Top Five Best Beers You've Never Tried

Pabst, take the blue ribbon out of the trophy case. Budweiser, hand down your crown. Milwaukee's Best… who are you trying to kid? It's no secret that this city and beer go together like Laverne and Shirley. But with the quarter barrels of cheap, watery swill seen and tasted all too often at parties, it's hard to believe that the residents of Brew City are living up to their reputation. So, as an alcoholic Renaissance of sorts, here are five beers (in no particular order) to start you on a road to better boozing.

Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale (Flying Dog Brewery)

It's impossible to separate the late and great Dr. Hunter S. Thompson from a life of excessive alcoholism. This fact alone makes the Father of Gonzo Journalism's Colo. Based brewery a trustworthy source for the sauce. Doggie Style is a very smooth pale ale with a hint of citrus and pine. Label art by Thompson's longtime friend, Ralph Steadman, makes each variety of Flying Dog as visually appealing as it is delicious.

Mississippi Mud Black and Tan (Mississippi Brewing Co.)

While the miniature moonshine jug packaging makes this beer seem a little hokey, Mississippi Mud Black and Tan has the flavor to back up its image. Dark as the country sky at night and smooth as your gran' pappy's fiddle playing, this little known drink will satisfy longer than I can keep up with these lame similes. While the malty-chocolate flavor is a plus, one has to ask why a beer with "Mississippi" in the title is coming out of New York.

Riverwest Stein Beer (Lake Front Brewery)

The flagship lager from (arguably) Milwaukee's best microbrewery, Riverwest Stein can be found at many area bars and liquor stores. While the sweet caramel taste doesn't sit well with everyone, this is a cold one that deserves at least one opportunity from any true beer connoisseur. One added note, this one really shines when sampled on a Lakefront Brewery tour.

Delirium Nocturnum (Brouwerij Huyghe)

Not for the faint of heart. Delirium Nocturnum is not only the lone import to make this list (hailing from Belgium), but also has the highest alcohol content at 8.5% by volume. This one packs a bit of a bite, mixing various fruit flavors and spices. Still, it's a safe bet most consumers will be able to pound back enough to start seeing pink elephants (proudly displayed on the brands label) of their own.

Dry Hopped St. Rogue Red (Rogue Ales Brewery)

While the idea of a black licorice flavored beer may not sound too appealing, something about this ale works in spades. A medium body and light carbonation mixed with a sweet but hard-to-pin-down aroma, a pint of this drink straight from the tap hits the spot any time. Rogue products can be a little harder to find in area bars, but one taste proves the search has been well compensated.