The best North American beers: taste tested

There are still lingering jokes about watery American lagers. And sure, those lagers (let’s call them ‘light and crisp’ instead of ‘watery’) are still the bestselling brews, but there are also almost 10,000 craft breweries in the US and, without exaggeration, it’s hard to imagine what the world of beer would be like today without those craft brewers.

The Pilgrims, English settlers in the 17th century, are often credited with taking beer to North America. Centuries later, classic British ales were the inspiration for the first US craft brewers. As their industry evolved, they became the ones who inspired others around the world with their bold brews and impactful use of the hops that grew in the Pacific Northwest of the country. With intense and pungent citrus and tropical aromas, these hops gave a whole new world of flavours to beer and transformed the industry, becoming one of the primary characteristics of modern craft beer.

This month I’ve chosen some great American beers, including the classic Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, which every beer lover should try – because it was the original US craft beer and it remains one of the best.

Did you know?

We see a lot of American Pale Ale (APA) in the UK, but that doesn’t mean it’s from the US – these are American-inspired and brewed with American hops.

The best North American beers

Stone IPA 6.9%

A classic west coast IPA from San Diego in California, this one is intensely hopped and bitter, with flavours of grapefruit, lemon peel and pine. It’s great sipped with burnt sweetcorn soured cream dip. £4 for 568ml, available from Asda

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale 5.6%

The original US pale ale, brewed at their North Carolina site. It’s deep golden with caramel malt and floral, grapefruity aromas. Try it with this fennel tarte tatin. £2.20 for 355ml, available from Waitrose

Brooklyn Brewery Pilsner 4.6%

A refreshing lager with light malts and a gentle citrus hop flavour. It’s from New York but the UK version is brewed in the Midlands. Try with Ben Tish’s chard, potato and chilli saffron omelettes. £6 for 4 x 430ml, available from Sainsbury’s

Athletic Brewing Co Run Wild IPA 0.5%

This excellent non-alcoholic IPA from Connecticut is golden, crisp and loaded with citrussy American hops. It’s a cooling and zesty partner for spicy fish stew. £5 for 4 x 355ml, available from Tesco

Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing 6.7%

The grandfathers of US craft beer have also made a superb modern IPA that’s tropical, smooth and juicy with citra and mosaic hops. One for chicken wings. £3.70 for 355ml, available from Sierra Nevada

Browse the rest of Mark’s recommendations, from the best fruity beers to sustainable breweries.