Brewed To Perfection: The Best Beer In Every State

Brittany Jones Cooper|Oct. 10, 2014 4:02 pm EST

Craft beer just keeps gaining in popularity, so bringing a six-pack of classic Bud Light to a party will no longer do. From Alabama to Wyoming, every state has their favorite homegrown beer, one that is special to their state, and loved by the locals.

Business Insider consulted RateBeer.com to come up with the best beer in every state. Most are imperial stouts or IPAs (India Pale Ales), and beers with a high ABV (alcohol by volume) seem to be all the rage, for obvious reasons. From the most expensive, to the one that will get you the drunkest, we explore some of the highlights from the list.

Highest ABV: Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout, Indiana

Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout has an ABV of 15% (Photo: Zimmer-Design)

Speaking of alcohol by volume, one of the strongest beers on the list is Indiana's Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout with an ABV of 15 percent. The powerful beer is the brainchild of Three Floyds Brewing Co. in Munster, Indiana, and is only released once a year. So, in addition to being incredibly strong, it's also extremely rare.

Most Expensive: Sam Adams Utopias, Massachusetts

Most people are comfortable spending $5 to $9 for a beer. That's reasonable, but if you want the best, you'll have to pay more. Leading the list in price is the Sam Adams Utopias beer brewed in Massachusetts. This pricey drink retails for about $200 a bottle, and can't be found at your local grocery story. Only 15,000 bottles of the 27-percent barleywine beer are released every other year, so if you do get a bottle, you better make it last.

Best IPA: 90 Minute IPA, Delaware

The 90 Minute IPA is Delaware's most popular beer. (Photo: Dogfish Brewery)

Delaware proudly produces what Esquire magazine calls "perhaps the best IPA in America." The 90 Minute IPA comes from Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, and features constant 90-minute hop additions.

Weirdest Ingredient: Mornin' Delight, Iowa

Mornin' Delight goes perfectly with a stack of pancakes (Photo: Toppling Goliath Brewery/Facebook)

As the saying goes, it's five o'clock somewhere. Iowa's Mornin' Delight beer is brewed with maple syrup, which makes it the perfect addition to a breakfast of champions. The Russian Imperial Stout is made by Toppling Goliath Brewery who suggests that drinkers, "just add pancakes."

Best Beer: Heady Topper, Vermont

The Heady Topper is the best beer in Vermont. (Photo: The Alchemist)

And over in Waterbury, Vermont, the locals love the Heady Topper, brewed by the Alchemist. But this is more than just a local favorite. According to Ratebeer.com, this eight-percent IPA is widely considered the best beer in the world.

What's your favorite local beer? Did it make the list? Check out the best beers in every state on Business Insider.