Year End Recap

2010 was a violent year. It started with a simple Bottle Battle, but soon expanded into Can Clashes, Tap Tussles and even a full-fledged Growler Grudge Match. That's a lot of delicious, thirst-quenching violence. Hopefully we inspired you to try some tasty new beers and avoid some that were less than stellar. Perhaps you were even compelled to stage a Bottle Battle of your own. It's certainly a fun and educational way to find out what you like and don't like in a beer.

Throughout the year we were treated to some epic duels, some lopsided first round knockouts and a few long, drawn-out snoozers. Of the 97 beers that we featured only 11 received a "Fantastic" rating (11.3%). The most common rating was "Good" which we assigned to 30 of the beers. We choose to believe this is an indicator of the overall solid quality of beer in the Northwest. The rest of the breakdown went as follows: Good +: 17, Good -: 9, Mediocre +: 6, Mediocre: 18, Mediocre -: 3, Bad: 3.

We'll finish with a list of all the beers we rated "Fantastic." Keep a lookout for these beers in 2011. Hopefully they'll be worthy of the rating we gave them in 2010. Have a safe and happy new year! May we suggest you toast the new year with a lambic instead of Champagne?

Rogue John John
(Dead Guy Ale Aged in Dead Guy Whiskey Barrels)

Diamond Knot Ho!Ho!Ho! Winter Ale

Widmer Deadlift Imperial IPA

Dogfish Head Burton Baton

Deschutes Hop in the Dark CDA
(Cascadian Dark Ale)

Laurelwood Organic Free Range Red Ale

New Belgium 2010 La Folie

Maui Brewing Co. Coconut Porter

Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse

Rock Bottom Bellevue
Fresh Hop Pale Ale (Tap Only)

Snipes Mountain
Harvest Fresh Hop Pale Ale (Tap Only)