Podcast Episode 445: The Best in Beer 2025 Special, Featuring the Stories Behind the Picks
It’s one of the most anticipated episodes of the year—our annual peek behind the scenes of the Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine™ Best in Beer issue, as editorial director Jamie Bogner and executive editor Joe Stange share perspectives on the beers we’ve named as our best 20 of 2025—plus, they reveal the results of the annual Readers’ Choice poll.
Throughout the year, we taste thousands of beers submitted to the magazine for review; our blind-review panel narrows them down further, finding top scorers in various styles for each issue of the magazine; and finally, we convene for a final round of blind tasting to narrow it down to 20 standouts of great character and quality—beers that inevitably represent this moment in beer.
In this episode, we pull back the curtain to share some of the thinking (and tasting) behind the decisions, and we run through your Readers’ Choice picks for best beers of the year, best breweries, best beer cities, best beer bars, and more.
G&D Chillers
If you are looking for a brewery chiller that’s worry-free and tough on GWP, then look no further. G&D Chiller’s Elite 290 series chiller uses propane as a natural refrigerant with extremely low global warming potential. This natural, highly efficient refrigerant with near-zero GWP will help lower your facility’s energy costs and impact on the environment. We are committed to a greener, more efficient future. Visit gdchillers.com to learn more!
Berkeley Yeast just launched Dry Tropics London! Their best-selling liquid yeast strain, now with all the ease-of-use benefits of dry yeast. Dry Tropics London delivers the soft, pillowy mouthfeel and juicy character you’d expect from a top-tier London Ale strain, but with a serious upgrade: a burst of thiols that unleash vibrant, layered notes of grapefruit and passionfruit. A lot of brewers love the clean passionfruit you get from Tropics, but they don’t want every IPA to be a tropical fruit bomb. At the dry yeast price point, you can pitch and ditch without breaking the bank. Or, you can co-pitch with your house strain to adjust the intensity of the notes. And with nationwide free shipping, there’s never been a better time to try Dry Tropics. Order now at berkeleyyeast.com and experience the ease and impact of Dry Tropics London Yeast.
Every beer menu could use a refresh button on the fruit flavors. That’s why it’s time to revisit Old Orchard’s flavored craft juice concentrate blends, where the latest additions include Fruit Punch, Guava, Kiwi, and Pomegranate. We aren’t stopping there and welcome flavor suggestions from the brewing industry. More information and free samples are waiting at oldorchard.com/brewer.
Give your customers a pleasant surprise with Audacia in your next IPA. Brought to you by Indie Hops, this descendant of Strata brings her own flare of catchy lilac/lavender aroma, and flavors of sweet-tart berries with tangy lychee. Audacia loves family reunions with Strata and has even more fun when Citra, Simcoe, Amarillo and others join the party. Let Audacia loose and watch the smiles spread. Indie Hops — Life is short. Let’s make it flavorful!
Looking for a powerful, no-rinse sanitizer that gets the job done fast? Meet Saniclean PAA Pro from Five Star Chemicals. This EPA-registered, PAA-based acid sanitizer is tough on beerstone and perfect for everything from kegs to packaging lines. Available in two convenient sizes, it’s ideal for coarse sprayers, fermentors, and more. Trusted by pros, designed for performance—Saniclean PAA Pro helps you brew with confidence. Learn more at fivestarchemicals.com. Brew better. Brew with Five Star.
This episode is sponsored by PakTech—delivering craft-beer multipacking you can trust. PakTech’s handles are made from 100 percent recycled plastic and are fully recyclable, helping breweries close the loop and advance the circular economy. With a minimalist design, durable functionality you can rely on, and custom color matching, PakTech helps brands stand out while staying sustainable. Trusted by craft brewers nationwide, they offer a smarter, sustainable way to carry your beer. To learn more, visit paktech-opi.com.
When it comes to packaging your brew, think Hart Print, the original in digital can printing. With three locations across North America, the Hart Print team has your back from concept to can. Count on fast turnarounds, no minimums, graphic design support, and rock-solid can quality, all on 100 percent infinitely recyclable cans. Get 10 percent off your first can order when you mention the Craft Beer & Brewing podcast. Open an account at hartprint.com or email [email protected] for details.
