Highest-rated beer in West Virginia
If you drink beer—any beer—you're probably familiar with the craft beer explosion that began in the late 2010s, and you likely fall into one of two camps: IPA warrior or lager loyalist. The great thing about a beer-related revolution is that there is no wrong side. Whatever your preference, cheers to you.
The brewery business is indeed a revolution by many counts. According to the Brewers Association, the number of breweries in the United States grew by 567% from 2003 to 2023—all while beer consumption, on average, was declining. For the first time since 1999, beer shipments fell below 200 million barrels in 2023, making it the lowest amount of beer consumed in the U.S. in a generation.
Like all revolutions, this began as a desire for change—as an overthrow of the old and the monopolistic. When combined, Anheuser-Busch InBev and Molson Coors (formerly MillerCoors), two of the largest beer companies in the world, comprised roughly 72% of total beer sales in the U.S. around 2013. A decade later, that share dropped to 65.7% in 2023, with smaller brewers claiming a larger share.
With a taste of the innovations and variety coming out of craft breweries, consumers are demanding a higher-quality product—and are willing to pay more for it. Over the last decade, between May 2014 and May 2024, beer prices have risen 21% overall.
But how can you determine the best craft beers in an increasingly crowded market? If you're curious about the most popular beers in your home state, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated beers in West Virginia using ratings from BeerAdvocate. A maximum of five beers per brewery were included.
Read on to plan your next local beer tour!
Note: Photos of each beer are included where available from BeerAdvocate; otherwise, stock images are shown.
#26. Seneca Indian Pale Ale
- Type: American IPA
- ABV: 5.20%
- Brewery: Mountain State Brewing Co.
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#25. Miner's Daughter Oatmeal Stout
- Type: Oatmeal Stout
- ABV: 5.20%
- Brewery: Mountain State Brewing Co.
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#24. Cold Trail Ale
- Type: American Blonde Ale
- ABV: 5.50%
- Brewery: Mountain State Brewing Co.
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#23. Zack Morgan's IPA [India Pale Ale]
- Type: American IPA
- ABV: 7.00%
- Brewery: Morgantown Brewing Company
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#22. Almost Heaven Amber Ale
- Type: American Amber / Red Ale
- ABV: 5.20%
- Brewery: Mountain State Brewing Co.
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#21. Dawk's Classic Porter
- Type: Imperial Porter
- ABV: 8.00%
- Brewery: North End Tavern & Brewery
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#20. Citrus Tsunami
- Type: American IPA
- ABV: 7.20%
- Brewery: Parkersburg Brewing Company
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#19. Cell Block 304
- Type: American Brown Ale
- ABV: 5.60%
- Brewery: Parkersburg Brewing Company
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#18. The Loud!
- Type: American IPA
- ABV: 6.80%
- Brewery: Bad Shepherd Beer Company / Black Sheep Burrito and Brews
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#17. Wild Trail
- Type: American Pale Ale
- ABV: 5.70%
- Brewery: Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#16. Ole Ran'l
- Type: German Pilsner
- ABV: 5.30%
- Brewery: Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#15. Momma RYE IPA
- Type: American IPA
- ABV: 7.30%
- Brewery: Bridge Brew Works LLC
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#14. Mothman
- Type: Black IPA
- ABV: 6.70%
- Brewery: Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#13. Alpha Mayle IPA
- Type: American IPA
- ABV: 6.50%
- Brewery: Abolitionist Ale Works
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#12. Mountain Momma
- Type: American Pale Ale
- ABV: 5.80%
- Brewery: Bridge Brew Works LLC
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#11. Porter
- Type: American Porter
- ABV: 6.50%
- Brewery: Big Timber Brewing
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#10. Sluice Dry Stout
- Type: American Stout
- ABV: 5.00%
- Brewery: Big Timber Brewing
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#9. Bewildered Hippie
- Type: American IPA
- ABV: 6.80%
- Brewery: Stumptown Ales
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#8. Forest Fest
- Type: Märzen
- ABV: 5.60%
- Brewery: Big Timber Brewing
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#7. Devil Anse IPA
- Type: American IPA
- ABV: 6.90%
- Brewery: Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#6. Double Bit
- Type: Imperial IPA
- ABV: 8.00%
- Brewery: Big Timber Brewing
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#5. Big Boy Pants
- Type: Imperial IPA
- ABV: 10.00%
- Brewery: Stumptown Ales
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#4. South Park
- Type: American Porter
- ABV: 5.80%
- Brewery: Chestnut Brew Works
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#3. Bourbon Barrel Porter
- Type: American Porter
- ABV: 7.00%
- Brewery: Big Timber Brewing
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#2. Holy Citra DIPA
- Type: Imperial IPA
- ABV: 8.00%
- Brewery: Stumptown Ales
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
#1. Halleck Pale Ale
- Type: American Pale Ale
- ABV: 6.00%
- Brewery: Chestnut Brew Works
- Read more on BeerAdvocate
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.