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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
Leonie Stoehr presents Oktoberfest beer mug in Munich, Germany.

Beer is the third-most popular drink, after water and tea, in the world. There are thousands of beer brands across the globe, including many Indian ones, but only few are rated high by consumers.

Let's take a look at some of the best rated beers in the world.

Source: ratebeer.com

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
Contestants race with trays containing beer bottles and glasses during the Wowprime tray carrying competition in Taipei, Taiwan.

Westvleteren 12 (XII)

Brewed by: Westvleteren Abdij St Sixtus

Location: Westvleteren, Belgium

Estimated calories: 306

Alcohol by volume: 10.2 per cent

Overall rank: 1

The Westvleteren "Trappist" is sold exclusively at the abbey store, and only after having made a reservation by telephone. The price of a Trappist Westvleteren 12 (dark) is 40 euros (Rs 3,348) per crate with deposits for empty bottles and crate extra, according to the abbey's website.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
Canned beer move along a production line in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Three Floyds Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout (Bourbon Barrel Aged)

Brewed by: Three Floyds Brewing Company

Location: Indiana, United States

Estimated calories: 450

Alcohol by volume: 15 per cent

Overall rank: 2

Three Floyds Brewing Company, which was founded in 1996, has limited production and distributes beer only locally.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
Revellers drink beer from a giant glass during San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain.

Russian River Pliny the Younger

Brewed by: Russian River Brewing

Location: California, United States

Estimated calories: 330

Alcohol by volume: 11 per cent

Overall rank: 3

Russian River Brewing, which employs about 60 part-time and full-time employees, distributes its beer in four states in America.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
A barmaid pours a pint of beer at The Builders Arms pub in east London.

AleSmith Speedway Stout (Barrel Aged)

Brewed by: AleSmith Brewing Company

Location: California, United States

Estimated calories: 360

Alcohol by volume: 12 per cent

Overall rank: 4

AleSmith Brewing Company, which was founded in 1995, is an artisan microbrewery that specialises in handcrafted ales in a variety of styles.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
Tourists sit on stools and drink beer outside a beverage shop along a street at the old quarters in Hanoi, Vietnam.

AleSmith Speedway Stout

Brewed by: AleSmith Brewing Company

Location: California, United States

Estimated calories: 360

Alcohol by volume: 12 per cent

Overall rank: 5

AleSmith Brewing Company, which was founded in 1995, is an artisan microbrewery that specialises in handcrafted ales in a variety of styles.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
A pint of beer is served through rows of beer pumps at the Campaign For Real Ale Great British Beer Festival at Earls Court in London.

Rochefort Trappistes 10

Brewed by: Brasserie Rochefort

Location: Rochefort, Belgium

Estimated calories: 339

Alcohol by volume: 11.3 per cent

Overall rank: 6

Brasserie Rochefort, which has been brewing beer since 1595, is only sold to provide funds to the monastery and aid charitable causes.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
A man drinks a beer during during a wrestling show in Budapest, Hungary.

Bells Black Note Stout

Brewed by: Bells Brewery

Location: Michigan, United States

Estimated calories: 315

Alcohol by volume: 10.5 per cent

Overall rank: 7

Bell's Brewery, which has been brewing beer since 1985, employees 200 people and produces more than 20 brands.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
An employee drives a fork lift with beer barrels in the Ottakringer brewery in Vienna, Austria.

Three Floyds Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout

Brewed by: Three Floyds Brewing Company

Location: Indiana, United States

Estimated calories: 450

Alcohol by volume: 15 per cent

Overall rank: 8

Three Floyds Brewing Company, which has been brewing beer since 1996, has limited production and only distributes locally.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
A judge views samples of real ale at the Great British Beer Festival at Earl's Court in west London.

Toppling Goliath Mornin’ Delight

Brewed by: Toppling Goliath

Location: Iowa, United States

Estimated calories: 360

Alcohol by volume: 12 per cent

Overall rank: 9

Toppling Goliath, which has been brewing beer since 2009, is currently in the process of expanding its facilities.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
A worker inspects racks of beer bottles at the Anheuser-Busch InBev's plant in Jupille near Liege, Belgium.

Toppling Goliath Kentucky Brunch

Brewed by: Toppling Goliath

Location: Iowa, United States

Estimated calories: 360

Alcohol by volume: 12 per cent

Overall rank: 10

Toppling Goliath, which has been brewing beer since 2009, is currently in the process of expanding its facilities.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
Jean Van Roy, head of a traditional Cantillon brewery in Brussels, checks the quality of beer in Brussels, Belgium.

Three Floyds Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout (Bourbon Vanilla Bean)

Brewed by: Three Floyds Brewing Company

Location: Indiana, United States

Estimated calories: 420

Alcohol by volume: 14 per cent

Overall rank: 11

Three Floyds Brewing Company, which has been brewing beer since 1996, has limited production and distributes only locally.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
Tourists cycle as they drink beer and sing karaoke on a beer bike in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Cigar City Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout - Apple Brandy Barrel Aged

Brewed by: Cigar City Brewing

Location: Florida, United States

Estimated calories: 330

Alcohol by volume: 11 per cent

Overall rank: 12

To celebrate the release of Hunahpu, the company hosts Hunahpu's Day on the second weekend of every March.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
A man picks a bottle at an assembly line inside the Taiwan Beer factory in Jhunan, Miaoli County.

Bells Expedition Stout

Brewed by: Bells Brewery

Location: Michigan, United States

Estimated calories: 315

Alcohol by volume: 10.5 per cent

Overall rank: 13

Bells Brewery, which began production in 1985, employees more than 200 people and brews 20 beer brands for distribution.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
A round of beers sit on a table inside McSorley's Old Ale House in New York City.

Cigar City Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout

Brewed by: Cigar City Brewing

Location: Florida, United States

Estimated calories: 330

Alcohol by volume: 11 per cent

Overall rank: 14

Cigar City Brewing is comprised of a 15 barrel brewhouse occupying 6,600 sq. ft. of warehouse space in the Carver City-Lincoln Gardens neighbourhood of Tampa, according to the company's website.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
A waitress pours a pint of beer during the annual Belgian beer weekend at the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium.

Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout)

Brewed by: Founders Brewing Company

Location: Michigan, United States

Estimated calories: 336

Alcohol by volume: 11.2 per cent

Overall rank: 15

Founders Brewing Company was started by Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers who left their jobs to start the business.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
A bartender adds a slice of orange to a Blue Moon Ale for a tourist in Golden, Colorado.

Cigar City Final Push Imperial Stout

Brewed by: Cigar City Brewing

Location: Florida, United States

Estimated calories: 330

Alcohol by volume: 11 per cent

Overall rank: 16

Cigar City Brewing is comprised of a 15 barrel brewhouse occupying 6,600 sq. ft. of warehouse space in the Carver City-Lincoln Gardens neighbourhood of Tampa, according to the company's website.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
A bartender taps a Bavaria beer at a bar in Haarlem, the Netherlands.

Russian River Pliny the Elder

Brewed by: Russian River Brewing

Location: California, United States

Estimated calories: 240

Alcohol by volume: 8 per cent

Overall rank: 17

Russian River Brewing has more than 60 part-time and full-time employees and distributes beers in four states in America.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
Beer is tapped at the opening of Vienna's Schweitzerhaus, a traditional beer garden at an amusement park, in Austria.

Three Floyds Dreadnaught Imperial IPA

Brewed by: Three Floyds Brewing Company

Location: Indiana, United States

Estimated calories: 285

Alcohol by volume: 9.5 per cent

Overall rank: 18

Three Floyds Brewing Company, which was founded in 1996, has limited production and distributes only locally.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
Tourists sit on a terrace during the annual Belgian beer weekend at the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium.

Westvleteren Extra 8

Brewed by: Westvleteren Abdij St Sixtus

Location: Westvleteren, Belgium

Estimated calories: 240

Alcohol by volume: 8 per cent

Overall rank: 19

The Westvleteren "Trappist" is sold exclusively at the abbey store, and only after having made a reservation by telephone, according to the company's website.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
A view of an Oktoberfest beer mug in Munich, Germany.

AleSmith Speedway Stout (Kopi Luwak)

Brewed by: AleSmith Brewing Company

Location: California, United States

Estimated calories: 366

Alcohol by volume: 12.2 per cent

Overall rank: 20

AleSmith Brewing Company, which was founded in 1995, is an artisan microbrewery that specialises in handcrafted ales in a variety of styles.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
Women drink beer during a contest in Yongchuan city in southwest China's Chongqing municipality.

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

Brewed by: Goose Island Beer Company (AB-InBev)

Location: Illinois, United States

Estimated calories: 450

Alcohol by volume: 15 per cent

Overall rank: 21

AleSmith Brewing Company, which was founded in 1988, produces many year-round and seasonal brands of craft beer.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
Contestants chug beer during a drinking competition in Jinan, capital of China's eastern Shandong province.

Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasel

Brewed by: Lervig Aktiebryggeri

Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Estimated calories: 327

Alcohol by volume: 10.9 per cent

Overall rank: 22

It is brewed with one of the world’s most expensive coffees, made from droppings of weasel-like civetcats, according to ratebeer.com.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
Mould covers the beer bottles in the private archive of the family-owned Hofstetten brewery in the Upper Austrian town of Saint Martin.

Bells Hopslam

Brewed by: Bells Brewery

Location: Michigan, United States

Estimated calories: 300

Alcohol by volume: 10 per cent

Overall rank: 23

Bells Brewery, which began brewing beer in 1985, employees more than 200 people and produces 20 brands.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
A waiter serves a glass of beer ahead of an Anheuser-Busch InBev shareholders meeting in Brussels, Belgium.

Hair of the Dog Matt

Brewed by: Hair of the Dog Brewing Company

Location: Oregon, United States

Estimated calories: 375

Alcohol by volume: 12.5 per cent

Overall rank: 24

Hair of the Dog Brewing Company makes only a small amount of beer and each bottle has a unique bottling number. This number changes every 5,000 bottles, according to the company's website.

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25 best beer brands in the world

September 20, 2013 09:33 IST
A barmaid pours a pint of beer at The Builders Arms pub in east London.

Surly Darkness

Brewed by: Surly Brewing Company

Location: Minnesota, United States

Estimated calories: 288

Alcohol by volume: 9.6 per cent

Overall rank: 25

Surly Brewing Company, which was started by Omar Ansari in 1994, is based in Minnesota, United States.