IN 2016, most bars have good beer, and a lot of bars have a lot of good beer; but it’s few that can tell you why. In creating this annual list, we looked for bars with purpose, ones that have a reason for serving what they do, and with a well-trained staff that can tell you all about what you’re enjoying in your glass. These top 100 beer bars come in all shapes and sizes: They’re lightless holes in the wall and sleek architectural alehouses; they’re nooks perfect for a first date and raucous bars where you’d watch the big game with your buddies. But the one thing they share: a commitment to making sure whatever’s in your glass is fresh, delicious and of-the-moment. Visit any of them and you’ll surely drink something memorable, but more than that, you’ll never forget where you drank it.



Wanna know how we compile the list? See the FAQs below.



MORE: The best beer bar chains, and FAQs about this list



Above: Tiger!Tiger!, photo by Jeff Motch