USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards announced the list of best small town beer scenes Friday, March 26 and Avondale Estates topped the list. After a four-week campaign against 19 other cities in the United States, voters overwhelmingly supported Avondale Estates which never slipped out of the number one spot during voting.
While smaller than many of its fellow nominees, Avondale Estates has a thriving and growing beer scene with its award-winning, noteworthy and innovative breweries, as well as unique establishments serving the world’s third most popular drink overall after water and tea. Breweries such as The Lost Druid and Wild Heaven have put Avondale Estates on the map with their unique blends of flavor and associated food pairings that have people coming back for more. Locations like the Beer Growler and Purple Corkscrew focus more on draft and specialty beers but also have a wealth of knowledge that you won’t find in other cities. Eateries and entertainment spots such as 37 Main, Arepa Mia, Avondale Pizza Café, Kafenio, My Parents Basement, Rising Son, Savage Pizza, The Stratford Pub and Vietvana are also sharing popular brews that patrons love to drink while watching sports, sharing the latest news, or just relaxing. The Avondale Estates beer scene isn’t done growing yet with Little Cottage Brewery set to join the fun in 2021. Those don’t even include locations of package sales and catering services that bring that brew home to you.
In this year’s contest there are eight categories related to beer. These included Best Beer Bar, Best Beer City, Best Beer Garden, Best Beer Label, Best Brewpub, Best Cidery, Best New Brewery, and Best Small Town Beer Scene. Each category has 20 nominees all handpicked by six panelists from the beer industry. This panel includes Dr. Mike Arra and Dr. Ruth Berman from Bon Beer Voyage; Latiesha Cook, Co-Founder, President and CEO of Beer Kulture; Gary Monterosso, an award-winning freelance critic; Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton, beer writer and blogger; and AJ Keirans, host and founder of The 16oz. Canvas – The Art of Craft Beer.
Acquired by USA TODAY in January 2013, 10Best provides users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel contest of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.