Aleluminati Beer Collective's 2025 Hall of Foam
- Aleluminati Beer Collective
- Jan 1
- 15 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
The Collective drank and did a lot in 2025, and it's time to give our flowers to the people, breweries, and beers that were particularly special, and deserve a spotlight! Welcome to the first annual, "HALL OF FOAM"! * air horn noises *
Favorite Aleluminati Content
We are gonna start off by tooting our own horn! Why? Because we can! This is our favorite blog, article, or content that we put out this year!
Cody
Picking a favorite piece of content this year was difficult, we had so many great articles drop, from the The Best IPA Breweries In The Twin Cities of Minnesota to the Five Lagers Worth Cracking in 2025, we wrote some bangers. But I think my favorite one published on the site this year was Max's article Turkey on Tap: 2025. The concept is just plain fun, and it perfectly encapsulates what Aleluminati is all about. Making beer enjoyable without losing the fun along the way!
Jack
For Winter Dabbler 2025, we had a lot of fun shooting some video content, my favorite of which was our Pregame/Postgame interviews. It was a fun way to see... well... how much we indulged during the festival. I will just leave it at that, and link it here for you to watch for yourself: Aleluminati Beer Collective Instagram
Lucas
My favorite piece of content for this year was also related to Beer Dabbler 2025. For those of you that don't know, I joined the Aleluminati after my years of being a host of The Pint Pals Podcast. One of my favorite yearly episodes to do was a pre show for that year's Winter Beer Dabbler festival. It was great to do something that I enjoyed doing and was glad that I was able to keep doing it as part of the Aleluminati now: Ep 3: Dabbler 2025 Preview w/ Jordan Wipf and Sam Steen
Max
Not to toot my own horn, but when you have only been around a couple of months, you have limited options. Turkey on Tap: 2025 was not only a blast to write (and of course, taste), but it was a rewarding challenge to come up with non-traditional beer pairings. It was a seasonal test run, but anything you do twice is a tradition, right? More to come… Besides ToT25, being new to the Collective makes it hard to choose a favorite. So instead, I’ll take the time here to say thank you to brothers Cody, Jack, and Lucas for welcoming me into the collective, and I cannot wait to see what is to come in 2026!
Favorite Beer Style
This is a style we found ourselves seeking out, coming back to, and particularly enjoying this year!
Cody
2025 was the year lagers really became my go-to. There’s nothing flashy about a good lager. You don’t get to hide behind dry hopping or a bunch of adjuncts. It either works or it doesn’t. When it does, especially on a hot summer day, there’s really nothing better than a cold, well-made pint. A handful of beers really cemented that shift for me. Hopewell Brewing's Winter Lager was one I couldn't stop reaching for. Moderne Dune Brewery's Nordic Smoke Lager showed just how elegant smoke can be when put in the right hands. and finally, Vibes From the Heartland from Hidden Hand Brewing hit for so many reason. It’s not only an extremely well-made West Coast Pilsner, but it was also brewed to support women, non-binary, trans, and all other women identifying individuals in beer. Just a really good beer with a really good purpose.
Jack
Like most other beer enthusiasts, my affinity for IPAs started with any I could get my hands on of the "hazy" variety. Last year I started noticing I was gravitating more towards West Coast style IPAs, and this year, they made up the majority of my IPA consumption. My refined palate craves the dry finish, light mouthfeel, and fruity bitterness westies have to offer these days.
Some notable favorites this year were Ecstatic Static from Luce Line Brewing, Wave Racer from Dual Citizen Brewing Company, Stacksman from Blackstack Brewing, and All Grey Everywhere, a Cold IPA collab from Fair State Brewing and Wayfinder Beer.
The best part is, they seem to be making a comeback. With other beer drinkers trending away from hazy IPA, and more towards West Coast "California Style" IPAs, we should start to see a lot more!
Lucas
Favorite beer style for me in 2025 was of course, Pilsner. Pilsners have always been a go to of mine year after year. I didn't choose the Crispy Boy life, the Crispy Boy life chose me. My favorites from 2025 were, Pizzazz from Counter Balance Brewing, Pils de Pils by Gold Dot Beer, and my consistent go-to, Pils Dispenser from Dankhouse Brewing
Max
I know it’s the cliché answer, so don’t hate me: Hazy IPAs. There’s just something about drinking a fresh pint of what’s essentially orange juice with pine tree extract while you destroy someone in a bags (not cornhole) tournament. Six of my top ten beers this year are hazies. Hard to argue with data. Some (Jack) would say a good Hazy is a dying breed, but I will do my best to single handily keep the love alive.
Some of my favorite hazies this year were Mister Falcon from Fair State and Barrel Theory, Future Pixels from Modist Brewing, Bandwagon from Insight Brewing, and Blades of Greyskull from Montgomery Brewing.
Most Unique Beer
What beer did we have that embodies "out of the box", "swing for the fences", "throw everything at the wall" and "spit in the face of Reinheitsgebot", that we couldn't even believe was brewed? Beer is nothing without innovation, right?
Cody
This one was an easy call. Skittle-style sours aren’t exactly new at this point. A quick search on Untappd pulls up around twenty different beers exploring that same idea, which just shows how popular the concept has become. Rainbow Rodeo from Streetside Brewing set out to do it their way, and boy did it land. I tried it at MOREFEST 2025 with Jack, and that waxy, citrusy, sugary punch was so authentic to eating skittles and it completely scrambled my brain for a second. How in the world did they find a way to brew something like this without it being cloying and overwhelming to the palate? At the time of writing this, I still don't have a clue... but I'll take a case please!
Jack
I have a penchant for trying crazy, wild beers. I'm a masochist, and when I see something out of the ordinary, even if it sounds gross, I can't help but think "Well, I HAVE to at least TRY it....". This sometimes gets me into trouble, especially at the end of beer festivals, but not this time.
Towards the end of MoreFest at More Brewing's Huntley, IL location, Cody and I walked up to the tent of Wandering Monsters out of Cincinnatti, OH, and I honed in on one beer - Pretzel Day, a barrel aged stout. Fans of the show "The Office" may see where this is going, but allow me to list out all of the adjuncts in this big ass stout, straight from the Untappd description, from Wandering Monsters themselves:
"Your favorite manager's pretzel order is on the menu! This impressive pastry stout is conditioned on a whopping 16 adjuncts. A sweet, chocolate base is amplified by the addition of Vanilla, Cinnamon Sugar, Cocoa Nibs, Chocolate Fudge, M&M’s, Caramel, Mint Oreos, Chocolate Chips, Marshmallows, Toffee Candy, Toasted Coconut, Peanut Butter Candy, Oreos, Sprinkles, Cotton Candy, and Powdered Sugar! Enjoy this sugar bomb because "Pretzel Day? Well I like Pretzel Day." This version was barrel aged for 18 months in Elijah Craig 18 year Bourbon barrels bringing it to an ABV of 14.8% and brings forth an added depth of oak, vanilla, and bourbon warmth!"
Are you able to taste each and every adjunct? Of course not. Did it taste good? Definitely. Chocolate and peanut is the dominating flavor, with a really balanced barrel presence on it. Sounds like it would be sweet, and it is, but still surprisingly balanced for what you would expect after reading that laundry list.
Only thing missing is the kitchen sink!
Lucas
This is a tough one for me since I normally go for traditional styles. If I have to pick one I would have to go with a Pastry Sour, Welcome to Bedrock from Xul Beer Company. This beer was incredibly delicious. I am a big fan of creamsicles and this beer scratched that itch for me. It was rich and creamy with notes of coconut.
Max
It’s not even a debate for me. Without a doubt, In Your Face, a chai ale from Under Pressure Brewing. Not only does this beer taste like blast of fall to the face, without the traditional Marzen malt, but name another beer that is served with whipped cream and caramel sauce. Now one could argue that it is unique because of the “accoutrement,” so just in case, here is another unique beer I had this year: Cellar Bier from Pen Name Fermentation Project. This beer tasted like no lager I have tasted before. Slightly vegetal, but also sweet? Super earthy, but also, wheaty? Long story short, confused the heck out of my taste buds. So much so, I had to order multiple just to nail down the flavor profile. For science.
Best Local Brewery
What brewery in each of our regions made an impression this year?
Cody
Dearest Hopewell, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love your unpretentious vibe. I love your blond wood and floor-to-ceiling windows that make me feel like I’m drinking inside an Architectural Digest spread. But mostly, I love that you’re always - okay wow, this is starting to feel like something my fiancée is going to read and have questions about... haha... so anyways... I’ve had an insane amount of Hopewell Brewing this year, and there’s a very simple reason for that: Their beer rules. I drank Winter Lager... yes I’m mentioning it again because it’s living rent-free in my head. I crushed Lil Buddies. I had the Flagship Pils, which was P H E N O M E N A L. Along with Sharp. Oktoberfest. Ride or Die. Outside Voice. Tankbeer. and Going Places. The wild part is I’ve only been there once. Most of my Hopewell intake happened at home, cracking cans and realizing over and over again how consistent everything they drop is. No matter what I grabbed, it was so top notch. That kind of reliability is hard to come by, and it’s exactly why they stood out to me amongst a stacked local pool!
Jack
If you have been following us at all for the last two years, you would know that the whole Aleluminati crew is a big fan of Haggard Barrel Brewing in Saint Louis Park, MN. They have been putting out great beers from the start, but have continued to improve and impress since they have opened up their small, but mighty taproom.
While Owner and Head Brewer Karl Eicher is known for his haze, he has been putting out some killer lager and sours as well. They are always sure to have a nice variety on their taplist. Rolling out their line of Pen Name Fermentation beers has also been fun to watch. Matt Waddel is an absolute foeder fiend, and is making some really great beers, especially saison and lager. There truly is something for everyone at the taproom, and they have done an awesome job curating a humble, but tight knit little fanbase, that consistently fills their taproom day to day.
P.S. - For fans of Underberg, Karl and the crew are always willing to rip a 'bergie if you just ask!
Lucas
Being the Aleluminati representative from Ohio I would have to say my favorite local brewery is Jackie O's. I live in the Columbus area, and yes, I know Jackie O's is a staple of Athens, Ohio. But the taproom in Columbus is out of this world. Not only do they offer all of Jackie O's beer they have a fantastic cocktail menu and retail shop in the taproom. The atmosphere is fantastic with the multi-level outdoor sitting area this spot is a got to destination whether you are looking for a drink after work or getting a beer before a Columbus Crew game.
Max
As previously mentioned by Jack, the collective are big fans of Haggard, especially for me, when it is mere feet from my home. So, selecting Haggard as my favorite local brewery feels like cheating. So instead, I’m going with Wooden Hill Brewing out of Edina, MN. They easily check and then exceed all the boxes. The way to my heart is through a good IPA, and Vacation Mode was the 2025 Minnesota 2nd place Milkshake IPA on untapped (awarded earlier this year). Additionally, they do their best to make sure there is something for everyone. Slushies, NA drinks, seltzers, you name it. Sprinkle on top a fantastic food menu, and its clear to see why there is often a wait for their patio during the summer.
Best New Brewery
What brewery is new on the scene in the US and made some waves this year?
Cody
Like Jack said, we are keeping it in the family here. He dropped a package on my doorstep a couple weeks ago that had both Fresh Hop Lager is AG and Hazy Taxi in it, and folks, it was a really refreshing reminder that the boys at Haggard Barrel are not messing around. Fresh Hop Lager is AG is brewing with Kernza, which is super cool for sustainability, but more importantly, it tastes incredible. And Hazy Taxi? It’s hitting all those sweet spots for you haze homies!
But the secret weapon? Pen Name Fermentation Project running out of the same spot. I got into the Cellar Bier, Field Bier, and Harvest Bier this year, and the mixed culture wizardry happening in that brewhouse is next level. They are small, they are scrappy, and they are absolutely the ones to watch in 2026!
Jack
I'm bending the rules a bit here on a technicality. My favorite "new" brewery is Double Elbow Beer, the lager focused beer project of Niko Tonks, Head Brewer at Little Thistle Brewing in Rochester, MN. While Little Thistle is not a new brewery, Double Elbow is - just over a year old. It allows Niko, a legendary lager brewer in his own right, to flex his lager muscles, and make some really neat lagers. What I love is the fact that he is willing to make some more obscure lager styles, and introduce people to new styles they may have never even known existed. Each lager he makes is a labor of love, paying close attention to the smallest of details, and the result is extremely impressive.
As a fan of lager beer, it is so great to have a brewery or brand in the state of Minnesota that you can truly rely on for good lager. I am at the point, where whenever I stop into my local shop, I grab a pack of whatever Double Elbow they have, because I know it will be good, no matter the specific style.
Lucas
Best new brewery for me is Counter Balance Brewing. Counter balance brewing used to be Somewhere in Particular. The head brewer there was able to break off of the Somewhere in Particular label and now has more freedom to do exactly what he wants. I have enjoyed what I have had from them so far and can't wait to have more.
Max
Screw it, I’m calling it a new brewery. Dangerous Man. I have never been more excited for a new brewery, or in this case, a return. Sampling their new flagship made it clear to me that not only are they returning, but they’re coming back swinging. You can read more about our chat with the new owner here!
Best Brewery Overall
This is the creme de la creme, the brewery to rule all breweries. Which brewery blew us away with their beer? What brewery would we pay inordinate amounts of money to procure their beer? Cody
BlackStack Brewing for sure this year. I had every style I can think of from them. I had thirty different IPA variations, all of which could win any competition on the market. FOCUS GROUP: Peacharine and Krush both stand out as some of the best hop expressions I've had in the 10+ years of being in craft beer. That Peacharine hop from Freestyle Farms is no joke. But they aren't just ONE TRICK PONIES; I had some banging Mixed Fermentation in the way of Release the Hounds and Where Dreams Go to Die, along with a beautiful Mexican Lager called Wasting Away that I paired with some Nashville Coop Cluckin' Hot chicken while up for Beer Dabbler. These guys are the total package, and offer some of the best beer and vibes in all of the game!
Jack
There were a few breweries that could've made it here, but Goldfinger Brewing Company continues to be my favorite in the country. I am lucky to have Cody consistently bringing me cans of their lager, but this year I actually made it to their taproom, and my feelings were confirmed.
Small taproom, covered in brewery history and nostalgia, with a small, limited menu of only lager, most of which could be ordered as a slow pour, Snyt, Mliko, or whatever traditional lager pour the kids are into these days.
Some of my absolute favorites from them are the Original Lager, the Pils, and their Grodziskie. All very traditional styles, all executed with the same process and technique that has been used for hundreds of years, no cutting corners. The work, dedication, and passion they put into their lager alone is enough to get them this honor!
Lucas
This was an easy one for me. This is a brewery that continues to make bangers time and time again. With a wide range of styles that never miss. My vote for best brewery is Dank House Brewing. The best beer news that I heard this year is that they are opening up a taproom in Downtown Columbus so I no longer will have to drive the 45 min journey to enjoy their beer.
Max
This one was tough for me, as the MN craft beer scene is near and dear to my heart. But the best brewery overall for me must be Avery Brewing out of Boulder Colorado. I didn’t have a beer from them this year that I wouldn’t order again or couldn’t recommend to anyone. The second-best beer I had this year was their Double Barreled Maple Stout. Rich, smooth, maple, bourbon, all without having that “too in your face” flavor profile that some crazy stouts get. Additionally, there is something about drinking beer at nearly 5280 feet of elevation that just makes the beer tase better, or maybe that’s just their pretzel platter talking.
Best Beer of the Year
What beer really knocked our socks off? What beer would we happily drink for the rest of our lives? It's like picking a favorite child, but it needs to be done!
Cody
My beer of the year was definitely Demoliri 0009 by Messorem out of Montreal, QC! When I originally reviewed it, I knew it was a top 5 beer of ALL TIME, yes ALL TIME for me. A 7% single IPA that had this really bright candied lemon-lime character, almost Sprite-like off the jump, followed by a sweet malt backbone and some nice bitter pith fruit that rounds it perfectly. The combo of NZ Cascade, Motueka, and Simcoe just worked in perfect harmony with the malt bill. If I could only drink one beer for the rest of my days, this might just be it.
Jack
Sometimes, the best beer you have in a year is not one you would expect. I had a friend in Washington send me some beers this fall, and one of them he sent was a brewery I had never heard of, and the style on the can was listed as a "Hop Saturated Party Lager". I figured it was just a trendy beer because of the Hop Saturated label, but the Party Lager had me intrigued, I mean, I DO like to party afterall.
The beer was Send It! by Breakthru Brewing Company , a growing brewery out of Seattle without a taproom, but producing and canning some pretty cool beers that they distribute in the area.
When I tell you this beer was my ideal beer, I mean it - so much so I sent them a DM immediately letting them know how good it was. The ABV was low at 4.5%, but it drank like the light, crispy, fruity West Coast IPAs I have been enjoying. Essentially, it was a session IPA, crammed with the fruity, earthy, and floral hop character you would find in a Triple IPA. This one truly blew my mind!
Lucas
One of my go to beers every time I am out at my local bottle shop is Pineapple Express from Seventh Son Brewing. This is my beer of the year because it is one of the most unique flavorful beers that i have ever had. It has become a fridge constant. It is a delicous kettle sour with pineapple and cannabis terpenes. It is deliciously dank.
Max
If someone had to name my three favorite things in my life right now, in no particular order, it would be my wife, my cat, and IPAs. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that my best beer of the year is Mustache Candy by 22 Northmen Brewing. This IPA checks all the boxes: smooth, subtle but not overpowering sweetness, while still being juicy enough to almost classify it as a hazy. The dictionary definition of a summer IPA. It was so good, it was the ONE beer I had 22 Northmen save a couple of kegs for me (it’s their summer IPA) for our fall wedding up in Alexandria, Minnesota.
To top this off, we want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who consumes our content, and supports this silly passion project that we all enjoy creating together. It's been great connecting with so many folks in the industry, and fellow beer enthusiasts. We hope you will continue to enjoy our content - we have some big plans for 2026, all of it with you in mind!
We hope you have lots of good beer in 2026, with each one better than the last! Enjoy what you drink, drink what you enjoy, and always support independent breweries!
Won't you join us?
Comments