So here we go again, the top 10. It’s been a bit of a year for travel and collaboration beers, many great brewers have been working together to create some wonderful "mash-up" beers. Last year I promised myself that I would cast the net a bit wider next year and I think I've managed that quite well, extensive travel in North and South America as well as trips to Europe and the UK have delivered an eclectic mix of some delicious brews!
1. Every Minute Matters - Siren-Green Cheek: Number 2 on my 2020 list this was re-brewed in 2025 with a slightly tweaked recipe, still brilliant, still bitter AF but so well balanced a real desert island beer. I couldn't not put this at number one this year, an excellent brew.
2. Two Turbid Doves - Green Bench: Sampled at the Green Bench taproom in St. Pete's Florida back in March, it was quite a warm day and the taproom was a good walk from our hotel, this beer went down a treat! Such great flavours and just the right balance of hop, malts and bitterness, a real treat.
3. Two Worlds Apart - Siren-Beechwood: A new Westy for 2025, a collaboration and a super beer. I do like a good West Coast IPA and this is exactly that. Fruit, dank and bitter with perfect balance, a real banger from my local team.
4. Table Beer Mosaic-Enigma - The Kernel: This beer (in all its forms) has to be in the top 5 session beers in the world, a triumph of flavour without the hangover from the ever brilliant team at Kernel. Sampled at their new taproom in Bermondsey, London.
5. Blue Crab - Other Half Brewing: Chugged at the OHB taproom in New York, this beer is up there with the best US IPA's from Trillium and Treehouse IMO, classic combo of Citra, Simcoe and Mosaic it's old skool and brilliant for it!
6. Pete's Pale Ale - Green Bench: A light pale ale, absolutely perfect for the Florida heat. Sampled at the Green Bench taproom after a long walk it didn't touch the sides!
7. Putty 2025 - Verdant: There has to be a Putty on the list every year, it's about the only thing to look forward to in January in the UK and this year it was singing. More Nelson hops than usual and it was delicious for it, a great beer and a wonderful tradition.
8. Nine Mile Ride - Siren-Elusive: I've had this one on my list before and this year's re-brew was perfectly up to scratch with previous efforts. A classy Westy that celebrates a well known road around these parts, a great beer.
9. Forever Ever - Other Half Brewing: A DDH miracle from Other Half, sampled at their taproom in the Rockefeller Centre in New York City this low ABV crusher was a delight.
10. Fest Helles - Augustina: Sampled at Oktoberfest in Munich (see picture above), in theory "just a lager" but boy this one's a smoothy. As well balanced and clean as you like, a near perfect beer that's designed to be drunk in large quantities at the festival and we were certainly happy to oblige!
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