The ultimate list of 2013’s best beers.

Pliny the Elder is a double IPA produced by Russian River Brewing Company. It is highly regarded by beer enthusiasts for its bold hop character and balanced malt backbone.

This beer is brewed with Amarillo, Centennial, CTZ, and Simcoe hops, resulting in a resinous and citrusy flavor profile. Pliny the Elder consistently ranks as one of the best beers in the world.

2. Westvleteren 12

Westvleteren 12 is a Belgian quadrupel brewed by the Trappist monks of the Saint Sixtus Abbey. It is known for its rich caramel and dark fruit flavors, along with its smooth mouthfeel.

Considered one of the rarest and most sought-after beers, Westvleteren 12 is only available for purchase at the abbey itself.

3. Founders CBS

Founders CBS, or Canadian Breakfast Stout, is an imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels that were previously used to age maple syrup. This beer offers a complex flavor profile with notes of coffee, chocolate, maple syrup, and bourbon.

Founders CBS is highly regarded for its smoothness and exceptional balance of flavors.

4. Three Floyds Dark Lord

Three Floyds Dark Lord is an imperial stout known for its intense flavors and high alcohol content. It is brewed with coffee, Mexican vanilla, and Indian sugar, resulting in a rich and decadent beer with hints of chocolate and dark fruit.

The annual release of Dark Lord has become a highly anticipated event among beer enthusiasts.

5. Hill Farmstead Abner

Hill Farmstead Abner is an American double IPA brewed by Hill Farmstead Brewery. It is praised for its hop-forward character, with flavors of tropical fruits, pine, and citrus.

Abner is often regarded as one of the best examples of the style and has gained a loyal following among hopheads.

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6. Cantillon Fou’ Foune

Cantillon Fou’ Foune is a lambic fruit beer produced by Brasserie Cantillon in Belgium. It is made with apricots and aged in oak barrels, resulting in a tart and fruity beer with complex flavors.

Fou’ Foune is highly sought-after due to its limited availability and exceptional quality.

7. Firestone Walker Parabola

Firestone Walker Parabola is a barrel-aged imperial stout brewed by Firestone Walker Brewing Company. It is aged in a combination of bourbon barrels, resulting in a beer with rich flavors of chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and oak.

Parabola has received numerous accolades and is highly regarded in the craft beer community.

8. The Alchemist Heady Topper

The Alchemist Heady Topper is an American double IPA known for its intense hop character and tropical fruit flavors. It is brewed with a blend of hop varieties, resulting in a beer with a resinous and citrusy aroma.

Heady Topper has gained a cult following and is often considered one of the best IPAs in the world.

9. Rochefort 10

Rochefort 10 is a Belgian quadrupel brewed by Brasserie de Rochefort. It is known for its complex flavors of dark fruit, caramel, and spices, along with its rich and full-bodied mouthfeel.

Rochefort 10 is brewed by Trappist monks and is highly regarded as one of the finest examples of the style.

10. Surly Darkness

Surly Darkness is an imperial stout produced by Surly Brewing Company. It is known for its intense flavors of roasted malt, chocolate, coffee, and dark fruit.

Darkness is released annually and has gained a dedicated following for its exceptional quality and depth of flavors.