Is there any accolade that Santa Rosa’s own Russian River Brewing has not received? Excepting perhaps a Nobel Peace Prize or a Pulitzer, it seems the answer is no. The brewery is at or near the top of everyone’s list, including our own Press Democrat Best Of awards, voted on by you the readers.

So let’s add one more to the list of Russian River’s honors. The website Thrillist names Russian River best in California in its state-by-state look at America’s best craft brewers:

“Sierra Nevada is undeniably the most successful CA brewery, and Lost Abbey knows their Belgians, but Russian River has always been on some next-level ish. Their barrel aging program has produced some of the most epic sours ever tasted by man (Supplication, Temptation), and they’ve got tons of medals at GABF that further their legendary status.“

That puts Russian River in the company of standouts such as Delaware’s Dogfish Head and Minnesota’s Surly on the Thrillist list. Personally, I have a few quibbles with the choices (such as, how can Devils Backbone beat out its neighbor Blue Mountain for Virginia’s best? Or how can you possibly even pick best breweries in beer-rich states like Pennsylvania and Colorado?) but that’s what lists are all about: They’re there to generate discussion more than impart information.

Any choices for your own best of list?

– Sean Scully