Midwest Brewery Power Rankings

Yes, it's time again for the BeerDorks.com Midwest Brewery Power Rankings! A lot has changed in the Midwest beer scene, so we thought it was time to give the power rankings an update. And this time, we want your vote! Tell us who you think is the most influential brewer in the Midwest.

http://beerdorks.com/rankings

If you don't feel like visiting the site, I'd still love to hear your opinions here in the forum. Thanks!

Clearly, the most influential brewer in the area doesn't brew commercially. It's Randy Mosher, author of Radical Brewing, among other things.

I can agree with that. I talked to Randy at Dark Lord Day and bought his new book. The guy is a wellspring of brewing knowledge.

I can agree with Bell's being at the top and the BeerDorks writer made some correct assessments about New Glarus and Surly. If both had wider distribution they would be battling it out with Bell's. You can't get New Glarus in Minnesota. I benefit with frequent visits to La Crosse, WI. Even in my Twin Cities Surly is in very limited distribution. I cannot even buy it at my two closest liquor stores. I enjoy the brews of all three of those companies. I buy them, Schell's and Summit, and Leinenkugel's when cans only are permitted (Indy 500) or I want to pretend to go a little more stealth in public.

Surly gets my vote. If anyone knows of any method to buy some without a) going to the rare bar that serves it or b) driving up to Minnesota, please let me know.

Three Floyds puts out some great brews. Is it just me or did their Gumballhead lose some of it's hoppiness? Maybe after I found Surly at Barley House in Algonquin, the subtle yet tasty hop hit that I used to find during the summer in Gumballhead doesn't even register on my taste buds.

Surly gets my vote. If anyone knows of any method to buy some without a) going to the rare bar that serves it or b) driving up to Minnesota, please let me know.

Too bad it's a bar: Sheffield's just had Surly Furious, Bitter, Cynic, and a Cask Furious on draft this week.

Kuma's often has 1 or 2 Surly brews on tap.

All of these bars have access to it per Surly's website.
Illinois
Chicago - We will have limited availability in the Chicago area. Call the bars if you need to be sure.

The Map Room
HopLeaf
Sheffileds
Kuma's Corner
Small Bar - Division
Clark Street Ale House
Local Option
Bavarian Lodge
The Firkin - Libertyville
Duke O'brien's - Crystal Lake
Durty Nellies - Palatine
Twisted Spoke - Chicago
Villians - Chicago
Reggie's Music Club - Chicago
Handlebar - Chicago
Jerry's Sandwiches Wicker Park - Chicago
Hackney's Printer's Row - Chicago
Jaks Tap - Chicago
Long Room - Chicago
Small Bar Logan Square - Chicago
Paramount Room - Chicago
Risque Cafe - Chicago
Uncommon Ground - Chicago
Underbar - Chicago
Brixie's - Brookfield
Lush Wine and Spirits on Halsted - Chicago
The Grumpy Bulldog - Naperville
Rodan

Just a heads-up: Bavarian Lodge will be closed for their annual summer break the next couple of weeks. They re-open on Wednesday, July 15, at 4:00pm.

KSeecs, thanks for the list! One to add is Barley House in Algonquin which has Surly Furious and Bender (at least). I should have opened my reply in a separate tab because if Barley House was in your list I apologize for the repeat. If not, they advertise that they have over 300 beers (not all on tap of course).