A Founders Brewing Co. dark beer on the taproom bar. Photo taken Wednesday, October 3, 2012. (Chris Clark | MLive.com)

(Chris Clark | MLive)

KALAMAZOO, MI – Bell's Brewery Inc. and Founders Brewing Co. continue to mash out competitors in national ranking lists.



Both breweries were named among The Daily Meal's Top 15 breweries in America, published in USA TODAY.

Founders Brewing Co. was named the No. 4 best brewery in America and Bell’s Brewery was named No. 8 in the list published on Aug. 10.

The rankings are based on interviews with experts and readers about the “best and beloved” breweries, flagship beers, design, marketing, and fan-base building.

Here’s what

Marcy Franklin, of TheDailyMeal.com,

about Founders and Bell’s:

No.4 Founders Brewing Company, Grand Rapids, Mich.:

No. 8 Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, Mich.:

Larry Bell, founder of Bell's Brewery Inc., said although many beer-ranking lists seem arbitrary, he appreciated The Daily Meal's explanations.

"(It's) always nice to get recognition," Bell said.

The Daily Meal's Top 15 Breweries in the USA:

1. Dogfish Head, Milton, Del.

2. Stone Brewing Company, Escondido, Calif.

3. Boulevard Brewing Company, Kansas City, Mo.

4. Founders Brewing Company, Grand Rapids, Mich.

5. Cigar City Brewing Company, Tampa, Fla.

6. New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, Colo.

7. Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma, Calif.

8. Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, Mich.

9. Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa, Calif.

10. Sierra Nevada, Chico, Calif.

11. Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins, Colo.

12. Three Floyds Brewing Company, Munster, Ind.

13. Avery Brewing Co., Boulder, Colo.

14. Oskar Blues, Lyons, Colo.

15. Rogue Ales, Portland, Ore.

Mlive.com reporter Melissa Anders contributed to this report.

covers business for Mlive.com/Kalamazoo Gazette. Email her

at uzerilli@mlive.com or follow her on twitter.