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It's Beer Time: Unique Brews Made in the U.S.A.

Here are some great craft beers from U.S. breweries that are innovators in the beer world.
<p>What's the choice liquid in Montana? Moose Drool. Big Sky Brewing says it’s the top-selling beer in Montana. People keep coming back for the creamy beer, which is brewed with pale, caramel, chocolate, and whole black malts.</p><br />

<i>5417 Trumpeter Way, Missoula, MT; (406) 549-2777; <a href="http://www.bigskybrew.com" target="_blank">bigskybrew.com</a></i>
Courtesy of Big Sky Brewing Co.
Some people think that beer comes in two options: dark or light. But breweries around the country know that the sky's the limit when it comes to beer flavor, texture, aroma, and even food pairings. Here's a list of some great craft and specialty beers from innovative breweries around the country. Help us complete the list. Tell us your favorite beers and microbrews in the comments section or on our Facebook page.
1

Moose Drool Brown Ale - Big Sky Brewing Co.

<p>What's the choice liquid in Montana? Moose Drool. Big Sky Brewing says it’s the top-selling beer in Montana. People keep coming back for the creamy beer, which is brewed with pale, caramel, chocolate, and whole black malts.</p><br />

<i>5417 Trumpeter Way, Missoula, MT; (406) 549-2777; <a href="http://www.bigskybrew.com" target="_blank">bigskybrew.com</a></i>
Courtesy of Big Sky Brewing Co.

What's the choice drink in Montana? Moose Drool. Big Sky Brewing says it's the top-selling beer in the state. People keep coming back for the creamy brown ale, which is brewed with pale, caramel, chocolate, and whole black malts.


5417 Trumpeter Way, Missoula, MT; (406) 549-2777; bigskybrew.com
2

Hardywood Gingerbread Stout - Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

<p>Who needs eggnog? This dark, frothy beer has all the holiday flavors you need. It's brewed with ginger, wildflower honey, milk chocolate, Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans, and Vietnamese cinnamon. And you know what may make it even better? A side of <a href="/search/fast_search_recipes?search_term=chocolate+pudding">chocolate pudding</a>.</p><br />

<i>2408 Ownby Lane, Richmond, VA; (804) 420-2420; <a href="http://www.hardywood.com" target="_blank">hardywood.com</a></i>
Courtesy of Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Who needs eggnog? This dark, frothy beer has all the holiday flavors you need. It's brewed with ginger, wildflower honey, milk chocolate, Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans, and Vietnamese cinnamon. And you know what may make it even better? A side of chocolate pudding.


2408 Ownby Lane, Richmond, VA; (804) 420-2420; hardywood.com
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3

Peter Brown Tribute Ale™ - Bear Republic Brewing Co.

<p>This malty brown ale — brewed with molasses and brown sugar — is no stranger to the awards scene. It received accolades from the California State Fair (2009, gold), the North American Brewers Association (2009, gold), and the Great American Beer Festival (2006, bronze; 2004, gold).</p><br />

<i>Restaurant: 345 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, CA; (707) 433-2337; <a href="http://www.bearrepublic.com" target="_blank">bearrepublic.com</a></i>
Courtesy of Bear Republic Brewing Co.

This malty brown ale — brewed with molasses and brown sugar — is no stranger to the awards scene. It received accolades from the California State Fair (2009, gold), the North American Brewers Association (2009, gold), and the Great American Beer Festival (2006, bronze; 2004, gold).


Restaurant: 345 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, CA; (707) 433-2337; bearrepublic.com
4

Brooklyn Lager - Brooklyn Brewery

<p>A local favorite, this amber-gold beer has strong flavors enhanced by the brewery's process of "dry-hopping": steeping beer with fresh hops as it goes through a long maturation process. If you're enjoying it in Brooklyn, what food would you pair it with? <a href="/search/fast_search_recipes?search_term=pizza">Pizza</a>, of course.</p><br />

<i>79 N 11th St., Brooklyn, NY; (718) 486-7422; <a href="http://brooklynbrewery.com" target="_blank">brooklynbrewery.com</a></i>
Courtesy of Brooklyn Brewery

A local favorite, this amber-gold beer has strong flavors enhanced by the brewery's process of "dry-hopping": steeping beer with fresh hops as it goes through a long maturation process. If you're enjoying it in Brooklyn, what food would you pair it with? Pizza, of course.


79 N 11th St., Brooklyn, NY; (718) 486-7422; brooklynbrewery.com
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5

Cooper Ale - Otter Creek Brewery

<p>This German-style Altbier was introuced in 1991. It won gold in its category at the 2009 U.S. Beer Open and at the 2003 Great American Beer Festival. This brew is for fans of malty flavor with some slight bitterness. </p><br />

<i>793 Exchange St., Middlebury, VT; (802) 388-0727; <a href="http://www.ottercreekbrewing.com" target="_blank">ottercreekbrewing.com</a></i>
Courtesy of Otter Creek Brewery

This German-style Altbier was introduced in 1991. It won gold in its category at the 2009 U.S. Beer Open and at the 2003 Great American Beer Festival. This brew is for fans of malty flavor with some slight bitterness.


793 Exchange St., Middlebury, VT; (802) 388-0727; ottercreekbrewing.com
6

Pfeifferhorn Lager Beer - Epic Brewing

<p>Fans of subtlety may take a liking to this lager, which is slightly spicy and perhaps even herbal. It won the silver medal at the San Diego International Beer Festival in 2011.</p><br />

<i>825 S. State St., Salt Lake City, UT; (801) 906-0123; <a href="http://www.epicbrewing.com" target="_blank">epicbrewing.com</a></i>
Courtesy of Epic Brewing

Fans of subtlety may take a liking to this lager, which is slightly spicy and even herbal. It won the silver medal at the San Diego International Beer Festival in 2011.


825 S. State St., Salt Lake City, UT; (801) 906-0123; epicbrewing.com
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7

Milk Stout Nitro™ - Left Hand Brewing Co.

<p>This dark black stout is sweet, with notes of barley, oats, and chocolate. Who needs dessert when you can fill up on stout?</p><br />

<i>1265 Boston Ave., Longmont, CO; (303) 772-0258; <a href="http://www.lefthandbrewing.com" target="_blank">lefthandbrewing.com</a></i>
Courtesy of Left Hand Brewing Co.

This dark black stout is sweet, with notes of barley, oats, and chocolate. Who needs dessert when you can fill up on stout?


1265 Boston Ave., Longmont, CO; (303) 772-0258; lefthandbrewing.com
8

Fat Squirrel - New Glarus Brewing

<p>This nutty brown ale is made from 100 percent Wisconsin malt, but its hops travel from Slovenia, Bavaria, and the Pacific Northwest. The brewery's Brewmaster came up with the idea for the nutty brown ale — which you can enjoy with <a href="/search/fast_search_recipes?search_term=steak">steak</a>, dried fruit, or even <a href="/recipes/cooking-recipes/chocolate-cakes">chocolate cake</a> — after seeing a number of fat squirrels running outside. A microbrew and a memorable name were born.</p><br />

<i>2400 State Hwy 69, New Glarus, WI; (608) 527-5850; <a href="http://www.newglarusbrewing.com" target="_blank">newglarusbrewing.com</a></i>
Courtesy of New Glarus Brewing Company

This nutty brown ale is made from 100 percent Wisconsin malt, but its hops travel from Slovenia, Bavaria, and the Pacific Northwest. The brewery's Brewmaster came up with the idea for the nutty brown ale — which you can enjoy with steak, dried fruit, or even chocolate cake — after seeing a number of fat squirrels running outside. A microbrew and a memorable name were born.


2400 State Hwy 69, New Glarus, WI; (608) 527-5850; newglarusbrewing.com
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9

90 Minute IPA - Dogfish Head Brewery

<p>It's all about the hops. This beer was the first that Dogfish Head Brewery continuously hopped, leading to a stronger hop flavor. But the hopping doesn't end there. Following its continuous hop phase, the brew gets dry hopped with the brewery's "Me So Hoppy" device.</p><br />

<i>Restaurant: 320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE; (302) 226-2739; <a href="http://www.dogfish.com/" target="_blank">dogfish.com/</a></i>
Courtesy of Dogfish Head Brewery

It's all about the hops. This beer was the first that Dogfish Head Brewery continuously hopped, leading to a stronger hop flavor. But the hopping doesn't end there. Following its continuous hop phase, the brew gets dry hopped with the brewery's "Me So Hoppy" device.


Restaurant: 320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE; (302) 226-2739; dogfish.com/
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