The campaigning is over, the kegs are kicked, and the taps are dry. It's finally time to do your duty and vote for America's Next Top Beer -- the one small-scale craft brew that truly belongs in coolers from coast-to-coast.

The nominees
Our search was exhaustive. We pulled together an A-Team of beer experts -- minus the van -- and drilled into their wealth of beer knowledge. We also sent out the clarion call of craft beer to you, and suggestions for our Readers' Choice nominee came in from Boston to Hawaii, leaving no sudsy stone unturned. This tireless research and pint-pounding finally lead us here -- it's now time to crown one of these 12 finalists America's Next Top Beer.

The next steps
Over the next week we'll be presenting each of the beers that made the nomination cut. You'll see how our beer experts size them up, and be able to cast your vote. Whichever microbrew earns the most votes by June 4 will be officially recognized as America's Next Top Beer 2010 -- the microbrew we expect to take over taste buds in the next year.

What's in It for You
And just in case the prospect of being part of the voting process for America's Next Top Beer isn't enough for you, we've partnered with the Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club to offer a free year-long membership to one lucky Asylum reader. To enter, just leave a comment on the bottom of this post (or any other America's Next Top Beer post until May 27, 2010). We'll randomly select a giveaway winner after we've revealed which microbrew is the winner. For more giveaway details and to read the official rules, click here.

The Finalists
AleSmith Anvil ESB Ale
Alpha King
B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout
Bell's Two-Hearted Ale
Brooklyn Lager
Cigar City Brewing Jai Alai IPA
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
Lagunitas Brewing's IPA
New Belgium Brewing's Fat Tire Amber
Ommegang Abbey Ale
Stone Pale Ale
Surly Brewing Co.'s Furious


Vote
Which microbrew should be America's Next Top Beer?
AleSmith Anvil ESB Ale104 (1.2%)
Alpha King252 (2.9%)
B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout 411 (4.8%)
Bell's Two-Hearted Ale882 (10.3%)
Brooklyn Lager649 (7.5%)
Cigar City Brewing Jai Alai IPA 262 (3.0%)
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA1198 (13.9%)
Lagunitas Brewing's IPA417 (4.9%)
New Belgium Brewing's Fat Tire Amber2488 (28.9%)
Ommegang Abbey Ale369 (4.3%)
Stone Pale Ale1204 (14.0%)
Surly Brewing Co.'s Furious361 (4.2%)