Photo: Tetra Images (Getty Images)
One of the biggest trending hashtags in the craft beer world is #FlagshipFebruary. It’s a reference to the February being the perfect month to pay homage to all of the flagship beers brewed by craft brewers all over the country. If you look up that hashtag on Twitter or Instagram, you’ll be met with classic beers from some of the most iconic brewers in the country. The best part is that most of the flagship brews can be found at any grocery store or liquor store in the country.
But, since every brewery has a flagship beer, it’s tough to figure out exactly which beers to drink this month. It’s extra difficult because February only has 28 days (unless it’s a leap year) so there are only so many days left to get your drink on. Fear not! We’re here to help with a list of the six best flagship beers you can get pretty much anywhere. Obviously, we can’t add your favorite flagship beer from your tiny, local micro-brewery. Get over it and get drinking.
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Flagship Beers
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Anchor Steam
Anchor Brewing Company is one of the oldest breweries in America. Founded in 1896, Anchor has a handful of beers that are household names, but Anchor Steam is the main beer. This 4.9 percent steam beer is rich, creamy, and the perfect compliment to a night sitting in front of a roaring fire.
Photo: Anchor Steam
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Firestone Union Jack
This 7 percent west coast IPA isn’t for drinkers adverse to hops. That’s because this brew is “aggressively” hopped with Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial, Citra, Chinook, and Simcoe hops. Fans of the slightly bitter, refreshing style of IPA love this flagship beer. It’s best paired with spicy food and great friends.
Photo: Firestone Walker
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New Belgium Fat Tire
In the past few years, New Belgium has become one of the most well-known names in the world of craft brewing. The Colorado-based brewery (with another location in Asheville, North Carolina) makes a handful of well-known beers, but Fat Tire is the flagship beer. This 5.2 percent amber ale is toasty, sweet, and subtly bitter.
Photo: New Belgium
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Rogue Dead Guy
Dead Guy is the flagship beer at Newport, Oregon’s famed Rogue Ales. This 6.8 percent German-style Maibock is rich, malty, and sweet with hints of caramel and honey. It’s the perfect beer to get into the Maibock style and is well-suited for winter drinking.
Photo: Rogue
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Samuel Adams Boston Lager
No flagship beer list is complete without Boston Lager. Made since 1984, Boston Lager is the flagship beer at the Boston Brewing Company because it was the first beer founder Jim Koch perfected. This 5 percent lager is available year-round and gets its smooth, rich, complex flavor from Hallertau Mittelfrüh and Tettnang Tettnanger Noble Hops as well as Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend and Caramel 60.
Photo: Samuel Adams
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Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
California’s Sierra Nevada is a craft beer staple and its Pale Ale is their flagship beer. This classic beer set the industry standard for its balance of hops and malts. At 5.6 percent, this pale ale is complex with hints of pine and subtle tropical fruit flavors finished off with the right amount of bitterness.
Photo: Sierra Nevada
