National Craft Beer Week runs May 16th to the 22nd, and Yelp has has compiled a list of what they say are the best “small and independent” breweries in every state. Independent brewers are defined as those that have less than 25% of their breweries owned or controlled by anyone other than themselves. There are over 9,000 craft breweries in the U.S. so this list is just a small sample of the really great ones.

In Rhode Island, Pawtucket's Crooked Current Brewery made the list, and is one of my personal favorites. Brew Master Nichole Pelletier comes up with some amazing and unique brews. In Massachusetts, Yelp says that Sam Adams is the best craft brewery. I know most of us think of Sam as a big brand these days, but apparently they still fit the "craft brewery" description.

Here’s a sample of Yelp's picks, as published by Vinepair:

Alabama (Birmingham) - Good People Brewing
Alaska (Juneau) - Devil's Club Brewing
California (San Diego) - Home Brewing
Connecticut (Salem) - Fox Farm Brewing
Florida (Islamorada) - Florida Keys Brewing
Georgia (Roswell) - Variant Brewing
Illinois (Chicago) - Begyle Brewing
Louisiana (New Orleans) - Bywater Brew Pub
Maryland (Hyattsville) - Streetcar 82 Brewing
Michigan (Marquette) - On Dock Brewing Co.
Missouri (Kansas City) - Rochester Brewing & Roasting Co.
Nevada (Reno) - IMBIB Custom Brews
New Jersey (Merchantville) - Eclipse Brewing
New York (Brooklyn) - TALEA Beer
North Carolina (Fairview) - Whistle Hop Brewing Co.
Ohio (Cleveland) - Noble Beast Brewing
Oregon (Bend) - Boneyard Beer
Pennsylvania (Braddock) - Brewgentlemen
South Carolina (Johns Island) - Low Tide Brewing
South Dakota (Sioux Falls) - Remedy Brewing
Tennessee (Nashville) - Southern Grist Brewing
Texas (San Antonio) - Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling
Utah (Salt Lake City) - Kiitos Brewing
Vermont (Stowe) - The Alchemist Brewery
Virginia (Stafford) - Barely Naked Brewing Co.
Washington, D.C. - Other Half Brewing D.C.
West Virginia (Bruceton Mills) - Screech Owl Brewing
Wisconsin (Milwaukee) - Venture Brew
Wyoming (Ten Sleep) - Ten Sleep Brewing Company

Source: Vinepair

photos: Getty Images

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