What is the Best Beer in the World? The Definitive Answer for 2024
When someone asks what is the best beer in the world, what they’re usually asking is: what’s the single bottle that defines excellence, rarity, and a near-mythical experience? The answer, if you are looking for that singular, highly-regarded apex, is Westvleteren 12. This Trappist Quadruple from Belgium is not just a beer; it’s a pilgrimage, a standard-bearer, and the closest thing the beer world has to a universally acknowledged champion.
That said, the idea of a “best beer” is inherently subjective. What one person considers perfect, another might find overly complex or simply not to their taste. But if we consider a combination of critical acclaim, historical significance, technical mastery, and sheer sensory impact, Westvleteren 12 consistently rises above the rest. It’s not about what’s most popular or easiest to find; it’s about what pushes the boundaries of brewing.
Defining “Best” – More Than Just a Number
When we talk about what is the best beer in the world, we need to clarify what metric we’re using. Are we talking about:
- Technical Prowess: A beer brewed with absolute precision, free of flaws, and exemplary of its style.
- Sensory Experience: A beer that delivers an unforgettable aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel, often with incredible complexity.
- Historical Impact: A beer that changed the brewing landscape or represents a pinnacle of a long-standing tradition.
- Rarity & Allure: A beer that is difficult to acquire, adding to its mystique and perceived value.
Westvleteren 12 ticks all these boxes, especially the first three. Its limited production by the monks of the Sint-Sixtus Abbey means its rarity is a natural outcome, not a marketing ploy. Its flavor profile – a rich tapestry of dark fruit, caramel, chocolate, and spice – is incredibly complex yet balanced, improving with age.
The Beers People Keep Calling the Best, But Aren’t Quite the Same
Many lists and forum discussions will throw around other names, and while these are often excellent beers, they don’t quite hold the same singular “best” claim as Westvleteren 12 for different reasons:
- Over-hyped IPAs: While many craft IPAs are fantastic, their often short shelf life and rapidly changing trends make it hard for any single one to claim a timeless “best” title. They are excellent for the moment, but not necessarily for the ages.
- Most Popular Beers: Brands like Budweiser, Heineken, or Corona sell billions of liters, but popularity is about mass appeal and marketing, not necessarily peak brewing artistry or complexity.
- App-Rated Favorites: Sites like Untappd and RateBeer are great for discovering new beers, but their “top lists” often reflect current trends and the availability of highly-rated, often obscure, limited-release beers that are only briefly available. These are “best right now” or “best by community consensus,