USA TODAY 10Best
These beer labels are sure to catch your eye!
Best Beer Label (2022)
Oftentimes our first impressions of a new beer, chosen out of the myriad options available, come from the branding. A good beer label stands out from the crowd, piques our curiosity, and represents the beer behind the label.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Beer Label are as follows:
Photo courtesy of Christopher Terry
No. 10: Juneteenth BPLB - Crowns & Hops
This year Inglewood’s Crowns & Hops released a limited edition hazy IPA in celebration of Juneteenth. Beyond recognizing the many contributions and sacrifices Black Americans have made for our country, the can’s artwork includes a QR code that customers can scan to uncover the history of Juneteenth.
Photo courtesy of Dan Rossow, Wise Man Brewing
No. 9: Body Electric IPA - Wise Man Brewing
"I sing the body electric / The armies of those I love engirth me and I engirth them." Drawing inspiration from Walt Whitman's "I Sing the Body Electric," the fun label on Wise Man Brewing's Body Electric IPA illustrates the "hoppy, hazy, juice bomb" electrifying the tastebuds.
Photo courtesy of Angella Howard
No. 8: Moire Eel - Ever Grain Brewing Co.
Pennsylvania’s Ever Grain Brewing Co. has been turning heads with its Moire Eel. The can, designed by Adam Ross, features an eel hidden within a moire pattern reminiscent of the 1990s Magic Eye trend. Moire Eel, a hazy double IPA, offers citrus, peach and mango flavors and is supported by a blend of hops sourced from New Zealand’s Freestyle Hops.
Photo courtesy of Iron Hill Brewery
No. 7: Sweet Leaf IPA - Iron Hill Brewery
Iron Hill Brewery’s Sweet Leaf IPA is a “far out festival of hops” with juicy grapefruit, resinous pine, and fresh tropical flavors. Iron Hill brews Sweet Leaf with whole leaf hops, while the can pays homage to the 70s with groovy artwork. Elevate your experience even further by tuning into “Iron Hill Sweet Leaf Tunes,” a Spotify playlist the brewery created to pair with the beer.
Photo courtesy of Audrey Kahn
No. 6: Brew Free! Or Die Tropical IPA - 21st Amendment Brewery
The artwork on 21st Amendment Brewery’s Brew Free! or Die Tropical can appears to show Abraham Lincoln breaking free from Mount Rushmore and heading off on a little tropical vacation. Who can blame him? For those who can’t drop everything for a vacation, 21st Amendment says this IPA will provide “a vacation in the can.”
Photo courtesy of Kelvin Kolheim
No. 5: Space Age Sippin - Beale Street Brewing
The artwork on Beale Street Brewing’s Space Age Sippin’ pays homage to Memphis hip hop legends 8Ball & MJG with nods to their 1995 hit Space Age Pimpin’. The hazy IPA offers hints of tropical fruits and pine alongside a blend of citrus, galaxy, and mosaic hops.
Photo courtesy of Alexander Rodgers
No. 4: Technicolor Dreamcat IPA - Sun King Brewing
Forget Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; we only have eyes for Sun King Brewery and its Technicolor Dreamcat. This hazy IPA begins with an experimental hop base and infused with blood orange.
Photo courtesy of Dave Kaminsky
No. 3: Universal Language - Divine Barrel Brewing
Universal Language is hopped with Citra, Simcoe and Mosaic and, according to the Divine Barrel Brewing team, offers “the perfect juxtaposition between the juicy & bitter nature of hops, which can be universally loved by all!” Also loved by all is great music. With this in mind, Divine Barrel chose to include a classic gramophone on the label of their flagship West Coast IPA.
Photo courtesy of Chaz Hubbard/Hella Coastal Brewing
No. 2: Hyped Out IPA - Federation Brewing
Hyped Out IPA, created by Oakland’s Federation Brewing in partnership with Hella Coastal Brewing Company, was released as part of their “Beer is Black History” collaboration. Artwork by local artist Aaron Beitia honors two local music legends, Aaron “Mack” Hall and Jamez “Mez” Manning, who tragically died at a young age.
Photo courtesy of City Built Brewing Company
No. 1: Fluffy Unicorns - City Built Brewing Company
City Built Brewing offered a nod to the never-ending unicorn trend earlier this year when they introduced Fluffy Unicorns. This canned milkshake IPA is made with lactose, pineapple, and marshmallow. “Don’t knock it till you try it,” is the consensus coming from most customers.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning beers!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Dennis Malcolm "Ale" Sharpton
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a... Read More
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday, Thrillist.com, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, James Beard Foundation, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting, and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys–a chocolate vanilla imperial stout–geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys. Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
Dennis Malcolm "Ale" Sharpton
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday, Thrillist.com, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, James Beard Foundation, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting, and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys–a chocolate vanilla imperial stout–geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys. Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
Gary Monterosso
Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who... Read More
Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who has written for national and regional publications. He is a regular guest on “You Oughta Know,” on WHYY-TV, a PBS station based in Philadelphia. Gary also hosts one-minute beverage updates on several southern NJ radio stations. From 2010-2017, he was seen on the History Channel show called “The Epic History of Everyday Things.” He is the author of the book, “Artisan Beers.” After a 41-year career as a NJ- based educator, Gary now teaches beer appreciation classes at Wilmington University. Gary has appeared on many television programs discussing craft beers and has guested on BBC radio offering an American perspective on the beverage. In late 2014, he lent his expertise to CBS News New York, by offering fall beer recommendations. One of the highlights of his career was a three-year stint on the Sirius Satellite Radio network, talking about the latest happenings in the beer world. In 2014, Gary was selected by Chilled Magazine to be a member of the “Chilled 100,” signifying him as one of the top 100 beverage personalities in the United States. He continues to be a fixture at regional beer events by hosting dinners and tasting seminars. He has qualified as a Certified Beer Server, a part of the Cicerone Certification Program, recognizing his knowledge of beer styles, culture, the brewing process and ingredients.
Gary Monterosso
Gary Monterosso is an award-winning critic, who has written for national and regional publications. He is a regular guest on “You Oughta Know,” on WHYY-TV, a PBS station based in Philadelphia. Gary also hosts one-minute beverage updates on several southern NJ radio stations. From 2010-2017, he was seen on the History Channel show called “The Epic History of Everyday Things.” He is the author of the book, “Artisan Beers.” After a 41-year career as a NJ- based educator, Gary now teaches beer appreciation classes at Wilmington University. Gary has appeared on many television programs discussing craft beers and has guested on BBC radio offering an American perspective on the beverage. In late 2014, he lent his expertise to CBS News New York, by offering fall beer recommendations. One of the highlights of his career was a three-year stint on the Sirius Satellite Radio network, talking about the latest happenings in the beer world. In 2014, Gary was selected by Chilled Magazine to be a member of the “Chilled 100,” signifying him as one of the top 100 beverage personalities in the United States. He continues to be a fixture at regional beer events by hosting dinners and tasting seminars. He has qualified as a Certified Beer Server, a part of the Cicerone Certification Program, recognizing his knowledge of beer styles, culture, the brewing process and ingredients.
Latiesha Cook
Latiesha Cook is the Co-Founder, President and CEO... Read More
Latiesha Cook is the Co-Founder, President and CEO of Beer Kulture, a St. Petersburg, Florida based nonprofit focused on increasing diversity and inclusion in the craft beer industry. Born in the Bronx, New York, Latiesha is a wife, mother of four, Cicerone certified beer server, published author and entrepreneur. In her leadership role at Beer Kulture, she has guided the team in launching an array of initiatives designed to diversify craft beer, including Cicerone scholarships, internships, a job board, and kollaboration beers with breweries around the world, as well as community projects to help local neighborhoods and causes throughout the country.
Latiesha Cook
Latiesha Cook is the Co-Founder, President and CEO of Beer Kulture, a St. Petersburg, Florida based nonprofit focused on increasing diversity and inclusion in the craft beer industry. Born in the Bronx, New York, Latiesha is a wife, mother of four, Cicerone certified beer server, published author and entrepreneur. In her leadership role at Beer Kulture, she has guided the team in launching an array of initiatives designed to diversify craft beer, including Cicerone scholarships, internships, a job board, and kollaboration beers with breweries around the world, as well as community projects to help local neighborhoods and causes throughout the country.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.