown ale made with maple syrup. The brewery hosts food trucks most nights of the week.
Photo courtesy of Lori DiVerniero / Bonesaw Brewing Co.
No. 3:
Rich DiVerniero, the “Bonemaster” at Bonesaw Brewing Co., brewed his first beer in the late 80s. Today, the New Jersey brewery he owns with his brother-in-law, Dave Doe serves a wide range of styles of beer from brewmaster AJ Stoll. Guests of the new facility might sip on a Cascara Sour Wheat, Silver Queen Cream Ale, DVQ Nitro Double Vanilla Cream Ale or Definition West Coast IPA.
Photo courtesy of Eagle Park Brewing Company
No. 2:
Brothers Max and Jack Borgardt founded Eagle Park Brewing in their garage. Today, you’ll find them in the new Milwaukee tap room pouring a wide range of beers — DDH Set List American IPA, Naughty Water barleywine, Loop Station Golden Ale, Berry Nib imperial stout and Mr. Boombastic sour among them.
Photo courtesy of Glenn Whittington / Wild Leap Brew Co.
No. 1:
The former home of Westbrook Service & Tire Co. in historic downtown LaGrange, Georgia is today home to Wild Leap Brew Co. The brewery gets its name from the leap of faith the two founders took when leaving successful careers to follow their passion for beer. Offerings include Alpha Abstraction Double IPA, Chance IPA, Prize Inside Cracker Jack Stout, Local Gold Blonde Ale and Truck Chaser Creamsicle Double IPA.
A panel of experts (listed below) partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning breweries who are off to a great start.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Dennis Malcolm "Ale" Sharpton
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a... Read More
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday, Thrillist.com, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, James Beard Foundation, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting, and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys. Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
Dennis Malcolm "Ale" Sharpton
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday, Thrillist.com, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, James Beard Foundation, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting, and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys. Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
Gary Monterosso
Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who... Read More
Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who has written for national and regional publications. He is a regular guest on “You Oughta Know,” on WHYY-TV, a PBS station based in Philadelphia. Gary also hosts one-minute beverage updates on several southern NJ radio stations. From 2010-2017, he was seen on the History Channel show called “The Epic History of Everyday Things.” He is the author of the book, “Artisan Beers.” After a 41-year career as a NJ- based educator, Gary now teaches beer appreciation classes at Wilmington University. Gary has appeared on many television programs discussing craft beers and has guested on BBC radio offering an American perspective on the beverage. In late 2014, he lent his expertise to CBS News New York, by offering fall beer recommendations. One of the highlights of his career was a three-year stint on the Sirius Satellite Radio network, talking about the latest happenings in the beer world. In 2014, Gary was selected by Chilled Magazine to be a member of the “Chilled 100,” signifying him as one of the top 100 beverage personalities in the United States. He continues to be a fixture at regional beer events by hosting dinners and tasting seminars. He has qualified as a Certified Beer Server, a part of the Cicerone Certification Program, recognizing his knowledge of beer styles, culture, the brewing process and ingredients.
Gary Monterosso
Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who has written for national and regional publications. He is a regular guest on “You Oughta Know,” on WHYY-TV, a PBS station based in Philadelphia. Gary also hosts one-minute beverage updates on several southern NJ radio stations. From 2010-2017, he was seen on the History Channel show called “The Epic History of Everyday Things.” He is the author of the book, “Artisan Beers.” After a 41-year career as a NJ- based educator, Gary now teaches beer appreciation classes at Wilmington University. Gary has appeared on many television programs discussing craft beers and has guested on BBC radio offering an American perspective on the beverage. In late 2014, he lent his expertise to CBS News New York, by offering fall beer recommendations. One of the highlights of his career was a three-year stint on the Sirius Satellite Radio network, talking about the latest happenings in the beer world. In 2014, Gary was selected by Chilled Magazine to be a member of the “Chilled 100,” signifying him as one of the top 100 beverage personalities in the United States. He continues to be a fixture at regional beer events by hosting dinners and tasting seminars. He has qualified as a Certified Beer Server, a part of the Cicerone Certification Program, recognizing his knowledge of beer styles, culture, the brewing process and ingredients.
Jack Muldowney
Jack Muldowney is co-founder of The Hop Review and... Read More
Jack Muldowney is co-founder of The Hop Review and founder of Chicago-based design and illustration studio, Malt. Since 2012, he's been fortunate enough to sit down with some of beer's biggest personalities, as well as travel the U.S. and the globe to capture the industry's best stories. He's also hosted several events, including the annual fresh beer festival "Ultra Fresh", and is a two-time SAVEUR "Best Beer Coverage" nominee. Through his travels, Jack appreciates the varying perspectives of an industry that's always adapting, and enjoys sharing pints with beer enthusiasts of all types.
Jack Muldowney
Jack Muldowney is co-founder of The Hop Review and founder of Chicago-based design and illustration studio, Malt. Since 2012, he's been fortunate enough to sit down with some of beer's biggest personalities, as well as travel the U.S. and the globe to capture the industry's best stories. He's also hosted several events, including the annual fresh beer festival "Ultra Fresh", and is a two-time SAVEUR "Best Beer Coverage" nominee. Through his travels, Jack appreciates the varying perspectives of an industry that's always adapting, and enjoys sharing pints with beer enthusiasts of all types.
Rich Higgins
Rich Higgins is all things beer: brewmaster, beer... Read More
Rich Higgins is all things beer: brewmaster, beer travel operator, author, public speaker and a consultant to breweries and restaurants. He is one of 18 Master Cicerones in the world, and additionally is a Certified Sommelier. He runs Beer Immersions educational beer tourism trips to Belgium and Germany. To offer an organized approach to blind beer tasting, he is the author and developer of the Deductive Beer Tasting Method. He teaches public classes, industry trainings and is a public speaker and coordinator of events across the world. He spent over a decade as a professional brewer and brewmaster, three years as the President of the San Francisco Brewers Guild and three years as Event Director of San Francisco Beer Week. Contact him at www.richhiggins.com.
Rich Higgins
Rich Higgins is all things beer: brewmaster, beer travel operator, author, public speaker and a consultant to breweries and restaurants. He is one of 18 Master Cicerones in the world, and additionally is a Certified Sommelier. He runs Beer Immersions educational beer tourism trips to Belgium and Germany. To offer an organized approach to blind beer tasting, he is the author and developer of the Deductive Beer Tasting Method. He teaches public classes, industry trainings and is a public speaker and coordinator of events across the world. He spent over a decade as a professional brewer and brewmaster, three years as the President of the San Francisco Brewers Guild and three years as Event Director of San Francisco Beer Week. Contact him at www.richhiggins.com.
Ruth Berman
CEO and BBB (Brains Beyond the Beer) of Bon Beer... Read More
CEO and BBB (Brains Beyond the Beer) of Bon Beer Voyage, an award-winning beer tour company for Belgian and Craft Beer Enthusiasts, Ruth was recently knighted in Belgium by the Knighthood of the Brewers Mash Staff for her contributions to spreading the world about Belgian beer culture. Bon Beer Voyage offers high quality, small group, gourmet beer vacations (Beercations) both in the US and abroad; providing their guests with one-of-kind-experiences, locally guided sightseeing, great food, world class beer, brewery insider visits and beer tastings. She is also a Certified Tour Director, Licensed Tour Guide and a Cicerone Program Certified Beer Server, as well as a member of the Pink Boots Society and the North American Guild of Beer Writers. She has served on the panel of beer experts for USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards since 2014. While traveling, Ruth enjoys sketching and painting watercolors of the breweries she visits.
Ruth Berman
CEO and BBB (Brains Beyond the Beer) of Bon Beer Voyage, an award-winning beer tour company for Belgian and Craft Beer Enthusiasts, Ruth was recently knighted in Belgium by the Knighthood of the Brewers Mash Staff for her contributions to spreading the world about Belgian beer culture. Bon Beer Voyage offers high quality, small group, gourmet beer vacations (Beercations) both in the US and abroad; providing their guests with one-of-kind-experiences, locally guided sightseeing, great food, world class beer, brewery insider visits and beer tastings. She is also a Certified Tour Director, Licensed Tour Guide and a Cicerone Program Certified Beer Server, as well as a member of the Pink Boots Society and the North American Guild of Beer Writers. She has served on the panel of beer experts for USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards since 2014. While traveling, Ruth enjoys sketching and painting watercolors of the breweries she visits.
