17 Classic American Beers, Ranked Worst To Best

Beer has a long-standing history the world over, and everyone has their favorites. However, when we're talking about classic American beers in particular, drinkers have a lot to say about which brews reign supreme. While many people's sentiments on which are good or bad come down to regional preferences and matters of individual taste, understanding the consensus about a collection of the most popular, well-known options will serve you and your palate well.

To rank the quintessential American brews found below, I tapped into my experiences tasting and serving them to many bar patrons. However, I also consulted reviews and rankings found on multiple beer platforms and Reddit. A deep dive into my methodology can be found at the end, but for now, let's see which American beers have what it takes to earn a top spot and which ones are more niche regarding their beloved status in American beer-drinking culture.

Something had to come in last place, and unfortunately for Busch, it drew the short straw. While it is somewhat of a regional favorite for people in the St. Louis area, it is not as widely accepted as a good pick across the country. Actually, it's Busch Light that gets more attention where I live, in Denver, Colorado. Regardless, Busch is devoid of unique flavors and, well, is lackluster at best. It's cheap, and that's a plus, but in my opinion, it tastes like it, and that doesn't win it any favors.

In addition to my dislike for Busch beer, it also has the lowest score on BeerAdvocate out of any other option on this list. As a commenter said, "[It's] the 'redneck of beers.' Not good nor great, tastes like corn and dust. Never again."

Old Milwaukee is a product of Pabst Brewing Company, but as you can see by its second-to-last ranking, it isn't nearly as beloved as the brand's Blue Ribbon Winner, PBR. It has an abysmally low score on both BeerAdvocate and Untappd, and I tend to agree. The only reason it isn't in last place is that it earned a slightly higher like-ability rating on the sites, not by much, though.

On BeerAdvocate, Old Milwaukee gets some love for its old-school taste, but no one is saying it is a premium pick. That's for sure. One reviewer put it this way, "A blue collar beer that never wants to be more than it is. A very 'grainy' husky session lager. That loves your wallet." It holds some nostalgic appeal for some, but it still is going to win over a beer fanatic.

Next up is Michelob Lager, and it was a tricky one to rank because it is largely out of production. You may be able to track some down from larger retailers with leftover stock, but for the most part, you won't find it on store shelves anymore. With this in mind, you can see how Michelob Lager simply doesn't have what it takes to compete with many classic American beers. Its disappearance is proof of that.

On BeerAdvocate, it earned a poor score score. Some consumers have fond memories of it, but they admit to not recalling it super well. As one reviewer on BeerAdvocate said, "Haven't had this beer for probably 10 years and don't really remember any specifics on it. I remember it being decent but nothing more." That's far from a ringing endorsement, so 15th place is where it lands.

Hailing from Texas, Lone Star beer is another classic beer that has some regional notoriety. Even so, it isn't going to wow anyone. I've had it several times over the years, but the flavor falls flat compared to other quintessential picks. If you ever find yourself with a bottle, I recommend utilizing a foolproof way to make cheap beer taste better: adding a pinch of salt.

On BeerAdvocate and Untappd, Lone Star didn't fare too well, either. One consumer equated it to tasting similar to PBR but sweeter. As someone who doesn't prefer sweet brews, this definitely takes it down a peg or two in my book. The same BeerAdvocate reviewer went on to say that it is best when served extra cold and noted, "A little more hops or a little less sweetness would make a big improvement." My sentiments exactly.

Rolling Rock Extra Pale is easily recognizable by its bright green bottles and cans, but in my opinion, its eye-catching appearance gives it more credit than it deserves. While it is described on BeerAdvocate as being made with only the choicest ingredients, they don't shine through in the flavor. The site's poor score reveals I'm not alone in this, either. Still, it boasts an ultra-crisp taste, especially when served ice cold, so that managed to earn it a higher ranking than the lower-ranking beers.

In addition, Untappd doesn't score Rolling Rock Extra Pale very well. It seems the nostalgic appeal is there for some, and it fits the bill regarding a classic American beer, but that's where many people's fondness for it ends, myself included.

Starting with Hamm's, my ranking starts to take a turn for the better. While it still isn't a beer I would go out of my way for, it receives much better reviews from people on Untappd, BeerAdvocate, and Reddit compared to the lower-ranking brews. For example, one Redditor said, "American factory lager is something avoided by most aficionados, but on a hot day at a baseball game, an ice cold Hamm's or Miller High Life ain't bad."

Hamm's BeerAdvocate score is still "poor," but a few people called it out for its nostalgic appeal. As one commenter said, "[It's] a nostalgic beer that I used to enjoy in college during the early 1990's; it's a perfect cheap beer to funnel and was a treat to have again." Saying it's good for a beer bong means they don't really care about the taste all that much, or, at least, it isn't one to savor.

Budweiser has extra-low scores on both Untappd and BeerAdvocate, but it still managed to earn a slightly higher ranking than those markers would have you believe due to its popularity on Reddit. One commenter on a thread about American beer said, "If I'm sitting outside at a baseball game, or on a beach in summer, hand me one of those Bud heavies. I don't have the urge otherwise, but it hits just right when it's hot." On another thread, a Redditor said, "As long as I can get it ice cold, I'm actually all about Budweiser. Very refreshing beer."

Reviews aside, I don't have anything nice to say about Budweiser. It's boring at best. As Redditors noted, it's only decent when it is extra cold, and I'm not going to chug it hoping that it will still be enjoyable after the first half. I know many of my bar patrons were adamantly loyal to it, but I chalk that up to regional preferences.

Coors Banquet earned a firm middle-of-the-road ranking when it comes to classic American beers. Personally, I'm not a fan, but I'm willing to admit that many people ask for it by name. Working in bars in Colorado, the state from which it comes, I've served it countless times without any issues. Still, it lacks the complexity or quality of flavor I desire.

Coors Banquet does not receive much praise on BeerAdvocate or Untappd. In fact, it's rated "poor" on the former site. On Reddit threads, the comments are interesting, to say the least. One person said it's the only beer they drink. This isn't necessarily someone I would take recommendations from, though. As a Redditor on another thread noted, "You should try Coors. I wouldn't say that it's good, but unlike most, it isn't really bad either... or even beer, really. It's more beer-flavored seltzer. It's very American, though."

Starting with Miller High Life, AKA the Champagne of beers, I would happily enjoy and even purchase the upcoming classic American options. My willingness to endorse Miller High Life is somewhat new, but it's a long-standing classic with several redeeming qualities, the first of which is its low price. In addition to being affordable, it boasts nuanced flavor, excellent crispness, and enough malty goodness to make it stand out from the lower-ranking brews. I also love adding a shot of Aperol and a slice of lemon to make an easy-drinking spaghett cocktail.

Miller High Life's scores on BeerAdvocate and Untappd aren't stellar, but this is one of the rare instances my tastes don't align with their overall rankings. Even so, some commenters agree with my assessment. According to one consumer, "It's crisp, refreshing, and is a good ol fashioned beer. What I like about this beer is that it is less sweet than a Coors Banquet, which makes it easier to drink a few after a meal without getting a tummy ache."

In terms of BeerAdvocate and Untappd scores, Shiner Bock is the first beer on our list to surpass the awful or poor marker and earn the title of "okay." Compared to the previous brews, it is a darker pick. It's still a lager, but it presents a richer, maltier taste on the palate and significantly more complexity. It's not your average light lager that's more akin to water than a thoughtfully curated brew.

As one reviewer on BeerAdvocate said, "[It's] one of my favorite go-to beers. Darker, yet refreshing, with an enjoyable burnt crispiness." My friends who are from Texas, where the beer originated, also swear by Shiner Bock when they want an affordable beer. As far as serving it to bar patrons, I never received any complaints there, either. It probably won't make you a lifelong fan after a single sip, but it'll more than get the job done when a crushable beer is in order.

Genesee Cream Ale was a best-selling beer in the '80s, and it still has what it takes to beat out plenty of the competition today. It took a couple of years to attain its popularity — it was first brewed in the 1960s — but even so, it has retained its reputation for decades.

As the name suggests, Genesee Cream Ale does in fact present a creamy mouthfeel and plenty of flavor to keep things interesting. Smooth, crisp, and with subtle hints of vanilla, it is a regional New York favorite. BeerAdvocate only gives the beer an "okay" score, but that's still a significant improvement from the lower-ranking picks. It's one every lover of classic beers needs to try at least once.

Narragansett Lager comes from Rhode Island, so it isn't on everyone's radar, but it should be. For starters, it's been around since 1890, and that says a lot about it being a great beer pick. I mean, with so much competition, it would have faded into the past if not. As someone who spends a good amount of time in New England, I may be a bit partial to Narragansett and its smooth presentation, but if you're looking for a crisp, crushable beer that won't break the bank, you sure could do a lot worse.

That being said, Narragansett Lager only received decent scores from Untappd and BeerAdvocate, although it still earned lots of praise from a few people. A BeerAdvocate reviewer said, "Good beer for fishing in the ocean or watching Jaws or any shark movie with an eye patch like Quint!!" Funny, but absolutely true. I wouldn't wait for your next seaside experience to try it, though.

Ah, Pabst Blue Ribbon. Lovingly often referred to as PBR, it is a classic American pick that delivers excellent flavor and a crisp finish that just about anyone can get behind. Regrettably, it currently does not get outstanding scores on BeerAdvocate or Untappd, but in this case, I could not care less about that. It is the hipster beer of choice for good reason. Affordable, tasty, and crushable, it is exactly what I think of when I crave a quintessential cheap beer, landing it very solidly in fifth place.

You do not have to look for long to see Redditors profess their love for PBR. As one fan said, "It's not that it's good. It's perfect." Well said, well said. I agree completely.

Yuengling Traditional Lager is another beer that screams classic Americana, and that's not too surprising since it comes to us from the oldest brewery in the U.S. Heritage aside, it has a deliciously smooth mouthfeel, lots of nuanced flavor, and a crispness that's hard to beat. Admittedly, I'm originally from the East Coast, so my attraction to it could be boiled down to my high exposure, but you'd be hard-pressed to find people who have a strong aversion to it.

On multiple Reddit threads, Untappd, and BeerAdvocate, there are many people willing to endorse Yuengling Traditional Lager. One person even called it the GOAT of American beers. A reviewer on BeerAdvocate described it as a "smooth amber lager with enough flavor to make it distinct from its fellow beers of its price range. There's a slight caramel flavor that always hits no matter the time of year," and I couldn't agree more. Now if I could just get my hands on some on the West Coast, I'd be all set.

There are a handful of Samuel Adams beers you should try, but the brand's Boston Lager is by far the most iconic. I'm not the only one who thinks this, either. Actually, out of all the beers we've covered thus far, it currently has the best scores and reviews on BeerAdvocate and Untappd. Personally, I can always trust a Boston Lager to deliver plenty of bitterness, fruitiness, and sweetness on the backend, resulting in an expertly balanced recipe with the staying power to prove it.

A BeerAdvocate reviewer had this to say about the Boston Lager, "My daily drinker, and has been for decades... The best American lager there is, in my opinion." While I won't go that far — I only ranked it third, after all — this is just one example of many where people swoon for the brew.

Fans of Anchor Steam have a love for the beer that's hard to match. In fact, it's credited with creating the California Common style of beer, and that's quite the flex. There's no doubt it's a classic pick as well. Amber-colored and overflowing with a rich balance of bitter and sweet notes, it puts many American beers to shame. Unfortunately, though, the 127-year-old brewery shuttered its doors in 2023.

I recall this beer with great fondness, and it's fair to say I fell into the category of people who pine for it to this day. However, rumor has it that the brand's comeback is imminent. In fact, the brewery recently filed and was approved for two beer labels featuring the original Anchor Steam artwork. Hooray! Aside from the potential resurgence, Anchor Steam also gets lots of love on Untappd and BeerAdvocate. The masses have spoken, and they approve.

Hands down, the best classic American beer is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. It's the only beer on this list to earn an "outstanding" score on BeerAdvocate; it has great ratings on Untappd, and it gets repeated praise on multiple Reddit threads. Plus, it's one I always come back to. Full-bodied, complex, a touch spicy, and aromatic, it showcases what classic American beer is truly capable of.

And the compliments don't end there. On BeerAdvocate, a consumer said, "Always a pleasure to revisit the beer that paved the way for all other American craft beers. I can't deny the heavy nostalgia I have drinking this one, but even despite that, this is still one da** good APA. Simple, balanced, well-crafted, and mighty tasty," and that doesn't even scratch the surface of people professing their love for it. It is far from cheap-tasting, and all you need is one sip to detect its superiority.

When tasked with ranking classic American beers, I first had to determine which brews would make the list. I honed in on picks that just about anyone who calls themself a beer drinker would easily recognize or, at the very least, have heard of before. The brews I selected also have long-standing success in the United States, and certainly aren't once-popular beers that are nearly impossible to find anymore.

Once I knew which American beers to rank, I considered my personal experiences with them. That includes both tasting them many times and serving them to guests at bars and restaurants even more. FYI: Yours truly used to be a bartender and server for 20 years. Since personal taste is so subjective, I also scoured reviews on Reddit, BeerAdvocate, and Untappd, and considered their rankings on the latter two websites. There were a few exceptions, but the BeerAdvocate scores almost completely aligned with my preferences. All the feedback, paired with my tastes and experiences, led to a fairly clear-cut ranking that's sure to point you in the right direction.