Sam Adams has long held the coveted top spot on the list of best American craft beers but this year, the crown passed on to Yuengling. Despite its limited area of distribution—18 states concentrated on the East coast—Yuengling sold more beer than Sam Adams. A previous rule discounted Yuengling from the running since they use corn as a main flavoring ingredient rather than the more typical malt. This categorized them as “non-traditional” in the past before the updated rules. Established in Pennsylvania in 1829, Yuengling is America’s oldest brewery and a cult favorite for East coasters. While Sam Adams was the first to fall, it wouldn’t surprise us if up-and-coming young breweries start inching their way towards the top and challenging classic favorites in the years to come. For now, we’ll raise a Yuengling in congratulations to the new top dog!
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